The Museum of Fire is in Penrith to the west of Sydney. We went there as we were looking for something to do after a trip to Katoomba the day before. Spotting the entrance is easy because of the fire engine on a pole out the front.

As well as a first-rate collection of fire engines, the Museum is an educational centre on fire prevention. The fire prevention is primarily aimed at children, but is also relevant to adults. It highlights fire risks around the home as well as bush fire risks. There is a video that screens in the cinema which focuses on bush-fire prevention which makes excellent viewing.

The collection of fire engines stretches back to the horse-drawn and hand pumped units of the 1800s on to steam-powered pumps and the modern fire engines of today.

Everything is logically set out in a timeline from oldest to newest. This lets you see how firefighting techniques have advanced over more than a century.

A fantastic place to visit, although it will help if you like fire engines.

For other places to visit in New South Wales, please read some of our other stories.

Photos From the Extensive Collection of Fire Engines

Click on the picture for a full size view.