Justice and Police Museum image

Justice and Police Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Event venue History museum

Set in an 1890s police station, this interactive museum explores Sydney's criminal & forensic past. People often mention museum, interesting, history, visit, Sydney, police, crime, Great, free, worth,


Address

Cnr Phillip St &, Albert St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Website

mhnsw.au

Contact

+61 2 9252 1144

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (518 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (39) interesting (25) history (24) visit (19) Sydney (18) police (16) crime (12) Great (12) free (12) worth (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Zigs S. 4 years ago on Google
    For $15 (adult) check out what I deem to be the best museum in Sydney. What I love about this place is the way it tells you about criminals, not as a read over of the facts but as a story that can be horrific, fascinating and at times very curious. There's interactive activities adults and kids can enjoy like break a safe, have your own photo shoot at the courthouse and profile your mate. I've been here twice now and still find it interesting.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mohammad K. 1 year ago on Google • 296 reviews
    A hidden Gem full of surprises!!! Justice and Police Museum offers a limited but deep collection of history of crime and famous criminal cases. Free entry on weekend. Its a heritage-listed former water police station, offices and courthouse. The museum is located at 4-8 Phillip Street on the corner of Albert Street and easily accessible with public transport (a short 5 min walk from Circular Quay Station). Spot 1 h to explore the museum. Highly recommended!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark Mc L. 7 months ago on Google • 186 reviews
    Great Sydney museum, with free admission. Displays feature various aspects of crime and punishment in Sydney, with an emphasis on the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries. Some "hands on" exhibits, including the safe cracking simulation. Also features many crime-scene photographs, some of these include images of deceased victims. Nothing overly gory, just something to be aware of.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 bernard c. 1 year ago on Google
    Its a heritage listed building constructed from sandstone in 1856. Go on the dark past of the corridor cells, criminals, their crimes. Step into the archive gallery displaying portraits and weapons of the underworld during the last century in Sydney. Good insights on Sydney’s Home of Crime. Free admission on weekends till end of Jun22
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amanda A. 4 years ago on Google
    Fascinating place to explore Sydney's history and Australian true crime stories. Only open to the public on weekends. Schools during the week. Love visiting here! 😊
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leo 4 years ago on Google
    It really was a lot more interesting than you may think I recommend visiting if you like crime related content, it was 1 minute away from Circular Quay train station by foot and is only open on weekends but definitely worth a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kim A. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting and reasonable price
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Peter K. 4 years ago on Google
    Steeped in history. Fascinating.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 baby g. 4 years ago on Google
    Worth a look, interactive and informative
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Chantal C. 4 years ago on Google
    Quite interesting. Enjoyed it
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 William C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great you get the feeling of what it would have been like this
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 John C. 4 years ago on Google
    Very good
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ray M. 2 years ago on Google
    What a fascinating place. Amazing stories and images from Sydney’s criminal past. We’ll worth a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lyn W. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved this museum, Definitely worth the visit, Staff were not very friendly, but oh well 🤷 We still enjoyed our visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lauren W. 1 year ago on Google
    Such a brilliant place for kids. And it's amazing to see Sydney's past. If you are slightly interested in our story... Definitely go and have a look!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jim K. 5 years ago on Google
    Interesting museum. We had to rush through it, but the exhibits were very well done, and a lot of research was done while making them. The history of Sydney police was informative. The museum is only open on the weekends so don't be like me, and get there earlier.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Ronny H. 4 years ago on Google
    A bit boring... Nothing interactive.. only alot of text to read..
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 David A. 4 years ago on Google
    We enjoyed the museum and the exhibits within, but sadly, we found the two hour Sin City crimes tour to be a complete waste of time and money. My partner and I had paid $90 expecting to be shown a fair amount of crime scenes within the two hours that we paid for, but were only taken a couple of blocks down the road and told stories about the Chinese gambling problem in the area, and asked to participate in a mock Chinese gambling game. That is when we left in disgust,we couldn't even wait for the drink at the pub,we payed for, the lady said all the walking was done so figured we weren't going to see much more, it certainly was a Sin, to be ripped off like that. I would not recommend this tour to anyone. The two ladies who guided us on this so called ''tour'' couldn't have displayed more boredom and disinterest if they tried! Four stars for the museum only.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alannah S. 5 months ago on Google
    I love this place, I came here on a school excursion many years ago and recently attended again for fun with a friend. The museum is quiet, informative and rich with history. It provides information about Indigenous peoples in the police force, including a beautiful video about an amazingly talented bush tracker and the service her did for the Australian police force. It has some artefacts from crime scenes and Australian cases, lots of photos, in amazing quality with lots of backstories to read, though it’s also a nice walkthrough just to look at things if you aren’t a big reader. It’s right next to circular quay station, and if you want an even better experience I highly suggest a tour, the staff are so friendly and respectful, as well as extremely knowledgeable on all the museum holds. They have Sydney’s first court room, and you’re allowed to go into the barricaded seating to really feel the perspective. And last but not least, It’s free!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Troy K. 4 years ago on Google
    Great little museum giving some insight into Sydney's criminal & policing history.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 C C. 5 years ago on Google
    Had the best time here. Located at a stone's throw from Circular Quay, the museum is informative about crime and the underbelly if Sydney society in days gone by but in a fun way. I took part in a mock trial and dressed up in wig and robe. The guides encourage you to touch things, dress up in costumes and to take your own mugshot. The only minus point is that the doors open only at 10 so you have to wait in the steps till they do... it was a very hot day. Being allowed to wait in the lobby would be nice.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kate C. 4 years ago on Google
    This place is worth visiting, and James the guy is so funny! However I thought it would have a bit more variety and things to look at. I think the government should spend more funds to bring this place to its full potential.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kimberly D. 2 months ago on Google • 137 reviews New
    This was an unexpected experience that has free entry and was enjoyed by teenagers which is a feat in itself! The videos playing were informative and the history throughout was captivating. Well worth your time. It is only open on weekends, maybe for now?

  • 5/5 Carla E. 2 months ago on Google • 65 reviews New
    I had been wanting to visit for a long time purely just out of my interest for criminology then I was notified that museum entry was free. I bought free museum tickets for my family, we jumped on a tram to Circular Quay and it was so easy to get to. The staff were friendly and so accommodating, opening the side door so we could access the ramp with our pram. The exhibits inside were so interesting and I especially loved how elaborate the courtroom description was. I truly appreciated the fact that there was a baby changing facility in both the accessible and women's bathrooms.

  • 5/5 Jack Z. 1 month ago on Google • 47 reviews New
    It is what it is, it's a free way to kill a few hours and learn about some grizzly historic facts. Guided tour is interesting and there's plenty to look at for maybe 45-90 minutes. Don't be sad if you missed it but if you're a local and in the Circular Quay there's no reason not to go. Note that there are a few pictures of crime scenes/deceased people. Bonus points from me though

  • 5/5 eric k. 1 month ago on Google • 34 reviews New
    Great museum, I was greeted by two lovely lady staff members when I walked in (these same two ladies also did the free guided tour and they did a wonderful job), I enjoyed reading about the various notorious Sydney criminals. I loved checking out the courtrooms, the old police station front counter and holding cells. I recommend doing the free tour, you learn quite a bit about the old water police station's/courts history. The museum is free to enter and also very interesting, you could spend 1.5 - 2 hours here. I highly recommend this museum to anyone who loves police and crime stories.

  • 5/5 Simeon Xavier T. 6 months ago on Google • 18 reviews
    Quite an interesting museum located near the Opera house. Free of charge with a small activity for children. Very welcoming staff as well

  • 5/5 Holly C. 1 year ago on Google
    Brilliant! The stories and the photos are so great. The experience is so well curated. My favourite displays were the ones with the archival pictures/ mugshots and the accompanying histories. Also, we came on a Saturday and the entry fee was waived. Free entry! Woohoo.

  • 4/5 Andrew Wright (. 11 months ago on Google
    Surprisingly interesting little museum with photos of Sydney's past and stories of some of the more colourful criminals that populated it, providing a fascinating window into life in those times. There's a courtroom and remand cells that you can enter and some audio-visual displays. Note that there are photographs of victims on display along with some stuffed animals.

  • 5/5 Xavier M. 1 year ago on Google
    Super cool place with amazing service, the two ladies working the desk were very helpful and welcoming. Travelling from out of town and I didn’t have much time in Sydney, but I could’ve spent a good few hours here. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.

  • 5/5 A R. 1 year ago on Google
    I came across this museum while walking around the city. Very nice museum, it's a gem in the area

  • 5/5 Andreas D. 1 year ago on Google
    Not opened every day, check the website for times. Recommend a visit. This is a great place to see and learn more about our darker side of our country's past. Some photos can be a bit daunting to young kids.

  • 5/5 sarah b. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing experience

  • 5/5 Gordy F. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting talk on some early Australian criminals. Features: courts and holding cells, an eclectic display of fearsome weapons and photography of long gone law breakers.

  • 5/5 Jess M. 4 years ago on Google
    A really fun mix of displays - photos, objects, videos, dress up. If your family is interested in true crime, there truly is something for everyone. Even though it's called a police museum, it's more of a criminal museum - inside an former court and police station.

  • 5/5 Kirby H. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the most underrated museums in Sydney that tells the secrets of the police force back in the early 1900s. Loved every bit

  • 4/5 简单唠唠澳大利亚 1 year ago on Google
    Nice small museum shows police history. Open only weekend.

  • 5/5 Lorraine T. 1 year ago on Google
    Really interesting museum, some really nice facts. Great place to visit especially as it was free entry in June on weekends.

  • 4/5 Sylvian T. 4 years ago on Google
    a very interesting look into Sydney's criminal history. conveniently located and is actually a historical building itself. lots of small interesting things to see and read about if you've got the time to visit every single room in the museum.

  • 5/5 Andrea K. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to learn the history of crime with some good displays. Definitely worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Alison B. 1 year ago on Google
    This a great bit of Sydney history, loved visiting this place 😊

  • 5/5 Rod T. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic displays and very informative. Well worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Orit V. 2 years ago on Google
    Great museum to learn about Sydney criminal history. Lot of interesting information and few hand on exhibits. Very kids friendly.

  • 5/5 Duyen N. 8 months ago on Google
    An amazing school holiday day out for the kids! A special thank you to our wonderful guide Sarah, who was very friendly, and went above and beyond to make our visit special by telling us so many fun stories about the history of the site and incredible facts about fingerprinting! My boys and I had the best time and will be back next school holidays.

  • 5/5 DryBeanz 8 months ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing exhibits and even better people who enjoy their jobs and are enthusiastic about sharing the building and its captors' history. Would recommend a visit as it is free to boot!

  • 4/5 Gabriel C. 10 months ago on Google
    A very interesting museum teaching one of Sydney's criminal past

  • 5/5 Mark L. 8 months ago on Google
    Great museum, which really takes you back to a very dark time in the history of Sydney. Well done with very informative displays.

  • 5/5 Brian W. 8 months ago on Google
    Well worth a visit. Free entry. Knowledgeable staff.

  • 5/5 Janna F. 4 years ago on Google
    Really fun museum! We enjoyed both the free general tour at 10:30am and mock trial soon after (11:30 or 12 - can't remember). We went as part of our Sydney museum pass. Sad that it's only open on weekends but they do apparently have school groups and functions sometimes during the week. Close to Circular Quay and other touristy stuff. As a side note: we went to 4 museums run by Sydney Living Museums and all their staff are great! Keep up the good work!

  • 5/5 Mooey M. 6 months ago on Google
    Free Museum with interesting displays and information located only 5 minutes from the train, ferry or light rail at Circular Quay. Friendly staff.

  • 4/5 Evan P. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting as an insight into Sydney in the 20th Century in particular. Old photos are great and the stories are captivating. Not a big place so plan on a short visit.

  • 4/5 Allison O. 4 years ago on Google
    I really liked this museum. Good photo opportunities. Lots of information that you might not think to go looking for. Many interactive features

  • 4/5 Daniel M. 2 months ago on Google • 17 reviews New
    Fun specialist museum. Loads of things for kids to try, including opening a safe, checking out a courtroom, dressing up, locked in a cell and getting fingerprinted. Plus many police-related displays. But best if an adult is there to explain some of the more macabre elements, like a lead-lined coffin to younger children!

  • 4/5 Sam M. 5 years ago on Google
    Another good venue under the Living Museums umbrella. Showcases the social history of policing in NSW from the earliest days of the colony until now. Covers some criminal history, police activities throughout the years, courts and Aboriginal & policing history. Recommended if you're interested in NSW crime or history. Takes 1-2 hours to get through at a slow pace.

  • 4/5 Hiro O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Australia was initially a criminal town with island sinks. A compilation of the records of ancient violent crimes and criminals, and the police who faced them. (Original) オーストラリアは、開拓当初は島流しの犯罪者の街。古くから存在した凶悪犯罪と犯罪者、そしてそれに立ち向かった警察の記録の集大成。

  • 5/5 Veronica H. 4 years ago on Google
    Great venue. Lots to read and view.

  • 5/5 Allan G. 4 years ago on Google
    Really interesting

  • 5/5 Joel A. 4 years ago on Google
    Great layout and storytelling. Staff were knowledgeable about the building and it's history. Abit graphic with some of its pictures so prob not the best place for young kids.

  • 4/5 Paul S. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting place

  • 5/5 chou a. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) There is a fee to visit, but it is worthwhile. It is worthwhile to introduce the types of crimes, the types of weapons, the court and prison prototypes, and even the content of suspenseful crimes. (Original) 入內須收費參觀,但完全值得,內容豐富的介紹犯罪類型、武器種類、法庭及監獄原型、甚至是帶著懸疑氣息的犯案內容,值得一探

  • 5/5 철환황 4 years ago on Google
    Not advertised in the public.

  • 5/5 Jared M. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a hidden secret in Darling Harbour and has some of the most piercing portraits of criminals I've seen. It's a small museum but it's deeply historic and is worth checking out.

  • 5/5 Bipin B. 4 years ago on Google
    James you made my day thank you. The best place to visit in circular quay. ( not for long time ?)

  • 5/5 Huk L. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting place.

  • 4/5 Aurelio P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting this small museum dedicated to criminals and police of the late nineteenth and early twentieth. The best is the collection of photographs that was rediscovered and serves as the main illustration and graphic reference of the museum. (Original) Muy interesante este pequeño museo dedicado a los criminales y policías de finales del XIX y principios del XX. Lo mejor la colección de fotografías que fue reencontrada y sirve como principal ilustración y referencia gráfica del museo.

  • 5/5 Kate T. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting looking at some very colourful characters

  • 5/5 Lidia B. 4 years ago on Google
    Gr8 place to go back in time... Some photos may frightening little children.

  • 4/5 Manuel A. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting Almost worth the $15 to enter

  • 5/5 최도은 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) You can learn about the history of the police and it's worth a visit when you come to Australia. (Original) 경찰의 역사에대해에도 알수있고 호주에 와보면 한번가볼만합니다

  • 5/5 Batman's W. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent place to visit with family, children friendly, educational and is open and enjoyable at your own pace type of environment, they also change up the things on display so I recommend looking into what's happening and giving it a go.

  • 5/5 Ian A. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting especially the photographic exhibition.

  • 5/5 john w. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting insight into the past, but the highlight was being able to crack the safe.

  • 3/5 Yukang F. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) not bad (Original) 还不错

  • 5/5 Yoyo Y. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) This is pretty interesting. I was able to have a trial experience. (Original) ここは結構おもしろい。 裁判の体験みたいのができました。

  • 5/5 Green A. 2 years ago on Google
    I visited this place in 2017, I learned so much things from the history. Sadly, its temperary closed now, I hope they re-open again after Covid pandemic.

  • 5/5 Mark D. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit, very interesting you can spend hours here. The Speak Easy was a great place to take a break, good music and there is a bar.

  • 5/5 Arcadio R. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent presentation. 5 stars customer service. The show presentation was extraordinary. The group of music was very professional

  • 5/5 sharon K. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing..love it so interesting,,spent the whole 3 hours there that we were allowed ...also love the talks by staff

  • 5/5 Paul R. 2 years ago on Google
    Really enjoyed the Museum open night and speakeasy bar . Very interesting insight to Sydneys early days and its Crims

  • 4/5 Michael S. 3 years ago on Google
    Night at the Museum . Great look around , tasty food .

  • 5/5 Sandi H. 2 years ago on Google
    Thoroughly immersive and entertaining. Extremely well put together.

  • 5/5 Chris B. 2 years ago on Google
    A great museum with great displays about Sydney's criminal past and notorious criminals. Some good interactive displays. Highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Linda Katherine Singh S. 2 years ago on Google
    The one and only museum of its kind in the world. A heritage police station. Sandstone Colonial architecture. An Australian history of the past and future. Visit with your children and friends and visitors.

  • 5/5 Amanda T. 4 years ago on Google
    Seldom ppl But significant collection


Call +61 2 9252 1144 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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