Chau Chak Wing Museum

⚠️ NOTE: The Nicholson Museum closed in 2020. Its collection is now housed in the new Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.

Overview

The Nicholson Museum at the University of Sydney holds Australia's largest collection of antiquities, with over 30,000 objects from Egypt, Greece, Rome, Cyprus, and the Near East. Entry is free and the museum offers an intimate, uncrowded experience.

Highlights

• Egyptian mummies: Two complete mummies and painted sarcophagi.
• Greek vases: Attic red-figure and black-figure pottery spanning the 6th–4th centuries BCE.
• Roman portrait busts: Imperial-era marble portraits.

History

Founded in 1860 through a bequest by Sir Charles Nicholson, it was Australia's first university museum. Many objects were acquired during 19th-century Grand Tour expeditions.

Visitor Tips

• Free and quiet: A peaceful alternative to larger museums.
• Weekdays only: Closed weekends.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.