Newcastle Museum

Location: Newcastle

Why visit: The past, present and future meet under one roof at Newcastle Museum. Combining three major permanent exhibitions alongside temporary and travelling exhibits, the museum delivers on family-friendly fun where kids can get hands-on with science, learn about the history of the city or join a monthly storytelling event.

Cost: Free entry to permanent exhibitions

Newcastle Museum, North Coast

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

Location: Bathurst

Why visit: With more than 5,000 rare pieces from around the globe, the collection at Australian Fossils and Mineral Museum is billions of years in the making. With everything from mineral crystals to dinosaur fossils on display, kids can get up-close to the skeleton of a life-sized T-rex and learn the answers to some of life's biggest questions, like how our planet has changed over time or what actually is a fossil, with the museum's education programs.

Cost: Adults $15, kids (age 5-18) $7.50 or families $39

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst

HARS Aviation Museum

Location: Wollongong

Why visit: Budding pilots can step inside the cockpit or tour a commercial jet at HARS Aviation Museum. There's a range of permanent exhibitions and displays where you can set your eyes on more than 40 historic aircrafts, see an engine up-close or walk through the hall of fame and learn all about the important Aussies figures in aviation who left their mark.

Cost: Adults $35, kids (age 5-14) $15

HARS Aviation Museum, Wollongong

Bradman Museum

Location: Bowral

Why visit: In the heart of the Southern Highlands, Bradman Museum celebrates the stories and people who came to shape cricket through the eras. Defining moments in the game's history are brought to life with interactive exhibitions featuring memorabilia, photos and visual footage. Kids can learn more about Sir Donald Bradman, one of the titans of the sport, and see his famous bat up close.

Cost: Adults $30, kids (age 5-17) $16.50

Bradman Museum. Bowral

Temora Aviation Museum

Location: Temora

Why visit: While the Riverina attracts grown-ups for its food and wine, add the Temora Aviation Museum to your itinerary for the kids. Home to two of only three flying Spitfires in Australia, thrill seekers can take the controls of the historic aircraft as part of the museum's flight simulator program.

Cost: Adults (under 65) $25, kids (age 3-16) $10, families $60

Temora Aviation Museum, The Riverina

Griffith Pioneer Park Museum

Location: Griffith

Why visit: After opening in 1971, Griffith Pioneer Park Museum has spent more than 50 years preserving the past. The town's Italian heritage is on display at the Italian Museum, while the Wine and Irrigation building narrates the story of how Griffith's local wine industry came to be. There's also a display of machinery and vehicles, a fun train tour ride for families and old school games like sack races and three-legged races as part of the museum's education program for kids.

Cost: Adults $15, kids (age 5-17) $8

Griffith Pioneer Park Museum, The Riverina

The Henry Parkes Centre

Location: Parkes

Why visit: Owned by Greg Page (otherwise known as the original Yellow Wiggle), the Henry Parkes Centre is home to three fun museums: Parkes Motor Museum, Henry Parkes Museum and the King's Castle. Walk through a replica of the Gates of Graceland and shop rare keepsakes from Elvis and Priscilla's estate, visit a blacksmith's shop and see a retro car from 1911 (that's only one of five left in the world).

Cost: Adults $14, kids (age 5-18) $8 for Parkes Motor Museum and the King's Castle, and adults $10, kids (age 6-16) $3 for Henry Parkes Museum

The Henry Parkes Centre, Parkes

Age of Fishes Museum

Location: Canowindra

Why visit: If you want to learn what ancient fish used to look like, visit the Ages of Fishes Museum in Canowindra. The 360-million-year-old collection of Devonian freshwater fish fossils has been a tourist attraction since they were first uncovered in 1955 – even attracting world-famous visitors like David Attenborough. The museum also has a picnic area, giant game boards for kids and a shop selling local produce.

Cost: $8 to $25

Age of Fishes Museum, Canowindra

National Motor Racing Museum

Location: Bathurst

Why visit: The National Motor Racing Museum explores the history of motor sports and Australia's first ever Grand Prix. Step into the Immersive Room for a taste of being front row at a race where speed, sound and a roaring crowd surround you. On your way out, snap a pic with the Lego model donated by Honda, made from more than 150,000 bricks.

Cost: Adults $15, kids (age 5-18) $7.50 or families $39

National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst

Fleet Air Arm Museum

Location: Nowra

Why visit: For a look back on early 20th-century aircrafts through to modern day, visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum. The collection also includes models, clothing, personal memorabilia and audio-visual displays, which all tell a fascinating story of Australians who served in the Fleet Air Arm.

Cost: Free

Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra

Tenterfield Railway Museum

Location: Tenterfield

Why visit: Step back in time to the turn of the 21st century when Tenterfield Station ran through New England for 102 years. After its closure, the building and everything in it remained as it was when it opened in 1886. Today, the custodians of the Tenterfield Railway Museum are dedicated to preserving the station for future generations. Kids will love the model train set that perfectly mirrors the small village station.

Cost: Adults $7.50, kids (age 5-15) $4

Tenterfield Railway Station Museum, Tenterfield

Bathurst Rail Museum

Location: Bathurst

Why visit: There's plenty to do with kids in Bathurst, but one of the vibrant region's top attractions is Bathurst Rail Museum, which is worth visiting just to see the largest public HO scale model railway in Australia. The model is as big as a tennis court and depicts the Great Western Line between Tarana and Bathurst during the 1950s to 1960s. Kids can play and learn in the dedicated Kids Central Space while parents watch on with a coffee.

Cost: Adults $15, kids (age 5-18) $7.50 or families $39

Bathurst Rail Museum, Bathurst

Eden Killer Whale Museum

Location: Eden

Why visit: Before it became Eden Killer Whale Museum, this pretty building was originally constructed to house the skeleton of an orca known as Old Tom. Now, its home to more than 10,000 whaling artefacts that dive deep into the town's history with the giant creatures. While you're there, keep an ear out for the whale siren which signals a whale sighting in the bay.

Cost: Adults $15, kids (age 5-15) $5

Eden Killer Whale Museum

Mad Max 2 Museum

Location: Silverton

Why visit: If your kids are old enough to have seen a Mad Max film, then this one's sure to be a hit. As the one and only museum dedicated to the post-apocalyptic film franchise from Australian director George Miller, Mad Max 2 Museum delivers with memorabilia, props, replica vehicles and hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs from the second film.

Cost: Adults $12, kids (age 5-16) $10

Mad Max 2 Museum, Silverton

Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens

Location: Wagga Wagga

Why visit: Are your kid's history buffs? Take them to the Museum of the Riverina where general entry is free every day. There's a rotating lineup of exhibitions delving into the rich history of the Riverina, alongside kid-friendly workshops and events. Then, take them to the adjacent Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens where you’ll find a miniature railway, succulent garden and playground all in one spot.

Cost: Free

Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens, Wagga Wagga - Credit: Wagga Wagga City Council

Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum

Location: Brewarrina

Why visit: Venture out to the stunning outback town of Brewarrina and be immersed in the rugged landscapes and ancient Dreaming stories at Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum. The museum overlooks the 40,000-year-old heritage-listed fish traps which you can learn more about on a family-friendly length guided tour that’s led local Aboriginals.

Cost: Adults $6, kids (age 5-18) $3

Brewarrina Fish Traps (Baiame's Ngunnhu), Brewarrina