Museum of Fire

The Museum of Fire in Penrith

I think I’ve been wanting to take the kids to the Museum of Fire since we first went to the Blue Mountains. Almost three years of waiting. That’s a looong wait. Finally, my husband relented and we got to visit the Museum of Fire on our recent trip to Penrith.

If you’re in the area or thinking about spending a day in the Penrith or Jamistown area, the Museum of Fire is a great addition to your trip!

The Museum of Fire

 

I think I’ve been wanting to take the kids to the Museum of Fire since we first went to the Blue Mountains. Almost three years of waiting. That’s a looong wait. Finally, my husband relented and we got to visit the Museum of Fire on our recent trip to Penrith. If you’re in the area or thinking about spending a day in the Penrith or Jamistown area, the Museum of Fire is a great addition to your trip!

Where is the Museum of Fire in Sydney

The Museum of Fire is located at 1 Museum Drive, Penrith. There is ample onsite parking. This may be compromised on days when they are hosting car or truck displays.

Just check their website before you visit, so you know what to expect.

 

Museum of Fire Features 

The Museum Itself

The museum is housed in a massive old power station that was built to help Sydney overcome the power shortages following WW2. It’s an impressive building, Heritage listed, but is freezing cold.

Make sure everyone is dressed warmly. I was wearing a beanie, jacket, scarf and gloves when we visited in winter. 

It’s very easy to see all the Museum features. You start at the entrance and follow the loop that winds through the museum to the exit.

The museum is outdated in some areas but it’s still really interesting and has an incredible collection. There are so many different vehicles. I even noticed an old fire engine canteen truck. There is even a section dedicated to all the horses that pulled the early fire engines.

The trucks on display have been maintained perfectly. I can foresee another visit in the future, when my dad is next visiting.

I took so many photos I think I’m going to have to create a separate gallery for the Museum of Fire. 

The Museum of Fire in Penrith houses an incredible collection of vintage fire engines, fire exhibits and even things for the little ones. This post is our review and gives you insight into what to expect and a few tips for before you visit.

Kids Map Trail 

Kids are given the option of grabbing a card from the museum shop and looking for the items on the card through the museum. If you manage to find all the items on the card, you get a prize when you return to the shop at the end.

There are two different cards – one for smaller kids  up to the age of 7 called the A Fire Spotting Trail. The other is for kids aged 8 to 14 and I think its referred to as a Scavenger Hunt.

Kids area – “Junior firefighters Training Area”

If you’re looking for the kids area, just head towards the direction of the fireman Sam music.

The main feature of this area is the 5 big trucks for the kids to drive. For smaller kids, toddler size, there are also 4 smaller replicas to get play in.

There are also some puzzles, colouring in and a “night training game”. They’re a bit worn but still keep the kids busy.

According to the Museum of Fire website there is a Junior Firefighters Audio Tour Challenge. I understand that it can be downloaded from their website before or during your visit. Unfortunately, we didn’t know about this so didn’t get a chance to do this. If you do, or have in the past, please let me know what it is like. I would love to know.

Fire Engine Rides

I’m so sad we didn’t get to do this!!

If you’re really lucky and visit on a day it’s happening, you can ride on a vintage 1960s fire engine.

Just note that rides will cost you an additional $3 per person.

You must call before your visit to confirm fire engine rides are being offered because it’s subject to volunteer drivers being available.

 

The Museum of Fire in Penrith houses an incredible collection of vintage fire engines, fire exhibits and even things for the little ones. This post is our review and gives you insight into what to expect and a few tips for before you visit.

Age suitability 

If you’re visiting the Museum of Fire for the kids sake, smaller kids will get the most benefit out of it.

I think that the perfect age to visit the museum is 3 and 4 years old. Our 3 year old princess loved playing and pretending to put out fires and drive the trucks.

For adults, the whole museum is very interesting, if you like history. It’s packed with information and exhibits. From the vehicles to the district station records that have been preserved from 1910 and the “new” alarm systems installed in Sydney in 1890.

Did you know that there are on average 102 home fires in NSW every week.

The Museum of Fire in Penrith houses an incredible collection of vintage fire engines, fire exhibits and even things for the little ones. This post is our review and gives you insight into what to expect and a few tips for before you visit.

Museum of Fire Facilities 

Access for all

I love that the Museum of Fire wants to make sure that everyone can visit! They’ve made sure that:

  • there are Accessible toilets inside and outside the Museum; and
  • Service dogs are welcome.

The whole museum is on one level so you can definitely take a wheelchair or a pram through it.

Bathrooms

There are bathrooms and a mother’s room. I didn’t go into these so unfortunately I can’t tell you what they’re like inside.

Playground

I spotted a small playground on the left hand side of the car park. It’s one of those old school metal playgrounds. Not very exciting still worth a mention.

Food

You can buy a soda or water from the shop but there is no cafe unfortunately.

I saw a few picnic tables dotted around, a few just outside the entrance and some more next to the playground.

 

Opening Hours and Tickets

The Museum of Fire is open 7 days per week from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

It is however Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Tickets

The ticket prices are considerably cheaper than most Sydney attractions.

  • Adult $12NSW
  • Seniors Card holders pension & concession $9
  • Child (2-13yrs) $6
  • Student card holder (14-18yrs) $6
  • Children under 2 FREE

 

If you’re in Penrith you should also see if you can book a cruise on the Nepean Belle. It’s a gorgeous old SternWheeler. We visited recently and loved it – you can read that post here. And, if you’re South African expats like us, be sure to check out the Spur too!!