Museums and Galleries

A cost-effective way to spend an interesting day

Most museums and art galleries in Sydney offer free or low price general admission. It is important, however, to check out what exhibits will be shown in advance to make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck, if you have to shell out a few more bucks for entrance to special exhibits. 

Sydney’s museums offer a range of great deals for those with tight wallets. One option for YHA, Nomad, VIP, ISIC card holders is the Historic Houses Trust (HHT) ‘Ticket through Time’, for just $15. This handy ticket allows unlimited visits to HHT properties and museums for three months. If you don’t have any of the above cards, the ticket costs $30, which is still a very good deal. The Museum of Sydney on Bridge Street, along with Hyde Park Barracks, Government House, and The Mint, on Macquarie Street are just some HHT highlights.  Go to any venue and ask about the "Ticket through Time".

The Art Gallery of New South Wales, offers an interesting ‘Art After Hours’ program, held Wednesday nights from 5-9pm. ‘Art After Hours’ includes exhibition talks, jazz ensembles, and free films, so your budget doesn’t need to stop you from enjoying the finer things in life. There is a complimentary bus, running from Martin Place to the gallery, every 15 minutes from 7:15pm until the last film, which sweetens the deal.

Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (or MCA) is located at Circular Quay and offers free entry, except special exhibitions aside. The MCA showcases some of the most modern exhibits in Sydney, ranging from celebrated photography to iconic pieces of art.  

Want to spend some time out of the sun immersing yourself in a massive shark exhibit, the stories of early Australian immigrants, and the nautical wonders of Australia? Then you couldn't pick a better place than The Australian National Maritime Museum. The ANMM is one of the most iconic works of architecture in Darling Harbour, located on the north side of the bridge. This incredible museum offers an inside look at Australia's deep connection with the sea. The best part of it all? It's FREE!

Some of Sydney’s other top museums include the Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, and Sydney Observatory at The Rocks. General admission (tours or programs aside) to Sydney Observatory at the Rocks, is free during the day.

Overall, if you're looking for a laid-back way to stay in the shade, see some interesting pieces of history, and save some cash, Sydney's Top Museums are a great choice!

Save up a little more cash and make the most out of your Sydney experience...

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