Powerhouse Museum

The Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, Sydney, is the flagship site of the Powerhouse (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences) housed in the former Ultimo Power Station on Harris Street. Notable for extensive collections spanning science, technology, industry, transport, design and decorative arts, it occupies a heritage-listed industrial building. Established from the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition and opened at Ultimo in 1988, it is currently closed for a major revitalisation.

When operational, visitors explore vast industrial halls within the heritage-listed former power station, featuring large objects such as steam engines, locomotives, aircraft and space-related exhibits alongside design, fashion, decorative arts and interactive science displays. The building retains original brick, steel structure and chimney features. The Ultimo site is temporarily closed for revitalisation, so visitors cannot enter currently but can access collections at Powerhouse Castle Hill and Powerhouse Parramatta. When open, expect temporary exhibitions, guided tours and family programs.

Originates from the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences established after the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition. The Ultimo Power Station was built 1899-1902 to power Sydney's tram network. The building was converted and opened as the Powerhouse Museum on 10 March 1988 as a Bicentennial project, preserving a major example of industrial heritage and tramway power generation history.

Principal museum in New South Wales for applied arts and sciences, technology, industry, design and decorative arts. Holds nationally significant collections documenting Australian innovation, industrial heritage, transport and contemporary design, and serves as a major cultural and educational institution for Sydney.