iJustice & Police Museum
Housed in Sydney's former Water Police Station, courts and cells built between 1854 and 1886, the Justice & Police Museum traces the city's history of crime, punishment and policing. Highlights include the atmospheric 1890s charge room and holding cells, forensic photography drawn from the NSW Police archive, and stories of bushrangers, sly grog and razor gangs. Run by Museums of History NSW, it opens on weekends and daily during NSW school holidays.
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What's On
Permanent Collections
Water Police Court, Charge Room & Cells
The museum's 1890s heart: an imposing magistrate's courtroom, original charge room and a corridor of holding cells restored to their busiest era.
City of Shadows: Inner-City Crime & Mayhem 1912-1948
Haunting NSW Police forensic mugshots and crime-scene photographs from 1912-1948, the museum's most popular display since it opened in 2005.
NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive
Around 130,000 glass-plate and film negatives shot by NSW Police between 1910 and 1964, salvaged from a flooded warehouse and now digitised.
Plan Your Visit
Getting there
Corner Albert & Phillip Streets, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Nearest station: Circular Quay Station and Wynyard Station
Show on mapHours
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | Closed |
| Fri | Closed |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| SunToday | 10:00–17:00 |
Admission
Free
General entry is free; free 30-minute guided tours run at 11am and 2:30pm (capacity 20).
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Visitor Information
- Is Justice & Police Museum free to visit?
- Yes, general admission to Justice & Police Museum is free. General entry is free; free 30-minute guided tours run at 11am and 2:30pm (capacity 20).. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
- What are the opening hours of Justice & Police Museum?
- Justice & Police Museum is open Open Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm; open daily 10am-5pm during NSW school holidays (e.g. 26 Sep-9 Oct 2026). Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is Justice & Police Museum?
- Justice & Police Museum is located at Corner Albert & Phillip Streets, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia, in the Circular Quay area of Sydney. The nearest stations are Circular Quay Station and Wynyard Station.
- What can I see at Justice & Police Museum?
- Sydney's 1850s water police station and courthouse, now packed with mugshots, forensic photos and preserved 1890s holding cells. Current highlights include Water Police Court, Charge Room & Cells, City of Shadows: Inner-City Crime & Mayhem 1912-1948 and NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive.
- Do I need to book Justice & Police Museum in advance?
- Justice & Police Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. General entry is free; free 30-minute guided tours run at 11am and 2:30pm (capacity 20).. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
- When is the best time to visit Justice & Police Museum?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Image credits
5
- Justice & Police Museumsv1ambo, CC BY 2.0
- Museum of SydneyElekhh, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museum of Contemporary Art AustraliaTony Hisgett / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- State Library of New South WalesBidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sydney ObservatoryDicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0