The Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region is full of educational and entertaining galleries and museums. Enjoy a family day out with your kids to learn more about Hunter history, art, science, transportation and more.
Galleries
Lake Macquarie Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima)
96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point, NSW
0448 409 604
Website: Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima
The Lake Macquarie Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima is a cutting edge venue, a space where art and innovation come together. Located near Speers Point Park, enjoy a visit to the MAP mima before or after a play at the park. The space hosts national and international contemporary art installations, digital art screenings and audio presentations, live theatre performances, music and more.
The space is also a hub for outdoor activities including markets, theatre, drama productions, concerts and events. MAP mima also offer Digitales: Storytime and art for ages 2-5, held on the third Thursday of every month. Visit their website for more information, including details on upcoming exhibitions and events.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG)
230 High Street, Maitland, NSW
(02) 4934 9859
Website: Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) presents various art exhibitions throughout the year. Their Seraphine Café allows parents or caregivers to enjoy a coffee and cake or lunch while out and about with little ones.
On weekends, check out Free Art Sundays at MRAG for free art activities for children and their parents. In addition, MRAG offers a variety of programs for children and their parents throughout the year including school holidays. Visit their website for more information, including details on upcoming exhibitions and events.
Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang
First Street, Booragul, NSW
(02) 4921 0382
Website: Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang
MAC yapang is a unique arts and cultural destination situated in a magnificent lakeside location. Although the gallery isn’t large, it hosts a number of interesting local and Australian exhibitions. For those who worry that the gallery might not be suited for kids, think again.
As a family outing, MAC yapang is an ideal spot and the staff are friendly and welcoming of kids. For parents with babies and young kids, there’s baby changing facilities, a café next door and a Family Activity Corner. If the kids get restless inside, go for a walk outside through the wonderful Sculpture Park.
Join the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, on the First Tuesday of each month for a free tots exhibition tour with an expert tour guide, stories and art making. The stories and art activities will draw on themes of the artwork within the exhibition and are suitable for little ones aged 3 to 6 years. Younger siblings are also welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
Newcastle Art Gallery
1 Laman Street, Cooks Hill, NSW
(02) 4974 5100
Website: Newcastle Art Gallery
While the complete expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery is not yet fully unveiled, art-loving families can now explore the first new spaces. The Gallery reopened its doors in September 2025, and you can now book a timed entry and enjoy a free guided tour on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10am – 4pm.
Families looking to make their weekends more creative can join in a Studio Weekends session, the Gallery’s free weekly drop-in program. Held every Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 12pm, these hands-on sessions allow families to create art together.
The engaging activities are inspired by the Gallery’s current exhibitions and artists. Best of all, Studio Weekends are all-inclusive, suitable for all ages and abilities. No booking is required – just drop in and get creative!
PACC Art Gallery
198-202 Vincent Street, Cessnock, NSW
(02) 4993 4266
Website: PACC
The Art Gallery at Cessnock’s Performance, Arts and Culture Centre is a vibrant cultural destination for families in the region, celebrating innovation and inclusivity since opening in October 2023. Located on the second floor, the gallery features a changing annual program of thought-provoking local and national contemporary art, spanning everything from painting and sculpture to digital art. You can also browse their retail space for unique creations by local artisans. Right next door, the Makers Space invites everyone to get hands-on and creative through engaging workshops, programs, and collaborative projects.
Current exhibitions and workshops can be found at their What’s On page.
Museums
Dobell House
47 Dobell Drive, Wangi Wangi NSW
0400 770257
Website: Dobell House
Dobell House is the preserved home and studio of famous Australian artist Sir William Dobell in Wangi Wangi, managed by the Sir William Dobell Memorial Association since 1971. Originally a small 1920s weekender, the house was uniquely expanded over 40 years by Dobell’s father and later by William Dobell himself after he moved in with his sister Alice in 1942. This unique ‘lake house’, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register, was purchased by the local community after Dobell’s death to create a museum and gallery to honour his memory and art.
Visit during opening hours (Wednesday 10am–3pm; Saturday and Sunday 1pm–4pm) or book a private tour, with admission offering unlimited time to explore the house, garden, and Dobell Park (giving children space to move around and enjoy the outdoors after viewing the indoor exhibits). Admission also includes access to trained Volunteer Museum Guides (which is great for helping kids understand the exhibits).
Dungog Museum
105 Dowling Street, Dungog, NSW
(02) 4992 1993 or (02) 4992 2094
Website: Dungog Museum facebook page
If you’re looking for a fun and educational weekend outing for the whole family, visit the Dungog Museum. Housed in the beautiful heritage-listed 1898 former School of Arts building, the museum is open on Saturdays from 10am – 2pm.
Delve into the history of the region through diverse exhibits, including a collection of local photographs, sporting memorabilia, professional, trade, and farming equipment. The core display, “Dungog: Making the Community,” tells the story of the area through different themes, and is complemented by an introductory exhibition covering local Aboriginal history and the arrival of Europeans. There is also a dedicated room featuring changing exhibitions, ensuring something new to see on return visits. Kids will love the “search and find” activity, which makes exploring the local history interactive and fun.
Fighterworld
49 Medowie Road, Williamtown, NSW
(02) 4965 1810
Website: Fighterworld
Located just 20 minutes drive north of Newcastle, near the RAAF Base at Williamtown, Fighterworld is an aviation museum featuring ‘hands on’ experiences. Exhibited in two hangars, visitors can walk-around, touch and look into the cockpits of famous aircraft such as the Mirage III, the Avon Sabre, the Gloster Meteor, the first Vampire jet built in Australia and new in 2013 the mighty F-111. For more information, including tips on making the most of your visit, read the Newy With Kids review of Fighter World.
Fort Scratchley
Nobbys Road, Newcastle East, NSW
(02) 4974 1422
Website: Fort Scratchley
Visit Fort Scratchley, the only Australian coastal installation to fire on an enemy vessel during World War II. Visitors can take a self-guided tour around the fort viewing the cannons and other above ground defence structures.
Kids will be fascinated by the large cannons and views of the ocean. If you would prefer a full site tour and a chance to explore the underground tunnels, pay for a guided tour with one of the Fort Scratchley Historical Society volunteers. Take a picnic and enjoy the view at Fort Scratchley or enjoy the small playground outside of the Fort, perfect if the kids get tired of the history stuff!
For a special auditory experience, be near Fort Scratchley when the guns fire on special occasions such as Australia Day and Anzac Day. For more information, including tips on making the most of your visit, read the Newy With Kids review of Fort Scatchley.
Maitland Gaol (CURRENTLY CLOSED)
6-18 John Street, Maitland, NSW
(02) 4936 6482
Website: Maitland Gaol
Discover life as a prisoner! Visit Maitland Gaol and learn all about the facility and its 150 years of fascinating history. Maitland Gaol closed as a correctional institution in 1998 after housing some of Australia’s most notorious criminals and you can now experience life on the inside.
Open seven days a week, your family can explore Maitland Gaol through three self-guided audio tours including Snitch’s Gaol Exploration, especially for children. The audio tours provide stories about famous characters, and has comments and observations by former inmates, officers, other staff, assistants and researchers. Additional guided tours such are also available on selected days. For more information, including tips on making the most of your visit, read the Newy With Kids review of Maitland Gaol.
Miss Porter’s House
434 King Street, Newcastle, NSW
(02) 4927 0202
Website: Miss Porter’s House
A National Trust property, Miss Porter’s House is now a living snapshot providing visitors with the experience of early to mid-twentieth century inner-city life in Newcastle. Built by the Porters in 1909, the family lived in this freestanding Edwardian terrace until 1997, when they left it to the National Trust with all its contents intact. Miss Porter’s House is open on the second Sunday of each month. For more information, including tips on making the most of your visit, read the Newy With Kids review of Miss Porter’s House.
Murrook Cultural Centre
2163 Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown NSW 2318
(02) 4033 8800
Website: Murrook Culture Centre
Discover local Aboriginal culture at Murrook Culture Centre, situated on Worimi land at Williamtown. Explore the interactive exhibition centre, enjoy storytelling and art displays, have a bite to eat at Yapay Djalgil Murrook Café, take part in one of the many workshops available or sign the kids up for a school holiday program. Be prepared to leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the timeless traditions of Aboriginal culture.
Newcastle Museum
Workshop Way, Newcastle, NSW
(02) 4974 1400
Website: Newcastle Museum
The Newcastle Museum, located in Honeysuckle, is a favourite for local families and offers free admission. The interactive Supernova science exhibits will keep children entertained while the Newcastle Fire and Earth exhibition will educate visitors on the history of the region. Don’t miss the 6-minute BHP Steelmaking Show featuring special effects. They also run great school holiday workshops. For more information, including tips on making the most of your visit, read the Newy With Kids review of Newcastle Museum.
Richmond Vale Railway Museum (CURRENTLY CLOSED)
262 Leggetts Drive, Kurri Kurri, NSW
(02) 4018 7230
Website: Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Step back in time and discover the history of steam worked railways in the Cessnock Coalfield and the Hunter Valley. Families can ride on the historic steam trains on selected days of the month. The Museum, located at Kurri Kurri, contains a large range of artefacts, maps and photos which documents the history of the Richmond Main Colliery, the development of the South Maitland Coalfields, the equipment used and the social impact of coal mining on the local communities. For more information, including tips on making the most of your visit, read the Newy With Kids review of Richmond Vale Railway Museum.
Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari
156 Portland Drive, Cameron Park NSW
(02) 4921 0111
Website: Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari
The Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari, located in Cameron Park, is a co-located facility providing an engaging space for people to learn, create, and connect. The libraries services include a multimedia/tech space, a workshop area, and a dedicated children’s zone, while the museum, the first of its kind in Lake Macquarie, showcases the rich history of West Wallsend with its inaugural, immersive exhibition, “Westy: we built this history,” developed alongside the West Wallsend District Heritage Group.
Tocal Homestead
957 Tocal Road, Paterson, NSW
(02) 4939 8901
Website: Tocal Homestead
Visit Tocal Homestead to view this magnificent homestead and its surrounding collection of colonial farm buildings dating back to the 1830s. Visitors are welcome to explore and interpret this wonderful site and enjoy the stunning views. Tocal Homestead is open selected Sundays throughout the year. Visit their website for more information, including details on upcoming exhibitions and events.
You might also like:
Newcastle Museum: What To Know For a Fun Family Day Out
50 Fun Activities For Grandkids & Grandparents in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter