Jessica Glass was married at a restored Baptist church at Pioneer Park Museum, which can also be booked for wedding and events. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith Council is asking residents whether free entry to Pioneer Park Museum for locals should continue, after a trial arrangement attracted more local visitors but came at a cost of almost $8000.
Throughout 2026, residents living in postcodes 2680 and 2681 have been able to visit the museum free of charge instead of paying the usual $15 adult admission fee.
The initiative was designed to encourage more locals to explore the open-air museum and early figures suggest it has succeeded.
The museum recorded 162 local visitors during the first quarter of 2026, compared with just 30 over the same period in 2025, when the museum was closed throughout January, and 83 in the first quarter of 2024.
However, a council report estimates the trial has cost $7778 through lost admission revenue, additional staff training, marketing and administration.
With the trial now passing its six-month mark, Griffith Council has launched a community survey seeking feedback on whether free entry should continue and whether it has encouraged more people to visit.
“By removing cost as a barrier, we hoped to see more residents enjoying Pioneer Park Museum and connecting with our local heritage,” Mayor Doug Curran said.
“This survey will give us valuable insight into how the trial is working, what’s encouraging people to visit and what improvements the community would like to see moving forward.”
The push to attract more local visitors is being weighed against the council’s tight financial position, which has already seen it introduce paid parking at the airport for the first time as part of efforts to boost revenue.
The museum, which opened in 1971 at 40 Remembrance Drive, is home to a collection of historic buildings relocated from across the region, including Griffith’s first hospital and post office. The site also hosts weddings and other functions.
At a recent museum committee meeting, long-time volunteer Dennis Couch raised concerns that the free entry initiative had not been advertised widely enough.
Museum manager Jenny O’Donnell responded that the promotion had included a media release, radio advertising, billboard advertising, Facebook posts and information published on the Griffith Pioneer Park Museum website.
Griffith’s first hospital has been transported to Pioneer Park Museum. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
The committee also discussed ways to attract more visitors through additional night-time events, while tackling another growing challenge — kangaroos.
“The kangaroo population within the Museum grounds has also increased significantly in recent times and is creating operational, maintenance and WHS concerns,” Ms O’Donnell wrote in a report.
“The increase in numbers has resulted in damage to lawns and gardens, increased mowing requirements and large volumes of droppings throughout public areas, requiring additional cleaning and grounds maintenance.
“As part of broader investigations into management options, preliminary discussions have also occurred with a locally licensed and certified shooter experienced in kangaroo population management for councils, golf clubs and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. No decisions have been made regarding this option at this stage.”
The community survey on the Griffith Pioneer Park Museum free entry trial can be completed online before 31 July.
