Powerhouse Museum

500 Harris Street Ultimo
NSW 1238 Sydney, Australia

Opened every day except Christmas Day: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

T : +61 (2) 9217 0111 0
www.powerhousemuseum.com

The Powerhouse Museum is located in Ultimo near Darling Harbour, Sydney. It is a public museum operated by the State Government for the people of New South Wales. Its unique and diverse collection spans history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration. It is also home to the material heritage and stories of Australian culture, history and lifestyle, providing a comprehensive insight into this rich and diverse country. There is estimated to be well over 500,000 separate items in the Museum’s collection.
An ever-changing program of temporary displays complements a range of permanent exhibitions. Interactives, education and public programs, new technologies and creative interactions bring the collection to life. Learning and creativity are a strong focus of the Museum. Exhibitions and programs are based on the ideas and technologies that have changed our world, and the stories of the people who create and inspire them.
There are regular tours and demonstrations, performances, workshops, forums and other special events held throughout the Museum. The Powerhouse has a range of education services from pre-school to tertiary level and a member’s organisation.
This inspiring organisation began at the 1879 International Exhibition in Sydney's Garden Palace - a showcase of the colony's greatest achievements. A fire swept through this magnificent building, destroying virtually all it held, except for a small selection of objects which became the genesis of the present collection.
The Museum moved sites several times as it grew until securing its present home in the Ultimo power station on the edge of Sydney's central business district. The power station dates back to 1899 when it was built to power Sydney's electric tram system which finished service in 1961.
The old tram depot adjacent to the power station, later to become offices, workshops, laboratories and storage, opened as Stage One in 1981. The Powerhouse Museum opened in 1988 as the flagship of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS).
The Powerhouse now presents a magnificent backdrop to the Museum's vast and diverse collection - from planes, trains and steam engines to fashion, furniture, design and technological and scientific innovations.