Best History Museum in The Phoenix

"explores the relationship Australia maintains with its surrounding waters; the nation depends on these seas and oceans for transportation, commerce, defense and even recreation. The museum features themed exhibitions divulging how Australia and its people, including indigenous cultures, have been affected by the water. One such exhibit, "Sea Journeys," details the experiences of people first brought to Australia as prisoners."

"Worth popping into if you’re in the Darling Harbour area, it’s possible to see the permanent exhibits free of charge, including taking a look at the display of boats outside in the harbour itself. A pleasant way to kill a couple of hours and if you pay the entry fee you can see a couple of extra exhibits and get the opportunity to explore the boats."

"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 Rocks is one of Sydney’s most historic neighbourhoods, so it only makes sense to have a museum there that tells the story of Sydney before and after white settlement. The Rocks Discovery Museum is housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, and offers visitors a rare collection of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. It’s a rather small museum that easily gets overlooked, but it’s worth visiting as part of a discovery walk through this interesting neighbourhood."

"Who doesn’t love a FREE museum especially if it expands your knowledge of a particular place!. Located in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, the Rocks Discovery Museum provides the story of The Rocks from pre-European days through to today. We’ve had the privilege of visiting when Aboriginal elders were on site, teaching both Striker and Sunshine about the seasons of Sydney and how the traditional owners caught fish on the harbour."

"Divided into four displays – Warrane (pre-1788), Colony (1788–1820), Port (1820–1900) and Transformations (1900 to the present) – this small, excellent museum, tucked away down a Rocks laneway, digs deep into the area's history on an artefact-rich tour. Sensitive attention is given to the Rocks’ original inhabitants, the Gadigal (Cadigal) people, and there are interesting tales of early colonial characters."

"Known collectively as Sydney Living Museums, families are always welcome to explore the twelve gorgeous heritage properties under the SLM umbrella including Elizabeth Farm,Vaucluse House, Rouse Hill House & Farm and Elizabeth Bay House. Each boasts beautiful grounds and a story from Australia’s past at every turn, and there are always exciting activities on the calendar. The Museum of Sydney has been transformed into Paradise on Earth with an immersive, multi-sensory exhibition and Hyde Park Barracks has a new Kids’ Activity Trail to explore the newly-restored landmark."

"Museum Of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks, Justice & Police Museum, Vaucluse House, The Mint, Elizabeth Farm, Susannah Place, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill Estate, Elizabeth Bay House, Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection,Head Office, The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000Ph 02 8239 2288Email info@slm.com.ausydneylivingmuseums.com.auA group of 12 museums, houses and gardens that will take you on a remarkable journey through time and place to experience a whole other life."

"When I was little I was taught that museums are a place to look and wonder – no touching. The Sydney Living Museums are a little different which makes them some of the best of the museums in Sydney to visit with kids. You see, the Sydney Living Museums have been frozen in time."

"Vaucluse House was built in 1803 and was once owned by William Charles Wentworth, father of the Australian Constitution. It’s one of Sydney’s few remaining 19th-century mansions that is still surrounded by its ten hectares of original gardens and grounds. Take a tour through the house for a glimpse of what life was life for the families who once lived there, stroll around the beautiful gardens and enjoy a high tea at the tea rooms."

"Built between 1803 and 1839 in the Gothic Revival style, the Vaucluse House is a 19th-century estate surrounded by 11 hectares (28 acres) of formal gardens and grounds. It is one of the only remaining houses of the period that has retaining a significant part of its original setting."

"Construction of this imposing, turreted specimen of Gothic Australiana, set amid 10 hectares of lush gardens, commenced in 1805, but the house was tinkered with into the 1860s. Atmospheric, and decorated with..."

"Although small in size, the Quarantine Station Museum has big appeal as it shares a lesser-known history of the arrival of European settlers. Inside the Quarantine Station you will learn what new arrivals had to go through before they were free to leave and start their new life. You can choose from a variety of guided tours including a ghost tour or a walking tour that takes in much of the surrounding beautiful bay on Sydney’s North Shore."

"A rare survival of a working-class terrace” is how Lavrencic and Cullen describe Susannah Place, the museum that feels like stepping back in time. Situated in the inner-city suburb of The Rocks, Susannah Place is a terrace made up of a former grocery store and workers’ cottages dating back to 1844. View the backyard ‘dunny’ (lavatory), crowded living areas and worn lino, and experience what life was like for Sydney’s working class in the 1800s."

"A natural progression from The Rocks Discovery Museum is the Susannah Place Museum where you can actually step inside The Rocks’ terraced houses on Susannah Place, built in 1844. Restored to resemble what life was like for the working class immigrant families who lived there, you can step back in time and learn more about the daily struggles in Sydney 150 years ago. http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/susannah-place-museum"

"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."

"Constructed in 1858, Rouse Hill Estate was the home of Richard Rouse, the Colonial Superintendent of Public Works and Convicts at Parramatta, and the generations of his family thereafter (six generations in total) and is an example of the ‘rude’ timber farm buildings that were found throughout rural Australia. A visit to Rouse Hill Estate is quite interesting. The site is the very place where the 1804 ‘Vinegar Hill’ convict rebellion occurred, and the kids can explore the original school that is on the site as well."

"Historic Rodd Island, in Iron Cove, offers scenic harbour views, picnicking, fishing, and venue hire for weddings and functions in Sydney Harbour National Park."

"Positioned in Sydney Harbour, 1km from the mouth of Rose Bay, Shark Island – Boowambillee (booh-uhm-'bil-ee) is a picnic spot with a difference. Explore the island's foreshore, go swimming or relax in front of amazing Sydney Harbour views."

"Opened in 1816, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest and most beautiful botanic gardens in the city. The gardens are open every day of the year and feature 30 hectares of exotic plants from Australia and places around the globe. The garden is also the oldest remaining scientific establishment in the country and provides a space for important botanical research and breeding."

"Featuring native and international plant species, the Royal Botanic Garden is a lush, green paradise. Whether you wish to examine the various exotic flowers or are looking for the perfect spot to picnic, the gardens are a favorite spot for visitors as well as locals. Opt for a free, guided walk and learn how the space served as the initiation ground for the Gadigal people."

"Here you'll find a fully fenced toddler area with a swing, slide and plenty to climb, as well as two long flying foxes with a boarding platform, a giant slide, a large circular climbing frame, a sandpit, an onsite cafe, and just about everything else. A play in the playground surrounded by bushland will be topped off perfectly with a paddle in the foreshore of Kogarah Bay. Read our Carss Bush Park & Playground Review."

"Clovelly is different from typical Sydney beaches, because one of its main appeals is not the light tan sand luring its visitors close, but rather the large promenades on either side of the water that you can sunbathe on. It’s intimate, small and you can easily spend a few hours rotating from the sun to the sea, especially since there is so much sunbathing real estate right by the water. Pack a snorkel too, the cove is known for hosting all types of sea life like gropers, octopodes, rays and more."

"For snorkellers looking to explore a vibrant and lively underwater world, make your way to Clovelly Beach. This tranquil stretch of the bay is home to a host of marine life such as octopus, rays and a Blue Groper that the locals have affectionately nicknamed ‘Bluey’. Back on dry land, large smooth rocks and concrete promenades provide a place for sunbathers to soak up to the sun."

"Clovelly Beach is another amazing snorkelling spot right in Sydney. The long, sheltered bay makes this spot perfect for exploring the underwater life, or just swimming a few laps in the ocean in the morning. Watch out for Bluey, the famous resident Blue Groper…."

"Bar 83 and Infinity is a rooftop restaurant and bar in Sydney's CBD that's the epitome of old school glamour. Modelled off the 60s, yet bringing modern drinking and dining to the forefront of its menus, this sky-high paradise is taking your dating life to new heights (literally)."

"Formerly 360 Bar and Dining, Infinity is the rooftop eatery putting all the others to shame. Found 81 floors above street level this must-try restaurant in Sydney promises some of the finest views of the city skyline, as well as sublime tasting menus and seasonal cocktails."

"This is a CBD bar with so much wow-factor, you won't ever want to leave. Head to Sydney Tower where you'll find Bar 83 and Infinity, an ultra-stylish rotating venue that combines elegant fine dining with exquisite cocktails and panoramic views."

"Bondi was recently named the most Instagrammed spot in Australia, and it’s easy to see why. This beach is unbelievably photogenic, and even though it’s very popular with tourists, there’s plenty of space for everyone to move around. Some popular spots for photos are Bondi Icebergs (the famous swimming pools at the south end) and the murals that line the concrete boardwalk which stretches along a large section of the beach."

"I had seen so many photos of the Bondi Icebergs Club that I knew I couldn’t visit Sydney and not see it for myself. However since we only had 3 days in Sydney I didn’t want to spend a whole day lying on the beach or on poolside, so we decided to do the famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. This is a 6km walk all along the sea that connects the two neighbourhoods of Sydney."

"It adorns postcards and Instagram pages everywhere, and Bondi Beach is no disappointment to those who want to soak up that sought-after Australian sunshine. Stretch out on the golden sand and people-watch, throw a Frisbee around, take a dip in the turquoise waves and get some ice cream to cool off as the sun begins to set. It’s the perfect, quintessential Aussie day out."

"The Bucket List Bondi features a sprawling outdoor area where you can dine alfresco in the open air. Complete with 2 fully stocked bars and a DJ booth, you’re sure to find a nice place to relax and soak up the outdoor dining vibes at this little treasure by the beach. Address: Bondi Pavilion, Shop 1 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach NSW 2026Phone: +61 2 9365 4122Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-12am"

"What better way to finish a day at the beach than by refuelling on a delicious meal and refreshing drinks?. The Bucket List Bondi features a sprawling outdoor area, with multiple bars and a DJ booth. Folk can either enjoy a nice afternoon meal amidst the relaxing sunny vibe or even stay back during the sunset for a boogie."