The unmissable exhibitions and museum events to explore during the winter school holidays

Looking for ways to keep the kids inspired these school holidays? Sydney’s museums have you covered with hands-on fun, art, history and more.

The winter school holidays are almost here, and Sydney’s museums are ready to entertain, educate and inspire curious kids (and their grown-ups). From hands-on workshops and digital art to steam train rides and sea creature trails, there’s something for every interest — whether your little ones love dinosaurs, sport, art or history. Here’s your guide to the best exhibitions and events happening across Sydney and beyond this July.

1. Museum of Sydney

If you really want to get to know Sydney, this is a must-visit. Built over and around the remains of Sydney’s First Government House, the Museum of Sydney reveals the cultures, character and soul of the city and celebrates its First Nations custodians. Displaying until November 2, Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country explores the ways that Sydney’s landscapes were experienced in the past. Historical maps, plans, sketches, artworks and objects reveal more about the development of the city we know today and the displacement of First Nations peoples.

Also open at the museum is an eight-minute digital artwork by Sydney-based artist, Joan Ross. Let’s party like it’s 1815 colourfully critiques the legacy of the colonisation of Australia. To complement the installation, the Sydney Collage Society will host a hands-on workshop for children, where they will create their own collage that responds to the artwork and the impact of colonisation on the environment. It’s a great way to keep them engaged and their brains ticking over during the holidays.

Where: Museum of Sydney, Cnr Bridge Street &, Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When:
Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country: until Sunday, November 2. Free.
Let’s party like it’s 1815: until Sunday, November 2. Free.
Collage workshop for kids: Tuesday, July 15 10.30am–12pm and Wednesday July 16 10.30am–12pm. $15 per person.

mhnsw.au

2. Australian National Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is fantastic for a family day out, with heaps of intriguing exhibitions, interactivity and a fleet of vessels to climb aboard. For the winter school holidays, there will be even more fun as special exhibitions, hands-on workshops, LEGO building, films and more arrive to keep kids entertained. Wildlife Photographer of the Year comes direct from London’s Natural History Museum and features powerful photos that are a great way to engage youngsters with the natural world, and are sure to start some conversations. Take a look at the darkest depths of the ocean at Ultimate Depth: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea, where director James Cameron’s record-breaking submersible, Deepsea Challenger, is displayed. Other activities include:

• Tunku and Ngaadi exhibition
•  Kids on Deck maker space: take part in creative artmaking and experiments
• Cabinet of Curiosities: explore touchable objects and specimens at the Cabinet of Curiosities
• Climb on board the Museum’s fleet of vessels
• Build large-scale LEGO creations with the Brickman team
• Sea country activity trail 
• NAIDOC Week (July 6) performances, tours and workshops

Where: 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour NSW 2000.
When: School holiday activations: July 6 until 20.

sea.museum

3. Art Gallery of NSW

If your kids are more artistically inclined, a visit to the Art Gallery of NSW is a must. Explore Indigenous artworks at the new exhibition, Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala (open until October 6), or pay a visit to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize and make sure to see the Young Archies display. Guided tours aimed at children are available for Yolŋu Power (10,11, 17 & 18 July at 2pm; $25), and there’s a special animals, pets and people-themed tour too (July 8–9 & 15–16; free). There are lots of hands-on workshops and craft sessions throughout the school holidays and beyond, too. Take a look at the kids’ activities on their website.

Where:  Art Gallery Rd NSW 2000.
Opening times: Daily 10am–5pm; until 10pm on Wednesdays.

Free, drop-in activities will run throughout the school holidays, including dino-themed arts and crafts and a cosy reading nook, the Dino-Den. Or follow Winny’s Dino Trail through the galleries to be entered into the Museum Shop’s prize draw. Award-winning author and illustrator Sami Bayly will lead art sessions (July 7 & 8 at 10am, 12pm, 2.30pm; from $36), there’s a Pasifika Printmaking Workshop on July 12 (10am & 2pm, from $52) and Tails from the Coasts is an exciting exhibition of culturally significant watercolours presented with the National Museum of Singapore.

Where: 1 William Street, NSW 2010.
Opening times: Daily 10am–5pm.

australian.museum

Sport

6. Sydney Cricket Ground Museum

From Pele and Maradona to Muhammad Ali, Sachin Tendulkar and even Elton John, the Sydney Cricket Ground has drawn in plenty of stars during its 160 years. Dive into one of the world’s most loved sporting venues and explore its museum collection. It’s accessible via a 90-minute guided tour of the SCG, which takes visitors behind-the-scenes, revealing stories of players, spectators and history. It’s the ultimate day out for any cricket fan.

Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021
Opening times: Tours: Monday–Saturday at 10am.
Price: Adult $30, child $20, family $78.

sydneycricketground.com.au

7. Peter Weinert Museum

Chart the history of the Sydney Swans at their Moore Park HQ, where there is now a museum named after Life Member and former club president, Peter Weinert. The museum collection spans more than 150 years of the club’s history taking visitors on a journey from the club’s humble beginnings in South Melbourne to today’s triumphs. Digital tech, interactive displays and astonishing memorabilia and artefacts — including premiership caps from the 1800s — are on show. It’s an enlightening experience for devoted AFL fans and newcomers to the sport alike.

Where: Sellers & Colless Centre, Sydney Swans HQ, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park NSW 2021.
Opening times: Open to the public on weekdays and on Sydney Swans home game days from 10am to 4pm.
Price: Free.

sydneyswansfoundation.org.au

Out of town

8. NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere

Located 90 minutes southwest of Sydney CBD, the NSW Rail Museum takes you all the way back to the beginning of railway travel, from the invention of the first steam engine through to today. See inside the driver’s cab of an historic steam locomotive, explore a mail van, walk through a prison van and admire the Governor-General’s carriage in all its glory. At weekends, visitors can also board a vintage steam train to take a 40-minute ride from Thirlmere Station to Buxton and back. It’s something a little different and a reason to get out of the city for the day.

Where: NSW Rail Museum, 10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere NSW 2572.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am–4pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am–5pm.
Prices:
Museum only: adult $15, child $5, under twos free.
Museum + ride: adult $35, child $15, under twos free.

nswrailmuseum.com.au