Best Museums in Cockatoo Island

"Its historical and current culture, economy and beauty have all, in some way, been dependent upon the water, and the Australian National Maritime Museum helps visitors dive deeper into this relationship. The museum features exhibits that outline the indigenous and naval utilization of the area’s harbors and bays and boasts a collection of recreated submarine interiors, seafaring artifacts and vintage and modern boats to explore."

"The Australian National Maritime Museum is a great attraction particularly for families with kids. Join a guided tour or let the kids get their hands on some of the interactive displays. Find out what life was like above and below water through interesting exhibitions."

"The Australian National Maritime Museum is a distinct attraction that is strategically located at the far end of spectacular Darling Harbour. This family-friendly attraction is a popular choice for visitors who would..."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia celebrates the work of living artists, bringing exceptional exhibitions of international and Australian art to as many people as possible – welcoming over a million visitors each year – in the belief that art is for everyone. Find creative opportunities for families to discover contemporary art and participate in fun and playful learning experiences together. They offer a range of free and ticketed programs for families with kids aged 0–12 years."

"Affectionately known as the MCA, Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art is one of our absolute favourite places to go - it is just so family-friendly!. While we love their ever-changing schedule of fantastic exhibitions, they also run family tours and kid's activities to introduce mini creatives to art. We recommend Art Safari or Art Baby for a perfect family day at the museum and the Bella Family program for families with special needs."

"Housed in a grand sandstone Art Deco building, the Museum of Contemporary Art building itself is a masterpiece, leading to the astounding works of art inside. More than 4000 Australian works of art can be found here, alongside regularly changing exhibitions which showcase both Australian and international artists. Its size, scale and calibre of artworks makes it the premier modern art gallery in Sydney."

"Located on the Kamay Botany Bay National Park’s northern headland and housed in a historic Cable Station building, the La Perouse Museum documents the 1787-1788 expedition of Comte de Lapérouse who arrived in Botany Bay a week after the First Fleet before departing and then mysteriously disappearing. When visiting La Perouse Museum make sure to visit the Macquarie Watchtower, Pere Receveurs Tomb and Bare Island. Opening Times: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm | Saturdays and Sundays, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm | Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.Ticket Prices: FREEAddress: 1542 Anzac Parade, La PerouseWebsite:La Perouse Museum webpage"

"The last one on this list of free Sydney museums is not as well-known as most other museums, but La Perouse Museum at the southern end of Anzac Parade is certainly worth a visit. The museum is housed in the former Telegraph Cable Station building on the La Perouse headland, and is home to a large collection of exhibits related to the 1787–1788 expedition of a French naval officer and explorer. This expedition arrived in Australia one week after the First Fleet, and vanished without a trace months later."

"The La Perouse Museum is a heritage-listed building that tells the story of the La Perouse expedition. First opened in 1988, the museum is home to collectibles that detail the expedition, its famed arrival in 1788..."

"The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre is part of Sydney Harbour YHA in The Rocks heritage precinct of Sydney. The centre facilitates hands-on archaeology educational experiences and opens the archaeological site to the public. Opening Times: The Big Dig welcomes the general public to visit the site during daylight hoursTicket Prices: varied depending on programAddress: 110 Cumberland St, Sydney NSWWebsite:thebigdig.com.au"

"The Big Dig Cumberland Street Archaeological Site is a heritage-listed archaeological site in The Rocks. The centre is part of Sydney Harbour YHA,, and while it is no longer an “active” excavation site, it does facilitate hands-on archaeology educational experiences and opens the archaeological site to the public. The general public are welcome to visit the Big Dig site during daylight hours."

"You’ll see a great mix of architecture as well as Sydney’s Oldest pub, the Big Dig Archaeological Site underneath the YHA hostel, Suez Lane which was once run by gangs and 4 houses preserved from different decades at Susannah Place. Head to The Rocks Square for plenty of dining options or the famous Rocks Markets on Saturdays for some independent stalls and delicious food."

"A visit to this spectacular state-listed heritage site, night or day, is a memorable experience. Sydney Observatory is home to Australia’s most accessible telescope domes, with modern and historic instruments to safely view the sun and other stars, planets and astronomical objects. Other features include the Sydney Planetarium and 3D Space Theatre immersive astronomy experiences."

"Set in beautiful gardens overlooking Sydney Harbour, the ever-enchanting Sydney Observatory never gets old for either little or big kids!. The museum and education centre is an astronomy hub with famous telescopic domes for exploring the sky with experienced guides. At night, you could see stars, planets in the solar system, the Moon or even nebulae that are light-years away."

"The Sydney Observatory is an Australian landmark offering some of the best views across the city. Entry is free providing access to all of the rooms other than the top observation areas where the telescopes are used for tours. One of the highlights for us was the LEGO room which is also free."

"Before the light rail returned to Sydney, trams were something that many people believed was a Melbourne thing unaware that Sydney had an extensive tram system in place. It makes sense then that the Sydney Tramway Museum is Australia’s oldest tramway museum and the largest in the southern hemisphere. The Sydney Tramway Museum boasts quite a collection of trams including Sydney trams from 1896 to 1997 as well as trams from across Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Ballarat and Adelaide) and even from overseas such as San Francisco, Nagasaki, Berlin, Munich and Milan."

"The Sydney Tramway Museum is the oldest museum of its kind in Australia and is a fantastic family-friendly destination. For anyone who has wondered what it would be like to get on board a tram in the early 20th century..."

"Stowaway is an evergreen watering hole just outside of the heart of Manly (in a neighboring suburb, Freshwater) where you will find local Four Pines brew on tap, a wide variety of wine, and plenty of cocktails on offer. The menu’s description of The Campfire Louie, a cocktail of vodka, apple-wood okar, fireball whiskey, mango puree, lemon & smoked cinnamon epitomizes the Northern Beaches approach to life."

"Stowaway is making all of your cocktail, pizza, burger, taco dreams come true. Whether you’re after saucy pulled pork tacos, classic pepperoni pie, or an old school American burger, they’ve got you in mind. They are delivering fresh, fast, and tasty bites from noon daily."

"Many Sydney suburbs that sit outside the lockout zone are enjoying a nightlife renaissance, such as Bondi Junction – a place that used to be better known for its enormous shopping center than it’s nightclubs. The Junction (formerly known as Jam Gallery) is now one of the hottest night clubs in the Harbor City – expect long queues of trendy young revelers outside this edgy underground venue, which hosts live music performances, art exhibitions, a bar, and an eatery."

"This hidden gem is another amazing option that’s perfect for when you’re out in the city on a late night with your favourite people. A crazy range of flavours await: black sesame, sticky rice, lychee rose, jackfruit, taro and the like. If you’re looking to try something a little more Asian-oriented – this one’s for you."

"CBD pasta & sandwich shop Fabbrica, still relatively fresh-faced from the team behind Dear Sainte Eloise (and Ragazzi, and Love, Tilly Devine), isn’t exactly doing anything new for this round of Sydney’s COVID-19 lockdown. They’re just doing what they’ve always done, it’s just been getting more popular since Glady’s put the (very gradual and hesitant) kibosh on leaving home for non-essentials. That is, Fabbrica’s primo take-home pasta packets, which come doubled with sauce and some recipe suggestions so you can elevate your pasta game much, much higher than those San Remo specials."

"Get fresh handmade pasta by the gram and sauces delivered to your door from the boundary-pushing Italian shop, Fabbrica. You can get pasta packs of Cacio e Pepe and wagyu and red wine rigatoni, or fresh sourdough, and a range of cheeses. It’s all delivered through UberEats."