Seven years after the site was first purchased, Powerhouse Parramatta is counting down the last seven days before its doors open to the public next Saturday, November 7, 2026.
This weekend, Powerhouse Parramatta teams will put their training and detailed preparation into practice, with 3,000 staff, builders, family and friends invited in to help the team put the museum through its paces, testing the new museum building, exhibitions and visitor experience before opening next weekend.
The last of the more than 3,000 objects, including the F1 Rocket, Apollo boilerplate, and Space X debris have been installed. Final testing of audio visuals and interactives, the install of labels, signage and wayfinding are also nearing completion.
Guest services hosts have completed their training, ready to welcome the more than 22,000 visitors registered across next weekend's opening events. While Western Sydney food producers are working with Simon Sandall and his team to make sure the cafe and restaurant will be ready for opening weekend.
Powerhouse Parramatta will open seven days a week, and during the opening festival, stay open until 9pm from Thursday to Sunday. Monday to Wednesday the museum will open 10am to 5pm.
Sixty-five percent of the opening program events are free, and all people under sixteen years old will receive free entry for all exhibitions.
Tickets are still available for festival events across the opening weekend, and each includes entry to the museum and 4 of its 5 opening exhibitions.
Registration for any of the events during the festival opening and more information is available here.
Task Eternal
- Visitors will adventure through flight and space, admire aviation achievements, explore engineering masterpieces and consider life off earth - and speculate on just how space debris can be 15,000 km off track and turn up in Snowy Monaro region of NSW.
- At the top of the 12-metre tower, visitors are invited to step into James Turrell's extraordinary installation, Shangri La (Over The Hump). The immersive installation tests the viewers perceptions as the horizon shifts and disappears - echoing the disorienting and transcendent conditions associated with flight and the vastness of space.
- The boilerplate is one of the largest pieces of space hardware of the Apollo era, a major loan from the National Air and Space Museum (NASA).
- Locals can visit the Burramattagal Boomerang, an object created in Parramatta, held by the British Museum in London and returning to Country in Parramatta for this exhibition.
The Mall
- Ubiquitous yet understudied, shopping malls are deeply embedded in our collective urban memory. The Mall explores different parts of Western Sydney's own history and how the world has been shaped by innovations in our own backyard.
- Visitors will discover familiar or universal items such as the iPhone and cash registers to unlikely or unexpected objects, such as Parra Mall sign and a pair of jeans worn by Steve Jobs. Or iconic Australian brands that speak to youth and identity including Mambo, Hot Tuna, Song for the Mute, Passport and Hard Yakka.
- The Mall will surprise and spark conversations about shared experiences, memories, or things that have become objects of curiosity.
The Dark
- Children and carers alike are invited to leave their phones in their pockets and as they step into a magical, dreamlike otherworld filled with glow in the dark objects, crystal caves, mysterious objects that make sounds, and places in their imaginations.
- Curious eyes will find the smallest and first collected Powerhouse object on display in the Museum in The Dark, a pea specimen from 1882.
- This dynamic and inspiring exhibition has been made specifically for children 4 - 12, but will engage those much older.
Overflow:
- A stunning reflection on water with views of the Parramatta River. Acclaimed filmmaker and Kamilaroi man Ivan Sen documented seven communities across NSW as they care for water country.
- Overflow is grounded in the living principles of Water Country, working with seven Aboriginal organisations to consider the importance and care of salt and freshwater systems throughout NSW.
The Turning:
- British born Es Devlin's labyrinth of mirrors and light-filled maze will amaze visitors.
- Devlin has designed large-scale shows for artists including Beyonce; Adele; Dr Dre, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem's 2022 Superbowl performance; and U2's iconic Sphere experience. Devlin's works have exhibited at London's Tate Museum and Design Museum.
Key facts
- More than 400 museum staff have worked over the past three years developing and delivering the five opening exhibitions.
- Across the opening exhibitions there are 3,000 objects on display, including 1,600 from the Powerhouse's own collection.
- The biggest item is the 8400-kilogram F1 rocket in Task Eternal, the smallest object is the first item from the museum's own collection - a pea specimen from 1882.
- Powerhouse Parramatta has been delivered on budget and exceeded its $75 million philanthropy target.
- The total $915 million project budget includes:
- $144 million - Parramatta site, purchased in April 2019
- $44 million - new Castle Hill storage facility, opened in March 2024
- $66.9 million - collection digitisation project, completed in 2024
- $660.1 million - delivery of Powerhouse Parramatta [includes: Architects fees, base build, fit out, exhibition costs, landscaping, public art], opening November 2026
Minister for the Arts, John Graham said:
"When the doors are opened next weekend, this will be a huge boost to access arts and culture across the city, particularly in Western Sydney. We know the demand is there - fifty per cent of the opening weekend registrations are from Western Sydney.
"The final countdown is on and I think it's safe to say the community of all ages and interests will be delighted.
"I would like to thank the countless teams who have been involved over the past seven years, from the design and planning, construction, curatorial, collection, community collaborations, installation teams - and so many more. It is a huge collective achievement, and one that we will all enjoy."
Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:
"I can't wait to see the smiles and wonder on children's faces as they explore the magical place called The Dark. As the doors of the Powerhouse open, visitors will be transported into other worlds - to space, back in time to Roselands Fountain, or into their imaginations.
"Once the word is out, Powerhouse Parramatta will become a must see for every visitor to Sydney and Western Sydney."
Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts and Member for Granville, Julia Finn said:
"We know there is a lot of excitement for the opening. So many people have been involved over such a long time in getting us here - the opening will be a great celebration for the people of Western Sydney."
Interim Chief Executive, Abbie Galvin said:
"Powerhouse Parramatta is the testament to the ambition, vision, dedication and hard work of a lot of people over a very long time. We are in the final stretch and the team are facing this final week of preparation with their trademark steadfast professionalism, calm and care."
Director of Program Clare Holland said:
"The To Do list is getting shorter! All the teams are focused on making sure every part is perfect for opening. I love watching people's faces as they see parts of the building, or exhibitions for the first time. I know we're all looking forward to opening the doors next week so everyone can enjoy Powerhouse Parramatta."
