Elizabeth Bay House
Elizabeth Bay House
4.5
About
With commanding views over Sydney Harbour, Elizabeth Bay House gleams like a Greek temple. Once surrounded by famous landscaped gardens, it is one of the most splendid private houses ever built in Australia and still arouses our delight and astonishment. Its elegant rooms and fine proportions, sweeping staircase and lavish furnishings reveal the tastes and aspirations of its original owner, Alexander Macleay, after the governor, the most important public official in colonial Sydney. But it was his magnificent gardens which most keenly expressed his tastes and passions, and in the economic downturn of the 1840s pushed him towards ruin. Elizabeth Bay House is an iconic Sydney home, with an iconic Sydney back-story of obsession for property and position stretched beyond means and undone by changing financial times. Explore the house on your own or ask for a guided tour. Note that if you are making a special trip for a guided tour, please call to ensure there is a guide available.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City East
How to get there
- Kings Cross • 9 min walk
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4.5
73 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
26
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Michael N
Lawson, Australia1,163 contributions
Dec 2019
The architecture of this building is outstanding and compares well with Vaucluse House although from a slightly different period. The furniture is appropriate for the building and beautifully displayed. There are a series of information plaques on the second floor.The view of the harbour is spectacular and you can only imagine what it must have been like when the house had it's full curtilage.
Cheap entry for seniors and the young lady at the counter was very welcoming and helpful. Take the documentation for the self guided tour which gives you time to take in the splendour of the place at your own pace.
A real "must see" when you visit Sydney.
Cheap entry for seniors and the young lady at the counter was very welcoming and helpful. Take the documentation for the self guided tour which gives you time to take in the splendour of the place at your own pace.
A real "must see" when you visit Sydney.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GiulianaSydney
Sydney, Australia93 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
Elizabeth Bay House is situated in what is now a very built up area of inner Sydney, at Potts Point/Elizabeth Bay. But having siad this it's a MUST SEE when in Sydney as it's a fine example of our most elegant house in the early colony. Designed by John Verge and famous for it's beuatiful cantilevered stairs case and huge dome ceiling. One can take themseleves past back to the Colony of Sydney by just walking thru the door. Compared to the other Historic Houses of Sydney this is the finest example of STYLE & GRACE of the period. Parking is a little difficult so give yourself a little time for that it's really beast to come by public transport (bus) if possible. The guides at the house are 1st class and they truely show their love of this fine home.
Situated in what was once the finest area of Sydney the views to the Harbour are worth the visit alone.......especially from the upstairs bedrooms..WOW. Give yourself at least 1 1/2 hours to explore this most beautiful historical home of one of the most interesting early settler families of Sydney.
Situated in what was once the finest area of Sydney the views to the Harbour are worth the visit alone.......especially from the upstairs bedrooms..WOW. Give yourself at least 1 1/2 hours to explore this most beautiful historical home of one of the most interesting early settler families of Sydney.
Written 20 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen W
Sunshine Coast, Australia13 contributions
Nov 2016
A trip back in time to visit this beautiful home. Such an interesting history lesson with amazing views of beautiful Elizabeth Bay.
Written 8 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mccorquinn
Gold Coast, Australia952 contributions
I used to live within 100 metres of this John Verge-designed mansion, which has been lovingly and faithfully restored to its pre-eminent glory. It overlooks the sparkling waters of Elizabeth Bay, another reason to visit. The government bus drops you very close by.
Written 23 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulLondonTraveller
London, UK143 contributions
Jan 2012 • Solo
I have just visited as I had a couple of hours to kill before my flight and am 2 mins from the House. Very happy I had the time as was worth seeing. After asking one quick question on the way out, I was then shown around for another 30 minutes to the Servents quarters (usually not open to the public) by a very nice and well informed lady. She gave me a lot of detail on the history of the family and was very interesting. $8 tio get in and worth a visit if you're in the Potts Point/Kings Cross area.
Written 4 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emanpee
Sydney, Australia2,731 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Elizabeth Bay House is an easily accessible property from Sydney CBD - by foot (20-30 minutes), train (Kings Cross station 10-15 minute walk) or bus (311 drops 5 mins away). Care - only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Built between 1835-1839, it is a great example of how the wealthy and influential lived in Sydney 50 years after first British settlement. Being able to compare what started as a 54 acre farm and garden harbour setting, to now the most densely populated inner city suburb, is most interesting. There is an 18 minute introductory video running continuously which is a good way to start your self guided tour. Rooms have a good selection of period furnishings and staff are helpful in answering any questions. While ground and first floor areas are obvious, make sure to also go into the rear garden and down into the cellars via stairs on both sides or rear passage.
Written 11 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FridayOnMyMindSydney
Sydney, Australia81 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Well maintained, easy access by public transport, the interesting guided tour is highly recommended. Combine with a visit to Kings Cross market or before a show at Hayes Theater.
Written 2 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine T
Kingsbridge, UK350 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
This is worth visiting if you have a Sydney Museum pass. There is an 18 minutes orientation film which actually tells you all about the house.
We did find the house very hot as the windows were not open.
We did find the house very hot as the windows were not open.
Written 19 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JBoice
Fredericksburg, VA27 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
I arrived in Sydney on a Sunday, and this was the first place I visited. Well worth it! If you are interested in architecture and history, this is a wonderful museum to visit.
Written 6 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cakawilson7
Lord Howe Island, Australia47 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
This is a fine old house of colonial times. Built by Alexander McLeod it is a site to behold with it's sweeping staircase to the domed ceiling. When you walk through the door you walk back in time. The tables are set ready for dinner. The study looks as if Alexander has just stepped out.
The guides are well informed and passionate about the history of the house. I would recommend the video that is screened in the basement...so very interesting. Elizabeth Bay House is a quiet 10 minute walk from Kings Cross Station.
The guides are well informed and passionate about the history of the house. I would recommend the video that is screened in the basement...so very interesting. Elizabeth Bay House is a quiet 10 minute walk from Kings Cross Station.
Written 23 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tahlee02
Sydney, Australia
Any idea where I can park on a Sunday please Love to take daughter here for birthday - big history buff
Written 15 August 2016
Probably in the road outside plenty of room when we were there in February though it was midweek.
Written 18 August 2016
In Sydney which is the better museum to visit the Elizabeth Bay House or the Vaucluse House?
Ive already visited the Hyde Park Barracks and thought of visiting a house museum this time round. Don't have time to visit both museums so have to pick between one. I know very little about australia’s colonial heritage but would love to learn more!
Written 2 August 2016
Quite a choice Government House is very accessible in The Botanic Gardens but take ID to be allowed in and it is free. Vaucluse House is very interesting as is Elizabeth House though the latter is rather tired as the Australians need to take more care of their history.
Written 3 August 2016
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