A tour of the Chau Chak Wing museum - a building of ultramodern design housing a remarkable collection of archeological and other artefacts and artworks

Located in the heart of the University of Sydney, the Chau Chak Wing Museum is a hub for sharing the University’s extensive collections with the wider community.

The Museum’s origins can be traced back to the Nicholson Collection of Antiquities, established in 1860. Over time, the Museum's collection expanded to encompass the Macleay Collections, comprising natural history specimens, cultural and scientific objects, historic photography, and the University Art Collection. 

Officially opened in 2020, the Museum was thoughtfully designed by Johnson Pilton Walker (our Adrian Pilton!). Its primary purpose is to unify these diverse collections within one multidisciplinary institution. The Museum's collections traverse various cultures and periods, ranging from ancient civilisations such as Rome, Greece, and Egypt, to the cultures of First Nations peoples worldwide, with natural history collections and works by prominent contemporary artists.

Our tour guide (or guides) will tell us the story of the modern building and guide us through the eclectic collections.  A very interesting temporary exhibition of the works of the interwar avant-garde Australian painter JM Power will also be viewed.

The guided tour starts at 10.30 and its duration is 75 minutes, after which there will be some time to wander through the museum at leisure. This will be followed by the opportunity for lunch (at own expense) in the museum cafe.

There is a lift available between floors for those who do not wish to use the stairs.

Getting there:

The museum is located close to Parramatta Rd, and is directly across from the Great Hall and Quadrangle lawns. A drop-off bay is available for those arriving by taxi or rideshare companies.

The cost is $20 per person.

Contact person on the day:  Bob Eckstein