Cultural Heritage and History

The Rocks is the oldest European settlement of Sydney that deserves some visitor attention. One of Sydney’s oldest pubs still operates and many a good ghost stories float around from time to time. It also has some of Sydney’s best kept dining places as well as great shopping. The Rocks market operates every weekend filled with local arts and crafts as well as some great souvenirs to take home.

Cadman’s Cottage
www.npws.nsw.gov.au
Tel: 02 9247 5033
Built in 1816 this is Sydney’s oldest house.
Open 7 days.
Free admission.

Gannon House
www.gannonhousegallery.com
Tel: 02 9251 4474
Original aboriginal art works and artefacts are on display and available for purchase here.
Open 7 days.
Free admission.

Museum of Contemporary Art
www.mca.com.au
Tel: 02 9245 2400
Since 1991 this gallery has exhibited some of the alternative art forms by local and international artists.
Open 7 days.
Admission free.

Original & Authentic Aboriginal Art
www.authaboriginalart.com.au
Tel: 02 9251 4222
Specialises in works from four aboriginal regions with information on each of the artists.
Open 7 days.
Admission free.

Rocks Discovery Museum
www.rocksdiscoverymuseum.com
Tel: 1800 067 676
Great museum to visit for a good understanding of The Rocks areas in four chronological timeline displays.
Open 7 days.
Admission free.

Sydney Observatory
www.sydneyobservatory.com.au
Tel: 02 9217 0485
Part science, part history, the Sydney Observatory has Australia’s oldest working telescope and tells aboriginal sky stories. Book for a night viewing and be awed by the beautiful southern skies.
Open 7 days.
Admission free. Viewings charge extra.

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Many other areas also contain their own part of Sydney’s heritage and history. Many, as expected, have close links to the times of the European settlement here in Australia.

Australian Museum
www.amonline.net.au
Tel: 02 9320 6000
A historical museum featuring wildlife, aboriginal stories as well as Australia’s modern day culture and heritage.
Open 7 days.
Admission $10/$5

Hyde Park Barracks Museum
www.hht.net.au
Tel: 02 8239 2311
Originally a convict quarter turned into government courts, this museum gives insight into an everyday convict life.
Open 7 days.
Admission free.

Fort Denison
Tel: 02 9247 5033
A fort that was never really used for its purposes, Fort Denison sits right in the centre of the inner harbour with many myths surrounding its being. Joining a tour is required to visit the fort by ferry and tours can be booked through Matilda Cruises. For tour pricing please visit website:
www.matilda.com.au.

Chinese Garden of Friendship
www.chinesegarden.com.au
Tel: 02 9281 6863
This quaint little garden was a gift from Sydney’s sister Chinese city of Guangzhuo in 1988 and forms an unusual part of Sydney’s heritage.
Open 7 days.
Admission: $6/$3

Camperdown Cemetery
187 Church St, Newtown
Tel: 02 9557 2043
Those interested in some early famous Australians such as Eliza Donnithorne (whom was an inspiration behind Miss Havisham in Charle’s Dickens’ Great Expectations) would be interested in visiting this cemetery. Self-guided tours available.
Open 7 days.
Admission free.

Elizabeth Bay House
www.hht.net.au
Tel: 02 9356 3022
An elegant mansion that belonged to Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay, the house has some great 19th century architectural merits.
Open Tue-Sat.
Admission $8/$4

Victoria Barracks
www.awm.gov.au
Tel: 02 9339 3170
A showcase of the peak of the British Empire, the barracks compose of a set of Georgian buildings that were the finest in the colonies.
Free tours available 10am on Thursdays.
Museum open 10am-4pm on Thur & Sun, admission $2/$1.

Sydney Jewish Museum
www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au
Tel: 02 9360 7999
An exhibition of the Australian Jewish culture, tradition and history since the First Fleet.
Open Sun-Thu Closed on Jewish holidays..
Admission $10/$7

Bondi Pavilion
Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi
Tel: 02 8362 3400
Bondi has always been the top tourist destination in Sydney and the Pavilion was built for that exact purpose in 1929.
Open 7 days.
Admission free.

Manly Quarantine Station
www.q-station.com.au
Tel: 1300 886 875
Originally built to receive ships containing small pox patients between 1832 to 1984. Many ghost stories still evolve around this station and is now an important part of Sydney heritage.
Open 7 days, bookings essential.
Tours from $25/$19.

North Fort
www.northfort.org.au
Tel: 02 9976 6102
Besides having one of the best ocean views, there is the Royal Australian Artillery National Museum at North Fort with tunnels, guns and all that is military.
Open Wed, Sat & Sun.
Admission $11/$8