Visitor’s guide to the new Powerhouse Parramatta

The opening of the Powerhouse Parramatta marks a significant moment in western Sydney’s history, becoming the region’s first state-significant cultural institution.The $1 billion project, which has not been without controversy, aims to redraw Sydney’s cultural geography and provide world-class exhibitions.What is it?Situated on the banks of the Parramatta River, the new Powerhouse Parramatta – dubbed the milk crate by locals due to its distinctive steel-lattice exoskeleton – is the largest cultural infrastructure project in Australia since the Sydney Opera House.The steel exoskeleton of the Powerhouse Parramatta.Steven SiewertSpanning 30,000 square metres and reaching up to six storeys, the cultural institution features multiple exhibition spaces across the two wings.For the opening, the museum will have about 3000 objects on display including 1600 from the Powerhouse’s collection.When does it open?Since mid-August, a clock on the Powerhouse Parramatta website has been counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the opening of the museum on November 7.To mark the occasion, the museum will hold a $4.5 million, 23-day festival program featuring 179 events. During this time, the museum will stay open until 9pm from Thursday to Sunday, and 10am to 5pm from Monday to Wednesday. The program will feature talks, workshops, food, music and performances.The museum at night.Steven SiewertGeneral admission tickets for the opening weekend have sold out, but patrons can still experience the museum by booking a ticket to opening festival events. Each festival ticket includes entry to the museum and access to four out of five exhibitions; one, Task Eternal, will be ticketed.What will be there?The first five exhibitions will run for between 18 months and three years. They include The Dark, an immersive exhibition created for children aged four to 12 years old, and Es Devlin: The Turning, where visitors can explore five immersive installations.Overflow, a First Nations-led exhibition grounded in the living principles of Water Country, shares practices that extend care to water systems. Aerospace exhibition Task Eternal will serve as the museum’s flagship exhibition, while The Mall will examine the cultural significance of the shopping mall.When visitors arrive, they’ll enter the taller west wing, where there is a movable concierge stand, information displays and a gift shop. The ground floor also features food options and the entrance to the largest exhibition space. Large escalators and lifts take visitors through the space, and both buildings are linked through bridges.The rooftop of the shorter east wing holds a productive garden, while level four in the other building is a 200-seat demonstration kitchen and event space. Level five features a library and co-working space, while the sixth floor houses 30 apartments, which will be used for creative residencies.How much does it cost?While all five of the exhibitions will be free to visitors aged 16 and under, those over 16 will have to pay an entry fee to Task Eternal. Costs will range from $20 for a concession ticket to $30 for a standard ticket.For an extra $10, visitors can experience James Turrell’s colour and sensory-distorting installation Shangri La (Over the Hump).General admission to the museum is free for patrons of all ages.What are the food and drink options?The Powerhouse Parramatta includes three food and drink venues: Folded, Green Bar and Simara. Folded, an all-day cafe located on the ground floor, acts as a first stop for visitors seeking a coffee or lunch, and Green Bar is tucked away near the museum’s rooftop garden.Simara, also on the ground floor, is a contemporary Australian restaurant with seating for more than 290 patrons, spanning almost 600 square metres across indoor and outdoor dining areas.The menu intends to “celebrate the diverse food cultures of Australia and western Sydney”, with bookings recommended.There will, of course, also be gift shops.How to get there?Located at 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta, the museum can be reached through a range of public transport options. For those planning to commute via train, Powerhouse Parramatta is a 10-minute walk from Parramatta station, while the closest bus stop is located 250 metres from the site on Smith Street.It can also be reached by light rail, with both the Church Street and Parramatta Square stops positioned a short walk from the Powerhouse Parramatta. The ferry will take visitors close to the museum as well, with the Parramatta Wharf located 400 metres from the site.Visitors opting to drive won’t be able to park at the museum – there’s no on-site parking. However, there is a pick-up and drop-off zone on Phillip Street and paid car parks nearby.