If you are a South African expat living in Sydney, you’ll be delighted to know that despite the many free activities you can enjoy outdoors, there are also plenty of cultural things you can pursue indoors for free – especially when it comes to free museums in Sydney.

Free museums in Sydney

Art Gallery of New South Wales

This is Sydney’s main art gallery and it is a prominent building in the city with its unmistakable Greek architectural style. You’ll find it next to the Royal Botanic Gardens. All the permanent exhibitions inside are free and you’ll enjoy comprehensive collections of European, Asian, indigenous and colonial art. You may have to pay an admission fee if you want to attend a temporary exhibition.

Museum of Contemporary Art

If you are looking for a modern work of art, head to the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay, which has free admission for its permanent collection and is home to more than 4000 works by Australia’s finest artists.

The Rocks Discovery Museum

Situated near Circular Quay at The Rocks is this free museum, which takes visitors on an explorative tour of the indigenous history of Australia and how it has transformed over the last century. The exhibits are fun, interactive and it is a great place to visit for the whole family.

Australian National Maritime Museum

If you are into all things nautical, you can’t miss the Maritime Museum, situated at Darling Harbour, Here you will have free entry to the permanent collections, which explore the history of boats and catalogues the sea exploration around Australia.

Sydney Observatory

From the seas to the heavens, the Sydney Observatory is situated on a hill above The Rocks and was built during the nineteenth century for research into astronomy and weather conditions. Today it is still regarded as an important scientific site, but it is largely used as a museum with free entry for visitors who want to view Australia’s oldest telescope. Visitors can also undertake a self-guided day visit, look at all the exhibits on the ground and first floors and enjoy the gardens – all without paying a dollar.

Nicholson Museum

The Nicolson Museum will appeal to all history lovers as it houses the largest collection of antiques in Australia and includes an Egyptian Collection, a Cypriot Collection and a European collection. It is located in the historic Main Quadrangle at the University of Sydney.

Museum of Australian Currency Notes

The museum catalogues the story of Australia’s currency notes and reflects the economic and political changes the country has been through. It was opened to the public in 2005.

Australian Tennis Museum

Not surprisingly, Australia has a museum devoted to its wonderful tennis players through the ages. It was started by tennis enthusiasts in 1983 and collects and preserves Australian tennis memorabilia. It can be found at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.

Sydney Jewish Museum

This museum is free on the first Sunday of every month and focuses on the history of the Jewish people and the Holocaust from an Australian perspective.

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