All free museums and attractions to visit in New South Wales

New South Wales (Australia) has a lot to offer for you culturally, even if you're on a budget, including free museums, free activities and free attractions. 68 museums and attractions in New South Wales can be visited without charge.

Are you looking for free things to do in New South Wales? These are the best places to visit:

  1. Cockatoo Island1

    Cockatoo Island

     Sydney
  2. Museum of Sydney2

    Museum of Sydney

     Sydney
    The Museum of Sydney is a historical collection and exhibition, built on the ruins of the house of the first Governor of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip. This location gives the museum a unique historical significance, as it stands on the site of the first Government House of Australia, constructed in 1788. The original house was later abandoned, and its foundations were uncovered by archaeologists in 1983. The new museum building was designed by architects from Denton Corker Marshall and is part of the Governor Phillip Tower development.
  3. The Rocks Discovery Museum3

    The Rocks Discovery Museum

     Sydney
    Three floors packed with history of the most magical district in Sydney. Learn about the development of the area, from pre-European era to the present. The exhibitions are interactive and highly engaging, kids will love it. Explore various archaeological artefacts and hear stories about events and p
  4. North Coast Regional Botanic Garden4

    North Coast Regional Botanic Garden

     Coffs Harbour
    The North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, located in Coffs Harbour, is a 20-hectare oasis that offers a blend of natural coastal forests, beautifully planted gardens, discovery walks, and picnic areas. This makes it an ideal location for nature lovers, families, and anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful day in a beautiful setting.
  5. Art Gallery of New South Wales5

    Art Gallery of New South Wales

     Sydney
    The Art Gallery of New South Wales, situated in Sydney, Australia, holds the distinction of being the most significant public gallery in Sydney and the fourth largest in the country. This makes it a notable destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike, offering a wide range of exhibits and collections to explore.
  6. White Rabbit Gallery6

    White Rabbit Gallery

     Sydney
    The White Rabbit Gallery is a contemporary art museum situated in the heart of Sydney, specifically in the inner-city suburb of Chippendale, New South Wales, Australia. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists who are exploring the city.
  7. Australian Museum7

    Australian Museum

     Sydney
    The Australian Museum in Sydney, established in 1827, is the oldest museum in Australia. It primarily focuses on natural history and anthropology, housing extensive collections in zoology (vertebrates and invertebrates), mineralogy, paleontology, and anthropology. This museum offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore Australia's rich natural and cultural heritage.
  8. Powerhouse Museum8

    Powerhouse Museum

     Sydney
    The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney is recognized as Australia's largest and most renowned museum. It is home to a vast array of exhibits that showcase numerous discoveries and inventions of the human mind. This museum is a testament to human creativity and innovation, offering a unique opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of human ingenuity.
  9. Brett Whiteley Studio9

    Brett Whiteley Studio

     Sydney
  10. Newcastle Museum10

    Newcastle Museum

     Newcastle
    The Newcastle Museum is situated in the city of Newcastle, which is in New South Wales, Australia. This location is significant as it allows visitors to explore the rich history and culture of the region while also enjoying the museum's diverse exhibits and collections.
  11. Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre11

    Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

     Sydney
    The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre serves as the maritime museum of the Royal Australian Navy. It is conveniently located within the Public Access Area on the northern end of the Garden Island naval base in Sydney. This location allows visitors to easily access the museum and explore the rich history and heritage of the Australian Navy.
  12. Elizabeth Farm12

    Elizabeth Farm

     Sydney
    Elizabeth Farm is a significant historic site in Sydney, Australia. It was the residence of John Macarthur and his wife Elizabeth, who were pioneers in the production and sale of merino wool in the country. This makes it a place of interest for those keen on understanding Australia's early economic history and the beginnings of its wool industry.
  13. Macquarie University Art Gallery13

    Macquarie University Art Gallery

     Sydney
  14. Fleet Air Arm Museum14

    Fleet Air Arm Museum

     Nowra
    The Australian Fleet Air Arm Museum, previously known as Australia's Museum of Flight, is a military aerospace museum situated at the naval air station HMAS Albatross, in close proximity to Nowra, New South Wales. This museum is a significant destination for those interested in military aerospace history and the evolution of aviation in Australia.
  15. Museum of the Riverina15

    Museum of the Riverina

     Wagga Wagga City Council
    The Museum of the Riverina, located in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, is a local history museum. It offers a deep dive into the history and culture of the region, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the area's past and its impact on the present.
  16. Australian Botanic Garden16

    Australian Botanic Garden

     Sydney
  17. 17

    Australian Design Centre

     Sydney
  18. Wollongong Botanical Gardens18

    Wollongong Botanical Gardens

     Wollongong
    The Wollongong Botanic Garden is a beautiful location situated in the suburb of Keiraville, at the foot of Mount Keira in New South Wales, Australia. This garden is a part of the local botanical gardens of the Illawarra and was established in 1964. It offers a serene environment for visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature.
  19. Australian Inland Botanic Gardens19

    Australian Inland Botanic Gardens

     Dareton
    The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG) is a vast botanical garden and arboretum spanning 152 hectares. It is situated in the regions of The Mallee and Sunraysia in New South Wales, Australia. The garden is unique in its focus, with half of its area dedicated to the cultivation and preservation of Australian flora.
  20. 20

    The Mint

     Sydney
  21. 21

    Wagga Zoo & Aviary

     Wagga Wagga City Council
  22. Berry Museum22

    Berry Museum

     Berry
  23. Don Bank23

    Don Bank

     Sydney
    Don Bank, also known as the Don Bank Museum, is a heritage-listed former residence that has been transformed into a house museum. It is located at 6 Napier Street, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This historic site offers visitors a glimpse into the past, showcasing the architectural style and living conditions of the mid-19th century.
  24. Fort Scratchley24

    Fort Scratchley

     Newcastle
    Fort Scratchley, once a coastal defence installation, now serves as a museum. It is situated in Newcastle East, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales in Australia. This historical site offers visitors a glimpse into Australia's military past, with its origins dating back to 1882 when it was built to defend the city against a potential Russian attack.
  25. 25

    The Lord Howe Island Historical Society and Museum

     Lord Howe Island
  26. Meroogal26

    Meroogal

     Nowra
    Meroogal, located at 35 West Street in the city of Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia, is a heritage-listed former residence that now serves as a house museum. The house was designed and built in 1886 by Kenneth Mackenzie, making it a significant piece of architectural history.
  27. Queanbeyan Printing Museum27

    Queanbeyan Printing Museum

     Queanbeyan
  28. 28

    Illawarra Museum Wollongong

     Wollongong
  29. 29

    Chrissie Cotter Gallery

     Sydney
  30. Cape Byron Lighthouse Museum30

    Cape Byron Lighthouse Museum

     Byron Bay
  31. 31

    Shoyoen Japanese Garden

     Dubbo
  32. Chau Chak Wing Museum32

    Chau Chak Wing Museum

     Sydney
  33. Gerringong Heritage Museum33

    Gerringong Heritage Museum

     Gerringong
    Travel back in time at the Gerringong Heritage Museum and discover the captivating story of this charming coastal town. Uncover fascinating exhibits, engage with interactive displays, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Gerringong's past. The Gerringong Heritage Museum welcomes group vi
  34. Hazelhurst Arts Centre34

    Hazelhurst Arts Centre

     Sydney
    The Hazelhurst Arts Centre, also known as Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre, Hazelhurst Gallery and simply Hazelhurst, is situated on Kingsway in the suburb of Gymea, in the southern part of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This location makes it easily accessible for both locals and tourists alike, offering a unique cultural experience in the heart of the city.
  35. CNAPG Albury Australian Aviation Museums Display35

    CNAPG Albury Australian Aviation Museums Display

     Albury
  36. 36

    Rouse Hill Estate

     Sydney
  37. 37

    4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art

     Sydney
    Meet different cultures through this gallery's art displays. Intriguing pieces from Asian artists in a pleasant setting.
  38. 38

    The Old Court House

     Wollongong
  39. 39

    Global Gallery

     Sydney
    A lively gallery that promotes contemporary art through a series of exhibitions, events and more. Always something going on here.
  40. 40

    North Head Sanctuary

     Manly
  41. 41

    Sydney Children's Museum

     Sydney
  42. 42

    Riverstone & District Historical Society and Museum

     Sydney
  43. 43

    Fairfield City Museum and Gallery

     Sydney
  44. 44

    Camden Museum

     Sydney
  45. 45

    Manly Art Gallery and Museum

     Sydney
    The Manly Art Gallery and Museum (MAGAM), situated in Manly, New South Wales, Australia, holds the distinction of being the first metropolitan-based regional gallery in New South Wales. This makes it a significant part of the region's cultural and historical landscape.
  46. 46

    George Hanna Memorial Museum

     Sydney
  47. 47

    Hawkesbury Regional Museum

     Sydney
  48. 48

    Woolwich Dock

     Sydney
  49. 49

    Mad Max 2 Museum

     Silverton
  50. 50

    Armidale Folk Museum

     Armidale
  51. 51

    12th/16th Hunter River Lancers and 24th Lighthorse Memorial Museum

     Armidale
  52. 52

    Royal Engineers Office

     Burnt Pine
  53. 53

    Sketchley Pioneer Cottage and Museum

     Newcastle-Maitland
  54. 54

    Lanbruk's Gunyah

     Grafton
  55. 55

    Headland Park

     Mosman
  56. 56

    Murray Art Museum Albury - MAMA

     Albury
  57. 57

    Up-To-Date Store Cultural Precinct

     Coolamon
  58. 58

    Coolamon RSL Museum

     Coolamon
  59. 59

    Cootamundra Heritage Museum

     Cootamundra
  60. 60

    Museum of Education

     Armidale
  61. 61

    Crystal Kingdom Museum

     Coonabarabran
  62. 62

    The Entrance Long Jetty RSL Sub Branch Museum

     Long Jetty
  63. 63

    Cundletown & Lower Manning Historical Society And Cundletown Museum

     Cundletown
  64. 64

    Pipe Kiln No. 1

     Sydney
  65. 65

    Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum

     Mumbil
    The Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum is a vast 167-hectare botanical garden and arboretum situated near Mumbil, in New South Wales, Australia. It is a member of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International and is internationally recognized with the code BURR. The garden is located 25 km from Wellington in the central western part of NSW and adjacent to the shores of Lake Burrendong.
  66. 66

    Australian Army Infantry Museum

     Singleton Council
  67. 67

    New Italy Museum

     Richmond Valley Council
  68. 68

    Tongarra Museum

     Albion Park