- Opening Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Opening Festival: 7 to 29 November 2026
- Location: 34 Phillip Street (1 Danyamada Place), Parramatta NSW 2150
- Festival-period hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10 am–5 pm; Thursday to Sunday, open until 9 pm.
Sydney has plenty of famous attractions, from the Harbour Bridge and Opera House to Bondi Beach. But this November, there is a new place to add to your list. Powerhouse Parramatta opens on Saturday, 7 November 2026. It is the first NSW State Cultural Institution in Western Sydney and one of the biggest cultural projects since the Sydney Opera House.
What Is Powerhouse Parramatta?
Powerhouse Parramatta is a new museum that brings together arts, design, science and technology. The building covers 30,000 square metres across seven storeys, with more than 18,000 square metres set aside for exhibitions and public spaces. It sits right beside the Parramatta River, with public spaces and gardens that are also part of the visitor experience.
The museum is part of a $915 million infrastructure project, with $80.28 million in funding from philanthropic contributions. Rather than moving an existing museum into a new building, Powerhouse Parramatta has been designed from the ground up as a new kind of museum. It puts the community, creativity and new ideas at the centre of the experience.
The Five Opening Exhibitions
When Powerhouse Parramatta opens, visitors can explore five major exhibitions featuring more than 3,000 objects from the museum’s own collection and collections around the world. Four exhibitions are free to enter, while Task Eternal requires a ticket for adults. All five exhibitions are free for visitors under 16.
A. Task Eternal
Task Eternal explores humanity’s long-standing interest in aviation, space and travelling beyond Earth. It features historic aircraft and remarkable design objects, showing the engineering, creativity and determination behind some of history’s greatest achievements. The exhibition takes inspiration from Tower of Babylon, a short story by internationally acclaimed science fiction author Ted Chiang. He will also speak at the museum during the Opening Festival.
B. The Dark
Designed for children aged 4 to 12, The Dark is an interactive sensory experience that encourages curiosity and imagination. It gives families a fun and creative way to explore the museum, making it a great option for visitors travelling with younger children.
C. The Mall
The Mall explores the history, design and cultural importance of shopping centres. It takes a closer look at places many of us visit regularly without thinking much about their design and impact on everyday life. After seeing this exhibition, you might look at shopping centres in a whole new way.
D. Overflow
Overflow is a First Nations-led exhibition that explores the importance of caring for saltwater and freshwater systems. It shares knowledge, stories and objects connected to Water Country, showing how these waterways remain important to Country and communities today.
E. Es Devlin: The Turning
Es Devlin is an internationally recognised artist and stage designer known for her work across art, music and theatre. The Turning features a collection of her immersive art installations and is the first major Australian exhibition of her work. If you have seen her work connected to major concert tours or theatre productions, this is a chance to discover more of her art beyond the stage.
Highlights from The Opening Festival: 7 to 29 November 2026
The museum’s opening will be celebrated with a 23-day Opening Festival, held over three weeks and four weekends in November. The festival features 179 events covering First Nations culture, space, science, technology, transport, design, architecture, music, food and film.
Around 65% of the festival program is free. Some events require bookings, so it is a good idea to check the official Powerhouse program before your visit and book any sessions you want to attend.
There is plenty to see and do during the festival. Here are a few highlights to look out for:
- Ride a historic steam train: On 7 and 8 November, visitors can ride Locomotive 3265, a 124-year-old steam train from the Powerhouse Collection. It will run passenger trips between Parramatta and Riverstone stations, with the NSW Railway Band performing at Parramatta station to welcome visitors.
- Hear from a former NASA Administrator: Charles F. Bolden Jr., a former NASA Administrator and astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions, will share his experiences and insights from a career in space exploration.
- Meet author Ted Chiang: The author whose short story inspired the design of Task Eternal will speak about the challenges and possibilities of pursuing immortality.
- Hear from designer Marc Newson: The well-known industrial designer will look back on his four decades of work.
- Enjoy live performances: Sydney Chamber Opera will perform two newly commissioned works in the museum’s spaces.
- Explore family-friendly events: The festival includes weekend activities for families and young people, as well as a school summit bringing together primary and high school students from the Parramatta area.
- Experience local and Pacific cultures: Cultural performances from Pacific and Western Sydney communities are an important part of the program. Around 51% of the festival’s collaborators come from Western Sydney.
If you are planning to visit on the opening weekend, 7–8 November, a free timed arrival booking is required even for the general museum admission.
Why You Should Visit Parramatta
Parramatta is Australia’s second-oldest European settlement, with a rich history connected to Dharug and Burramattagal heritage. These days, it has plenty to offer, from great places to eat and a lively waterfront to a strong community spirit.
Adding Powerhouse Parramatta to your itinerary is a great way to explore the western side of the city. You can spend time at the museum, enjoy a walk along the Parramatta River, grab lunch at a waterfront restaurant and explore the area. It’s an easy way to spend a full day seeing a different side of Sydney.
If you’re travelling with kids, there’s even more reason to visit. As mentioned previously, four of the five opening exhibitions are free, The Dark is designed especially for children, and the Opening Festival has plenty of family-friendly events to enjoy together.
Conclusion
Visiting Powerhouse Parramatta is a great way to explore Western Sydney, where modern culture, rich history and local life come together. It is also a great addition to your itinerary if you are travelling with family, as a couple or have an interest in architecture, innovation and local stories.
With Ready Steady Tour, we can arrange a private transfer or help plan a customised Sydney private tours that includes a visit to Powerhouse Parramatta. Whether you need a convenient hotel pick-up, want to take your time exploring the museum or plan to combine your visit with other highlights, we can help organise the transport and timing around your interests.
Get in touch with our Sydney tour guide to plan your itinerary and discover more of the city beyond the usual landmarks. Call us at 0434 136 329 or submit our online form. Please note that museum admission and event bookings are subject to availability and are not automatically included in a private tour.
OFFICIAL INFORMATION & BOOKING LINKS
Powerhouse Parramatta — official visitor information and opening-weekend bookings
NSW Government — 2026 Opening Festival dates, events and hours
Powerhouse — five opening exhibitions and admission details
