List of museums in New South Wales explained

This is list of museums in New South Wales, Australia. Museums are defined for this context as institutions that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. Non-profit art galleries, university art galleries, other non-profit organisations, government entities, and private businesses are included.

According to the 2013 NSW Museum and Gallery Sector Census and Survey conducted by Museums & Galleries of NSW, a state funded support agency, there were 495 operational museums and galleries located in NSW in that year. They include 293 community-run and -managed museums, 57 public and regional galleries, 51 public and regional museums, 37 community-run and -managed galleries and artist run initiatives and 23 Aboriginal cultural centres. The balance of the identified organisations were state or national galleries or museums located in NSW. It does not include private museums or commercial galleries.[1]

Museums & Galleries of NSW provides a complete list and profiles for these institutions on their website.[2]

For a list of publicly-funded regional galleries, refer to Regional and Public Galleries Association of New South Wales.[3]

Museums

NameLocationAreaTypeSummary
12th/16th Hunter River Lancers Memorial Museum Military information, history of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers May be closed. See[4] for further information.
Historic house 50-room Scottish-baronial mansion of the 1870s
ACU McGlade Gallery at Strathfield Art Part of Australian Catholic University[5]
Central West Natural history Devonian fish fossils and a live aquarium
Albert Kersten Mining & Minerals Museum Western Plains Geology website, rocks, minerals, area's geology, earth sciences of mineralogy and metallurgy
Art website
Riverina Local history Combined library and museum of local history and art
Alison Homestead Local history website, operated by the Wyong District Museum & Historical Society, pioneer homestead displays
Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place Northern Tablelands Ethnic website, includes an art gallery, exhibits about history and culture
Armidale Bicentennial Railway Museum Northern Tablelands Railway website
Armidale Folk Museum Armidale Northern Tablelands Local history website
Military website, history of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Music website
Central Tablelands Geology Fossils, minerals
Automotive website, vintage cars and memorabilia
Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles Hunter Valley Textile information Located in the Maitland Gaol
Australian Pen Museum Literary information, writing implements, documents and associated items
Australian Road Transport Heritage CentreGundagaiCootamunda-GundagaiTransportwebsite
Maritime website, features original Las Balsas raft, ship models, steam and diesel engines, maritime communication, uniforms, shipbuilding, life on a ship
Central Tablelands Local history website
Central Tablelands Art website, municipal art gallery
Southern Tablelands Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, 19th century homestead, open by appointment
Local history website, operated by the Berry & District Historical Society
Art Showcases contemporary Australian visual culture with up to ten exhibitions annually
Big Fish Fossil Hut Central West Natural history website, fossils including trilobites, ammonites, fish, amphibians and dinosaurs
Riverina Historic housewebsite, 1888 iron house and rose garden
Art website
Art website
Local history website
Breakwater Battery Military Museum Military WW2 battery and observation post
Western Plains Art website
Art Historic homestead and studio of painter Arthur Boyd
Art website, works by Australian cartoonists and caricaturists
local history https://camdenhavenhistoricalsociety.org/ operated by the Camden Haven Historical Society, in 1911 School of Arts building, historic exhibitions and artefacts, family history and research
South Western Sydney Art Regional art centre for multidisciplinary contemporary art
Canowindra Motors Holden Museum Central West Automotive information, large collection of vintage Holden cars, including a 1948 FX Holden
Casula Powerhouse Arts CentreSouth Western Sydney Art Performing and visual arts centre, includes 6 galleries with a year-round exhibition program of changing exhibitions and a theatre
Centenary Cottage Museum TenterfieldNorthern Tablelands Local history information, information, operated by the Tenterfield and District Historical Society
Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Hunter Valley Art information, Facebook site
Central Tablelands Historic house website, home of Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley and his wife, Elizabeth
Chrystie's Museum Riverina Automotive website, private collection of cars, trucks, tractors, caravans
Inner West Local history Collections include toys, material from the WW1 and WW2, household, sports memorabilia, local industry items
Art website
Local history website
Coolamon Fire Museum Riverina Firefighting website, private collection of firefighting memorabilia[6]
Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, 19th century homestead and stables
Cowra and District Historical Museum Central West Multiple information, WWI and WWII military camp displays and armoury, working oil and steam engines, agriculture equipment
Central West Art website
Mining website, underground and surface mine tours
Hunter Region Art website, home and studio of Sir William Dobell
Don Bank Museum Local history information
Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Museum Local history information, operated by the Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Historical Society
Dorrigo Mid North Coast Railway Collection of railway vehicles and equipment from the railways of New South Wales, not yet open to the public
Historic house 1840s slab hut house, operated by the National Trust of Australia
Riverina Militarywebsite, history of the local prisoner of war and internment camps in World War II
Maritime Australian whaling industry, maritime and fishing artifacts, timber industry and local social history
Historic house Operated by the Sydney Living Museums, homestead dating back to 1793
Central Tablelands Science website, how electricity is produced and tours of the Mount Piper Power Station
Historic house Early 20th-century house and garden with original furnishings
Blue Mountains Historic house website, 19th-century house with exhibits of local history, Lithgow pottery
Eugowra Historical Society Museum Central West Local history information
Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, Australia's first European farmstead dating back to the 1790s
South Western Sydney Art website
Hunter Region Aerospace website, Australian Fighter and aircraft related history, located at RAAF Base Williamtown
Aerospace Located on Naval Air Station Nowra, Australia's naval aviation history including aircraft and helicopters
Forbes Historical Museum Central West Local history website, operated by the Forbes and District Historical Society
Hunter Region Military Late 19th century coastal defence installation
Science website, hands-on exhibits about solutions to environmental challenges
Gallery Blackheath Blue Mountains Art website, artist-owned and managed non-profit gallery showcasing a selection of fine paintings, drawings, printworks and photographs by prize-winning Blue Mountains artists
Historic house website
Gill Bennet Gem and Mineral Collection Geology information
Art website
Glen Museum Blue Mountains Local history website, formerly the Charlie Pinch Museum
Glenreagh Memorial Museum Local history information
Railway Heritage railway
Golden Memories Museum Central West Local history information
Art website
Technology website, steam operated pumping facility with working engines
Railway Railroad roundhouse, includes rolling stock, locomotives, carriages, railroad artifacts
Art website
Goulburn War Memorial & Museum Military information, memorial tower and artefacts about WW1
Art website
Central West Local history website
Riverina Open air website, relocated historic buildings, machinery and artefacts
Riverina Art website
Hunter Region Historic house website, operated by the National Trust of Australia, displays 19th century costumes and textiles
Central Tablelands Local history Community's history during the 1870s gold rush era
Historic house website, operated by the Parramatta & District Historical Society, mid 19th century period cottage
Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, mid 19th century homestead
Medical website, history of anaesthetic practice, part of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists
Open air Historic village administered by NSW Parks & Wildlife Service
Art website
Local history website
Hay Gaol Museum Riverina Local history Former prison with exhibits of local history
Art Arts centre that includes two art galleries, a theatrette, art studios, meeting rooms
Historic house website, home of Henry Kendall (poet)
Central West Multiple website, includes the King's Castle with a collection of Elvis Presley artefacts, Parkes Motor Museum, Henry Parkes Museum about local history, and antique machinery collection
Hillgrove Rural Life and Industry Museum Armidale Northern Tablelands Local history information, website, artifacts of everyday life in old Hillgrove
Central Tablelands Mining website, gold rush collection, mining equipment, underground mine
Hunter Region Railway Includes rolling stock and locomotives
website
Local history website, operated by the Illawarra Historical Society
Illawarra Railway Includes mainline narrow gauge light railway, a miniature gauge railway, and a museum
Sports History of cricket, cricketing career of Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman
Inverell Art Gallery Northern Tablelands Art website, community art gallery, operated by the Inverell Art Society
Inverell Pioneer Village Inverell Northern Tablelands Open air website, 19th-century pioneer village buildings
Riverina Local history website, operated by the Junee & District Historical Society in the former Broadway Hotel
Junee Riverina RailwayOnly working roundhouse railway station in the Riverina
Open air website, late 19th and early 20th century buildings, farm machinery, house and personal items
Central West Railway Heritage railway and Cowra Roundhouse Depot and Museum
Maritime website, includes the 1911 Lady Denman ferry, surveying instruments, naval and maritime objects, local history displays, marine environment gallery
Hunter Region Art website
Lambing Flat Folk MuseumYoungCentral WestLocal historywebsite
Military website, located in Lancer Barracks
Northern Rivers Region Telecommunications History of telecommunications and radio broadcasting in Australia
Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum Toy Toys, model trains and memorabilia
Art website
Local history website, operated by the Richmond River Historical Society
Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum Lithgow Blue Mountains Technology website, Lithgow Small Arms Factory history and collection of machine guns, rifles, pistols and related items from around the world
Lithgow Blue Mountains Mining Coal mine buildings and equipment, railroad cars, equipment and track
Hunter Region Multiple website, former police station with tours of the prison cells, a contemporary art gallery and artist residency
Hunter Region Aerospace Vintage aircraft, particularly de Havilland Tiger Moths
Media website, memorabilia related to the film Mad Max 2
Hunter Region Prison 19th century prison, also features the Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles
Hunter Region Art website
Art Focuses on Australian ceramics, and extensive holdings of paintings by Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo, local history
Art website
Manning Valley Historical Museum Local history information, operated by the Manning Valley Historical Society
Religious website, shrine and museum about Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross
May Gibbs’ NutcoteHistoric house website, home of children's author and illustrator May Gibbs
Northern Tablelands Art website, operated by the Uralla Historical Society, art, local history and culture
Central West Automotive website, veteran, vintage, classic and custom cars
Melvie Chick Historical Museum Local history website, operated by the Cundletown & Lower Manning Historical Society
Central Tablelands Military website, military art and artifacts
Historic house
Maritime website
Newcastle Hunter Region Historic house website, operated by the National Trust of Australia, Edwardian terrace house with 100 years of collectables, 1909–1940 furnishings
Central Tablelands Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, features owner's mementos including family items, furniture, horse-racing memorabilia, and artefacts linked to the early history of Bathurst
Molong Museum Central West Local history website
Junee Riverina Historic house Late 19th century Victorian manor
Art website
Historic house website, 19th century period house, operated by the Moruya and District Historical Society
Art website
Mount Victoria Museum Blue Mountains Local history website
Murray Art Museum Albury Riverina Art website
Museum of Antiquities at UNE Armidale Northern Tablelands Archaeology website, part of the University of New England, antiquities from the ancient Mediterranean, Near East, objects and ethnographic material from Australia, South East Asia, New Guinea, the Pacific region, Mesoamerica and Africa
Museum of Education at UNE Armidale Northern Tablelands Education website, part of the University of New England, features two original 1880s school buildings, open by appointment
Museum of Fire Firefighting website, features large collection of hand drawn, horse drawn and motorised vehicles from the late 18th century up to the 1980s
Museum of Printing at NERAM Armidale Northern Tablelands Media website, historical printing processes and products, part of the New England Regional Art Museum
Wagga Wagga Riverina Local history Local history, culture across two sites
Hunter Region Art website
Maritime Lighthouse tender museum ship
Maritime website, original light and optical apparatus from the Montague Island Lightstation
Wagga Wagga Riverina Art Features changing selections from the National Art Glass Collection and exhibits of Australian glass artists
Central Tablelands Automotive Adjacent to the Mount Panorama Circuit, Australia's motor racing history including famous cars, motorcycles and memorabilia
Riverina Art 19th- and early 20th-century Australian pottery
Northern Tablelands Transportation website, vintage, veteran, and classic cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses, also dolls and wedding dresses
New England Regional Art Museum – NERAM Armidale Northern Tablelands Art website, Australian art in many media, includes six gallery spaces and the Museum of Printing
Hunter Region Art
Newcastle East Hunter Region Maritime website
Newcastle East Hunter Region Multiple Local history, culture, industry, science
Maritime Tours of the active lighthouse
Art
Local history website, operated by the Shoalhaven Historical Society
Railway Includes locomotives and passenger and freight rolling stock
Local history website, operated by the Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society
Prison 19th century prison
Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, former "country" residence of 10 early governors of New South Wales
Local history Operated by the Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society
Central West Art website
Oxley Museum Local history information
Central West Science Astronomy and space science, history of the radio telescope observatory
Print technology website
Art website
Pioneer Cottage Museum UrbenvilleNorthern Tablelands Local history information, period displays of a settler's home
Riverina Women's website, ingenuity of women in finding solutions to the challenges of looking after a family in early rural Australia
History website, mid 19th century courthouse
Local history website, operated by the Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc
Transportation website, motorcycles from the 1950s to 1980s
Queanbeyan Historical Museum Local history website, also information
Media website, working printing presses and memorabilia
Riverina Aerospace Indoor and outdoor displays of aircraft, memorabilia and photographs relating to RAAF Base Wagga
Hunter Region Railway Preserved self-propelled railway vehicles and equipment
Hunter Region Railway Heritage railway and museum about the former coal mine
Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, 19th century homestead
Central Tablelands Local history information, also historic mill machinery
Historic house Operated by Sydney Living Museums, mid 20th century modern house
Historic house website, located in Macquarie Nature Reserve
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitors' Centre Western Plains Geology information, history and work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Museum Inner West Medical Website, History of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Hunter Region Religious website, convent and museum of the Sisters of Mercy
Armidale Northern Tablelands Historic house Operated by the National Trust of Australia, Edwardian mansion with original furnishings
Historic house website, Victorian period house, operated by the Clarence River Historical Society
Riverina Industry website, shearing history and future technologies
Art website
Western Plains Prison website, also local history exhibits, operated by the Broken Hill Historical Society
Western Plains Education website, late 19th century school used until 1970
Hunter Region Local history website, operated by the Singleton Historical Society
St Clair Local History Museum & Archives Local history information
Stoke Stable Museum Central West Local history information
Art website, education center for Australian craft and design with exhibit gallery
Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum Western Plains Railway information, steam trains, railway machinery and a mineral collection
Sunnyside Historic Home & South Sea Island Museum Hunter Region Historic house information
Biographical Operated by the National Trust of Australia, features memorabilia owned by Sir Henry Parkes
Technology Exhibits relating to the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme
Hunter Region Historic house website, operated by the National Trust of Australia
Technology website, history of electricity and the impact of the development of electricity on modern society
Art website, features textile and silver collections
Tarella Cottage Museum Blue Mountains Local history website, operated by the Blue Mountains Historical Society
Riverina Aerospace Historic military and civilian aircraft that range from World War II to the Vietnam War era
Riverina Local History Historic village museum showing the life of the area
TenterfieldNorthern Tablelands Railway website, Victorian railway station, exhibits of heritage rolling stock, model railway
Open air 19th century sawmiller's village with working full-size narrow gauge steam train
Local history website, operated by the Tinonee Historical Society
Tomago House Hunter Region Historic house website, operated by the National Trust of Australia, 19th century homestead
Prison Remains of a late 19th century prison and internment camp in World War I, located in Arakoon National Park
Turkish Bath Museum Blue Mountains Local history website, operated by the Mt Wilson/Mt Irvine Historical Society
Technology website, development of steam and internal engines, the transition to the internal combustion engine
Art Regional art gallery
Local history website, also branches in Tweed Heads and Uki
Art website, part of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of New South Wales
Railway Heritage railway, depot, equipment and museum
Historic house Operated by Sydney Living Museums, 19th century estate
Vienna Cottage Northern Suburbs Historic house website, operated by the National Trust of Australia, late 19th century home
Wagga Wagga Riverina Art website, exhibits of Riverina artists and visiting exhibitions from Australia and overseas, includes the National Art Glass Gallery and Margaret Carnegie Print Collection
Wagga Wagga Rail Heritage Museum Wagga Wagga Riverina Railway information, located in the Wagga Wagga railway station
Walcha Pioneer Cottage Museum Northern Tablelands Local history website
Warren Museum & Art GalleryWarren NSWOranaLocal & Indigenous historyhttps://thewam.com.au Modern-style museum, featuring local history. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Art gallery featuring mostly local artists. Free entry to art gallery.
Western Plains Technology website, heritage farm and mining machinery
Art website
Western Plains Art website, paintings made with local minerals, exhibits of the architectural and mining history of the city, mining artifacts
Wing Hing Long Museum TinghaNorthern Tablelands Local history website, history of Tingha's Chinese heritage and great tin boom, period general store display
Historic house 1830s home of Sir Charles Cowper, a Premier of New South Wales
Art website
Science
Wollombi Endeavour Museum Hunter Region Local history information, information
Woodford Academy Blue Mountains Historic house website, operated by the National Trust of Australia, 1830s building
Northern Rivers, NSW Local History, Maritime heritage website operated by the Port of Yamba Historical Society
Riverina Agriculture Displays of farm equipment, local history
Yass and District Museum Southern Tablelands Local history information
Yeoval Historical Museum Central West Local history information
Zoology Museum at the University of New England Armidale Northern Tablelands Natural history website, teaching museum open to the public
Tumbarumba visitor information centre/Museum Tumbarumba Southern Tablelands Local History https://visitsnowyvalleys.au
The Arms of Australia Inn Museum Emu Plains Greater Western Sydney Local History https://www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au
Nepean Naval Museum Penrith Greater Western Sydney Naval History https://www.nepeannavalmuseum.org
Mad Max 2 Museum Silverton Far West NSW Mad Max 2 https://www.silverton.org.au/mad-max-museum/ -Donald Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame Bowral Southern Highlands Cricket https://www.bradman.com.au
Bega Cheese Heritage Centre Bega South-East NSW Cheese https://heritagecentre.com.au
Donald Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame Bowral Southern Highlands Cricket https://www.bradman.com.au

Defunct museums

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MGNSW. 2013 NSW Museum and Gallery Sector Census and Survey. 18 September 2021. PDF
  2. Web site: Places . MGNSW . 18 September 2021.
  3. Web site: MGNSW . Regional and Public Galleries of NSW. 18 September 2021.
  4. Web site: 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers . 2 April 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150331214830/http://muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au/index.php/about-muswellbrook-shire/history/12th-16th-hunter-river-lancers?showall=1&limitstart= . 31 March 2015 .
  5. Web site: ACU McGlade Gallery at Strathfield. Australian Catholic University. 2 April 2015.
  6. Web site: Coolamon Fire Museum (and Visitor Information Centre). Coolamon Shire Council. 1 October 2016.
  7. http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing-news/58361#.UKrCKIatt8E

    Legends Surf Museum under threat at Coffs", Surfers Village, 9/27/12

  8. Web site: Legends Surf Museum. Lonely Planet. 2 April 2015. Our records indicate Legends Surf Museum has closed. If you believe this is in error please let us know..