Government House
Government House
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Full view
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
The Sydney Central Business District is abuzz with energy. Power brokers run to and from high rise buildings and after-work drink places, high-end shoppers tour venues like the QVB, and fine diners frequent the many celebrity chef restaurants. For a dose of culture, walk to the NSW Art Gallery, or visit the Sydney Museum. To escape the hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature at the Sydney Botanical Gardens or picnic lunch at High Park. No matter your interest, be sure to check the full calendar of events hosted by the city, from the Sydney Festival in January to October’s Good Food Month at Hyde Park.
How to get there
- Circular Quay • 6 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
275 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
94
Average
29
Poor
2
Terrible
1
B T
London, UK1,214 contributions
Oct 2022
The building is old and in a victorian style and set in nice gardens. You can also go inside, but only on a guided tour. They are free and you just turn up. The guide was very informative and the tour was very good, it was great to see the interior and I would recommend doing.
Written 23 October 2022
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.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,293 contributions
Mar 2021
This very grand building is near the Royal Botanical Gardens and also has an address of Conservatorium Road. It was built in 1837-1843 and is on the State Heritage Register.It is the vice regal residence of the Governor of NSW. It was residence of the Governor of Australia from 1901-1914
Written 26 April 2021
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.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,592 contributions
Dec 2022
This striking building was built in Gothic Revival style between 1837 and 1843. It is located adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, overlooking Sydney Harbor. Government House is the residence of the Governor of New South Wales. This Vice Regal Residence is Heritage listed.
Written 23 January 2023
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.
roy v
Traralgon, Australia5,940 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We did the tour of Government House on a Friday at 1.30pm.
It is open on certain days during the week only for the free tours. The tours go at regular times during the day.
The tour took about 45 minutes.
Government House is situated in the lovely Botanical Gardens beside Sydney Harbour so it is a good chance to walk the gardens before or after the house tour.
You enter Government House through gates into it’s own beautiful gardens, you go to the Guard House / office just inside the gates and pick up your ticket, you will need to show some form of photo identification to get a ticket and you have to leaves bags at the office.
You then walk down the driveway to the big entry of the house.
You will be met there by the tour guide who will take you into the house right on tour time .
Our guide was called Con, not sure but maybe he takes all the tours .
He was well spoken-and easy to understand during the tour of the house. He gave a good rundown on the history of the house from the first Governor to the present one .
The house is quite grand as you could imagine, typical of these types of homes everywhere.
Con kept the tour moving at a good pace, photos were allowed.
After the tour we were welcome to look around the gardens by ourselves, very nice, good toilet facilities in the garden area for visitors use.
It is open on certain days during the week only for the free tours. The tours go at regular times during the day.
The tour took about 45 minutes.
Government House is situated in the lovely Botanical Gardens beside Sydney Harbour so it is a good chance to walk the gardens before or after the house tour.
You enter Government House through gates into it’s own beautiful gardens, you go to the Guard House / office just inside the gates and pick up your ticket, you will need to show some form of photo identification to get a ticket and you have to leaves bags at the office.
You then walk down the driveway to the big entry of the house.
You will be met there by the tour guide who will take you into the house right on tour time .
Our guide was called Con, not sure but maybe he takes all the tours .
He was well spoken-and easy to understand during the tour of the house. He gave a good rundown on the history of the house from the first Governor to the present one .
The house is quite grand as you could imagine, typical of these types of homes everywhere.
Con kept the tour moving at a good pace, photos were allowed.
After the tour we were welcome to look around the gardens by ourselves, very nice, good toilet facilities in the garden area for visitors use.
Written 18 May 2024
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.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,592 contributions
June 2022
Government House is a grand Gothic Revival mansion which is the Office and Official Residence of the Governor of New South Wales. Government House dates from 1836, and is built alongside the Botanic Garden, overlooking Sydney Harbour. Government House is open from time to time, it's well worth a visit. Check on opening times before you go.
Written 2 August 2022
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.
Rochelle F
Randolph, NJ1,140 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We happened to see there was a tour when we were in the gardens so decided to take it. The free tour lasts about 45 minutes and is of the first floor. You can go only on Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 10;30 to 3 pm. There is some interesting furniture and the rooms are used for meeting foreign dignitaries and other government functions.
Written 14 January 2024
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.
CasandraTP
Sydney, Australia3,983 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Hidden in the botanical gardens, Government House is definitely worth a visit. If you are lucky enough, do the tour and hear the rich history this beautiful building has to offer. The gardens are also a beautiful place to stop and relax.
Written 18 March 2023
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.
john w
Smyrna, DE10 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
NSW Government House is beautifully situated in the Royal Botanical Gardens - a short walk from the Sydney Opera House. Our tour started punctually and the contents of the building were impressive and interesting. Unfortunately, our young guide, who confessed during his extended and self indulgent introductory remarks, that he was not Australian but was a native of Philadelphia, which, of course, is no impediment but which intruded into his commentary on Australian political history in the form of lame gags about the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne and other obfuscatory and self aggrandizing anecdotes. Tour spoiled by guide.
Everything else was great - we got "concession" pricing by showing our US driver's licence (proving that I was over 65 - and they included my under 65 wife).
Everything else was great - we got "concession" pricing by showing our US driver's licence (proving that I was over 65 - and they included my under 65 wife).
Written 18 December 2014
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.
Titus D
Sri Lanka6,908 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
If you like local history, you must visit the Government House with free entrance. But admission to house and gardens is depend on what functions are being held there.
The Government House is in the Botanic Gardens just a short walk from the Opera House, or you can just walk in from Macquarie Street. It is a stately building, beautifully appointed in the heart of Sydney, home of the appointed NSW Governor.
It is a beautiful building, the grounds, fabulous views of the garden and the wonderful contents. The volunteers know so much about everything here.
They loved talking to us, and make it so interesting.
Find the magnificent Moreton Bay fig tree near front entrance planted in 1845 which is just stunning.
Check up on opening times. Normally the gardens are open daily (10am-4pm) and tours of the house are on Fridays to Sundays only (10.30-3.0pm). However they may close earlier depending on the functions they have.
The decor and elegance is outstanding and it is a magnificent place. The grounds are very nice to walk around in. Concerts and events are held there often.
The view from the terrace is wonderful.
It is absolutely well worth the visit- even just for the glorious gardens and their magical views down to the harbour.
We were taken through two entrance lobbies or halls, the Governor's office, the dining room, two drawing rooms and the ballroom. The architecture, interior decoration, furnishings and artifacts (clocks, ornaments, china, glassware etc) were both impressive and fascinating.We weren't allowed upstairs but even so felt we had been given a generous opportunity to view the main state rooms of the interior. No photographs allowed inside either, but you are free to photograph the gardens and the house from outside.
The inside and outside of the house is just gorgeous. The tour is only of the downstairs since it is an actual place of work.I think it is a must see if somebody is visiting the Botanical Gardens.
The Government House is in the Botanic Gardens just a short walk from the Opera House, or you can just walk in from Macquarie Street. It is a stately building, beautifully appointed in the heart of Sydney, home of the appointed NSW Governor.
It is a beautiful building, the grounds, fabulous views of the garden and the wonderful contents. The volunteers know so much about everything here.
They loved talking to us, and make it so interesting.
Find the magnificent Moreton Bay fig tree near front entrance planted in 1845 which is just stunning.
Check up on opening times. Normally the gardens are open daily (10am-4pm) and tours of the house are on Fridays to Sundays only (10.30-3.0pm). However they may close earlier depending on the functions they have.
The decor and elegance is outstanding and it is a magnificent place. The grounds are very nice to walk around in. Concerts and events are held there often.
The view from the terrace is wonderful.
It is absolutely well worth the visit- even just for the glorious gardens and their magical views down to the harbour.
We were taken through two entrance lobbies or halls, the Governor's office, the dining room, two drawing rooms and the ballroom. The architecture, interior decoration, furnishings and artifacts (clocks, ornaments, china, glassware etc) were both impressive and fascinating.We weren't allowed upstairs but even so felt we had been given a generous opportunity to view the main state rooms of the interior. No photographs allowed inside either, but you are free to photograph the gardens and the house from outside.
The inside and outside of the house is just gorgeous. The tour is only of the downstairs since it is an actual place of work.I think it is a must see if somebody is visiting the Botanical Gardens.
Written 11 June 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.
MartinTheRaptorman
Campbellton, Canada29 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
Visits are with tours only, but are free. Tours run every hour and a half, and only accommodate 20 people. Not necessary if you don't have time, but worth it if you do. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable.
Written 1 September 2015
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.
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