A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in the heart of historic Sydney, the Hyde Park Barracks is an extraordinary living record of early colonial Australia. Originally built to house convicts, the barracks has also served as an immigration depot, asylum, law courts and government offices. Today it is a cutting-edge museum.

Newly redesigned, this immersive experience is for children of all ages. Using groundbreaking interactive audio technology, you’ll follow in the footsteps of real people whose lives were touched by this place – male convicts, immigrants and women in need, as well as the Aboriginal nations that were impacted by colonial Australia.

Visitors are given an iPod and headset at the ticketing desk. As you move around the museum, the technology can tell where you are and make sure that what you hear through the headset matches your location. You can see and hear about where convicts slept, enjoy viewing the miniature models, and see colonial life come to life with interactive video installations.

We absolutely loved the major installation untitled (maraong manaóuwi) by Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones. Covering the entire courtyard of the Barracks, the installation explores the similarly shaped symbols of the maraong manaóuwi (emu footprint) and the English broad arrow.

Open daily: 10 am–5 pm

Sessions start every half hour and take about 90 minutes.