Museums Discovery Centre
Museums Discovery Centre
4.5
About
The Museums Discovery Centre, Castle Hill is free and open to the public every weekend. Inside the Museums Discovery Centre you will find hundreds of treasures on display, and thousands more waiting to be discovered through booked tours of the deep collection stores. The Museums Discovery Centre is a collaboration between the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS), Australian Museum (AM) and Sydney Living Museums.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
12
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tarlia B
Bella Vista, Australia34 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Great day out. So many amazing old pieces of history to explore. It is so Lovely to see old exhibits on display. Amazing place for little kids to explore and go back in time. They are now open weekends with free entry to most exhibits. Great local attractions must see for anyone.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AustTrail
Sydney483 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
This free museum was a lot of fun . A mix of all types of things and nostalgic for the older parents.
Kids enjoyed discovering what it was like in the olden days.
Although there was no real logical method of how things were displayed, we liked the surprise of seeing old electronics next to old animal specimens.
The hall housed a lot of old vehicles and engines as well. We all had a visit.
Kids enjoyed discovering what it was like in the olden days.
Although there was no real logical method of how things were displayed, we liked the surprise of seeing old electronics next to old animal specimens.
The hall housed a lot of old vehicles and engines as well. We all had a visit.
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RichardU64
Sydney, Australia47 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
The Powerhouse Discovery Centre has recently re-opened after a major two-year refurbishment in which it joined forces with the Historic Houses Trust and the Australian Museum. This is another of Sydney's hidden gems so is not (yet) overrun by school holiday visitors. The centre is and an ideal family attraction covering a wide range of exhibits from a Cobb and Co coach to the history of the development of the iconic Victa mower.
Many of the exhibits will remind visitors of their own childhood and impress upon the younger ones of how far we have come since "the olden days". Volunteer guides are on hand to explain the finer points of what is on offer...including a real electric car of the type driven by Donald's Grandma duck.
We attended with granddaughters (7 and 9) who voted it an ideal school holiday outing. The last hour of our visit had the girls engaged in a freeform craft experience. Sadly the centre is currently only open on weekdays which restricts the opportunities for a major target market (schoolkids of all ages) to visit. This at least means that retired folk can enjoy the museum at times that suit them so they can reminisce at leisure. A return visit is in order.
Many of the exhibits will remind visitors of their own childhood and impress upon the younger ones of how far we have come since "the olden days". Volunteer guides are on hand to explain the finer points of what is on offer...including a real electric car of the type driven by Donald's Grandma duck.
We attended with granddaughters (7 and 9) who voted it an ideal school holiday outing. The last hour of our visit had the girls engaged in a freeform craft experience. Sadly the centre is currently only open on weekdays which restricts the opportunities for a major target market (schoolkids of all ages) to visit. This at least means that retired folk can enjoy the museum at times that suit them so they can reminisce at leisure. A return visit is in order.
Written October 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Manickjg
1,388 contributions
Sep 2020
Came here just after the lockdown when things were opening up again. They were offering free entry so came for a visit. It was a nice size and big enough to spend maximum 2 hours here and also lots of interesting things to look at. Definitely enjoyed it and have told others about it too. Will come back again if we have visitors to bring in future.
Written December 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia2,005 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We arrived on a Friday in the school holidays and there were few people there. Which means my three grand kids (6 to 11) had it pretty much to themselves. They spent a good 75 minutes there oohing and ahhing and looking in every drawer and participating in the few interactive items. This is really the left overs museum from all the other museums in town. It does not lack any fascination for that. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves and picked up some unique gifts at the little shop at reception.
Written April 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David B
Greater Sydney, Australia35 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
The Museums Discovery Centre is part of the Powerhouse Museum, and contains a huge amount of exhibits that are not on show in Darling Harbour, but are "warehoused" in Castle Hill / Kellyville in a huge facility, until needed at the museum. It is not open to the public every day, but is very much worth a visit, when open.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
icegolf
Australia152 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
We enjoyed our visit to the museum there were many interesting exhibits for all ages and although I felt that many of the exhibits were crowded too close together.
Written January 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lgraham2013
Glenmore Park, Australia35 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
The whole family enjoyed the time we spent here. You could take a whole day if you go through each section and read the captions on each exhibit. There were some people there who thought they were the only ones there and hogged certain experiences, which meant my children did not get a turn. I wasn't very happy about that. I think they need more staff around the place to ensure people move on and allow others to enjoys the exhibits too! Overall, a good day out. Cafe was OK. A little pricey and not much selection though.
Written December 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dxbjamn
Kellyville, Australia390 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
all the 'left overs' from other museums come here, but it's easily accessible, not crowded and has some brilliant exhibits. Very friendly staff.
Written July 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sinta
Marsden Park, Australia59 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
We live nearby (ie 20 mins away), but new(ish) to the area. Trying to find activities for the kids over the holidays, and saw this museum. It’s a great place - educational and immersive. We took our two kids - 8 and 4 yrs old, and their friends who were the same age. It was a good opportunity to look at items and connect them to our family, like these were typewriters used at school etc. Would come back!
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
_mariesmith12606
Sydney, Australia82 contributions
When is the discovery centre re opening?
_mariesmith12606
Sydney, Australia82 contributions
I do not know, sorry. I am currently away.
Claude M
1 contribution
When will the powerhouse discovery centre re open
_mariesmith12606
Sydney, Australia82 contributions
I do not know as I have been away for five weeks. It was to be late 2016. I have asked The discovery centre to answer.
Museums Discovery Centre (Castle Hill) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Museums Discovery Centre
- Museums Discovery Centre is open:
- Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Museums Discovery Centre:
- (0.39 mi) Grand Mercure The Hills Lodge
- (0.72 mi) Punthill Norwest (Formerly Known As Adina Norwest)
- (0.50 mi) Rydges Norwest Sydney
- (0.67 mi) Quality Apartments Castle Hill
- (1.86 mi) Quest Bella Vista
- Restaurants near Museums Discovery Centre:
- (0.14 mi) L'Americano Espresso Bar
- (0.16 mi) Victoria Avenue Cafe
- (0.23 mi) Hudson George
- (0.24 mi) Yellow Brick Cafe
- (0.24 mi) Gloria Jean's