List of museums in New South Wales facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Welcome to a super cool list of museums in New South Wales (NSW), Australia! Museums are like treasure chests filled with amazing objects that tell stories about our past, art, science, and different cultures. They collect, look after, and show these special items to everyone.

In NSW, there are hundreds of museums and galleries. They include places run by local communities, big art galleries, and even special centers that celebrate Aboriginal culture. These places are fantastic for learning new things and having fun!

Awesome Museums in NSW

Here's a look at some of the exciting museums you can find across New South Wales:

Art and Culture Museums

Albury Art Gallery in Albury: A great place to see different kinds of art.
Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place in Armidale: Learn about Aboriginal history and culture, and see beautiful art.
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery in Bathurst: This gallery shows off many artworks.
Bega Valley Regional Gallery in Bega: See modern Australian art with new exhibitions all the time.
Blacktown Arts Centre in Blacktown: A vibrant place for art in Western Sydney.
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba: Explore art and culture in the beautiful Blue Mountains.
Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery in Broken Hill: Discover art in the outback.
Bundanon in Nowra: Visit the historic home and studio of famous painter Arthur Boyd.
Bunker Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour: See funny and clever drawings by Australian cartoonists.
Bygone Beautys Treasured Teapot Museum in Leura: A unique collection of teapots and beautiful items.
Campbelltown Arts Centre in Campbelltown: A big art center with lots of different art forms.
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in Casula: This center has six galleries with changing art shows and a theatre.
Cessnock Regional Art Gallery in Cessnock: A local gallery in the Hunter Valley.
Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery in Coffs Harbour: Another great spot for art on the Mid North Coast.
Cowra Regional Art Gallery in Cowra: Enjoy art in the Central West.
Dobell House in Wangi Wangi: The home and studio of famous artist Sir William Dobell.
Fairfield City Museum and Gallery in Smithfield: A museum and gallery for the Fairfield area.
Gallery Blackheath in Blackheath: See amazing paintings, drawings, and photos by local Blue Mountains artists.
Glasshouse Regional Gallery in Port Macquarie: A modern art gallery on the Mid North Coast.
Gosford Regional Gallery in Gosford: A lovely gallery on the Central Coast.
Goulburn Regional Art Gallery in Goulburn: Check out art in the Southern Tablelands.
Grafton Regional Gallery in Grafton: A regional art gallery in the Northern Rivers.
Griffith Regional Art Gallery in Griffith: Art in the Riverina region.
Hawkesbury Regional Gallery in Windsor: See art in the Hawkesbury area.
Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre in Gymea: A big arts center with galleries, studios, and more.
Inverell Art Gallery in Inverell: A community art gallery run by local artists.
Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery in Lake Macquarie: Art by the lake.
Lismore Regional Gallery in Lismore: Art in the Northern Rivers.
Lock-Up Cultural Centre in Newcastle East: A former police station that now has a contemporary art gallery.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery in Maitland: A major art gallery in the Hunter Region.
Manly Art Gallery and Museum in Manly: Focuses on Australian ceramics and local history.
Manning Regional Art Gallery in Taree: Art on the Mid North Coast.
McCrossin's Mill Museum in Uralla: Features art, local history, and culture.
Moree Plains Gallery in Moree: Art in the North West Slopes.
Mosman Art Gallery in Mosman: A gallery on Sydney's North Shore.
Murray Art Museum Albury in Albury: A modern art museum in the Riverina.
Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre in Muswellbrook: Art in the Hunter Region.
National Museum of Australian Pottery in Holbrook: See beautiful Australian pottery from the 1800s and early 1900s.
New England Regional Art Museum – NERAM in Armidale: A large museum with Australian art and a Museum of Printing.
Newcastle Art Gallery in Newcastle East: A major art gallery in Newcastle.
Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum in Faulconbridge: Visit the home of artist and writer Norman Lindsay in the Blue Mountains.
Orange Regional Gallery in Orange: Art in the Central West.
Penrith Regional Gallery & Lewers Bequest in Emu Plains: A gallery in Greater Western Sydney.
Shoalhaven City Arts Centre in Nowra: Art in the South Coast region.
Sturt Australia in Mittagong: An education center for Australian craft and design with an exhibit gallery.
Tamworth Regional Gallery in Tamworth: Features textile and silver collections.
Tweed River Art Gallery in Murwillumbah: A regional art gallery in the Northern Rivers.
University of New South Wales Galleries in Paddington: Art galleries that are part of the University of New South Wales.
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery in Wagga Wagga: Shows art by Riverina artists and national exhibitions.
Warren Museum & Art Gallery in Warren NSW: A modern museum with local history and an art gallery.
Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo: A cultural center with art in the Orana region.
White's Mineral Art Gallery & Living Mining Museum in Broken Hill: See paintings made with local minerals and learn about mining history.
Wollongong City Gallery in Wollongong: A city art gallery in the Illawarra.

History and Local Life Museums

Albury Library Museum in Albury: A combined library and museum about local history and art.
Alison Homestead in Wyong: Learn about pioneer life on the Central Coast.
Armidale Folk Museum in Armidale: Discover the local history of Armidale.
Bathurst District Historical Society Museum in Bathurst: Explore Bathurst's history.
Berry Museum (Australia) in Berry: Operated by the Berry & District Historical Society.
Braidwood Museum in Braidwood: Local history of Braidwood.
Bulli Black Diamond Districts Heritage Centre in Bulli: Learn about the heritage of the Black Diamond Districts.
Camden Haven Historical Museum in Laurieton: Historic exhibitions and artifacts in a 1911 School of Arts building.
Centenary Cottage Museum in Tenterfield: Information about the local history of Tenterfield.
City of Canada Bay Museum in Concord: Collections include toys, items from World War I and II, and local industry.
Coffs Harbour Regional Museum in Coffs Harbour: Learn about the local history of Coffs Harbour.
Cowra and District Historical Museum in Cowra: Displays about WWI and WWII military camps, old engines, and farm equipment.
Don Bank Museum in North Sydney: A museum about local history.
Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Museum in Dorrigo: Operated by the Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Historical Society.
Eden Killer Whale Museum in Eden: Learn about whaling, fishing, and local history.
Eugowra Historical Society Museum in Eugowra: Local history of Eugowra.
Forbes Historical Museum in Forbes: Operated by the Forbes and District Historical Society.
Glen Museum in Portland: Local history, formerly the Charlie Pinch Museum.
Glenreagh Memorial Museum in Glenreagh: Local history of Glenreagh.
Golden Memories Museum in Millthorpe: Local history of Millthorpe.
Greater Cobar Heritage Centre in Cobar: Local history of Cobar.
Griffith Pioneer Park in Griffith: An open-air museum with historic buildings and machinery.
Gulgong Holtermann Museum in Gulgong: Learn about the community's history during the 1870s gold rush.
Hawkesbury Regional Museum in Windsor: Local history of the Hawkesbury area.
Hay Gaol Museum in Hay: A former prison with exhibits on local history.
Hillgrove Rural Life and Industry Museum in Armidale: Artifacts showing everyday life in old Hillgrove.
Hurstville Library Museum Gallery in Hurstville: A combined library, museum, and gallery.
Illawarra Museum in Wollongong: Operated by the Illawarra Historical Society, focusing on local history.
Inverell Pioneer Village in Inverell: A village with 19th-century pioneer buildings.
Junee Broadway Museum in Junee: Operated by the Junee & District Historical Society in a former hotel.
Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Museum Park in Kangaroo Valley: An open-air museum with old buildings, farm machinery, and household items.
Lambing Flat Folk Museum in Young: Local history of the Young area.
Lismore Regional Museum in Lismore: Operated by the Richmond River Historical Society.
Manning Valley Historical Museum in Wingham: Operated by the Manning Valley Historical Society.
Melvie Chick Historical Museum in Cundletown: Operated by the Cundletown & Lower Manning Historical Society.
Mid North Coast Maritime Museum in Port Macquarie: Learn about maritime history.
Molong Museum in Molong: Local history of Molong.
Moruya Museum in Moruya: A 19th-century period house operated by the Moruya and District Historical Society.
Mount Victoria Museum in Mount Victoria: Local history of Mount Victoria.
Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga: Learn about local history and culture across two sites.
Newcastle Museum in Newcastle East: Discover local history, culture, industry, and science.
Nowra Museum in Nowra: Operated by the Shoalhaven Historical Society, focusing on local history.
Old Courthouse Museum in Batemans Bay: Operated by the Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society.
Old School Museum in Merimbula: Operated by the Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society.
Oxley Museum in Wellington: Local history of Wellington.
Pioneer Cottage Museum in Urbenville: Displays of a settler's home.
Port Macquarie Courthouse Museum in Port Macquarie: A mid-19th-century courthouse.
Port Macquarie Historical Museum in Port Macquarie: Operated by the Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc.
Queanbeyan Historical Museum in Queanbeyan: Local history of Queanbeyan.
Rockley Mill in Rockley: Local history and historic mill machinery.
Schaeffer House (Grafton, New South Wales) in Grafton: A Victorian period house operated by the Clarence River Historical Society.
Shear Outback in Hay: Learn about the history of sheep shearing and new technologies.
Silverton Gaol Museum in Silverton: A former prison with local history exhibits.
Silverton School Museum in Silverton: A late 19th-century school used until 1970.
Singleton Museum in Singleton: Operated by the Singleton Historical Society.
St Clair Local History Museum & Archives in Goulburn: Local history of Goulburn.
Stoke Stable Museum in Carcoar: Local history.
Sunnyside Historic Home & South Sea Island Museum in Cooranbong: A historic home with a South Sea Island museum.
Timbertown in Wauchope: A 19th-century sawmiller's village with a working steam train.
Tinonee Historical Museum in Tinonee: Operated by the Tinonee Historical Society.
Turkish Bath Museum in Mount Wilson: Operated by the Mt Wilson/Mt Irvine Historical Society.
Tweed River Regional Museum in Murwillumbah: Local history of the Tweed River region.
Tarella Cottage Museum in Wentworth Falls: Operated by the Blue Mountains Historical Society.
Temora Rural Museum in Temora: A historic village museum showing life in the area.
Tinonee Historical Museum in Tinonee: Operated by the Tinonee Historical Society.
Tumbarumba visitor information centre/Museum in Tumbarumba: Local history.
The Arms of Australia Inn Museum in Emu Plains: Local history.
Walcha Pioneer Cottage Museum in Walcha: Local history of Walcha.
Wing Hing Long Museum in Tingha: Learn about Tingha's Chinese heritage and the tin boom.
Wollombi Endeavour Museum in Wollombi: Local history of Wollombi.
Yamba Museum in Yamba: Local history and maritime heritage.
Yanco Powerhouse Museum in Yanco: Displays of farm equipment and local history.
Yass and District Museum in Yass: Local history of Yass.
Yeoval Historical Museum in Yeoval: Local history of Yeoval.

Historic Homes and Buildings

Abercrombie House in Bathurst: A grand 50-room Scottish-baronial mansion from the 1870s.
Bedervale in Braidwood: A 19th-century homestead operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Bishop's Lodge in Hay: An 1888 iron house with a beautiful rose garden.
Chifley Home in Bathurst: The home of former Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley.
Cooma Cottage in Yass: A 19th-century homestead and stables operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Dundullimal Homestead in Dubbo: An 1840s slab hut house operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Elizabeth Bay House in Elizabeth Bay: A beautiful historic house.
Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta: A homestead dating back to 1793, operated by Sydney Living Museums.
Eryldene in Gordon: An early 20th-century house and garden with original furnishings.
Esbank House in Lithgow: A 19th-century house with local history exhibits and Lithgow pottery.
Experiment Farm Cottage in Parramatta: Australia's first European farmstead from the 1790s, operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Garroorigang in Goulburn: A historic house.
Grossman House in Maitland: Operated by the National Trust of Australia, displaying 19th-century costumes and textiles.
Hambledon Cottage in Parramatta: A mid-19th-century period cottage operated by the Parramatta & District Historical Society.
Harper's Mansion in Berrima: A mid-19th-century homestead operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Henry Kendall Cottage in Gosford: The home of poet Henry Kendall.
Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney: A historic site.
May Gibbs’ Nutcote in Neutral Bay: The home of children's author and illustrator May Gibbs.
Meroogal in Nowra: A historic house operated by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.
Miss Porter's House in Newcastle: An Edwardian terrace house with 100 years of collectibles, operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Miss Traill's House in Bathurst: Operated by the National Trust of Australia, featuring family items and horse-racing memorabilia.
Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee: A late 19th-century Victorian manor.
Museum of Sydney in Sydney: Learn about Sydney's history.
Old Government House in Parramatta: The former residence of early governors of New South Wales, operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Riversdale in Goulburn: A 19th-century homestead operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga: A mid-20th-century modern house operated by Sydney Living Museums.
Roto House in Port Macquarie: A historic house located in Macquarie Nature Reserve.
Rouse Hill Estate in Rouse Hill: A historic house.
Saumarez Homestead in Armidale: An Edwardian mansion with original furnishings, operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Susannah Place in Sydney: A historic house.
Tomago House in Tomago: A 19th-century homestead operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Vaucluse House in Vaucluse: A 19th-century estate operated by Sydney Living Museums.
Vienna Cottage in Hunters Hill: A late 19th-century home operated by the National Trust of Australia.
Wivenhoe in Narellan: The 1830s home of Sir Charles Cowper, a Premier of New South Wales.
Woodford Academy in Woodford: An 1830s building operated by the National Trust of Australia.

Science, Technology, and Transport Museums

Age of Fishes Museum in Canowindra: See Devonian fish fossils and a live aquarium.
Albert Kersten Mining & Minerals Museum in Broken Hill: Rocks, minerals, and geology of the area.
Armidale Bicentennial Railway Museum in Armidale: Learn about railway history.
Australian Army Infantry Museum in Singleton: The history of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Bathurst: Discover fossils and minerals.
Australian Motorlife Museum in Wollongong: Vintage cars and memorabilia.
Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre in Gundagai: Learn about road transport history.
Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum in Ballina: Features the original Las Balsas raft, ship models, and maritime history.
Bathurst Rail Museum in Bathurst: Explore railway history.
Big Fish Fossil Hut in Peak Hill: Fossils including trilobites, ammonites, fish, and dinosaurs.
Breakwater Battery Military Museum in Port Kembla: A World War II battery and observation post.
Campbelltown Steam & Machinery Museum in Campbelltown: See old steam engines and machinery.
Canowindra Motors Holden Museum in Canowindra: A large collection of vintage Holden cars.
Chrystie's Museum in Tocumwal: A private collection of cars, trucks, tractors, and caravans.
Coolamon Fire Museum in Coolamon: A private collection of firefighting memorabilia.
Day Dream Mine in Silverton: Take underground and surface mine tours.
Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum in Dorrigo: A collection of railway vehicles and equipment (not yet open to the public).
Dunera Museum in Hay: Learn about local prisoner of war camps in World War II.
Energy Expo at Mount Piper Power Station in Portland: See how electricity is made and tour the Mount Piper Power Station.
Fighter World in Williamtown: Australian fighter and aircraft history at RAAF Base Williamtown.
Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra: Australia's naval aviation history with aircraft and helicopters.
Fort Scratchley in Newcastle East: A late 19th-century coastal defense installation.
Futureworld (New South Wales) in Warrawong: Hands-on exhibits about environmental solutions.
Gill Bennet Gem and Mineral Collection in Tamworth: A collection of gems and minerals.
Glenreagh Mountain Railway in Glenreagh: A heritage railway.
Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum in Goulburn: A steam-operated pumping facility with working engines.
Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre in Goulburn: A railroad roundhouse with rolling stock, locomotives, and artifacts.
Goulburn War Memorial & Museum in Goulburn: A memorial tower and artifacts about World War I.
HARS in Illawarra: An aviation museum.
Hartley Historic Site in Hartley: A historic village.
Henry Parks Centre in Parkes: Includes the King's Castle with Elvis Presley artifacts, a motor museum, and local history.
History Hill in Hill End: A gold rush collection, mining equipment, and an underground mine.
Hunter Valley Railway Trust in North Rothbury: Includes rolling stock and locomotives.
Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park: A light railway and museum.
International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral: Learn about the history of cricket and Sir Donald Bradman.
Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum in Junee: The only working roundhouse railway station in the Riverina.
Justice & Police Museum in Sydney: Learn about justice and police history.
Lachlan Valley Railway in Cowra: A heritage railway and museum.
Lady Denman Heritage Complex in Huskisson: Includes the 1911 Lady Denman ferry, naval objects, and local history.
Lancer Barracks and Museum in Parramatta: A military museum located in Lancer Barracks.
Lawrence Museum in Lawrence: History of telecommunications and radio broadcasting in Australia.
Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum in Leura: Toys, model trains, and memorabilia.
Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum in Lithgow: History of the Lithgow Small Arms Factory and a collection of firearms.
Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway in Lithgow: Coal mine buildings, equipment, and railroad items.
Luskintyre Aviation Flying Museum in Luskintyre: Vintage aircraft, especially de Havilland Tiger Moths.
Mad Max Museum in Silverton: Memorabilia related to the film Mad Max 2.
Maitland Gaol in East Maitland: A 19th-century prison.
Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney: A shrine and museum about Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross.
McFeeters Motor Museum in Forbes: Veteran, vintage, classic, and custom cars.
Memorial Walk Museum in Bathurst: Military art and artifacts.
MV Cape Don in Waverton: A lighthouse tender museum ship.
Narooma Lighthouse Museum in Narooma: Features the original light from the Montague Island Lightstation.
National Motor Racing Museum in Bathurst: Australia's motor racing history, including famous cars and motorcycles.
National Transport Museum in Inverell: Vintage cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses.
Newcastle Maritime Centre in Newcastle East: Learn about maritime history in Newcastle.
Norah Head Light in Norah Head: Tours of the active lighthouse.
NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere: Includes locomotives and passenger and freight rolling stock.
Old Dubbo Gaol in Dubbo: A 19th-century prison.
Parkes Observatory in Parkes: Learn about astronomy, space science, and the history of the radio telescope.
Penrith Museum of Printing in Penrith: Explore historical printing processes.
Pioneer Women's Hut in Tumbarumba: Celebrates the ingenuity of women in early rural Australia.
Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum in Tamworth: Motorcycles from the 1950s to 1980s.
Queanbeyan Printing Museum in Queanbeyan: See working printing presses and memorabilia.
RAAF Wagga Heritage Centre in Forest Hill: Displays of aircraft and memorabilia related to RAAF Base Wagga.
Rail Motor Society in Paterson: Preserved self-propelled railway vehicles.
Richmond Vale Railway Museum in Wollombi: A heritage railway and museum about the former coal mine.
Robertson Heritage Railway Station in Robertson: A historic railway station.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitors' Centre in Broken Hill: Learn about the history and work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Museum in Sydney: History of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Sacred Spaces in Singleton: A convent and museum of the Sisters of Mercy.
S.H.P Memorial School of Arts in Tenterfield: Features memorabilia owned by Sir Henry Parkes.
Snowy Scheme Museum in Adaminaby: Exhibits about the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.
Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum in Broken Hill: Steam trains, railway machinery, and a mineral collection.
Sydney Bus Museum in Leichhardt: Learn about Sydney's bus history.
Sydney Tramway Museum in Loftus: Explore tramway history.
Tamworth Powerstation Museum in Tamworth: History of electricity and its impact on modern society.
Temora Aviation Museum in Temora: Historic military and civilian aircraft from World War II to the Vietnam War era.
Tenterfield Railway Station Museum in Tenterfield: A Victorian railway station with heritage rolling stock and a model railway.
The Mint in Sydney: A historic hospital site.
The Rail Journeys Museum in Werris Creek: Learn about rail journeys.
Trial Bay Gaol in Laggers Point: Remains of a late 19th-century prison and internment camp.
Turon Technology Museum in Sofala: Learn about the development of steam and internal combustion engines.
Valley Heights Rail Museum in Valley Heights: A heritage railway, depot, and museum.
Wagga Wagga Rail Heritage Museum in Wagga Wagga: Located in the Wagga Wagga railway station.
West Darling Machinery Preservation Society in Broken Hill: Heritage farm and mining machinery.
Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium in Port Kembla: A science center with a planetarium, part of the University of Wollongong.

University Museums

ACU McGlade Gallery at Strathfield in Strathfield: Part of Australian Catholic University.
Museum of Antiquities at UNE in Armidale: Part of the University of New England, with antiquities from ancient cultures.
Museum of Education at UNE in Armidale: Part of the University of New England, featuring two original 1880s school buildings.
Museum of Printing at NERAM in Armidale: Historical printing processes and products, part of the New England Regional Art Museum.
Zoology Museum at the University of New England in Armidale: A teaching museum open to the public.

Defunct Museums

Legends Surf Museum, Coffs Harbour
Old Sydney Town