The Rocks Discovery Museum, Sydney

This free museum located in Kendall Lane in The Rocks, Sydney tells the tale of the location from the time it was inhabited by the aboriginal people to the present. It is one of the most interesting and informative museums in the city.

The Rocks Discovery Museum is housed in an 1850 sandstone warehouse restored by the National Trust. It covers three floors and the exhibits are divided into sections. There are many interesting historical objects on display and computer generated audio visual displays. The four sections include the Aboriginal, the Colonial, Port and Transformations.

Objects at the museum are from many archaeological excavations. Visitors can learn about the Cadigal Aboriginal people who first resided at the Rocks, the European settlements, political and social movements, union protests in the seventies and recent events like the evacuation of local residents for the development of a commercial zone and their fight against the demolition of historical buildings that would have removed all traces of the first colonial settlement in Sydney.

Interesting exhibits like Aboriginal spearheads and beer bottles used by the early European settlers are on display. Visitors can also view three informative short films on the history of the Rocks. The museum holds temporary exhibitions and special programs to introduce children to the culture of the Aborigines.