Cadman's Cottage
Cadman's Cottage
3.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: The Rocks
The first residents of the Rocks were convicts and sailors from the old nation. As the oldest neighbourhood in the city, the area's cobblestone streets host more than 100 heritage sites and buildings, including the oldest house in Sydney, Camden Cottage, which was built in 1816. Taste a “midi “ or a “schooner” of beer and dine “al fresco” on the waterfront at some of the oldest pubs in Sydney. The weekend markets at the Rocks are where you can find local artists' hand-made souvenirs, organic food and designer jewelry in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. To enjoy some of the best Australian and international contemporary art, the MCA museum is open every day and select evenings. At the end of a long day of sightseeing, be sure to save energy to dance the night away at the area's many late night entertainment venues.
How to get there
- Circular Quay • 4 min walk
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3.5
104 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
45
Average
36
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia8,537 contributions
Nov 2022
Cadman Cottage is reputed to be the 2nd oldest building from the early days of the colony, the oldest being Elizabeth Farm at Rosehill. It has served a number of uses since and is named after John Cadman, a convict who became the fourth Government Coxwain and took up residence in 1827. Limited tours are advertised, yet no one seems to know when they are undertaken, and we had to be satisfied with external views. I liked the simple architecture of the building although not sure if representative of the original. Better information signage would be no doubt appreciated by us visitors and existing signs require renewal as they are becoming very faded.
Written 13 December 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.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,254 contributions
Feb 2022
Walking tours of the historic Sydney Rocks area always stop at Cadman’s Cottage. It also features on ghost tours as it is said to be haunted.
One of the oldest parts of Sydney, the Rocks has more than 100 heritage sites but Cadman Cottage is the oldest residence. Built by convicts in 1816, just 28 years after the very first British settlers stepped foot in Australia, the design was copied from English pattern books and is widely attributed to the famous colonial convict-turned-architect, Francis Greenway.
It is easy to walk past the heritage listed cottage without really noticing it. Even tough it sits on the harbour front, it is set right back and is dwarfed by the surrounding bigger buildings.
What you find here is a sandstone cottage with 4 rooms which accommodated the 4 government coxswains from 1816-1845 (later it was re-purposed for use by Sydney Water Police, then a Sailors’ Home).
The two-storey Georgian-style house originally it sat right on the rocky shore, so close that at high tide, the water would come within a couple of metres from the cottage door. There was a small beach in front of it but land reclamation during the building of Circular Quay pushed the waterline about 100m further back.
Sadly it is looking a little unloved these days, with some damage to the front door and faded information boards out the front. One of them is almost unreadable.
It is open for free tours during very limited times on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 9.45am to 10.15am.
NOTE: If you walk up to the road behind Cadman’s Cottage, you’ll find yourself in the heart of The Rocks which is an interesting area to explore and has lots of options for eating and drinking.
One of the oldest parts of Sydney, the Rocks has more than 100 heritage sites but Cadman Cottage is the oldest residence. Built by convicts in 1816, just 28 years after the very first British settlers stepped foot in Australia, the design was copied from English pattern books and is widely attributed to the famous colonial convict-turned-architect, Francis Greenway.
It is easy to walk past the heritage listed cottage without really noticing it. Even tough it sits on the harbour front, it is set right back and is dwarfed by the surrounding bigger buildings.
What you find here is a sandstone cottage with 4 rooms which accommodated the 4 government coxswains from 1816-1845 (later it was re-purposed for use by Sydney Water Police, then a Sailors’ Home).
The two-storey Georgian-style house originally it sat right on the rocky shore, so close that at high tide, the water would come within a couple of metres from the cottage door. There was a small beach in front of it but land reclamation during the building of Circular Quay pushed the waterline about 100m further back.
Sadly it is looking a little unloved these days, with some damage to the front door and faded information boards out the front. One of them is almost unreadable.
It is open for free tours during very limited times on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 9.45am to 10.15am.
NOTE: If you walk up to the road behind Cadman’s Cottage, you’ll find yourself in the heart of The Rocks which is an interesting area to explore and has lots of options for eating and drinking.
Written 28 February 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.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Jan 2021
Cadman's Cottage is a lovely historic little building which is located almost right on the water at Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings and is heritage protected.
Written 1 February 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.
SAB5859
Banff, UK4,716 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Nice old building across from the overseas cruise terminal. The cottage wasn’t open while we were visiting Sydney but it was a popular stop for walking tours and tourists.
Seemingly the cottage is haunted.
Seemingly the cottage is haunted.
Written 20 February 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.
stanfordgrimes
Boston, MA9 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
We went on 2 separate days during the hours listed as open and no one was there. I finally called the Park services and after 10 min on hold and a phone conversation that seemed like it was out of Monty Python, they admitted that it must be permanently closed. Don't waste a trip there, although you'll likely see it on the way to other things in the Rocks.
Written 21 February 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.
Dennis M
Virginia225 contributions
Apr 2017
You might be satisfied simply reading the signage outside the cottage. Note the boundaries near the street denoting the original edge of the harbor before it extended out to where it is today. And if you do go inside, image what it must have been like living in that dark, dank building, with so little privacy.
It is said that Cadman's widow haunts the structure. I couldn't say one way or the other, but I can say that the interior, seen at night, is spooky.
If you decide to take the tour, I would recommend a visit as late in the day as you can go, as then you can fully appreciate the dismal living conditions of the era. Perhaps you'll meet Mrs. Cadman....
It is said that Cadman's widow haunts the structure. I couldn't say one way or the other, but I can say that the interior, seen at night, is spooky.
If you decide to take the tour, I would recommend a visit as late in the day as you can go, as then you can fully appreciate the dismal living conditions of the era. Perhaps you'll meet Mrs. Cadman....
Written 12 May 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.
MWandAW
North Sydney, Australia3,668 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Wikipedia tells us that "Cadman's Cottage is the second oldest surviving residential building in Sydney, Australia, having been built in 1816 for the use of the governmental coxswains and their crews". Oddly enough, the sign at the side of the building claims it to be the oldest. Nevertheless, it is the first historic building that disembarking passengers see, when they come ashore at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. You need to be astute to see the inside, as it is only open on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month between 10.00am and 10.30 am. Entry is free. Unfortunately like most, I visited on a different day, though with only thirty minutes viewing time, their must be little to see inside. It's not a must see then, but it is unique, if you are there at the right time. I note that most of us take the same photo and it is rare to capture a unique shot. I hope you can stop for a few moments on your busy sightseeing schedule, to view this little piece of Sydney's history.
Written 29 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.
Lucy H
Denpasar, Indonesia110 contributions
I admitted to be little confused too.. Since we have no idea what kind of house that we went to..there was a signage infront of the house but there were too many people around so we can't read what was actually stated on the sign :( but I red one of the travellers said that the house was is on the list of a ghost tour and I just felt relieved!!!! that we haven't know that on the first place! Otherwise I would freak out myself! :( Still a nice house and worth to visit when you're in The Rocks!
Written 6 August 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.
Carole R
Edinburgh170 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
According to the websites I looked at it is open to the public Monday to Sunday at varying times but when I got there it was closed and when I asked at The Rocks visitor center they seemed surpised anyone would be trying to get in there. I did eventually manage to visit by going on a ghost tour. The tour was very interesting and we got into so many buildings we hadn't expected too, it gave a little added extra to my day but because it hadn't been on my original plan, I was really tired to end up on a tour that lasted late into the night. That said, if you only want to walk past and read the information boards, it does give you a surpising insight into the area in 1816.
Written 24 June 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.
midway42
Georgia3,422 contributions
Cadman's cottage was built in 1816 as part of the Government dockyard to house the officer responsible for government boats, their operations, and crews. It is widely considered one of Sydney's oldest buildings and I believe the oldest surviving residential structure in the city.
As a tourist attraction it is a bit on the small side with fairly average displays. A small historical exhibition covering the history of the building with a couple archeological sites in between encompasses the main attraction for visitors.
Admission is free, so you can't really argue with that but this is best viewed in context of a tour of the surrounding area ('The Rocks') and is a bit standard as an independent tourist site.
As a tourist attraction it is a bit on the small side with fairly average displays. A small historical exhibition covering the history of the building with a couple archeological sites in between encompasses the main attraction for visitors.
Admission is free, so you can't really argue with that but this is best viewed in context of a tour of the surrounding area ('The Rocks') and is a bit standard as an independent tourist site.
Written 6 March 2010
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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