Playing to learn…at the museums

When it comes to giving the children a stimulating outing that will stretch their minds, go directly to one of Australia’s many diverse and varied museums.

A useful site, Collections Australia Network lists state museums and galleries and provides details of opening hours, entry charges and special features of interest, as well as links to each organisations’ own website for further information.

SA Museum - North Terrace, Adelaide, 10am-5pm daily, ph (08) 8207 7500

Queensland Museum South Bank - Cnr Melbourne & Grey Sts, South Brisbane, 9.30am - 5pm daily, ph (07)3840 7555  

Powerhouse Museum, Sydney - Harris Street, Ultimo, 9.30am-5pm daily, (02) 9217 0111   

National Museum of Australia, Canberra - Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton, 9am-5pm daily, ph (02) 6208 5000

Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra - King Edward Terrace, Canberra, 9am-5pm daily, ph (02) 6270 2800 

Melbourne Museum - Nicholson Street, Carlton Gardens, 10am-5pm daily, ph: 13 11 02 

Scienceworks, Melbourne - Booker Street, Spotswood, 10.00am - 4.30pm daily, (03) 9392 4800  

Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks 

WA Museum Perth – Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Perth, 9.30am-5pm daily, ph (08) 9212 3700

This article was first published in Australian Family Magazine, November 2003. Updated July 2009.