I went to the Seaside Stroller Tour at the Australian National Maritime Museum, and I loved it! It’s a monthly program for babies from 0 to 18 months and their carers, with a guided tour of the exhibitions followed by sensory playtime.
It costs $25 per adult when I booked, babies are free, and a drink is included. It fills up quickly, when I booked there were only two morning sessions left, on 17 October, so if you’re interested, don’t leave it too late. We’ll definitely go again, because the theme changes every month. Here’s what we did.
How it works
There are two parts. First, an educator takes the carers and babies on a tour of the exhibitions, and then everyone moves to a sensory playtime with the babies. You can bring your pram, use a front pack or a sling, and breastfeeding is welcome. When you book, make sure you also choose a free baby ticket for your baby, so the museum knows how many are coming.
Part one, the tour
A professional guide led us around the museum, with all of us pushing our babies in strollers, and told us about Australia’s maritime history, mostly from an Indigenous perspective.
My favourite part was a room with a circular projection, showing Aboriginal stories about how people used the sky to organise their day. The images included the stars and the sea, and it was so beautiful. My baby was free to crawl around and explore the room, which made it even better.
Part two, sensory playtime
After the tour there’s a sensory playtime, where parents and babies play together. The museum provides the space and lots of sensory toys.
There were so many that my baby didn’t know where to start, so I had to lead the way, but it was good, and the babies got to play with each other too. You also get a free drink, which you order yourself.
What’s included and what it costs
It was $25 for each adult, babies are free, and the ticket includes a drink and admission to the special exhibitions that day, so you can wander in and out of them without paying extra.
The museum also lists a lower price for members. Prices change, so check the museum’s booking page for the current price.
The facilities
There’s a parent room, and it was quite clean.
Getting there
We caught the light rail from Central to Pyrmont Bay, and when you get off, the museum is straight across the road. It’s at 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour.
The next sessions
The museum’s page lists the next sessions for November, an Ocean Photographer of the Year tour with a Sensory Jungle play theme, on Monday 23, Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 November, at 10:30am, 11:30am or 12:30pm. If you missed this month, you can still catch the next one.
Is it worth it
Yes! If you haven’t been, it’s a lovely thing to do with a young baby, you get a guided tour, some adult conversation, a coffee and a play. If the theme changes, I’d go again. Book early, choose a baby ticket for your little one, and bring a change of clothes and some snacks.
For more ideas in the city, have a look at our museums and galleries list and our guide to public transport in Australia, and our things to do with kids guide.