Powerhouse Museum
in Sydney, New South Wales
The museum at Darling Harbour housed an excellent collection of artefacts and records relating to science, technology and design, housed in a large building featuring part of an old power station. Many large, interesting and historically important items of machinery were displayed, including the oldest rotative steam engine in the world. Made by Boulton and Watt in 1785 [1]
That museum has closed.
The museum website states that Powerhouse sits at the intersection of the arts, design, science and technology and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues.
It is custodian to more than half a million objects of national and international significance, and is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia.
At the time of writing (March 2026) it appears from the website that some of the objects may be seen at weekends at Powerhouse Castle Hill on Dharug land.