Sydney Customs House

Customs House is not only a beautiful heritage building but also a wonderful starting point for exploring Sydney. The highlight of my visit was the reception staff, who were extremely friendly and welcoming. She went out of her way to offer assistance, providing information with warmth and professionalism. Her approach felt truly ambassadorial, representing Sydney’s tourism with pride and genuine care. It left me with a very positive impression—not just of Customs House itself, but of the city as a whole. A perfect example of how great hospitality can elevate the visitor experience.
Min Min - 5 months ago

A wonderful landmark in the city near Circular Quay. It houses the library and also Cafe Sydney , an upmarket eatery. It has exhibitions and on the forecourt many activities. A great place to visit.
G Mac - 2 months ago

It's great place for local for sure, but not desirable place for tourists. Although there's some exhibitions going on here, they are so small and have nothing to enjoy. So if you're tourist, I wouldn't recommend visiting here.
Re:Reviewer - 2 months ago

“Customs House in Sydney is a historical building located in Circular Quay, now a vibrant public space and visitor information center. The building has a rich history, originally serving as a customs house where import duties were collected. It became the head office for customs operations in New South Wales in 1887 and continued in that role until 1990. Now, Customs House is a multi-faceted public space, showcasing its architectural heritage while also offering modern amenities and attractions. It's the only accredited visitor information center in the Sydney CBD, providing maps, brochures, and assistance to tourists. The foyer features a large-scale model of Sydney's city center, viewed through a glass floor. Customs House includes an atrium, a library, exhibition spaces, and dining options. The building hosts various events and exhibitions, exploring current conversations, living histories, and emerging trends.” Online source/s “Significant Heritage Site Customs House was built on the site where the local Eora people watched the First Fleet land and raise the British flag in1788. The landing led to the first significant interaction between Aborigines and Europeans, which had a dramatic effect on the traditional indigenous owners of the land. In recognition of this, the Aboriginal flag is now permanently flown at Customs House. Master of Trade Customs House served as the control centre for all customs activities in New South Wales for 145 years. With Port Jackson, the first focal point for maritime trade, it played a powerful role in shaping the economic and social life of the new colony, regulating shipping and raising revenue from tariffs. End of an Era Customs control continued to operate from Customs House for the greater part of the 20th century. Over time, however, Sydney airport and Botany Bay emerged as alternative points of entry for goods and people. By 1990, the customs service needed more space and was moved to new premises. In 1993, the Federal Government leased Customs House to the City of Sydney for a period of 60 years.” “卐 THE SYMBOLS IN THE TERRAZZO FLOOR The swastika symbols decorating this terrazzo floor were selected by the architect George Oakeshott during a reconstruction of Customs House in 1915-17. This stylised decoration was in keeping with the architecture of the building and can be seen in other financial and retail buildings of this era. For many cultures the swastika is a symbol of peace and prosperity. It has appeared in cultures across Asia and Europe, including ancient Greece and modern India. The clockwise swastika was adopted by the Nazi Party in 1920 and came to represent the abhorrent racial persecution and genocide of the Jewish people and other minority groups during World War 2. The swastika symbols in this floor are counter-clockwise. During World War 2 the Customs Service covered the floor. The elaborate floor was revealed once more to the public when the building was refurbished in the 1990s.” Text from Signboards in Customs House
bohg9999 - 6 months ago

The building is lit up during vivid Sydney. There's continuous music and animation going on during vivid Sydney. We couldn't go inside this building, not much sure about this place.
Anusha M - 7 months ago