The Rock's Discovery museum is a humble little place. The displays are mostly artifacts of items used in the earlier days of the area of Sydney called the rocks. There are multimedia displays that describe the story of that area of the city and the main players that developed it. The materials are well presented and tell a reasonably detailed story of the area. If you are looking to understand the history of the area then this is a good place to visit otherwise if not interested, then pass. I have included a photo that shows the titles of four movies that describe the history of the Rocks area. I found most of these movies on YouTube. If you do not want to go to the museum but want to watch the movies but then I think you will get a good idea of what the museum is about. I don't know if Google shows these photos along with my review.

The Rocks Discovery Museum, housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, tells the story of The Rocks from pre-European days to the present. Home to a unique collection of images and archaeological artefacts found in The Rocks, the exhibits are highly interactive; using touch screens, audio and visual elements to bring the history of the area alive. Learn about the area's traditional landowners, the establishment of the English colony and the time when sailors, whalers and traders made the area their home; through to the 1970s union-led protests which preserved this unique part of Sydney for future generations to explore and enjoy.

The Rocks Discovery Centre is, ironically enough, rather hard to discover, hidden away down a backstreet in The Rocks. However, in a city where everywhere costs, this free history of Sydney's tourist hub - from the Aboriginals through to the criminality and vice that populated the area in the early 1900s to the council's cleaning up of the area, this small centre gives pause for thought and a wonderful sense of history. It won't take up long, but is well worth seeking out if you want to find out more about one of Sydney's more colourful.

Free museum that explains the history of Sydney, of which people that went don’t seem to even know. It starts with the aboriginals, the settlers and modern day Sydney. The Rocks was an important area of the city and the museum tells the history from its point of view. Worth reading the displays. There are some ancient artifacts that were found in the area, from aboriginals tools to clothing of the European settlers. Easily spend an hour reading and learning the rich history of the city! Best part is that it is free - amazing!!!

This is a nice little free museum in a restored building in the historic Rocks area of Sydney. There are quite a few exhibits about the history of the area and the founding of Sydney. There are artifacts from archeological digs in the area, mostly early European implements. The stories continue through the early Twentieth century to modern day. But the focus is on late 1700s and 1800s. I especially liked the special exhibit on Australians serving in the British armies and in WWI.

This is an excellent museum showcasing the local history of the Rocks neighbourhood as well as providing information on the history of Sydney and Australia in general. It is free to enter (at least as of December 2023). I would recommend budgeting at least 45 minutes to take in all the displays and artifacts if you like history. Be sure to walk through all the way to the far room on the top floor to read a panel that contains the history of the building itself.

This museum is great, because you walk off the street into this place that takes you back in time for a nice slice of history for exactly when you are. Drop by and I'm sure something will fascinate you. I went on the weekend and admission was free, but do donate something so this type of place can continue to exist, so we can learn about the past in an interactive way.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

A free museum with artifacts & interactive exhibits spotlighting the history of The Rocks area. The Rocks Discovery Museum is a small exhibition housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse, tells the story of The Rocks from pre-European days to the present. It takes you 30 min to explore and definitely worth. Highly recommended!!!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No

Lovely little museum nicely decorated with history display of the Rocks area and the beginning of Sydney. Small as it is, it has 2 levels, and I loved the squeaking sound of the wooden stairs while walking upstairs. It also has documentary on the 70s renovation work in the area and the tension it caused at that time, which I found particularly interesting. Worth a visit if you are visiting the Rocks. Free of charge.

Entry by donation for this beautifully curated museum. Reminiscent of the Bytowne Museum in Ottawa, Canada, The Rocks Discovery museum is filled with fascinating treasures from long ago. We spent around 30 minutes browsing through the exhibits, but could easily have spent twice as long if we hadn't been on a time limit.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Was ok but considering the amount of history the Rocks has it doesn’t tell you much about that. Susanna place is more interesting and so is the Rocks dig site not far from here. There are some interesting pieces found from archaeological digs but would love to see more historical photos. The old building itself is amazing but there was no information about what it once was.

A small but interesting museum tucked away down an alley in the Rocks area. There is free entry. You do need to register your postcode or country of origin at the reception desk. Staff were very friendly and happy to chat. There is a lift, but I would not class the museum as accessible to wheelchair users due to the layout of the building. There were no accessible toilets.

Tucked away in Kendall Lane, the Rocks Discovery Museum is a quick way to explore some of the history of the area. Quiet a few nice things for the kids to get involved in such as their 'make you own museum exhibit' corner. There were 3 levels open when we went. The first two levels you can access by lift or steep stairs. Admission is free. Staff friendly.

The location of this museum inside of alley, so you have to aware where the exactly is. The floor from wood, so sometimes make noise when you are walking. There is small library also inside and many educational apps, that make you not feeling bored. The smell sometimes not really good maybe because of old things inside.

I didn't expect much, but I was happily surprised with the information. Information is well orginased, not all over the place and not that much guesswork, as there often is when it's about the funding of Australia. Also some interesing information about indiginious people in Sydney in at the beginning of the museum.

The Rocks Discovery Museum is a local historical museum. You will learn how the Cadigal living in and around the Rocks area at the time before the first European settlement. There are 4 permanent exhibitions at this museum: Warrane (pre-1788), Colony (1788-1820), Port (1820-1900), and Transformation (1900-present).

A great little place to view artefacts and history of The Rocks over 3 floors. Educational and worth taking a look. Free entry is a bonus and you can give a gold coin donation - help to keep such an important place running!
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Interesting walk through style museum of the history of the Rocks Area. Exhibits are clear and easy to understand. Lighting is good. Stairs could be a problem for those with mobility issues. Well worth a visit. Admission is free.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Good small museum jam packed with local history. Doesn't take long to visit (15 to 20 minutes), but a good stop not far from Sydney's big attractions. Neat to see the indigeonous history of the area and the history of the first convict settlers. There is a small modern art exhibit in the attic. And it's all free!

We are very happy to visit here. Here are some great handcrafts from early settlers in Sydney. There is also a small film area with seating that shows the stories of the past and the interactive show, which is very suitable for the whole family to visit. It has historical significance in today's society.

It was cool to see the history of The Rocks. The museum itself is pretty small with about 4 rooms to go through. Each room there was sounds and voices that activate as you come inside (heat-sensitive?) They offer tours for groups. This is also a museum with free admission.

A nice public museum detailing the history of the Rocks. We could interact with technology explaining the evolution of the area from prehistory into the contemporary era. Free entry, incredibly helpful staff and clean presentation encourages us to return for a visit. More

Very helpful staff who cater to people whose first language isn’t English. My partner said the staff were very kind to her today when she was there. They even gave her information in Korean to make it easier for her to navigate the place & understand more …

Free museum, donations accepted, presenting the history of The Rocks area starting with the first inhabitants until today. Very interesting and educational. Highly recommend
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

If you want to get your head around the history of rocks and beginning of Sydney as a port and a city , this is the place to go. Some interactive and videos content available which explains time lines in history easily. Its free if that’s a deal maker for you.

Fantastic free museum about the history of the surrounding area. Really great to see recognition of and information about first Australians, almost the entire first floor dedicated to their history. Great for a quick 30-45m stop in. Highly recommend.

It is a small museum that tells you everything about the Rocks and its history. The visit takes approx 30-45 min and is definitely worth to do. No entrance fee.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Walked past by accident and the kids and I decided to have a look. Really good museum with lots of info covering pre colonial and colonial times. Is well worth the drop in - it is free to visit and have a look and the staff are very helpful.

Interesting museum. We did not allocate enough time, however. There’s so much to see that the ~45 minutes we had to spend was definitely not enough.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Perfect place to learn about the history of Tallawoladah/The Rocks. Lots of great info about the Aboriginal people of the area, and the green bans of the 1970's. It's a perfect example of a small and specific museum. Free as well!

Rock Discovery Museum housed in a restored 1850 warehouse. Small Museum with nice artefacts and images of how The Rocks had developed till now. If time is on your side, drop by and enjoy a cozy history lesson. Free admission.

Free to visit and plenty of enjoyable facts and history to learn about. A few interactive games to keep kids entertained too.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Very friendly staff as soon as you go in the door. It's small but very interesting and informative of the origin of The Rocks Area through the years. It's free but donations are accepted. Great way to small an hour or two.

A fantastic look at the first settlers and a great video on the Aborigines , Gadigal, people who lived in the area before settlement.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Wonderful free museum with interesting insights on the history of the Rocks neighborhood. Some interactive screen too. As far as I could see, no restrooms but across the street, the Rocks Center has public bathrooms.

Excellent museum providing extensive information about the history of the Rocks and Sydney in general. Given that this museum is free and run by an incredibly friendly and welcoming staff, it can only be recommended!

Highly recommend a visit to this little museum whilst you're visiting Sydney. Such a great insight into the history of the Rocks and Sydney . And it's free!
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great little museum. Focuses on the life of ordinary people. Very nuanced presentation of the struggles of the original indigenous population. Some great and often humorous stories from the early 19th century.

Small but very informative and interesting. Friendly pleasant staff made us very welcome. Highly recommended and it's free.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Fabulous little museum, interesting and informative. Offers a snap shot of The Rocks history from pre 1788 to the present day. Definitely recommend a visit.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

So interesting and educational. Great place to find out about Sydney's origins through the European invasion to today.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

All details regarding the Rocks and old Sydney was there. The building is very old and ofcourse a heritage. They used heritage building very nicely.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

Great small museum with interactive exhibits about the history of The Rocks. Please visit when you’re in the area! Free entry & they open 10am-5pm daily (except on Good Friday & Christmas Day).

Tiny museum tucked away in the busy rocks area. Staff was very friendly. Pretty quiet on a Sunday. Interesting place, with 2 levels. Probably takes about 30mins to complete the entire museum.

Very nice museum with free entrance and very rich with Information and history. Nice find walking around.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Free.. but only a few boards and menial things on display Didn't take any photos as nothing stood out tbh
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Friendly and welcoming staff! Free museum that's worth a visit if you're around, especially love the interactive map that shows what the nearby places looked like in the olden days.

Great interactive way of learning the history of the rocks and the settlement of Sydney
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Well put together museum that provides a rich and detailed timeline of the area. From pre colonisation all the way to the current, each period has a section and exhibit.

Great place to know about the Australia colonization and Sydney's construction.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Nice small, free museum describing the history of the neighborhood. The staff was very friendly and I learned more than I would've expected in just twenty minutes.

Great exhibits and lots of interesting information. Loved the displays and perspective from indigenous peoples. Great little movies playing continuously upstairs.

Really interesting small museum in the heart of the rocks area. Didn’t expect much but there was a lot of good information and the building itself is pretty cool.

1 day to read everything. Read $20 Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe 233 pages 11 hours to discover Aborigine have been here for 120,000 years and not Terra Nullius

A small museum that has comprehensive history of early Australians. Most informative. It is free for visitors. A must visit place, that takes half an hour.

Very well organised and informative museum. Worth a visit.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Found this little museum while walking around The Rocks was amazed that it also had an aboriginal photographers pictures displayed as well.

So much information to take in. Very interesting
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Lovely place to visit. It is quite small, but the layout It is definitely good. Great place to get to know some history about Sydney.

Excellent museum - small but filled with information. You can learn about The Rocks and also the Aboriginals. Best of all, its free!

I came last Tuesday. It's a Wonderful place, a good Museum and the greeter was really informative & knowledgeable. Thank you !

Very informative and super friendly
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great little museum focused on the history of Sydney including the Aboriginal Nations and the first European settlers

Beautiful place. Great staff
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Very interesting displays and stories about The Rocks history.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

Great little museum that is an excellent starting place for learning about the history of Sydney. And it's free.

It is a small museum and good to look around with kids. It is enough about 30 mins to look around. Free entry.

Well organized and with lots of interactive displays. I enjoyed it very much.
Wait time…
More

Fantastic, understated but very informative on early Australia, esp good on Aboriginal perspective

Great little museum about life of early life in Sydney. Entry is free
Wait time…
More

This museum was informative and very interesting. I can't believe it's free! Well worth it.

Discover about how the early settlement live the lifes. Nice museum and good layout.

The staff are awesome! The compact content of history is comprehensive and concise.

Only a few broken dishes which are not old enough to display in the museum.

Nothing much to learn... Again a version of the writer

Interesting little museum about The Rocks area...

Amazing museum, very nice and informative:-)

A great little hidden gem in the rocks.

Nice history with free entrance!

Less is more. Excellent museum.