List of museums in New South Wales facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

New South Wales, or NSW, is a big state in Australia, and it's full of amazing museums! Museums are special places where people collect, take care of, and show off cool objects. These objects can be about art, science, history, or different cultures. Think of them as giant treasure chests filled with stories from the past and present.

In 2013, there were almost 500 museums and galleries in NSW. Many of these were run by local communities, showing off their own unique history. There were also bigger public museums, art galleries, and even places dedicated to Aboriginal culture. These museums help us learn about everything from ancient fish to old trains, and even how people lived long ago!

Discover Museums in NSW

There are many different types of museums across New South Wales. Here are some of the exciting places you can visit to learn something new!

Art Galleries: See Amazing Creations

Art galleries are places where you can see beautiful paintings, sculptures, and other artworks.

Albury Art Gallery in Albury has a great collection of art.
Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place in Armidale shows art and tells stories about Aboriginal history and culture.
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery in Bathurst is a public art gallery.
Bega Valley Regional Gallery in Bega features modern Australian art.
Blacktown Arts Centre in Blacktown is a cool place for art in Western Sydney.
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba has art and cultural exhibits.
Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery in Broken Hill is another great art gallery.
Bundanon near Nowra was the home and studio of famous painter Arthur Boyd.
Bunker Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour shows funny and clever drawings by Australian cartoonists.
Campbelltown Arts Centre in Campbelltown focuses on modern art.
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in Casula has many art galleries and a theatre.
Cessnock Regional Art Gallery in Cessnock is in the Hunter Valley.
Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery in Coffs Harbour is a regional art gallery.
Cowra Regional Art Gallery in Cowra is a great place to see art in the Central West.
Fairfield City Museum and Gallery in Smithfield has art and local history.
Gallery Blackheath in Blackheath shows works by local Blue Mountains artists.
Glasshouse Regional Gallery in Port Macquarie is a modern art space.
Gosford Regional Gallery in Gosford is on the Central Coast.
Goulburn Regional Art Gallery in Goulburn is a public art gallery.
Grafton Regional Gallery in Grafton is in the Northern Rivers area.
Griffith Regional Art Gallery in Griffith shows local and visiting art.
Hawkesbury Regional Gallery in Windsor is a regional art gallery.
Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre in Gymea has two art galleries and studios.
Inverell Art Gallery in Inverell is a community art gallery.
Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery in Lake Macquarie is in the Hunter Region.
Lismore Regional Gallery in Lismore is in the Northern Rivers.
Lock-Up Cultural Centre in Newcastle East has a contemporary art gallery in a former police station.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery in Maitland is a large art gallery.
Manly Art Gallery and Museum in Manly focuses on Australian ceramics and local history.
Manning Regional Art Gallery in Taree is in the Mid North Coast.
McCrossin's Mill Museum in Uralla has art, local history, and culture.
Moree Plains Gallery in Moree is in the North West Slopes.
Mosman Art Gallery in Mosman is on the North Shore of Sydney.
Murray Art Museum Albury in Albury is a major art museum.
Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre in Muswellbrook is in the Hunter Region.
National Art Glass Gallery in Wagga Wagga shows beautiful glass art.
New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in Armidale has Australian art and a printing museum.
Newcastle Art Gallery in Newcastle East is a major art gallery.
Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum in Faulconbridge was the home of artist and writer Norman Lindsay.
Orange Regional Gallery in Orange is in the Central West.
Penrith Regional Gallery & Lewers Bequest in Emu Plains is in Greater Western Sydney.
Shoalhaven City Arts Centre in Nowra is an art centre.
Sturt Australia in Mittagong is a centre for Australian craft and design with an exhibit gallery.
Tamworth Regional Gallery in Tamworth has textile and silver collections.
Tweed River Art Gallery in Murwillumbah is a regional art gallery.
University of New South Wales Galleries in Paddington are part of the university's art college.
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery in Wagga Wagga shows art from local artists and other exhibitions.
Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo is a large art and cultural centre.
White's Mineral Art Gallery & Living Mining Museum in Broken Hill shows paintings made with local minerals.
Wollongong City Gallery in Wollongong is a major art gallery in the Illawarra.

History Museums: Explore the Past

These museums tell the stories of people, places, and events from long ago.

Local History: Stories from Your Town

Albury Library Museum in Albury combines a library with local history exhibits.
Alison Homestead in Wyong shows what pioneer homes were like.
Armidale Folk Museum in Armidale tells the local history of the area.
Bathurst District Historical Society Museum in Bathurst shares the history of Bathurst.
Berry Museum (Australia) in Berry is run by the local historical society.
Braidwood Museum in Braidwood tells the local history of the town.
Camden Haven Historical Museum in Laurieton has historic items and helps with family history research.
Centenary Cottage Museum in Tenterfield shows artifacts from old Hillgrove.
City of Canada Bay Museum in Concord has collections of toys, war items, and local industry.
Coffs Harbour Regional Museum in Coffs Harbour tells the local history of the Coffs Harbour area.
Cowra and District Historical Museum in Cowra has displays about World War I and II camps.
Don Bank Museum in North Sydney is a local history museum.
Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Museum in Dorrigo is run by the local historical society.
Eugowra Historical Society Museum in Eugowra shares the history of the town.
Forbes Historical Museum in Forbes is run by the local historical society.
Glen Museum in Portland tells the local history of Portland.
Glenreagh Memorial Museum in Glenreagh is a local history museum.
Golden Memories Museum in Millthorpe has local history exhibits.
Greater Cobar Heritage Centre in Cobar shares the history of the Cobar area.
Gulgong Holtermann Museum in Gulgong focuses on the town's gold rush history.
Hawkesbury Regional Museum in Windsor tells the history of the Hawkesbury region.
Hay Gaol Museum in Hay is a former prison with local history exhibits.
Hillgrove Rural Life and Industry Museum in Armidale shows everyday items from old Hillgrove.
Hurstville Library Museum Gallery in Hurstville combines a library, museum, and gallery.
Illawarra Museum in Wollongong is run by the Illawarra Historical Society.
Junee Broadway Museum in Junee is in a former hotel and tells local history.
Lambing Flat Folk Museum in Young shares local history.
Lismore Regional Museum in Lismore is run by the Richmond River Historical Society.
Manning Valley Historical Museum in Wingham is run by the local historical society.
Melvie Chick Historical Museum in Cundletown is run by the local historical society.
Molong Museum in Molong tells the local history of the town.
Moruya Museum in Moruya is a 19th-century house with local history displays.
Mount Victoria Museum in Mount Victoria shares local history.
Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga has local history and culture exhibits at two sites.
Nowra Museum in Nowra is run by the Shoalhaven Historical Society.
Old Courthouse Museum in Batemans Bay is run by the local historical society.
Old School Museum in Merimbula is run by the Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society.
Oxley Museum in Wellington shares local history.
Pioneer Cottage Museum in Urbenville shows what a settler's home looked like.
Port Macquarie Courthouse Museum in Port Macquarie is in a mid-19th-century courthouse.
Port Macquarie Historical Museum in Port Macquarie is run by the local historical society.
Queanbeyan Historical Museum in Queanbeyan shares the history of the area.
Rockley Mill in Rockley has local history and old mill machinery.
Silverton Gaol Museum in Silverton is a former prison with local history.
Silverton School Museum in Silverton is a late 19th-century school.
Singleton Museum in Singleton is run by the local historical society.
St Clair Local History Museum & Archives in Goulburn has local history information.
Stoke Stable Museum in Carcoar shares local history.
Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum in Broken Hill has railway items and minerals.
Tarella Cottage Museum in Wentworth Falls is run by the Blue Mountains Historical Society.
Temora Rural Museum in Temora shows what life was like in the area long ago.
Tinonee Historical Museum in Tinonee is run by the local historical society.
Turkish Bath Museum in Mount Wilson is run by the local historical society.
Tweed River Regional Museum in Murwillumbah has local history, with branches in Tweed Heads and Uki.
Wagga Wagga Rail Heritage Museum in Wagga Wagga is located at the railway station.
Walcha Pioneer Cottage Museum in Walcha is a pioneer cottage museum.
Warren Museum & Art Gallery in Warren shows local and Indigenous history.
Wing Hing Long Museum in Tingha tells the story of Tingha's Chinese heritage and tin mining.
Wollombi Endeavour Museum in Wollombi shares local history.
Yamba Museum in Yamba tells the local and maritime history.
Yass and District Museum in Yass shares the history of the Yass area.
Yeoval Historical Museum in Yeoval tells the local history of Yeoval.

Historic Houses: Step Back in Time

These museums are old homes that show how people lived in the past.

Abercrombie House in Bathurst is a large Scottish-style mansion from the 1870s.
Bedervale in Braidwood is a 19th-century homestead run by the National Trust of Australia.
Bishop's Lodge in Hay is an 1888 iron house with a rose garden.
Chifley Home in Bathurst was the home of former Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley.
Cooma Cottage in Yass is a 19th-century homestead run by the National Trust of Australia.
Dobell House in Wangi Wangi was the home and studio of Sir William Dobell.
Dundullimal Homestead in Dubbo is a very old slab hut house from the 1840s, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta is a homestead from 1793, run by Sydney Living Museums.
Eryldene in Gordon is an early 20th-century house and garden.
Esbank House in Lithgow is a 19th-century house with local history exhibits.
Experiment Farm Cottage in Parramatta was Australia's first European farmstead from the 1790s, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Garroorigang in Goulburn is a historic house.
Grossman House in Maitland is a 19th-century house with old costumes and textiles, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Hambledon Cottage in Parramatta is a mid-19th-century cottage.
Harper's Mansion in Berrima is a mid-19th-century homestead run by the National Trust of Australia.
Henry Kendall Cottage in Gosford was the home of poet Henry Kendall (poet).
May Gibbs’ Nutcote in Neutral Bay was the home of children's author and illustrator May Gibbs.
Meroogal in Nowra is a historic house run by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.
Miss Porter's House in Newcastle is an Edwardian house with 100 years of collectibles, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Miss Traill's House in Bathurst has family items and horse-racing memorabilia, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee is a late 19th-century Victorian manor.
Old Government House in Parramatta was the country home for early governors of New South Wales, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Riversdale in Goulburn is a 19th-century homestead run by the National Trust of Australia.
Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga is a mid-20th-century modern house, run by Sydney Living Museums.
Roto House in Port Macquarie is a historic house in Macquarie Nature Reserve.
Saumarez Homestead in Armidale is an Edwardian mansion with original furniture, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Schaeffer House in Grafton is a Victorian-era house.
Sunnyside Historic Home & South Sea Island Museum in Cooranbong is a historic home.
Tomago House in Tomago is a 19th-century homestead, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Vaucluse House in Vaucluse is a 19th-century estate, run by Sydney Living Museums.
Vienna Cottage in Hunters Hill is a late 19th-century home, run by the National Trust of Australia.
Wivenhoe in Narellan was the 1830s home of Sir Charles Cowper, a Premier of New South Wales.
Woodford Academy in Woodford is an 1830s building, run by the National Trust of Australia.

Military and War History: Brave Stories

These museums focus on armies, wars, and military life.

12th/16th Hunter River Lancers Memorial Museum in Muswellbrook tells the history of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers.
Australian Army Infantry Museum in Singleton shares the history of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
Breakwater Battery Military Museum in Port Kembla is a World War II battery and observation post.
Dunera Museum in Hay tells the history of prisoner of war camps in World War II.
Fighter World in Williamtown is at RAAF Base Williamtown and shows Australian fighter aircraft history.
Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra is at Naval Air Station Nowra and shows Australia's naval aviation history.
Fort Scratchley in Newcastle East is a late 19th-century coastal defence.
Goulburn War Memorial & Museum in Goulburn has a memorial tower and items from World War I.
Lancer Barracks and Museum in Parramatta is located in the Lancer Barracks.
Memorial Walk Museum in Bathurst has military art and artifacts.
RAAF Wagga Heritage Centre in Forest Hill has aircraft and items related to RAAF Base Wagga.

Maritime History: Life on the Water

These museums are all about ships, the sea, and coastal life.

Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum in Ballina features the original Las Balsas raft and ship models.
Eden Killer Whale Museum in Eden covers whaling, fishing, and local maritime history.
Lady Denman Heritage Complex in Huskisson includes the 1911 Lady Denman ferry and maritime objects.
Mid North Coast Maritime Museum in Port Macquarie is about maritime history.
MV Cape Don in Waverton is a lighthouse tender ship that is now a museum.
Narooma Lighthouse Museum in Narooma has the original light from the Montague Island Lightstation.
Newcastle Maritime Centre in Newcastle East focuses on maritime history.

Prison and Crime History: Life Behind Bars

These museums explore the history of prisons and law enforcement.

Maitland Gaol in East Maitland is a 19th-century prison.
Old Dubbo Gaol in Dubbo is a 19th-century prison.
Trial Bay Gaol in Laggers Point shows the remains of a late 19th-century prison and internment camp.

Science and Technology: How Things Work

These museums explore science, inventions, and how things are made.

Energy Expo at Mount Piper Power Station in Portland shows how electricity is made and offers tours.
Futureworld in Warrawong has hands-on exhibits about environmental solutions.
Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum in Goulburn has working steam engines.
Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum in Lithgow shows the history of the factory and a collection of firearms.
Norah Head Light in Norah Head offers tours of an active lighthouse.
Parkes Observatory in Parkes is about astronomy and space science.
Penrith Museum of Printing in Penrith shows historical printing processes.
Snowy Scheme Museum in Adaminaby has exhibits about the huge Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.
Tamworth Powerstation Museum in Tamworth tells the history of electricity.
Turon Technology Museum in Sofala shows the development of engines.
Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium in Port Kembla is part of the University of Wollongong and has science exhibits.

Natural History and Geology: Earth's Treasures

Learn about fossils, minerals, and the natural world.

Age of Fishes Museum in Canowindra has Devonian fish fossils and a live aquarium.
Albert Kersten Mining & Minerals Museum in Broken Hill has rocks, minerals, and information about the area's geology.
Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Bathurst has fossils and minerals.
Big Fish Fossil Hut in Peak Hill has fossils including trilobites and dinosaurs.
Gill Bennet Gem and Mineral Collection in Tamworth shows gems and minerals.
Zoology Museum at the University of New England in Armidale is a teaching museum with animal exhibits.

Transport Museums: Wheels, Wings, and Rails

These museums are all about how people and goods move around.

Armidale Bicentennial Railway Museum in Armidale is a railway museum.
Australian Motorlife Museum in Wollongong has vintage cars and memorabilia.
Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre in Gundagai is about road transport history.
Canowindra Motors Holden Museum in Canowindra has a large collection of vintage Holden cars.
Chrystie's Museum in Tocumwal has a private collection of cars, trucks, and tractors.
Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum in Dorrigo has a collection of railway vehicles.
Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre in Goulburn has a railroad roundhouse with trains and artifacts.
Glenreagh Mountain Railway in Glenreagh is a heritage railway.
Hunter Valley Railway Trust in North Rothbury has old trains and locomotives.
Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park has a narrow gauge railway and a museum.
Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum in Junee is the only working roundhouse railway station in the Riverina.
Lachlan Valley Railway in Cowra is a heritage railway with a depot and museum.
Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum in Leura has toys, model trains, and memorabilia.
Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway in Lithgow has coal mine buildings and railroad equipment.
Luskintyre Aviation Flying Museum in Luskintyre has vintage aircraft, especially Tiger Moths.
McFeeters Motor Museum in Forbes has veteran, vintage, classic, and custom cars.
National Motor Racing Museum in Bathurst is next to the Mount Panorama Circuit and shows Australia's motor racing history.
National Transport Museum in Inverell has vintage cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses.
NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere has locomotives and rolling stock.
Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum in Tamworth has motorcycles from the 1950s to 1980s.
Rail Motor Society in Paterson has preserved railway vehicles.
Richmond Vale Railway Museum in Wollombi is a heritage railway and museum about a former coal mine.
Temora Aviation Museum in Temora has historic military and civilian aircraft.
Tenterfield Railway Station Museum in Tenterfield is a Victorian railway station with old trains and a model railway.
Valley Heights Rail Museum in Valley Heights is a heritage railway and museum.
West Darling Machinery Preservation Society in Broken Hill has old farm and mining machinery.

Other Interesting Museums

ACU McGlade Gallery at Strathfield in Strathfield is part of the Australian Catholic University.
Australian Country Music Hall of Fame in Tamworth celebrates country music.
Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles in East Maitland is located in the Maitland Gaol.
Australian Pen Museum in Wagga Wagga has writing tools and documents.
Coolamon Fire Museum in Coolamon has a private collection of firefighting items.
Henry Parks Centre in Parkes has a collection of Elvis Presley items, a motor museum, and local history.
International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral tells the history of cricket and Sir Donald Bradman.
Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney is a museum about Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross.
Museum of Antiquities at UNE in Armidale is part of the University of New England and has ancient objects.
Museum of Education at UNE in Armidale is part of the University of New England and has old school buildings.
Museum of Fire in Penrith has a large collection of old fire engines.
Museum of Printing at NERAM in Armidale shows historical printing processes.
National Museum of Australian Pottery in Holbrook has 19th and early 20th-century Australian pottery.
Pioneer Women's Hut in Tumbarumba celebrates the cleverness of women in early rural Australia.
Queanbeyan Printing Museum in Queanbeyan has working printing presses.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitors' Centre in Broken Hill tells the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Museum in Sydney tells the history of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Sacred Spaces in Singleton is a convent and museum about the Sisters of Mercy.
S.H.P Memorial School of Arts in Tenterfield has items owned by Sir Henry Parkes.
Shear Outback in Hay explores the history of sheep shearing.
Timbertown in Wauchope is a 19th-century sawmiller's village with a working steam train.
Yanco Powerhouse Museum in Yanco has farm equipment and local history.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Some museums have closed down over time.

Legends Surf Museum, Coffs Harbour
Old Sydney Town