Government House Sydney
Government House - The little castle in the city
Government house in Sydney is a beautiful stately building surrounded by just over 12 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds adjoining the Royal Botanic Gardens. It sits just behind the Sydney Opera House overlooking Farm Cove on Sydney Harbour. With its gothic revival architecture and many turrets, it is more like a small castle than a house.
You can enjoy a free tour of this fascinating house and property between Friday and Sunday, but you must still obtain a ticket from the gatehouse for access which is only by guided tour
Construction of Government House in Sydney, which replaced the Old Government House in Parramatta, began in 1837. The architect, Edward Blore, was also very much involved in the design of Buckingham Palace in London. In 1845 the first resident, Governor George Gipps, moved in. Except for a period of time between 1996 and 2011 the house has always been the residence of the Governor or Governor-General. Beginning in 1996 the house was managed by the Historic Houses Trust. They continue to manage the property to this day carrying out a rigorous program of restoration and maintenance. In 2011, after much public protest, it was decided that the Governor should once again take up official residence in Government House as it was realized that it was actually costing more to maintain the property without the Governor residing there.
Government House hosts many functions throughout the year, including state functions, concerts, festivals, exhibitions and as many as 250 Vice Regal functions.
Nearby attractions include : Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House, Customs House, Justice and Police Museum and the Museum of Sydney.
Facts For Your Visit
Official Website: Government House
Fee: NoOpen Now
Regular Hours:
Hours may be subject to change. Please verify on the official website.
- Monday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Tuesday: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Category: Travel Services
Address:
Royal Botanic Gardens
Sydney New South Wales 2000
Australia
Phone: +61 2 9931 5222
Reviews
Mke K. Nov-30-2018
Beautiful piece of history. Amazing building/architecture and amazing garden/landscaping. A must see when in the area and just a short walk from the... Read More
Beautiful piece of history. Amazing building/architecture and amazing garden/landscaping.
A must see when in the area and just a short walk from the...Richard A. Jul-08-2017
Christina M. Oct-18-2016
We attempted to visit the Government House right before they closed one day but couldn't find a way in! We found it after the last tour for the day was... Read More
We attempted to visit the Government House right before they closed one day but couldn't find a way in! We found it after the last tour for the day was...Accommodations near Government House:
Directions
| Train Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| L2, T2, T3, T8 or Sydney Ferries | Circular Quay | 10 minutes |
How to get to Government House by Train
By Train or Ferry: exit at Circular Quay Station and proceed west on Alfred Street then left on Albert Street and right on Macquarie Street. Enter the park by the horse and rider statue and follow the signs to Government House.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Photo Gallery
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Beautiful landscaping accentuates the striking architecture of Government House cc licensed photo by safaris 
Photo Credit: Yelp 
Photo Credit: Yelp 
Photo Credit: Yelp
