The Minns Labor Government is helping connect residents and visitors with Sydney's premier cultural attractions, with a new one-stop-shop opening at Circular Quay.
The new Culture Station is opposite Wharf 5 and helps visitors and locals to uncover the city's best exhibitions, events, venues and more, and move seamlessly from public transport hubs to museums, art galleries and cultural precincts.
Open 7 days a week, it provides information on opening hours, ticketing for exhibits, cultural events and institutions, festivals including Sydney Festival, Sydney Writers Festival, Sydney Film Festival, as well as transport options.
These include:
- A regularly updated list of free, or unexpected things to do around the city, such as joining Pacific weavers from Tonga at three locations across Sydney to help create 80 handmade woven mats for the Powerhouse Parramatta; immersing yourself in nature with the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year at the Australian Museum; or stepping back in time to experience the original homes of over 100 families dating back to 1800s in The Rocks.
- Activities for children such as:
- Exploring The Curious World of Pamela Allen exhibition at the State Library
- Hearing from popular children's author Andy Griffiths at Powerhouse Castle Hill
- Seeing intricate LEGO® civilisations at the Australian Museum's RELICS exhibition
- Kids can also grab their tools and become archaeologists at the Museum of Sydney's hands on Dig It! Experience
- Or take a wild and magical journey to find that elusive green sheep at the Sydney Opera House with Where is the Green Sheep?
- The Sydney Culture Walk - a free digital walking itinerary of architecture, art and history, now available on the Walks Near Me platform.
- In-person ticket offers -including limited-time discounted 'Summer Tix', released daily at midday and redeemable only in person.
- A list of cultural offerings happening at nightacross the city, ranging from free after-hours programs at Sydney Observatory, State Library and Art Gallery of NSW. Or booking tickets for the Walsh Bay performing arts organisations, or the Sydney Opera House.
Over coming months, a $2 million investment will fund new directional wayfinding signs and posters across the CBD and Walsh Bay to better guide visitors to cultural destinations, with clear, accessible information.
Minister for the Arts, Minister for Transport, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:
"We've heard very clearly that people need help finding their way to our cultural institutions and Walsh Bay, and once they get there, from one place to the next. We're investing money to improve this and connect people to our great cultural organisations and precincts.
"This investment will help visitors and tourists spend more time lost in the wonder of our arts and culture, and less time lost on our streets looking for the city's museums, galleries and event spaces.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:
"With so much happening in our great city, the Cultural Station is another Minns Labor Government initiative helping visitors make the most of their time and soak up everything Sydney has to offer.
"This hub makes planning your day easier, making sure you have more guaranteed great experiences. We are backing tourism as a key economic driver, with bold plans to grow our visitor economy to $91 billion over the next decade.
"Whether you're stepping off a train, bus, or wandering in from Circular Quay, clear and intuitive wayfinding will make it simple to explore multiple venues in one visit.
Business Sydney CEO Paul Nicolau said:
"Sydney has long been crying out for a world city service of this kind, and it will be embraced by visitors to our wonderful city.
"As a city, we have so much to offer, and the Culture Station connects visitors to our fabulous arts and culture venues and institutions. Helping visitors experience our city supports our local businesses and encourages visitors to return time and again."
Background
- More than 500,000 visitors pass through the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- Between Oct-2024 and Sep-2025, Circular Quay precinct recorded approximately 20.4 million tap-ons across all public transport modes including Ferry, Train, Bus and Light Rail.
- Research shows that effective wayfinding helps visitors have a better experience. Clear signage can reduce confusion, increase dwell time, and encourage exploration of nearby attractions-ultimately driving greater economic activity.
- Improved wayfinding will help visitors find the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Museums of History NSW, Powerhouse Museum, State Library of NSW, Sydney Opera House, and the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
