History

Immerse yourself in a powerful series of exhibitions, installations and digital experiences.

Through intimate guided tours, we tell the stories of everyday families who helped shape Sydney.

An evening with Shaun Micallef live on stage to discuss his new book, ‘Matthew Flinders’.

It's our story to be told.

An extraordinary collection of rare manuscripts, books, maps and navigational instruments

Classes cover the techniques of fencing with historical weapons and provide a safe place to spar with them

a new exhibition exploring how the Navy has grown alongside Australia, from colonial defence to a modern maritime force.

Torres Strait pearling history, centering the overlooked stories of Indigenous and South Sea Islander seafarers

The evolution of Australian military service, focusing on the personal stories of NSW service.

Discover 90 treasures that have been donated to the Anzac Memorial from its opening in 1934.

Travel back in time to early medieval Scotland and discover unique and mysterious Viking-age treasures.

Step into the powerful story of Tự do (Freedom), the boat that carried Vietnamese refugees to Australia in 1977.

At 11am each day, the Anzac Memorial pauses for a Service of Remembrance.

Uncover the stories of the past at a special after dark tour of this stunning Georgian property

Learn about Sydney's railways

Hear from our model maker Richard Braddish about the scale model of our local area.

Go where the locals go

Go where the locals go

Experience an intimate guided tour of the iconic heritage-listed Sydney Observatory.

Go where the locals go

Explore all things ghostly as we visit Sydney's most haunted pubs.

Join a buggy tour around Australia's oldest botanic garden and a 30-hectare paradise adjoining Sydney Harbour

Explore the iconic Sydney Observatory with a tour designed for groups that include young children aged 6 and older.

Indulge in an afternoon of elegance and history at the Parliament of NSW.

A narrative driven walking tour of Sydney's CBD for locals and tourists

A Public Lecture by Peter Zacharatos for the Military History Society of New South Wales

Discover Sydney’s rich maritime heritage beyond the walls of the museum.

Indulge two course lunch at State Parliament House in Sydney

Discover journeys both real and imagined through maps, manuscripts, books and artworks.

Ashley Kingston will speak about the little-known history of the Olympia Motor Speedway at Maroubra in the 1920s.

From Hyde Park to the Opera House, uncovering Sydney’s hidden past

Discover hidden gems and untold stories of the city's train stations

Tony Gilmour will discuss the connection between hotels and growth in regional communities, using Kiama as an example.

Explore Sydney’s Metro from Waterloo to Victoria Cross. Discover buried artefacts, station art, remarkable engineering

Six men spanning six generations share a story that has helped shape who they are as man.

Free entry. Rare books, maps, prints & ephemera for sale. The Glasshouse, State Library NSW. 22–24 October 2026.

An evening lecture and discussion by Reverend Dr Andrew Errington in the Progress & Purpose series

Discover the architecture of Pyrmont and learn about its history in a two hour walk with a trained AAA volunteer

Join archivists for a fascinating exploration of the rich history of Haymarket and Ultimo

A relaxed music/talk series at the State Library of NSW

Lee Miller's son Antony Penrose presents: Hand Grenades Like Cartier Clips: Lee Miller’s Life and Work in Fashion

An informal lunchtime discussion on the entangled histories and future of science and religion

Join Julie Lee for a fascinating look at Sydney’s Chinatown and its stories of migration, community and identity

Enjoy a beautiful Christmas themed menu at the Strangers' Restaurant in the month of December

Free tour por Sídney en Español

Join Australian author Ryan Butta as he brings to light the hidden history of Australia’s blackbirding trade.