Susannah Place
Susannah Place
4.5
About
Much of Sydney was built by immigrants, and this terrace of four tiny houses stands as a resilient reminder. Nestled in the heart of Sydney’s famous Rocks district, it has been home to more than 100 families over 150 years. Built by Irish immigrants in 1844, it has survived largely unchanged through the slum clearances and redevelopments of the past century, and today tells the stories of the working families who called this place and this neighbourhood home. View the laundry copper, backyard dunny, worn lino, tiny kitchens and crowded living quarters when you visit this rare surviving example of a working class terrace. Then stock up on sweets in the old corner shop. Open Thursday to Saturday, 10am–5pm. Museum access is by guided tour only. Tours can be booked online.
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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 • 5 min walk
- Wynyard • 9 min walk
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4.5
351 reviews
Excellent
221
Very good
103
Average
18
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,632 contributions
Feb 2022
Disappointingly, this small museum was shut, with a sign saying that it was temporarily closed until further notice. The rating is low only because there was no other information and even online, I couldn’t find any re-opening date.
The website indicates that it was due to co-vid restrictions but other museums have all since re-opened.
It’s a unique little museum in the historic Rocks of Sydney. What makes it special, is that it’s housed in an early colonial building (1844) which incredibly, has barely changed. It’s almost like time travel.
The building held a corner grocery store and 4 working class terraces. Over the years, somehow, the it managed to escape demolition and miraculously, all the original features, including bathrooms, laundries with coppers, and tiny kitchens were never ripped out or gutted. What you get here is a very clear picture of life in the 19th century colony.
However there is little to see from the outside.
As you’d expect from 19th century workers cottages, the building is simple and unadorned.
At the front is an inscription which reads 'Susannah Place Anno Domini 1844’ and a small display of vintage tins and chinaware is in one window but you can’t even peer into any windows.
The building is cut into the bedrock of the sloping site. A set of stairs runs down the side which means you can see 3 sides of the building.
The building itself is mainly colonial bond brickwork. Some of the window sills are dressed sandstone, although most are timber. At the back, there is a dodgy looking wooden addition, built in simpler times when there was no need for Council DA or approval and you could just whack up whatever you liked.
NOTE: Across the road, you can visit The Big Dig, which is an open archaeological excavation of some 30 convict homes and businesses (see separate review). Only a small part is open for display but it is free and the public can wander through (see separate review).
The website indicates that it was due to co-vid restrictions but other museums have all since re-opened.
It’s a unique little museum in the historic Rocks of Sydney. What makes it special, is that it’s housed in an early colonial building (1844) which incredibly, has barely changed. It’s almost like time travel.
The building held a corner grocery store and 4 working class terraces. Over the years, somehow, the it managed to escape demolition and miraculously, all the original features, including bathrooms, laundries with coppers, and tiny kitchens were never ripped out or gutted. What you get here is a very clear picture of life in the 19th century colony.
However there is little to see from the outside.
As you’d expect from 19th century workers cottages, the building is simple and unadorned.
At the front is an inscription which reads 'Susannah Place Anno Domini 1844’ and a small display of vintage tins and chinaware is in one window but you can’t even peer into any windows.
The building is cut into the bedrock of the sloping site. A set of stairs runs down the side which means you can see 3 sides of the building.
The building itself is mainly colonial bond brickwork. Some of the window sills are dressed sandstone, although most are timber. At the back, there is a dodgy looking wooden addition, built in simpler times when there was no need for Council DA or approval and you could just whack up whatever you liked.
NOTE: Across the road, you can visit The Big Dig, which is an open archaeological excavation of some 30 convict homes and businesses (see separate review). Only a small part is open for display but it is free and the public can wander through (see separate review).
Written 26 March 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.
CheshireCat284
Crewe, UK10 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We tried to visit Susannah Place museum today at 12:00 noon. As a visitor from UK, we were interested in early colonial settlement in Sydney. We were told by two guides that the next tour would be at 1:30pm and there was only 1 place available on it.
We advised them that we didn’t have too long in Sydney, so hoped that they could either make an exception and allow an extra 1 on to the tour, or even maybe? …possibly?… say, we are not doing anything for another hour and a half… we’ll give you a tour now…!
Nothing we can do, was the answer…book on line…!
We didn’t think it was too much of an ask, in a gesture of good customer service/ tourist goodwill, but it seems the museum didn’t want our tourist dollars…?
We advised them that we didn’t have too long in Sydney, so hoped that they could either make an exception and allow an extra 1 on to the tour, or even maybe? …possibly?… say, we are not doing anything for another hour and a half… we’ll give you a tour now…!
Nothing we can do, was the answer…book on line…!
We didn’t think it was too much of an ask, in a gesture of good customer service/ tourist goodwill, but it seems the museum didn’t want our tourist dollars…?
Written 19 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.
Miller1036
San Francisco139 contributions
Dec 2022
This is a fascinating look into the way working class housing looked and functioned in this historic part of Sydney. We had it on our list of "maybe" things to do, but when we stumbled upon it and saw that a tour was coming up soon, we signed up. Getting inside the modest quarters was a real treat, and learning about some of the struggles having to do with working class housing in this area (leading up to recent times) was very illuminating, even if it is a familiar story.
Written 14 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.
Claudia B
5 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Enjoyed the presentation by Ted, our guide who had our attention from start to finish on the history of The Rocks and the people who built and lived in this multi-house structure. Parts were being restored but Ted brought the real people & life stories with facts and some mysteries. Thanks Ted!
Written 31 October 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.
400lynn
Brighton, UK44 contributions
Feb 2020
Excellent guide gave us an interesting insight into years gone by in Sydney. Although there are many houses like this in the UK, I was surprised how many Victorian buildings still exist in Sydney. My great great grandfather came here in the 1880s, and this tour brought to life what he must have experienced.
Written 3 September 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.
art
Porto, Portugal77 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
What an FUNtastic time. From the greetings in a local shop of the late 1880s, the guide was amazing and the stories caught everyone's attention.
You need the imagination to work with the stories well told by the guide, which in our case was the best.
You need the imagination to work with the stories well told by the guide, which in our case was the best.
Written 13 April 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.
SeeTheW0rld62
Sunnyvale, CA2,327 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
We enjoyed our tour of Susannah Place. Jeff was our guide and he was very knowledgeable. I now know the history of thie building and the types of families that lived here. I assumed the apartments had been home to poor Irish families but found out this wasn't true. This particular part of The Rocks was home to middle class families.
Written 27 September 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.
Lena r
Canberra, Australia18 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Another wonderful tour. A hidden gem in the Rocks. The tour guide was wonderful, and the tour was quite leisurely (for older people too). Another piece of Sydney history here. The little corner shop was so sweet and decorated beautifully in items from history. Loved the carpet beaters!! A free tour - great.
Written 10 September 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.
jimandcarolstravels
San Diego765 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Susannah Place is a row of four apartment homes. It gives you a firsthand experience of how the people lived in the mid nineteenth century. The guided tour tells you about the lives of some of the people who lived there. It is interesting. It is another piece of the Sydney learning experience.
The homes are not in good condition. We were not certain whether they leave them that way for historical reasons or if they are planning to restore them.
It is only open from 2:00 to 5:00 and tours are hourly. So there are only three tours per day with of maximum of about 12 per tour.
The homes are not in good condition. We were not certain whether they leave them that way for historical reasons or if they are planning to restore them.
It is only open from 2:00 to 5:00 and tours are hourly. So there are only three tours per day with of maximum of about 12 per tour.
Written 4 May 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.
Denis C
Melbourne, Australia2,166 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Thankfully Susannah Place was saved from the fate of many of the original Rocks buildings that were demolished in the 1970s manic push into the modern era. A devoted historical preservation group is now in the process of recreating rooms on the 4-building terrace, that accurately depict the environment of some of the families that lived in Susannah Place over almost 150 years of continuous occupation. We had walked passed the terraces numerous times over several days before noting that tours were on offer. Taking small groups of 10 or so at a time, the tours commence with a short historical video that helps set the context for what is to come with the tour walk through. We were greeted in the gift shop before commencing our tour in a front parlour in original, 1844 conditions. Highly informative talks were presented in each of the rooms we stopped in, explaining not just the features of the room, but also the lives of the families who lived in them. We were led through rooms depicting periods of time through the wars years right through to the last inhabitants in 1992, and it was amazing to see that people lived in such conditions until the late 20th century. Every attempt has been made to keep the living areas as true to the period as possible, so don't expect to see freshly painted, brightly lit, showrooms. By retaining their original character, the custodians allow us to be transported back to a much less glamorous time where families, often in extreme poverty, lived and played quite happily it would appear. Note that photography is not permitted inside the building during the tour and, being historical buildings, steps are steep and may be difficult for some. Tours are run several times a day, with ticket sales available from the gift shop.
Written 21 September 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.
I'm thinking of taking a small high school age group of ESL students to Susanah's Place. Do high school age students enjoy it?
Thanks
Written 18 December 2014
Helen J
Sydney, Australia
Thank you for your enquiry.
Susannah Place Museum is definitely a suitable and enjoyable destination for ESL students and school students. For more information and to make a booking please call the Susannah Place schools and groups booking line on 8313 5640.
Sydney Living Museums offers a wide range of education programs for school students across our properties, for more information please visit the Education page on the Sydney Living Museums website.
Written 9 January 2015
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