Sydney Observatory is situated near two symbols of Australia: Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. This beautiful Italian style building, built in 1858, is a working observatory and a museum, and a great place for the entire family with its hands-on learning experiences. Here you will have the opportunity to admire the beautiful and undiscovered sky through the oldest telescope in Australia, built in 1874, or the modern telescope also in operation.

The Susannah Place Museum highlights the life of the working class in Sydney from 1844 to 1990. It is located in the Rocks area of Sydney which was once a slum and rough neighbourhood.
The Susannah Place Museum consists of four sandstone houses. These are the last of the sandstone structures that were once found in abundance in the area. They were originally built in 1844 for Edward and Mary Riley. There is also a corner shop adjacent to the buildings. They have been the home of many working class families after the Rileys. The interesting part of the museum is that restoration has been performed only to make the structures safe. All other aspects have been left undisturbed.
The houses have layers of paint and peeling wallpaper, a 150 year old lounge, an 80 year old kitchen and a 100 year old bedroom. The brick type toilets to the recent flushing toilets are depicted to show the changing sanitary methods used in the city. The backyard shows the changing methods of washing from the tub to the washing machine used in a working class neighbourhood. The museum has a short DVD on the history of the The Rocks and photographs on how the road looked before the building of the Harbour Bridge. The corner shop is decorated to reflect the richness of working class community life and sells 19th century products over the counter.

The Museum of Contemporary Art, or simply MCA, has a goal to exhibit the best contemporary art from Australia and the world. Originally opened in 1952, then relocated in 1989, it is among the newer museums in Sydney. Despite its relative youth it has a reputation of one of the most internationally respected organizations among those purposed to exhibit, interpret, and collect contemporary art.

The Justice and Police Museum is dedicated to this history of law and order and crime fighting from the arrival of the convicts to the twentieth century. It is housed in a building that was used by many law enforcement agencies throughout history.
The building had several uses before it became a museum. It served as a Water Police Court, a Water Police Station, a Police Court and Traffic Court. The rooms have an array of displays about crime fighting, famous criminal cases and heroic policemen. There are also many photographs and crime fighting equipment on display.
The Justice and Police Museum contains many interesting exhibits for visitors. There is an intact prison cell in the building, an original front desk area that formed part of many police stations, a collection of weapons used by the police down the ages, a well preserved courtroom where visitors can sit in the judge’s chair or take the witness stand and a torture chamber for misbehaving prisoners. One of the rooms contains many objects and pictures to pay homage to the policemen fallen in the line of duty. A recent display called Sin City showcases the history of crime in Sydney from the time the city served as a prison colony to the present.

The Museum of Sydney showcases the fascinating history of the city and how it developed from a small village near a harbour to a vibrant metropolis. History comes alive to visitors through displays, pictures and digital media techniques.
The Museum of Sydney is on the site of the first Government House built for the first Governor of New South Wales, Arthur Philip. It was constructed in 1788 and was unearthed by archaeologists in 1983. The early drains are left exposed in front of the modern structure housing the Museum of Sydney. It was designed by the architect firm, Denton Cocker Marshall. The museum opened its doors for public viewing in 1995. It has an award winning sculpture called the Edge of the Trees depicting the first contact between Aborigines and British settlers.
Notable displays at the museum are panoramic views of the city, goods and chattels belonging to convicts uncovered by archaeological digs, objects dedicated to the indigenous people who lived in the location before the arrival of the Europeans and models and descriptions of the first fleet that brought British troops and convicts to Australia to set up a penal colony. The museum tells the tale of the people who lived and worked in the city and visionaries who shaped modern day Sydney.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales holds a large collection of Australian, Aboriginal, Asian and European Art and hosts changing exhibitions all through the year. The aim of the gallery is to be a place of experience and inspiration through collections, exhibitions, programs and study of art.
Walter Liberty Vernon designed the building in the classical tradition of grand colonial mansions of the time. The gallery opened in 1897. Since its opening several extensions have been added to the structure including the Captain Cook Wing and an Asian Arts Wing.
The collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales include an impressive selection of British Victorian Art and smaller collections of early French, Italian and Dutch painters. Many works of famous 19th Australian painters like John Glover and Arthur Streeton and 20th century artists like Margaret Preston and Sydney Nolan. It also awards the Archibald Prize, the highest Australian art award, the Sulman Prize, and the Wynne and Dobell art prizes. The library has a large collection of books on art, manuscripts, rare books and files of Australian artists. Other facilities include a café and a shop selling art books, gift articles and postcards.

The Hyde Park Barracks were built in 1919 by the famous colonial architect, Francis Greenway as a male convict barracks. It later served as an immigration depot for single female immigrants. Today the Hyde Park Barracks are a museum and a window into Australia's past. Here you can find out many interesting things about the colonial history and see fantastic exhibitions.

The Australian Museum is the oldest in Australia and showcases an array of natural history and anthropological exhibits. It is an interesting and entertaining museum for visitors of all ages.
The Australian Museum was founded by the Earl of Bathurst who was the Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1845. It was housed in many temporary locations till it moved into its present building. The handsome sandstone structure was designed by architect James Barnet and opened for public viewing in 1857.
At first, exhibits at the museum included stuffed birds and animals focusing on the flora and fauna of Australia and the South Pacific. After 30 years anthropological exhibits about the indigenous people of Australia were included in the display. Objects unearthed by archaeological expeditions about the first European settlements in the country are also showcased at the museum.
Special temporary exhibitions and programs are held for young and old visitors. Children are fascinated by the dinosaur gallery and the special interactive space in the museum designed for young visitors. There are lectures and workshops for adult visitors and ‘Scientist for a Day’, programs for children. The Museum also hosts performances by local musicians and dance companies on Sunday afternoons.