Maritime Museum Sydney free to visit and see exhibitions

 

 

Free Fun things to do and see The Sydney Maritime Museum

The maritime museum in Darling Harbour has many permanent exhibitions that are free to view every first Thursday of the month. All of the maritime exhibition highlights the history and relationship Australia has had with the sea and the oceans. The Galleries and exhibitions that you will journey through include Sea Journeys, Navy, Navigators, Watermarks, Australia-USA, Eora first people. The national maritime diverse collection includes 135.000 items attached to the collection Is 52,000 digital images.

Children's Activities and Family fun Sundays

 The Maritime Museum is one of the few museums throughout the city of Sydney that cater for the very young the museum provides entertainment and fun activities for children under five. There are also programs and activities for children aged between the years of five and up to 14 years of age.

Kids on the deck is an amazing Antarctic experience with science experiments, games and dress ups and with an educational aspect that might evoke an interest in environment for our young explorers of the future while they are having fun and enjoying  themselves.

Other children's activities include Cabinet of curiosities touch trolley-weird science for all children up to the age of 14

Mini Mariners with different theme every month for children under the age of five

For more information on children's activities and Family fun Sundays

A journey through the museum galleries

Australia_USA

A core exhibition in the Main Building takes you on a journey of discovery through time when the Americas first set foot on Australian soil up to the present day. Here you will learn about the coal rush in the early 19th century and about the early American whalers and hunters that use the Australian waters for their hunting grounds. The first foreign trading ship to arrive at the first settlement in Sydney was from America it brought much needed supplies to a struggling colony.

 Navy

The navy exhibition is another main exhibition in the main building. The Navy gallery surrounded by naval memorabilia and exhibits displayed from the walls to the ceilings. View the antisubmarine helicopter hanging from the top of the ceiling get up close and personal with the 31 b helicopter from the viewing deck. The navy exhibition allows you to explore how the Australian Navy has operated through times of peace and war. Learn about personal triumphs and misfortunes through human stories from the past. Visit the submarine exhibition find out if you could live in a submarine take a peep through the telescope you could be surprised by what you will see.

Passengers

Another core exhibition in the main building that showcases a range of displays that have played a very important role in the development of the culture and the people of Australia history. Apart from the local indigenous people of this country Australians have at least one member of their family in the past or present that have travelled to this great country from overseas. Many Australians have travelled to this country by sea from the early convicts and settlers and the many new Australians that came during the post-world war two immigration boom and other times throughout Australian history. Until air travel became the main mode of transport for immigrants to the country sea travel was their only option. In the passenger gallery, you can quickly learn about the hardships the first convicts had to endure in their journey to New Holland the original name of Australia. View the model of the convict hull and see how the non-convicts travelled in 1788 in dark damp uncomfortable accommodation. The gallery main centrepiece is a large-scale model of the 1937 ocean liner RMS  Orcades, one of the vessels that  brought migrants to Australia during the World War two-post migrant boom in 1952.

Navigators

Captain Cook was not the first to visit the shores of Australia. Over thousands of years, the stars have guided many visitors to the largest island in the world. On entry to the navigators, gallery and exhibition look up at the ceiling and view the stars and constellations that have made it possible to guide navigators too Australia over the many centuries. This exhibition educates visitors on the many visitors that have visited Australia from the early contacts with the Macassan traders from Indonesia the French explorers and the Dutch and the English of the 17th and 19th century. Learn about the traditional scientific navigational techniques and equipment used by the early explorers.

Watermark

The Watermark gallery embarks on an epic journey of excitement and adventure. Learn about the connection and love that the Aussies have with the water. Learn what made the Aussie Cossie emerge from the deep blue and become one of Australia’s most popular swimwear. For many years Aussies have had the reputation for being great lovers of beer so here you can view a uniquely built Aussie vessel. A boat built from Australian VB and XXXX beer cans. Watch videos on Australians greatest aquatic achievements disappointments and triumphs see the awesome Foursome’s row to victory in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In addition, this exhibition would not be complete if it did not educate people about the fastest boat in the world the spirit of Australia learn and view how this boat still holds this title.

Eroa the first people

Eroa people the indigenous inhabitants of Australia had a very close relationship with.The sea and its inhabitant’s. Early settlers with amazement watch the aboriginals catch fish and cook the fish on a mound of dirt in their wooden canoes. This exhibition takes you on a journey from the very top of Australia and the Torres Straits islands to Tasmania on a theme of history and culture exploring the unique connection the aboriginal people had and still have with the land and sea. The many aboriginal artworks and craft on display help to make this journey of discovery a pleasurable learning experience. The Darug people were the traditional owners of the land the Maritime museum now stands on in their language Eora means first people.

Elysium Antarctic Visual epic

Until the 3rd of November 2013, the Maritime Museum is hosting a photo exhibition the featured works are from award winning photographers. In 2010, the Elysium team embarked on an expedition included in the team were some of the world’s best filmmakers wildlife photographers and scientists. Their epic journey took them from the Antarctic peninsula to South Georgia along the way the kept a superb visual record of the magnificent wildlife life and the beautiful wilderness in which they live and survive. The photographs capture the impressive eye catching surroundings of the beautiful land and seascapes that now serve as an important record for the monitoring of climate change.     

Explore The Vessels

For a memorable experience, you can climb aboard and explore the Australian ships docked at the museum. The Maritime Museum boasts that they have the largest and most diverse fleet of any museum.

Captain Cook Endeavour

Go back in history to see how the sailors and Captain Cook lived and work during the maritime voyage of their life. The endeavour famous for Capitan Cook’s world voyage back in 1768-71 the replica docked at the museum for most of the year for visitors to enjoy.

HMAS Onslow, Oberon Class Submarine (1969)

Go down under discover what it was like to be on a Submarine during the cold war years. Search and investigate the many small compartments from the torpedo bays to the engine room peer through the periscope. Be surprised at the sailors cramped living quarters where they slept where they ate.

HMAS Vampire, Daring Class Destroyer (1956)

The Australian’s largest museum vessel and the last of the country's big gun war ships. This ship was the home to hundreds of sailors marvel at the military might this ship once possessed with its big guns machinery and weapons. See where and how they sailors lived together where they ate where they slept. You can also download a free tour of HMAS VAMPIRE through Google play and iTunes.

Other boats on display for exploring at the dock include

Barque Janes Craig (1874)

HMAS Advance, patrol Boat (1968)

The historical fleet includes

Akarana (1888) gaff cutter racing yacht

Thistle (1903) Victorian couta boat

John Louis (1957) Pearling Lugger

 For more information on these boats and other boats at the maritime museum http://www.anmm.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1398

How to get to the Sydney Maritime Museum

Address 2 Murray Street Darling Harbour Sydney NSW contact phone number (02) 9298377

Catch a ferry to Pyrmont Bay

Walk from Town hall train station

Catch the monorail too the Harbour side

Catch Sydney Light rail to Pyrmont Bay

Sydney explorer buss

The 443 bus from the city

 You can also use the map below to find the location of the Sydney Maritime Museum

Free things to do and see in Sydney tour Sydney Observatory

About the Sydney Observatory

Sydney observatory Australia oldest building still in operation today located on Observatory hill overlooking Dawns point in Sydney Harbour. Built in 1858 the sandstone building in the Italian style and character is now heritage-listed. One of the main functions of the observatory back in 1858 was to calculate the correct time from the movement of the stars including the sun and to give time through the time ball tower. In the 1850s, Sydney Harbour had become a very busy part a need for correct time was essential for the ships to adjust and calibrate their chronometers a special clock design for navigation even the smallest error in time would affect navigation. The time ball was ready for use and installed in the observation tower by the 5th June 1858 the first time ball drop was at noon of that day. A few months later the government astronomer Rev Scott changed the ball dropping time to 1 pm because, he was busy observing the sun crossing the north south meridian at noon.

 

 

 

Free  things to see

So many cameras have captured the views of observatory hill and the gardens so often because, of the alluring picturesque scenes of Sydney Harbour from the observatory. During the day, you can walk around the gardens and the free museum. The museum houses a remarkable historic an interactive exhibition. Take a free tour through time on a journey with Mathew Flinders during his famous voyage mapping and charting the Australian coastline in 1801. Other highlights include learning about the transit of Venus the observatory displays images and artifacts of this truly amazing event. The transit of Venus is a moment in time when Venus orbit brings it to a point directly between the sun and the earth. Use the touch screens and take a journey back in time see Dawns point from its humble beginnings to the present see how the panoramas from observatory hill have changed over the years.
 

 Sydney observatory tours

The tours begin with the learning about indigenous astronomy and a tour of the museum before climbing up into the two historical telescope domes where you explore the sky with experienced guides. At night, view the stars and planets within our solar system and celestial bodies' light years away. If sky conditions are poor and prevent telescope viewing planetarium session are held.

3 D Movie

After the telescope viewings visit, the 3 D space theatre travel to galaxies far away be amazed by the deepness and the vastness of space.

 

Daytime visiting hours

Daily 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM (closed some public holidays)

Three entries for general admission to the building and grounds are free

A telescope and three D space theatre tours

Weekdays 2.30 PM, 3.30 PM, 4.00 PM

Weekends and school holidays, 11.00 AM, 12.00 PM, 1.00 PM, 2.30 PM, 3:30 PM

Cost

$8.00 per adult, $6.00 child, $6.00 concession, $22.00 family

Night-time visiting (bookings essential)

Monday –Saturday (closed some public holidays)
 Seasonal Sunday openings need to check their web site for details
Three D space theatre tours and telescope viewing
December and January 8.30 PM
February, March, October and November -8.15 PM
April to September -6.15 PM and 8.15 PM
Cost
$18.00 adult, $12.00 child, $14.00 concession, $50.00 Family
Bookings are essential for night-time visits and special events 

Sydney observatory: Address, Watson road, Observatory hill the rocks Sydney Tel: 02 992134 85
more information www.sydneyobservatory.com

 

Sydney walks places to see the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum things to see in Sydney

The Australian Museum has a unique and irreplaceable collection and the most extensive collection of Australian culture and natural history artifacts in the country. The museum is the guardian of Australian most priceless most important animal, mineral, fossil, vertebrate, invertebrate, and anthropological collection. The museum provides a range of educational programs and exhibitions that help to inspire our younger people. These programs and educational workshops are aimed at both primary and secondary students. When you become a member of the Australian Museum, Membership entitles you too many great benefits including free all year round general admission discounts and express queues for special exhibitions.

The aboriginal art and craft exhibition

This exhibition dedicated to the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Indigenous Australia is a term used to describe both Torres Strait Islanders and aboriginal people. Learn and explore the life history culture and heritage of the longest continuous culture on earth. Learn about the beautiful environment enjoyed by the Gadigal people. The Gadigal people belonged to the Ero Nation their territories spread from south of the Sydney Botany Bay and the Georges river to the Circular Quay west to Parramatta and north to the Hawkesbury River. View the aboriginal unique style of art and craft learn about the life of these wonderful people before Colonisation.

The long Gallery

The long Gallery is the oldest and original exhibition hall in Australia opening in 1855. Displays were of many peculiar Animals of New Holland as Australia then were called as well as local arts and crafts and current technological inventions. The first opening was a huge success attracting more than 10,000 people over the first weekend. The long Gallery is now a Skeleton museum displaying Human, Marsupials, Mammals, Amphibians, and reptiles Skeletons. See Skeletons of the possum and Koala mammal skeletons include the lion, a rock wallaby, and the kangaroo. See the crocodile Python and turtle. Fish view the first ever-black marlin caught on rod and reel in 1913. Explore the function of our skeletons and bones learn how they heal be educated on the different types of skeletons exoskeleton and endoskeletons. Does the stress test on bones watch the polarised light that shows you where the different parts of the bones receive the most stress? Learn about the dissimilarities between human and bird bones.

The planet of minerals

Australia has always been lucky to have an abundant supply of minerals. This exhibition explores the history of Australian mineral exploration learn about the discovery of minerals where they come from. Enjoy the displays that teach you about different types of minerals and what they are used for. Learn about the food belt minerals and the ore body at Broken hill the first mines in South Australia and the great copper rush. View the impressive displays of gold nuggets, gemstones discover how the diggers of the gold rush lived and survived. The gold rush was a very import time in early Sydney history and the economy. The discovery of gold in 1851 it led to the first mint in Australia, and the first Australian coins.

Birds in Australia

Once again, this is another excellent Educational exhibition view a tremendous display of Australian birds learn about the huge diverse range of birds in Australia. View the huge flightless birds from the emu to the most colourful and gorgeous collection of parrots in the world the Australian parrots. What is a bird? Why are the flight muscles of different in birds? What is the behaviour and how do birds navigate? Learn the answers to these questions and more when you explore birds in Australia.

Butterflies and insects

Explore the unique perspective from an insect viewpoint learn about the different insects in the world and Australian. A great exhibition for young and old I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Cicadas. I learnt how the Cicadas are the noisiest of all insects, how they sing in chorus and how each species sings its own song to attract the females for matting. I also found the butterfly display very stimulating and I even found some very attractive butterfly that some very unique colours.

Dinosaurs

Discovering dinosaurs take a trail card hunt for the Aussie dinosaurs learn about when and where the Aussie dinosaurs lived what they ate and how they survived before extinction. Join the debate were dinosaurs cold or warm-blooded. Collect the evidence study how Dinosaurs fossils are excavated and found. Discover how past fossils are the window in to history is there enough evidence to prove the dinosaurs were cold all warm-blooded. See the huge impressive skeleton of the Tyrannosaurs Rex a very large Carnivorous dinosaur of the late cretaceous period with small claws like little front legs and powerful jaw.

Surviving Australia  

Discover the stories of Australia’s inhabitants learn about who are the specialised survivors of millions of years. Where are all the swimming flying crawling animals that once called Australia Home? In the past 200 years over 50 vertebrate and a mystery of how many invertebrates and plants that are now presume extinct. See the Australian animals of today learn how they have adapted and survived learn about their ancestors like the killer marsupial giant wombats, fanged kangaroos, and the largest marsupials that ever lived.

How to get to the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is located in the center of Sydney city across the road from the famous Hyde Park it is easily assessable by public transport such as trains and buses. Both St James and museum train station are both less than a ten-minute walking distance from the museum. But if you do catch a train I suggest you elite at St James because this will give you the opportunity to visit the Australian war memorial  museum is located in the center of Sydney city across the road from the famous Hyde park  it is easily assessable by  public transport such as trains and buses. Both St James and museum train station are both less than a ten minute walking from the museum. However, if you do catch a train I suggest you elite at St James because this will give you the opportunity to visit the Australian war memorial and museum on your walk to the museum. The war memorial has a small museum with a collection of war memorial memorabilia. Entry to the museum is free of charge but donations are much appreciated.

Other great Sydney tourist attractions close to the museum

Art gallery of NSW about a 20 minute walk

Hyde park barracks about a 15 minutes walk

The mint about 15 to 20 minute walk

Sydney hospital 15 to 20 minutes

Parliament house about 15 to 20 minute walk

St Mary cathedral about 10 minute walk