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The Penrith Museum of Printing is a working letterpress museum set up as a 1940s print shop, open to the public every Sunday from 10am to 2pm (or by appointment). Entry is $5 for adults and free for children, and you can see 19th-century machinery in action, pull a proof of your own, or book a one-day letterpress workshop for $125 per person. It suits anyone curious about how printing worked from Gutenberg's era through to the 1980s, and it's a practical option if you want hands-on time with real presses rather than a static display.

Where it is and when to go

• Address: Mulgoa Rd & Ransley St, Penrith NSW 2750
• Regular opening: Every Sunday, 10am–2pm, or by appointment
• Entry: $5 adult, children free
• Getting there: Plenty of free parking right next to the museum, or catch the Blue Mountains train to Penrith and then a bus or a 15-minute walk

If you're planning around a specific event, check the dates below, since the museum also opens at different hours for festivals.

What you can see and do

The museum is fully operational rather than a behind-glass collection. You can watch 19th-century machinery running and, in the museum's own words, "perhaps pull a proof of your own." The setting is a 1940s print shop, so the equipment, type, and presses are arranged as a working environment.

Hands-on options include:

• Pulling a proof during a visit, particularly at special events where souvenirs are printed for visitors
• One-day letterpress workshops, including Typography, Poster, and Adana workshops
• Group tours, which can be booked in advance
• Private events, if you want a unique venue for a party, meeting, or gathering

Workshops: what to expect

The museum's popular letterpress workshops are open for registration now.

Spots are limited, so the museum advises contacting them immediately to secure your place and planning ahead.

Special events in 2026

The museum runs and joins several events through the year:

• Heritage Trades & Traditional Crafts Fair — Sunday, 13 September, 10am–3pm at Wollondilly Heritage Centre & Museum. The museum will print souvenirs for visitors on an 1890 Pearl treadle and an ADANA press.
• Penrith Highland Festival — Saturday, 3 October 2026. To mark the inaugural festival, the Australian Museum of Printing opens from 8am to 5pm, with 19th-century machinery in action and the chance to pull your own proof.
• Rare Book Week 2026 — Saturday, 24 October, 11am–1pm. This is the fourth year the museum has hosted it; further details are to follow.

How to book

Bookings for tours, workshops, and events are taken online or by phone. For direct contact:

• Phone: 0408 412 708 (Bob)
• Email: [email protected]

The museum recommends emailing or calling ahead for group tours "to avoid disappointment." You can also become a member if you want ongoing involvement.

Common questions

Do I need to book just to visit? No — the museum is open to the public every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, or by appointment. Booking ahead matters most for group tours, workshops, and events.

Is it suitable for children? Children enter free, and the working presses and hands-on proof-pulling make it a visual, active visit rather than a quiet gallery.

What if I can't come on a Sunday? Appointments are available, so contact the museum by phone or email to arrange a time.