Family-friendly tours of our museums
To make the most of the holidays we’ve also extended our trading hours, with many of our museums now opening for the entire school holiday period. Plus, enjoy two fantastic family exhibitions On the Move at the Museum of Sydney and Rouse Hill House & Farm in LEGO® Bricks at Rouse Hill House & Farm.
Family tours at Elizabeth Bay House
Take a family tour of Elizabeth Bay House to discover the secret histories and interesting facts of the Macleay Family who used to live in this gorgeous house over a century ago! Or discover what was once one of the world’s largest collections of beautiful butterflies, magical moths and interesting insects.
Each tour lasts approximately 30-40 minutes.
When
Friday to Sunday in the school holidays
10am, 12pm, 2pm: Children's Tour – Science & specimens
11am, 1pm, 3pm: Macleay Family Tour
Where
Included with museum entry
In the entrance hall, Elizabeth Bay House. Photo © Stuart Miller & Hayley Richardson for Sydney Living Museums
Family tours at Meroogal
Explore the historic house Meroogal in Nowra during a family-friendly tour. Uncover the stories of the house and then get hands-on and try out some 19th century 3D and sound technology; pump water from the well, and play outside games.
When
Thursday to Saturday in the school holidays
10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Where
Included with museum entry
Meroogal. Photo © James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Family tours at Elizabeth Farm
Take a family tour of Elizabeth Farm to unlock the stories of this historic farmstead through archaeology and sketching. Step back in time to experience the life of the Macarthurs or do the washing just as they did in the 1800s. Afterwards explore the house and abundant garden at your own leisure.
When
Daily in the school holidays
11am: Family Archaeology activity
12pm: House & garden tour for all ages
1pm: Pick Up a Pencil – Family Sketching activity
2pm: House & garden tour for all ages
3pm: Highlights tour
Where
Included with museum entry
Family washing and hanging clothes in the Oak Tree Court. Photo © James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Family tours at Rouse Hill House & Farm
Head to the farm these holidays and find out about the fascinating history of Rouse Hill House & Farm! Take a farmyard tour to explore the stables and meet our chooks, our cows, and our horses Larry and Ziggy. Ring the school house bell and explore the 19th century school room with its animal specimens, piano and blackboard. There’s plenty to see and do!
When
Daily in the school holidays
11am: Family farmyard tour - Meet the animals!
12pm: Rouse Hill House tour for all ages
1pm: Children’s Ring the bell! School house tour
2pm: Rouse Hill House tour for all ages
3pm: Rouse Hill highlights tour
Where
Included with museum entry
Saying hello to Larry the horse at Rouse Hill House & Farm Photo (c) James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Family tours at Vaucluse House
Meet our goats and chooks, then find out how food was made, stored, served and eaten in the past in a Farmyard to Table children’s tour. Or take a family tour of the grand house and get to know the interesting lives of the Wentworths, who used to live here many, many years ago! Peak into all of the rooms, see inside the kitchen, go down into the cellar and explore the tasty kitchen garden – yum!
Each tour lasts approximately 40 minutes.
When
Daily in the school holidays
10am, 12pm, 2pm: Children’s Tour – Farmyard to Table
11am, 1pm, 3pm: Wentworth Family Tour
Where
Included with museum entry
Girl and boy looking through the windows at Vaucluse House. Photo © James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Family tours of Rose Seidler House
Go back to the fifties and imagine what it would be like to live in Rose Seidler House – the most talked-about house in Sydney. Join a family-focused tour of the house to learn what all the fuss was about. Afterwards, kids are invited to use the free drawing materials to create a modernist-inspired artwork to take home. Ages 5+
When
Sundays in the school holidays
10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Where
Included with museum entry
Exterior of Rose Seidler House. Photo © Nicholas Watt for Sydney Living Museums
Bushrangers Behind Bars
Guilty or not guilty – you decide!
Step into the shoes of a notorious bushranger and take to the stand to plead your innocence. Or perhaps you’d prefer the barrister’s wig to test your powers of persuasion? Whatever your choice, take on a character and play your part in an exciting mock trial; and see first-hand how a 19th century magistrates court put Sydney’s infamous criminals behind bars.
When
Saturdays & Sundays, 11.30am (30 mins)
Where
Included with museum entry
Bushrangers Behnd Bars at the Justice & Police Museum Photo © James Horan for Sydney Living Museums