Powerhouse Museum

The basics

The Powerhouse Museums record Sydney’s and Australia’s past and look to the future. Powerhouse Ultimo hosts changing exhibitions that draw on its collections. These include diverse topics and genres, including fashion photography, queer arts, immigrant stories, aviation history, indigenous culture, and more. Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find something at the Powerhouse. Most people visit independently when exploring central Sydney.

Things to know before you go

• General entry to Powerhouse Ultimo is free, although some programs are ticketed.

• Guided tours of Powerhouse Ultimo are available for individuals and school groups but must be booked in advance.

• Powerhouse Ultimo is fully accessible to people who use wheelchairs and visitors with disabilities.

• The cafe at Powerhouse Ultimo serves dine-in and takeaway food; it opens an hour before the museum closes in the mid-afternoon.

How to get there

The Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo, is located in Central Sydney’s Haymarket area, beside Chinatown and Paddy’s Markets. Unless you’re staying within walking distance, the easiest way to get there is on the light rail. The nearest stops are the Exhibition Centre and Paddy’s Market. Alternatively, the 501 bus stops right outside the museum, and it’s a 15-minute walk from Sydney’s Central Station, which is 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away.

When to get there

Powerhouse Ultimo is open daily from morning until early evening, except on Christmas Day (December 25). Parts of the museum are open late on Thursdays. The other Powerhouse branches operate different opening hours, which are generally more limited than those of Powerhouse Ultimo.

Visit the Sydney Observatory

Powerhouse Ultimo is the main branch in the central city, but the Sydney Observatory, also under the Powerhouse Museums umbrella, is worth visiting. The Observatory is in an 1858 heritage-listed building perched on a hill behind the fashionable, historic The Rocks neighborhood. It’s open for night tours Wednesday through Saturday, and prebooking is essential. Tours include information on site history, its significance for Indigenous Australians, and a look at the historic and modern telescopes in operation.