Family-friendly tours of our museums
This includes onsite learning programs, performances, talks, walking tours and all school holiday activities. We are taking these steps as a public health precaution in support of measures to contain COVID-19. However, you can still discover our places, stories and collections online and across our social channels. Stay connected to be inspired and entertained.
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
Explore Elizabeth Bay House and learn how the servants spent their days in A Servant’s Life tour. Discover the hidden servants’ quarters and read the Rules for Servants before seeing how difficult it is to obey them all! Or take the Macleay Family Tour to find out what life was like over a century ago.
Each tour lasts approximately 30-40 minutes.
When
Friday to Sunday in the school holidays
10am, 12pm, 2pm: Children's Tour – A Servant’s Life
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
Washing clothes at Elizabeth Farm. Photo © James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
Family tours at Rouse Hill Estate
Head to the farm these holidays and find out about the fascinating history of Rouse Hill Estate! 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
Fun focus tours are held every day in the school holidays and are included in entry price. Join a Meet the Servants children’s tour to hear about some of the many servants who worked at Vaucluse House and estate, and learn some of their daily duties. Find out what they ate, where they slept and worked, and then try some of their work in the house! Or take the Wentworth Family Tour for a full Vaucluse House tour.
Each tour lasts approximately 40 minutes.
When
Daily in the school holidays
10am, 12pm, 2pm: Servants Tour
11am, 1pm, 3pm: Wentworth Family Tour
Where
Included with museum entry
Exploring 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