Sydney Attractions

Venue: Australian Museum    When: Daily

The Australian Museum is one of the world's great natural history museums, encompassing millions of years' worth of history, from palaeontology and earth sciences to anthropology and the study of indigenous Australians. But as well as being a treasure trove of knowledge and learning for serious-minded adults, it also offers loads of fun for children - whether they want to learn about dinosaurs or just climb around an indoor shipwreck!

Established in 1827, this was Australia's first museum, and over two centuries has amassed unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts.

The scope of the exhibits is enormous - you can find anything from the smallest invertebrate to the massive Sperm Whale skeleton that hangs over the College Street entrance.

For those aged five and under, the museum offers the delightful Kids' Island, a fantasy play area, located on Level Two. This includes a shipwreck (complete with a treasure chest) and is divided into various "cubbies," which kids can send secret messages from and to using special "sound pipes." Best of all for parents with babies is the Nest, a special padded crawling pit for under twos, as well as baby-changing facilities and a breast-feeding area.