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Things to do in Sydney

Arts and culture

• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Customs House
• Dendy Opera Quays
• Sydney Opera House
• Sydney Theatre Company
• The Rocks Discovery Museum
• The Garrison Church

Outdoors

• Royal Botanic Gardens
• North Head Lookout
• The Rocks Self Guided Walking Tour
• Bridge Climb and The Sydney Harbour Bridge Visitor Centre

On the harbour

• Manly Ferry
• Cruise Sydney Harbour
• Fort Denison
• Sydney Fish Market
• Whale Watching

Darling Harbour

• Darling Harbour
• Chinese Gardens of Friendship
• IMAX Theatre
• Australian National Maritime Museum
• Powerhouse Museum

Australian National Maritime Museum

Why go there

The Australian National Maritime Museum explores Australia's links with the sea. This purpose-built space right on the water's edge at Darling Harbour includes one of the largest fleets of any museum in the world. It includes some rare vessels, from a navy submarine and destroyer to a full-scale model of Captain Cook's Endeavour. The museum also has permanent exhibitions about historic sea journeys, the navy, commerce and more. Guided tours of the museum which can be tailored to your needs.

Don't miss

• Auslan-interpreted programs for the Deaf community and programs such as descriptive touch tours for visitors with vision impairment.
• Flags Ahoy, an annual exhibition held in the first week of December celebrating International Day for People with a Disability.
• New exhibitions

Touch tour onboard a submarine
Photo: Merinda Campbell

Access for all

The museum offers a range of facilities and services for people with disabilities. For detailed information, go to the museum's Access Page or collect a free brochure in the foyer.

Getting around

The museum is spread over two levels, with a foyer on the mezzanine level. Enter from the paved area between the Harbourside shops and Pyrmont Bridge through automatic doors. An alternative entry from the waterside promenade is via a ramp with a press button that opens the door. Ramps and lifts provide access to exhibition spaces within the main building.

Courtesy wheelchairs are available and require a refundable deposit and photo ID. Pre-book a wheelchair on ph +61 2 9298 3777.

Main entry from Harbourside or Pyrmont Bridge
Photo: Patty Mazza

Ramped entry from waterside promenade
Photo: Patty Mazza

Accessible toilets are located on the museum lower level (accessible by lift and ramped walkway) and in the ground level entry foyer.

Ramps from foyer to upper and lower levels
Photo: Patty Mazza

Outside, ramped gangways lead to floating pontoon wharves and a steep, two-staged ramp leads up to the viewing platform. Please note - physical access onto vessels involves ramps, steps, uneven surfaces, ladders and thresholds. For example, access to the destroyer HMAS Vampire is via a two stage, steep (10% and 11%), ramped gangway. The submarine HMAS Onslow is moored alongside the destroyer so visitors must cross HMAS Vampire to another gangway to HMAS Onslow. Bring your sense of adventure!

Ramp and HMAS Vampire
Photo: Liz Tomkinson

HMAS Vampire and Onslow
Photo: Liz Tomkinson

Tours and programs

Visitors have several tour options:

• The Navigator is a free self-guided tour with brochure available in the foyer.
• An audio-guided tour using a small portable player can be hired in the foyer.
• The Endeavour is a self-guided tour of the replica HM Bark Endeavour.
• Museum volunteers are always on hand to answer your queries.

Audio-induction loops are available in the theatre, main ticket areas and museum meeting rooms. The museum runs Auslan-interpreted programs for the Deaf community and programs such as descriptive touch tours for visitors with vision impairment.

Audio descriptions are available during guided tours and Closed Captions are available on most videos/films screened in the Theatre and throughout the galleries.

Eating out

• Dine at Yots Café and Bar in the museum with stunning views across the historic vessels to the city skyline. Yots is licensed and open between 10am - 4pm.
• Porthole Kiosk, just behind Yots, has snacks and drinks. Yots and The Porthole have level entry via the the waterside promenade.

Yots Café and Porthole Kiosk
Photo: Patty Mazza

How to get there

The museum is situated just north of Pyrmont Bridge, on the western side of Darling Harbour, just a short stroll from Harbourside.

There is a significant slope down Market Street to Pyrmont Bridge which takes you across Darling Harbour, a stroll of approximately 20 minutes. Access lifts are available at each end of Pyrmont Bridge. The pavement from Pyrmont Bridge curves around, down a slope to the museum.

Public transport

Accessible public transport options include:

• Bus 443 from Circular Quay.
• Sydney Ferry from Circular Quay to Pyrmont Bay with access from floating pontoons.
• Matilda City Loop ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour wharf.
• Light rail to Pyrmont Bay station.
• Monorail to Harbourside station.

Parking

Two dedicated accessible parking spaces are available at the museum but must be booked in advance. Phone +61 2 9298 3777.

Dedicated access parking is available at Harbourside car park, Murray Street, Darling Harbour. Validate your parking ticket at the museum's ticket desk for discounted parking in the car park. Access parking is also available at Star City Casino, a five-minute stroll to the museum. There is limited metered street parking near the museum.

Map

• Access the museum's Access Page
• Darling Harbour Accessibility Map