POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA IS FINALLY OPEN AND MOST OF IT IS FREE: HERE'S WHAT TO SEE
After years of anticipation, Powerhouse Parramatta has officially opened its doors, and the good news for families is that most of it is free.
NSW Premier Chris Minns opened the museum on Saturday November 7, and visitors have already been streaming through.
The $915 million project took four years and more than 4,000 workers to build.
According to the ABC, it is the biggest cultural build in Sydney since the Opera House.
It sits on the bank of the Parramatta River, just off Church Street, on the site of an old riverside car park.
What is inside Powerhouse Parramatta?
There are more than 3,000 objects on display, including some on loan from overseas collections.
They are spread across five major exhibitions covering more than 18,000 square metres, so it is worth giving yourself a full morning or afternoon.
The Mall is a two storey exhibition about how shopping centres have shaped our everyday lives, drawing on the malls and plazas of Western Sydney.
If you grew up spending Saturdays at the local shopping centre, expect a big wave of nostalgia.
Overflow is led by First Nations filmmakers and organisations, and explores saltwater and freshwater systems and Indigenous knowledge, including work by filmmaker Ivan Sen.
The Turning is a five part immersive work by acclaimed British artist Es Devlin, and it is her first show in Australia.
Think mirrors, films and interactive drawing spaces.
Devlin told the ABC that visitors become performers, and the works are not complete until you arrive.
A magical space for children
For little ones, The Dark could be the highlight of the day.
Designed especially for children, it features a crystal tunnel and what the museum calls a gateway to a land of giants.
There are more than 800 objects inside, including items loaned by children from across Western Sydney.
Just note that cameras are not allowed in this space, so it is a lovely chance for everyone to put their phones away.
Space fans, this one is for you
Task Eternal is the museum's space and aviation exhibition, and it fills the largest gallery with more than 600 objects across 2,200 square metres.
One star attraction is the spacesuit of Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg.
She admitted she had been "geeking out" at the exhibition herself.
Arts Minister John Graham said he hoped the museum would inspire not only creatives but future scientists and engineers too.
Acting chief executive Abbie Galvin described it as a cultural backbone for Western Sydney.
Powerhouse Parramatta prices and getting there
Entry to the museum and four of the five major exhibitions is free.
Task Eternal is the only ticketed show, costing $30 for adults and $20 for concession holders.
Children under 16 go free, which makes it a very affordable family outing.
There is also a 23 day opening festival packed with talks, shows and workshops, so check the Powerhouse website for the programme before you go.
Getting there is easy without the car.
The museum is about a five minute walk from the Church Street light rail stop or the Parramatta ferry wharf, and roughly ten minutes on foot from Parramatta train station.
If you do drive, street parking is limited.
Paid parking is available at the Eat Street car park on Erby Place, about two minutes' walk away.
Tips for your first visit
With so much to see, it pays to plan.
Pick two or three exhibitions to focus on rather than trying to rush through everything in one go.
If you have young children, consider starting with The Dark while energy levels are high, then finishing with a riverside picnic.
Weekdays during school term are likely to be quieter than weekends, especially during the opening festival.
Pack water bottles and comfortable shoes, because the galleries are vast.
Better still, make it a day out and explore the cafes and restaurants of Parramatta afterwards.
However you spend it, Powerhouse Parramatta looks set to become a much loved part of Sydney life for years to come.
