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    Powerhouse Museum

    3.8 (43 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Powerhouse Museum Photos

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    Sharn G.

    Went here the other night for the Circus extravaganza as part of the Yelp Elite event. There was free popcorn and candy floss. How could you go past free popcorn and candy floss? Well I did, I ducked and weaved past the lovely gentleman giving out bags of popcorn and bee-lined straight for the man covering paddle pops in pink fluffy stuff. He gave me an extra huge serving that I had to feed to my date. Now there's also a cafe adjacent to the museum so if you needed to have a bite that was a bite more substantial you could go and grab something there. Which we did. I got an Italian sausage sammich. Although there was a very thin and lonely looking sausage in a big square of bread, maybe 2 sausages would have been better? Or a smaller bread sammich. Either way the sausage tasted great and went down a treat. We wondered back inside and played with the circus props. I twirled plates like a pro, A PRO I TELLS YOU! My date failed at twirling plates like a pro, so I lamented and gave him my spinning plate which he promptly made fall off the rod. I then decided maybe we should try something else, so we wondered over to the room where there was a show circle which was empty at the time, but there were 2 shows that you could watch, at 6.45 and 7.45. We caught the latter but was too busy shoving my face full of food to catch the 6.45 one. Once you passed this area there was a carousal. A HUGE ONE! Like a proper one. You had to duck and weave through the people trying to hoola hoop (they weren't very good and nearly knocked us out as we trotted past, much laughs were had at their failed hoola on both sides) - my date looked at me weird when I mentioned that I needed to be on said carousal. I sat myself down on a horsey and yelled yeha! Ok, so maybe I didn't yell yeeha, but I thought it... Was much fun and thanks Yelp for a nice night out letting my inner child have a play :)

    History on trains.
    Justine C.

    Definitely the hub of science, art and design in Sydney. Ever changing, an is great for all of those inquisitive people in tandem with a thirst of knowledge for more IQ raising activities. It all makes sense as the world would not be as it is if it wasn't for science, design and even engineering. Sure nothing happens until someone sells something, however nothing also happens unless someone creates something. Great exhibitions for kids and adults alike with a funky cafe upon exiting. The catch is (as always with these places) you need to walk through a shop. Surprisingly they sell some good home wares at this shop too. $17 well spent for a once in a while visit.

    Danielle L.

    I forgotten how fun museums could be until I walked into the Powerhouse museum. That's right - they design these places to be fun and entertaining! The objective of the Powerhouse is to share with its patrons unique and diverse collections which cover an array of different themes including history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration. Walking around the large open spaces I'm reminded of being a kid - open to new discoveries and fascinating experiments. There are exhibitions you can touch, buttons you can press and you may be suprised how much you're learning whilst having fun. The powerhouse regularly updates their exhibitions with super fun themes - they've just finished an ABBA exhibition which has been replaced with Harry Potter - how cool is that? They do showcase a variety of different collections so I suggest you go online before heading down. Adults cost $10 and kids are $5 and its a really enjoyable way to spend a few hours expanding your mind and discovering your world.

    Love Lace exhibition, The Powerhouse Museum
    Lauren B.

    The Powerhouse Museum is a good way to spend a rainy Saturday, entertain visitors or get the kids out of the house. They've got a bunch of great permanent exhibitions on topics such as musical instruments and Australian shopping (yep, I'm a geek), but their temporary exhibitions are what you really come for - they're always fantastic blink-and-you'll-miss-it surprises. The current Love Lace exhibition is a perfect example. With more than 130 contemporary lace works by 134 artists from 20 countries, it's absolutely beautiful and you're guaranteed to find new respect for your nanna's doilies. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for concession and $5 for kids (members and kids under four are free). Getting there and away is super easy; you'll find plenty of buses running along George Street, it's walking distance to Central and you'll get a parking discount for the Entertainment Centre Car Park when you show your ticket to the Museum admissions desk. Keep up-to-date on upcoming exhibitions by signing up at www.powerhousemuseum.com. (Pssst, the Harry Potter exhibition runs from 19 November 2011 to 18 March 2012. Don't tell anyone I said that...)

    Qype User (Jade…)

    The "Powerhouse Museum" in Sydney is a wonderful place. You'll find diverse collections encompassing als sorts of technology including Furniture, Media, Science, Space technology, Computer technology and a lot of more. The Powerhouse Museum has a few unique exhibits including the oldest operational rotative steam engine in the world and the Locomotive No. 1, the first steam locomotive to operate in New South Wales. Another exhibit is the Strasburg Clock Model which still works. It's not only a place to watch, you can also touch and test in a few parts of the Powerhouse Museum. What's very great for kids. For children they have also a Cogs' Playground in the courtyard next by a café. Check out the Homepage for Exhibitions, Events and Workshops. --- Sydney's "Powerhouse Museum" (next to Chinatown and Darling Harbour) is just a couple of minutes' walk along the ramp from Paddy's Market monorail station or the Entertainment Centre carpark. The Powerhouse Museum is currently open from 10.00am - 5.00pm every day except Christmas Day. (Extended opening times for some public and/or school holidays.) Admission charges Adults $10 Concessions $6 Children under 4 FREE Children 4-15 $5 Powerhouse Members FREE NSW Seniors Card holders and pensioners $6 Info 8.12.2009

    Paul J.

    This my kind of Museum! Sort of an Air and Space museum. The place has 4 levels each level with very interesting and educational displays. One section on the second level is strictly devoted to space with a mock-up to simulate weightlessness in space. Actual NASA equipment and vehicles are on display. The first level has interactive displays, so a great way to spend a day with the kids. This is a fun filled museum with great displays and very fun and educational for the kids. For the nostalgic, there is an actual replica of the original Lost in Space Robot!! This is a cool museum to check out for the day with or without the kids. Great place and definitely worth a visit. I am not going to mention everything because that would spoil it for you...and we can't have that!

    All the fun of the circus with Prada Clutch and Conchetta Grande.
It's time to dress up and feel that inner child.
    Paul O.

    Woohoo - its always great fun at a circus and even more so when it's the Queer Big Top (Sydney Mardi Gras Program) and hosted by Sydney's top Drag Queens Prada Clutch, Conchitta Grande and the International DJ Kitty Glitter pumping out dance tunes under the big top. Thanks Ben B and the sorting hat for the complementary tickets. The Circus Factory is the latest exhibition of circus costumes and props at the Powerhouse Museum. The costumes and items on display explore ringmasters, performing with animals, acrobats, clowns, dressing room props, accessories and the finishes with a grand parade. I took Sharn G's advice and went on the hunt for the fairy floss man as soon as I arrived. You were right, Mr Floss made me one huge stick of pink cotton candy. It was just like what I got as a kid. I hate today's version usually pre-wrapped in a plastic bag. After a brief introduction to the evenings program and a pole dance by David Aeon (Finalist International Mr Pole Dance 2013), it was time to explore! Firstly, I love circus history! Curator Peter Cox did a fantastic job of talking about the circus costumes including on-loan rarities from the Centre National du Costume de Scène (CNCS) in Moulins, France to Cirque du Soleil 'Saltimbanco' acrobatic outfits to the famous 'White Cockatoo' Flyers costume from Circus Oz. The Dressing Room area features artefacts and never seen before circus treasures. Original Wirth's Circus (one of Australia's most well-known family circuses) tickets and payroll books/journals, Cirque du Soleil make up models. The Grand Parade area showcases more costumes including the Dralion Cirque du Soleil lions costume. So much to see here that I wished for more time . . . except it is SHOWTIME! Drag Queen and Circus Ringmistress Prada Clutch whipped us all into an expectant frenzy as Belladonna ate razorblades then some how managed to thread them all again onto a piece of thread with her mouth - simply amazing! After this performance it was a question of what to choose next? Maybe it was time to dress up then have a selfie or two at the photo booth. When was the last time you went to the dress-up box? The circus atmosphere was enhanced with lots of wandering performers and clowns mingling with the guests. Time is going by so quickly - a good indication that you're having fun! A quick lesson on how to do the hoola hoop movement, with one then adding more hoops. Hahaha, I was hopeless! Next a ride on the100 year-old carousel from Craig Robson's Fairground Follies collection. Old world charm as the carousel twirls to the sound of its piped organ and spinning lights. This is a highlight to see and ride. My program tells me that is time for the Showtime finale in the Big Ring. The first Showtime performance is by the lovely, voluptuous Conchetta Grande who sang" Sweet Transvestite" (Glee version) then Samantha Jade's song " What You've Done To Me". Drum rolls and Prada Clutch announces that Belladonna is back again - this time doing wild acts of levitation! She blows bubbles around the room. She blows one and covers it with her silk cloth - suddenly the cloth starts to float up as the bubble makes it rise. Hmmm how does she do that? I was in the front row and I couldn't work it out. No strings here! Belladonna isn't finished yet as she lights a candle sitting on top of her magician's table.Suddenly the magician's table starts to rise up off the floor - Triple amazing. . Lots of cheering and applause fore that trick. The final act for the evening is by David Aeon who performed pole dancing at the beginning of the night. David entertains us all with breath taking feats on the dangling sash of material that is suspended from the roof. Plenty of twist and turns, ankle dives with no net and aerial feats show this young performers agility and strength. "Well that's it folks" Prada commands. The audience moans sadly and gives a collective sigh. "Did you all enjoy yourselves?" Ring mistress Prada enquires. We all scream back "YES!!!" What a great night at the museum. I hope that the Powerhouse Museum will do many more. Don't miss this exhibition if you love the circus world. It goes until May 2015.

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    11 years ago

    I love the powerhouse museum. Great for all ages. Perfect for a family outing. Love that it is educational and fun.

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    Review Highlights - Powerhouse Museum

    From ABBA to the Wiggles, Star Wars and the Love Lace exhibit, a perfect example is their current Harry Potter exhibition.

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    Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum - Outside of the old nurses' house, museum is currently on the first level

    Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum

    5.0(1 review)
    2.0 kmSydney

    I literally passed by this museum on my way to the botanical gardens several days ago. Noting the…read morelimited hours I slightly rearranged my schedule to make the Tuesday hours work. I was expecting a small museum that would take 30 minutes max to go through. Thankfully I was so wrong. Before even opening the door of the museum I was greeted by one of the docents who was lovely throughout the tour. The entire tour lasted about 70 minutes and was fascinating. She explained the origins of the hospital and detailed history of the nursing staff who truly started the practice of nursing, as directed and sent by Florence Nightingale. While I was vaguely aware of the Nightingale connection I was surprised to find so many items that were either owned by Nightingale or given to the nurses from Florence Nightingale. With all the objects of the museum donated I think they have a truly remarkable collection, including old medical objects, photos of nursing staff, training uniforms, chemist set, to go bag of pharmaceuticals (for visiting rural areas), and medals received for service in the Crimea War. In general, I think it helps to have a medical background in order to understand how great this collection is and to be able to easily compare the collection to current medical practice. That being said, the docents ask prior to the tour if you have any medical knowledge. The only area of the museum that I didn't enjoy was part of the new wing and was two rooms of medical specimens, including the preserved fetus from an abortion. There were many different cancers (breast, ovarian, colorectal) also on display. I think generally people should be warned prior to going into those rooms. $5 Admission per person, cash only Photos are ok, no flash Will be asked to leave larger items (camera bags, backpacks) in the office Very limited hours! Martin Place metro stop

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    Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum - Outside museum

    Outside museum

    Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum - Photos of the women who started nursing practice in Sydney

    Photos of the women who started nursing practice in Sydney

    Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum - The to-go box for a chemist

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    The to-go box for a chemist

    Powerhouse Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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