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
Fee: NoGovernment House Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Address: Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: (02) 9228 4111
Official Website: Government House
Government House Reviews
Rated out of 5
A wonderful guided tour with friendly staff. It was interesting to see and listen to the history; the guide does a good job and answered questions. There are many rooms with portraits, furniture, and antiques. A beautiful garden outside with a fountain. A pleasant experience. I recommend coming with family, friends, or alone.
tori 107 - 3 months ago
The government house is actually quite moderate in size comparing to some colonial era buildings I have seen elsewhere in the world. Nevertheless, located high up overseeing the beautiful Sydney Harbour, it's importance can be felt on the first sight.
Part of the ground floor and the garden is open to the public and its a fascinating visit. Unfortunately we visited on a date with an event so there were no guided tours or we would be able to soak in with more background on merely walking through the rooms judging them by the face value.
Don't miss the regular music performance on the first Sunday of each month, that's of course you don't mind a large crowd.
Nick Qi - 2 months ago
Government House is one of Sydney’s hidden historic gems, tucked right beside the Royal Botanic Garden with stunning harbour views. The Gothic Revival architecture immediately catches your eye — it honestly feels like a small European castle sitting quietly on the edge of Sydney Harbour.
What I really appreciated was how peaceful the grounds are compared to the busy areas nearby. You can walk the gardens, take in the harbour breeze, and enjoy some incredible photo opportunities with the Opera House and city skyline not far away. The lawns are beautifully maintained, and the setting feels both grand and welcoming at the same time.
If you get the chance to do a guided tour, it’s absolutely worth it. The interior rooms are elegant and full of history, with fascinating stories about the Governors of New South Wales and the role the residence still plays today. The staff are knowledgeable and genuinely passionate, which makes the experience even better.
It’s free to explore the grounds, and that makes it one of the best-value historical experiences in Sydney. Whether you’re into architecture, history, photography, or just looking for a quiet place to wander, Government House is definitely worth a visit.
Christopher lowe - 5 months ago
Honestly, one of the most interesting walking tours I’ve ever been on. It packs 30 minutes of interactive Australian history into an engaging experience from start to finish. I’ll probably do it again with friends.
Dean Barnard - 2 months ago
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.
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Accommodations near Government House:
Photo Gallery
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Beautiful landscaping accentuates the striking architecture of Government House cc licensed photo by safaris
