Powerhouse Parramatta With Kids
Powerhouse Parramatta Is Finally Open!
Here’s Everything Families Need to Know
From magical glow-in-the-dark adventures to giant rockets and mind-bending mirror mazes, Sydney’s newest museum is packed with experiences for kids of all ages. And the best part? Most of it is FREE.
Looking for your next family adventure? Sydney has a spectacular new museum, and it’s worth venturing beyond the Inner West to explore.
After four years of construction and a $915 million investment, Powerhouse Parramatta officially opened on 7 November 2026, bringing five blockbuster exhibitions, more than 3,000 fascinating objects and immersive experiences to the banks of the Parramatta River.
There’s a magical world designed especially for children, real space rockets, interactive art and plenty to impress even the hardest-to-please tween.
Better still, four of the five exhibitions are completely FREE, with children under 16 enjoying free entry to all five.
Here’s what to see, what it costs and everything you need to know before heading out with the kids.
Powerhouse Parramatta: At a Glance
- Where: 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta
- Cost: FREE general admission and four free exhibitions. Adults pay $30 for Task Eternal; under-16s enter free.
- Best for: Families with children of all ages, particularly ages 4–12.
- Allow: 2–3 hours, longer if you’re exploring all five exhibitions.
- Pram-friendly: Yes, with lifts, ramps and baby change facilities.
- Getting there: Train, light rail, ferry or car. No on-site parking.
🚀 Five Exhibitions Worth Exploring With Kids
1. The Dark: A Magical World Designed for Kids
Best for: Ages 4–12 | FREE
If there’s one exhibition guaranteed to capture little imaginations, it’s The Dark.
Created especially for children aged four to twelve, this immersive, dreamlike experience invites kids to explore glowing objects, mysterious sounds, sparkling crystal tunnels and a gateway to a land of giants.
There are more than 800 objects to discover, including treasures loaned by children from across Western Sydney.
The museum has deliberately kept much of the exhibition under wraps, making the experience even more magical for first-time visitors.
Why kids will love it: Think storybook adventure meets secret world, with plenty of surprises waiting around every corner.
2. Task Eternal: Giant Rockets, Astronauts and Space Adventures
Best for: Space enthusiasts, school-aged kids and teens | Ticketed for adults
Got a budding astronaut in the family? This is one exhibition you won’t want to miss.
Task Eternal takes visitors on an extraordinary journey through flight, engineering and space exploration, featuring more than 600 objects.
Expect an enormous 8.4-tonne F1 rocket, historic aircraft suspended overhead, Apollo-era space hardware and the spacesuit worn by Australia’s first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg.
There’s also a spectacular immersive installation by internationally acclaimed artist James Turrell, where light and colour create extraordinary optical illusions. This experience requires a separate ticket.
Why kids will love it: Real rockets, enormous aircraft and plenty of jaw-dropping moments for curious young minds.
Cost: Adults $30, concessions $20, children under 16 FREE for Task Eternal. Additional charges apply for the James Turrell installation.
3. The Turning: A Mind-Bending Mirror Maze
Best for: Older kids, tweens and teens | FREE
Prepare to have your mind thoroughly confused, in the best possible way.
Created by internationally acclaimed artist Es Devlin, who has designed spectacular stage shows for Beyoncé, Adele and U2, The Turning is an immersive playground of mirrors, films, interactive drawing spaces and 3D cityscapes.
Rather than simply looking at the art, visitors become part of it.
Why kids will love it: Optical illusions, interactive experiences and unexpected perspectives make this a particularly good choice for older children and teens.
4. The Mall: Retro Shopping, Fashion and Pop Culture
Best for: Tweens, teens and nostalgic parents | FREE
Remember shopping before everything was online? Here’s your chance to introduce the kids to a whole different retail universe.
Spread across two storeys, The Mall celebrates the history of shopping centres, from retro arcades and vintage technology to fashion, design and pop culture.
Highlights include Steve Jobs’ famous Levi’s jeans, iconic Australian brands including Mambo and Hot Tuna, and a reimagining of the much-loved Roselands Raindrop Fountain.
There’s also a fascinating local connection: Australia’s first Westfield shopping centre opened in Blacktown in 1959.
Why families will love it: A nostalgia trip for parents and a fascinating look at how shopping, fashion and technology have evolved.
5. Overflow: Exploring the Stories of Water Country
Best for: School-aged kids and curious families | FREE
For something a little more reflective, Overflow explores the importance of water through the stories and knowledge of Aboriginal communities across NSW.
Featuring work by acclaimed Kamilaroi filmmaker Ivan Sen and seven Aboriginal organisations, the exhibition combines powerful film, storytelling and an evocative water installation.
It’s an opportunity for children to discover more about caring for Country, protecting waterways and the cultural significance of water.
Why it’s worth visiting: A visually engaging way to introduce kids to First Nations knowledge and environmental conservation.
🎉 Don’t Miss the Opening Festival
Powerhouse Parramatta is celebrating its arrival with a 23-day Opening Festival, running from 7–29 November 2026.
Expect workshops, performances, talks, music and family-friendly experiences spanning science, art, design and culture.
With 65% of festival events free, there’s plenty happening without the hefty price tag. Some activities require advance bookings, so check the program before visiting.
Explore the Powerhouse Opening Festival.
👶 The Parent Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Is It Pram-Friendly?
Yes! The museum has accessible routes throughout, with lifts and ramps connecting exhibition spaces.
There are also baby change facilities in accessible toilets, a dedicated parents’ room on the ground floor and seating for when little legs need a break.
Some immersive installations may have additional entry requirements, so check with staff before entering with a pram.
Where Can We Eat?
Because someone will inevitably announce they’re starving five minutes after you arrive.
The museum has on-site dining options, including Folded, serving coffee, sandwiches, jaffles and pastries, and Simara, a restaurant overlooking the Parramatta River.
You’ll also find plenty of cafés and restaurants within walking distance in Parramatta’s dining precinct.
How Do We Get There?
By train: Parramatta Station is approximately an 8–10-minute walk from the museum. An easy option for many Inner West families.
By light rail: Take the L4 to Church Street, around four minutes’ walk away.
By ferry: Catch the F3 Parramatta River ferry from Circular Quay or Barangaroo to Parramatta Wharf, followed by a short walk. A fun way to make the journey part of the adventure!
By car: There’s no on-site parking, but paid parking is available nearby.
The closest option is Eat Street Car Park, accessed via George Street, approximately two minutes’ walk from the museum. Other options include Justice Precinct and Parramatta Station car parks.
Our tip: Public transport is likely to be your easiest option during busy weekends, particularly throughout the Opening Festival.
📋 Essential Details
Where: Powerhouse Parramatta, 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta NSW
Opening hours during the November festival:
- Monday–Wednesday: 10am–5pm
- Thursday–Sunday: 10am–9pm
Admission: FREE general entry and four free exhibitions. Task Eternal costs $30 for adults and $20 for concessions, with free entry for children under 16. Some special experiences and events have additional charges.
Bookings: Check ticket requirements and reserve places for special exhibitions or events before visiting.
Website: Powerhouse Parramatta
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