Powerhouse Museum Museum

Address: 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia

Website: https://maas.museum

Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (closed Mondays)

Admission: Free general admission to some areas; special exhibitions ticketed (prices vary)

The Powerhouse Museum is a major museum of applied arts and sciences in Sydney, New South Wales, operated by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Its institutional roots date to the late 19th century and the site in Ultimo has been used as the Powerhouse Museum since the late 20th century.

The museum presents a broad mix of science, technology, transport, design and decorative arts. Exhibits include interactive science galleries, a substantial transport and engineering collection and rotating temporary exhibitions that bring international and national displays to Sydney.

The collection grew from 19th-century applied arts and technology collections and was reassembled into the Powerhouse identity in the 20th century; the present museum built its reputation for hands-on science education and design displays over the last several decades. The institution manages both permanent displays and a program of travelling exhibitions.

The museum sits in the Ultimo neighbourhood of Sydney, adjacent to the Darling Harbour precinct and close to public transport links into the city centre. It is within walking distance of Central and the Australian Technology Park area.

• Location tip: Located in the Ultimo precinct, a short walk from Darling Harbour and about 2 kilometres from Sydney’s central business district - plan travel time accordingly.
• Visiting note: Weekday mornings are often quieter than weekends for the hands-on science galleries; some large objects and special exhibitions rotate, so check current exhibits before visiting.

What to See#

• Galleries: Permanent and rotating galleries covering science, technology, transport, design and decorative arts, with hands-on exhibits intended for families and school groups.
• Transport and engineering displays: A large transport and engineering display that includes historic steam and electric machinery and examples of rail and road transport from Australia’s industrial history.
• Temporary exhibitions: Dedicated temporary exhibition spaces that host national and international travelling exhibitions on design, science and social history.

Located in Ultimo, a short walk from Central Station and the light rail at Exhibition Centre. Several buses serve Harris Street; on foot it’s about a 15-20 minute walk from Darling Harbour.

• Time visits to coincide with late-afternoon museum openings when families and school groups thin out.
• Check MAAS (Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences) website for ticketed blockbuster exhibits before travel - those often require advance booking.
• Explore the Powerhouse's design and transport galleries for childhood-friendly interactive displays.