18 Historic Buildings in Sydney (Complete Guide)

Explore Sydney’s rich history with this guide to 18 historic buildings, from old colonial structures to impressive heritage-listed landmarks in the heart of the city.

Sydney may be a relatively young city, known for its modern architecture, but history lovers will find plenty to admire as well. Established as a British colony in 1788, New South Wales is home to many historical buildings, with several 19th-century structures still standing strong today.

As you walk through Sydney, you’ll notice a fascinating blend of old colonial architecture alongside towering modern skyscrapers, with many of these older buildings now heritage-listed.

We’ve compiled a list of 18 historic buildings in the Sydney CBD, arranged in a logical geographical order so you can explore them on a single city walk.

Find all of the below buildings in this interactive map.

1. Australian Museum

Australian Museum in Sydney
Australian Museum

The Australian Museum, located in a Greek Revival-style building at the corner of William and College Streets, sits directly opposite Hyde Park. It first opened its doors to the public in 1857.

Since then, the museum’s collections have grown significantly, leading to the addition of several new wings and floors to the original structure.

Founded in 1827, the Australian Museum holds the distinction of being the country’s first museum. Today, this heritage-listed institution offers free general admission to all its permanent exhibitions, with a focus on natural science and culture. It is one of Sydney’s many free museums and is open seven days a week.

2. St Mary’s Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral

Further north along College Street stands St Mary’s Cathedral, an impressive Gothic Revival church that serves as the spiritual home of Sydney’s Catholic community.

Though Sydney is a relatively young city compared to its European counterparts, St Mary’s Cathedral holds its own, with a grandeur reminiscent of Europe’s great medieval cathedrals.

The foundation stone of the current cathedral was laid in 1868, but it wasn’t until 2000 that its two iconic spires were completed. Visitors can enjoy free entry to the cathedral, with guided tours available on Sunday mornings.

3. Hyde Park Barracks

Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney
Hyde Park Barracks

At the southern end of Macquarie Street, directly across from Hyde Park, you’ll find the Hyde Park Barracks, a remarkable survivor from Australia’s colonial era.

Designed by the renowned convict architect Francis Greenway, this imposing structure opened in 1819 as a convict barracks, accommodating anywhere from 600 to 1,400 convicts at a time.

In later years, the barracks served as a female immigration depot before transforming into a legal and administrative centre, housing courtrooms and government offices. Today, Hyde Park Barracks operates as a museum where visitors can learn more about Sydney’s colonial history.

4. St James Church

St James Church in Sydney
St James Church

While St Mary’s Cathedral often steals the spotlight, nearby St James Church, located between King Street and Macquarie Street, may be less imposing but holds a significant place in history.

Built between 1819 and 1824 and named in honour of St James the Great, one of the Twelve Apostles, the church is a heritage-listed Anglican parish.

Designed in the Georgian style by Francis Greenway, St James Church is Sydney’s oldest surviving colonial church.

5. Sydney Mint

The Sydney Mint
The Sydney Mint

The following three historic buildings along Macquarie Street were originally constructed as a single large hospital complex between 1811 and 1816, during Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s tenure:

  • Sydney Mint
  • Sydney Hospital
  • Parliament House

The southern wing, now known as the Sydney Mint, served as the home of the Sydney Royal Mint from 1855 until 1926, giving it its current name.

In the decades that followed, the building hosted various government agencies, and today it serves as the head office for Museums of History NSW. The Mint is open daily and also features a café.

6. Sydney Hospital

Sydney Hospital
Sydney Hospital

The second building in this trio is still in use as Sydney Hospital. Opened in 1816, it was Australia’s first public hospital and remains the country’s oldest surviving public building.

It was once known as the “Rum Hospital” because the contractors who built it were paid with thousands of gallons of rum, which served as an official currency at the time.

The hospital’s central building was demolished in 1879, and the new structure, which still stands today, opened in 1894.

7. Parliament House

Parliament House in Sydney
Parliament House in Sydney

The northern wing of the old Sydney Hospital has served as the home of the Legislative Council since 1829.

After a major rebuilding and restoration effort in the 1970s, today’s Parliament House is a blend of heritage and modern architecture.

As you walk past Parliament House on Macquarie Street, you might notice that it’s not particularly impressive architecturally. Despite numerous proposals for redevelopment over the years, the original building remains in use as Parliament House today.

8. Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery of New South Wales

Situated on the eastern side of the Domain, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is Sydney’s most prominent public gallery and one of Australia’s largest art museums.

The first building on this site opened in 1885 and was known as the “art barn”, a simple brick structure. Construction of a more grandiose building began in 1896 and was completed in 1908, featuring the now-iconic facade.

The gallery’s exhibition spaces showcase a diverse range of Australian, European, and Asian art. It also houses one of the world’s largest permanent collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

9. Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Sydney Conservatorium of Music

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious music schools, is located on Macquarie Street, right next to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Built between 1817 and 1820 in the charming Old Colonial Gothic Picturesque style, the structure originally served as the stables for the First Government House.

It was converted into a music school in 1915 and today forms part of the University of Sydney.

10. Government House

Government House in Sydney
Government House

Constructed between 1837 and 1845, Government House in the Sydney Royal Botanic Garden is a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture.

It was built to replace the First Government House on Bridge Street, which was demolished in 1846. Today, the Museum of Sydney stands on part of the site where the Old Government House once stood.

The gardens surrounding Government House, which serves as the official residence of the Governor of New South Wales, are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

11. Justice and Police Museum

Justice and Police Museum in Sydney
Justice and Police Museum

The Justice and Police Museum, located at the corner of Phillip Street and Albert Street, was originally built in 1854 as a water police station during a period of rapid growth in Sydney.

Over the following years and decades, the building evolved into a legal hub, complete with holding cells, charge rooms, courthouses, and police offices.

Today, the museum comprises two 19th-century courthouses and a police station, showcasing an extensive collection of historical artefacts, photographs, and documents related to policing and law. It is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays.

12. Customs House

Customs House
Customs House

The imposing Customs House at Sydney’s Circular Quay opened in 1845, built to accommodate the city’s increasing maritime trade.

Today, this heritage-listed building is a prominent Sydney landmark, serving as a museum space, library, café, commercial hub, and popular tourist attraction.

A standout feature of Customs House is a scale model of the Sydney CBD, displayed beneath a glass floor on the ground level.

13. Department of Lands building

Department of Lands Building
Department of Lands Building

The Department of Lands building on Bridge Street, opposite Macquarie Place Park, is a heritage-listed state government building constructed in two stages between 1876 and 1892.

This impressive structure, designed in the Victorian Renaissance Revival style, is distinguished by its iconic clock tower topped with a copper “onion” dome.

For many years, the building served as the head office for the Surveyor General of New South Wales and the NSW Colonial Architect.

14. Cadmans Cottage

Cadmans Cottage in Sydney
Cadmans Cottage

From the Central Business District, we’re taking a short detour to The Rocks to visit Cadmans Cottage, the second-oldest surviving residential building in Sydney.

Built in 1816, Cadmans Cottage originally served as accommodation for government coxswains and their crews. In later years, it became the headquarters of the Sydney Water Police and later functioned as a Sailors Home.

The building has played an important role in Sydney’s colonial history and today serves as a tourist attraction.

15. General Post Office

General Post Office in Sydney
General Post Office

Located in Martin Place, with facades on both George Street and Pitt Street, the General Post Office is a heritage-listed landmark constructed between 1866 and 1874.

Designed in the Victorian Italian Renaissance style by colonial architect James Barnet, the building is a striking example of 19th-century architecture.

Today, it houses a small post office, several cafés, galleries, retail shops, and the 5-star Fullerton Hotel.

16. Queen Victoria Building

Queen Victoria Building in Sydney
Queen Victoria Building

One of Sydney’s most iconic buildings is the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) on George Street, constructed between 1893 and 1898 to replace the original Sydney Markets.

This heritage-listed structure, designed by Government Architect George McRae in the Romanesque Revival style, is bounded by George, Market, York, and Druitt Streets.

Today, the QVB is a bustling, upmarket shopping centre spanning five levels, featuring a stunning Romanesque interior. A highlight of the building is the Royal Clock on the upper level, which “comes to life” on the hour between 9 am and 9 pm.

17. Sydney Town Hall

Sydney Town Hall
Sydney Town Hall

Sydney Town Hall, a heritage-listed building on George Street, serves as the home of the Lord Mayor of Sydney’s chambers, council offices, the Centennial Hall, and various venues for functions and meetings.

Constructed between 1869 and 1890, it stands on the site of the Old Sydney Burial Ground, which closed in 1820 and was later replaced by the Devonshire Street Cemetery, now the location of Central Station.

Built from local Sydney sandstone in the Victorian Second Empire style, Sydney Town Hall is now considered an iconic landmark in the city’s CBD.

18. St Andrew’s Cathedral

St Andrew's Cathedral
St Andrew’s Cathedral

St Andrew’s Cathedral, situated opposite Sydney Town Hall, is part of the Town Hall Group, a collection of heritage-listed buildings that also includes the Queen Victoria Building.

Its foundation stone was laid in 1837, but after several delays, the cathedral was finally consecrated in 1868, making it the oldest cathedral in Australia.

An excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture, St Andrew’s Cathedral serves as the seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of New South Wales.

Whether you’re a tourist from overseas or a lifelong Sydneysider, there are many interesting and exciting things to see, do, and discover in our beautiful city. Check out our guide to the best tourist attractions in Sydney for a complete list.
JOIN SYDNEY UNCOVERED
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive Sydney and NSW related tips and ideas straight to your inbox!
 

Discover Sydney's historic buildings

 

Also Read:

 

Book a Sydney Tour:

Author:

AJ Mens

AJ Mens is a digital publisher based in Sydney, Australia, and the editor-in-chief of Sydney Uncovered and Blue Mountains Uncovered.

AJ Mens on LinkedInAJ Mens on XAJ Mens on Facebook
Leave a comment