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Historic Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
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What travellers are saying
- ee978884 contributionsIt's a solid older cathedral with some great paintings and stained glass windows. Doesn't compare too well to some of the larger/older cathedrals of Europe, but still pretty cool.
A 20-30 visit is likely enough for most people.Written 28 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ella020United Kingdom329 contributionsThis memorial is a icon that symbolizes the importance of an area you can pay your respects to the ANZAC regiment who fought for king and country. A free tour and a worthwhile visit if in Sydney.Written 12 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PixiehatNew Zealand480 contributionsI saw the Elvis musical, good. The theatre has beautiful, ornate scroll work, etc, everywhere in the interior. Gorgeous staircase, perfect for.sashaying diwn. Oldest still-operating theatre in world (apparently). There are tours (I think weekly). The place looks really old-fashioned and sort of sadly dark and neglected (must be hard to dust all the scroll-work). I'm into totally modern decorating so don't go by me....Written 26 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EM C1 contributionSmall Museum with great snippets and exhibit artifacts of Australian history, specifically about “the Rocks” area.
Definitely a great stop by to go to!Written 10 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Raintree_ThailandBangkok, Thailand3,760 contributionsThe Town Hall is another striking structure in the center of Sydney. It looks like it would be a museum, but is actually still a functioning government building and also a venue for many public events.Written 12 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CasandraTPSydney, Australia1,054 contributionsHidden 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 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michael-4551Caloundra, Australia5,458 contributionsVisited from Tuesday 23rd May and Sunday 28th May. I was staying nearby and used Central Railway Station a few times to catch public transport. It great to see they still use the old station buildings as well.Written 21 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Daydream448324708567 contributionsI come to the Justice and Police Museum every time I visit Sydney. The exhibitions are always fascinating and the setting in the old Police Station, court room and cells are what truly makes this a must do when in Sydney.
My only complaint is the opening hours. Please please please open more than just of a weekend. So many people miss out because they are there mid week. I watched many people walk away disappointed because you were closed!Written 28 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Michael-4551Caloundra, Australia5,458 contributionsVisited on Friday 26th May. My first visit here was over 50 years ago and doubt much has changed in that time. Of course, it has, it is being lovingly looked after for all to enjoy. The free audio tour is worth doing, allowing you to move around at your own place.Written 23 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mairwen1United Kingdom9,315 contributionsThis barren island fortress sits smack in the middle of Sydney Harbour. It’s the one you go right past whenever you catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly.
It’s forbidding and stark.
A relic of convict Sydney and the early days of the colony, the island has a spine-chilling history.
From the first days of the colony, it was used as a particularly nasty punishment. Convicts were left on the island in iron chains for a week or more with nothing other than bread and water, earning the island the name ‘Pinchgut’.
In 1796 the British authorities went one step further. They installed a hanging gallows.
Within months, they had put it to use. The first man hung there was a murderer, Francis Morgan. HIs body was left hanging on the gallows for 4 years, to be picked at by birds, until there was just a skeleton left.
It was a particularly vivid warning as the skeleton could be easily seen from the mainland and was intended as a deterrent.
Later in the 1850s, the distinctive Martello fort, gun batteries and barracks were built . Alarmed by the Crimean War, the fortress was part of a defence system to protect against possible invasion by the Russians.
Normally you can visit the Fort Denison and have lunch there but it is currently closed for maintenance on the seawalls and wharf and won't re-open for visits until the end 2022.Written 12 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Leonie D6 contributionsVicky was a great guide, so knowledgeable about the history of the GPO’s inception and meaning behind the outside sandstone carvings. Beautiful inside decor and history of GPO.Written 18 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JnVSydneyGreater Sydney, Australia18,330 contributionsThis is beautiful example of a time gone by, we loved just walking through the different rooms taking it all in, highly recommend a visit when in the area.Written 16 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dan LBunbury, Australia7,271 contributionsI was somewhat disconcerted when I arrived to see workmen removing pipework from the church and the main entry barricaded to the public. One of the workmen advised that I could use the side entry. Once inside I discovered that the organ was being dismantled ans a farewell concert of organ music had been held on 30th October. Plenty to interest inside with the stained-glass windows and various memorials and monuments. The church dates to 1819 and was consecrated in 1824. The building is a good example of Georgian architecture with an impressive portico fronting the West Street entry. It unfortunate that the church is surrounded by higher buildings. Worth visiting if in the area for the history and the inscriptions on the many memorials embedded in the walls.Written 17 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AndyJohn74Sans Souci, Australia3,150 contributionsMillers Point encompasses the local streets and buildings. This is on the other side of the Harbour Bridge to the Rocks. There are numerous old buildings, as well as many new ones. Plenty to see and a number of cafes, restaurants and shops to visit along the way.Written 17 January 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dan LBunbury, Australia7,271 contributionsThe Nurses' Walk was created in 1979 in remembrance of nurses that worked in the local hospitals during the first thirty years of settlement. Good information panels and artworks, but the attraction of the area now centres on the myriad galleries, cafes, etc. Definitely worth visiting when in Sydney, a sense of history pervades the area.Written 13 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sydney
- These places are best for historic sites in Sydney:See more historic sites in Sydney on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for kid-friendly historic sites in Sydney:
- Chinese Garden of Friendship
- Anzac Memorial
- St. Mary's Cathedral
- The Rocks Discovery Museum
- Vaucluse House
- These are the best places for couples seeking historic sites in Sydney:See more historic sites for couples in Sydney on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking historic sites in Sydney:See more historic sites for groups in Sydney on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly historic sites in Sydney:
- Chinese Garden of Friendship
- Anzac Memorial
- St. Mary's Cathedral
- The Rocks Discovery Museum
- Government House
- These are the best hidden gems for historic sites in Sydney:See more hidden gem historic sites in Sydney on Tripadvisor