Guidebook for Sydney
Arts & Culture
In 1950, this Harry Seidler-designed home was the most revolutionary house in the country. Australia’s architectural lineage is rooted in Britain’s Federation style, but this perfectly preserved example of the Bauhaus movement looks like it’s landed from outer space—it makes no attempt to link with its bushland surrounds. Book online for Sunday tours.
The upper North Shore is a moneyed, suburban area of generously sized blocks. The area offers insight into another side of Sydney—the sense of nature offers a really different urban experience. Explore the area and try the Butcher’s Block café, a popular local spot for coffee or lunch.
Rose Seidler House
71 Clissold RdIn 1950, this Harry Seidler-designed home was the most revolutionary house in the country. Australia’s architectural lineage is rooted in Britain’s Federation style, but this perfectly preserved example of the Bauhaus movement looks like it’s landed from outer space—it makes no attempt to link with its bushland surrounds. Book online for Sunday tours.
The upper North Shore is a moneyed, suburban area of generously sized blocks. The area offers insight into another side of Sydney—the sense of nature offers a really different urban experience. Explore the area and try the Butcher’s Block café, a popular local spot for coffee or lunch.
A wonderful example of when art and architecture work hand-in-hand. The gallery’s brick exterior is quite reserved, with whited-out windows, but inside is an inspiring four-storey warehouse space that’s a fitting backdrop for the gallery’s breathtaking Chinese art—the contrast is a real surprise. Exhibits change but the scale of the works is always eye-opening.
Judith Neilson, the philanthropist behind the gallery, lives down the road in one of the most significant residences Australia has ever produced: Indigo Slam. It’s by the same firm, Smart Design Studio, that designed the gallery, but it’s a sculpture made large—a real contrast. Stroll by afterwards.
329 locals recommend
White Rabbit Gallery
30 Balfour StA wonderful example of when art and architecture work hand-in-hand. The gallery’s brick exterior is quite reserved, with whited-out windows, but inside is an inspiring four-storey warehouse space that’s a fitting backdrop for the gallery’s breathtaking Chinese art—the contrast is a real surprise. Exhibits change but the scale of the works is always eye-opening.
Judith Neilson, the philanthropist behind the gallery, lives down the road in one of the most significant residences Australia has ever produced: Indigo Slam. It’s by the same firm, Smart Design Studio, that designed the gallery, but it’s a sculpture made large—a real contrast. Stroll by afterwards.
With its harbour views and domed ceiling, this Regency-style home was one of Sydney’s first trophy houses, built by the colonial secretary in the 1830s. It’s best known for its central, elliptical salon, which has a curved lantern and geometric staircase. Spectacular. It’s open every Friday through Sunday, with tours periodically throughout the day.
Come to admire the decorative interiors as much as the architecture—there are lots of inspiring moments throughout the house and with its original furniture and colour palette it’s quite an intimate experience as well. Don’t miss the beautifully manicured Arthur McElhone Reserve out front.
57 locals recommend
Elizabeth Bay House
7 Onslow AveWith its harbour views and domed ceiling, this Regency-style home was one of Sydney’s first trophy houses, built by the colonial secretary in the 1830s. It’s best known for its central, elliptical salon, which has a curved lantern and geometric staircase. Spectacular. It’s open every Friday through Sunday, with tours periodically throughout the day.
Come to admire the decorative interiors as much as the architecture—there are lots of inspiring moments throughout the house and with its original furniture and colour palette it’s quite an intimate experience as well. Don’t miss the beautifully manicured Arthur McElhone Reserve out front.
Entertainment & Activities
This spacious, significant contemporary art centre was fashioned out of 19th century rail yards, and the beauty and atmosphere of its industrial past is still very evident. Notice the patina of the brickwork, the sheer scale of the spaces and the way in which contemporary art can find full expression in this naturally characterful context.
Come here during Saturday’s buzzing farmers’ market for a modern Sydney experience in a grand industrial setting. It’s got real quality of produce, a buzzing atmosphere and stands by people like chef Kylie Kwong—it feels authentic. You can participate in the scene and still be in awe of the space.
276 locals recommend
Carriageworks
245 Wilson StThis spacious, significant contemporary art centre was fashioned out of 19th century rail yards, and the beauty and atmosphere of its industrial past is still very evident. Notice the patina of the brickwork, the sheer scale of the spaces and the way in which contemporary art can find full expression in this naturally characterful context.
Come here during Saturday’s buzzing farmers’ market for a modern Sydney experience in a grand industrial setting. It’s got real quality of produce, a buzzing atmosphere and stands by people like chef Kylie Kwong—it feels authentic. You can participate in the scene and still be in awe of the space.
With its radical form—referencing the sails of a boat—this iconic building has global significance as well as local. Admire it from a distance, get up close to examine the intricate tiling, or step inside and dine at Bennelong, one of Sydney’s best eating experiences, under a soaring, airy ceiling with views of the harbour. One of the world’s most significant buildings.
You’ll get an appreciation for the story behind the architecture by taking the fantastic backstage tour—something we should all do. There’s a complex, compelling history here, that highlights the difficulty experienced when radical thinking and true innovation seek to create something remarkable.
1998 locals recommend
Sydney Opera House
With its radical form—referencing the sails of a boat—this iconic building has global significance as well as local. Admire it from a distance, get up close to examine the intricate tiling, or step inside and dine at Bennelong, one of Sydney’s best eating experiences, under a soaring, airy ceiling with views of the harbour. One of the world’s most significant buildings.
You’ll get an appreciation for the story behind the architecture by taking the fantastic backstage tour—something we should all do. There’s a complex, compelling history here, that highlights the difficulty experienced when radical thinking and true innovation seek to create something remarkable.
Architecture practice Durbach Block Jaggers was understandably nervous about creating this public building in an iconic location on the Bondi foreshore. It was unveiled in 2013 to great reception by both community and critics—it has a distinct identity but manages a sense of accessibility. Admire its organic shape and curved, elegant proportions.
This architecture practice is very much about carving into buildings, animating them with sun and shadow, and up close you’ll notice this building has really interesting tiles, which seem to catch the sun in a sparkling echo of the ocean. It’s a lovely contrast with the building’s robust form.
39 locals recommend
North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club
Campbell ParadeArchitecture practice Durbach Block Jaggers was understandably nervous about creating this public building in an iconic location on the Bondi foreshore. It was unveiled in 2013 to great reception by both community and critics—it has a distinct identity but manages a sense of accessibility. Admire its organic shape and curved, elegant proportions.
This architecture practice is very much about carving into buildings, animating them with sun and shadow, and up close you’ll notice this building has really interesting tiles, which seem to catch the sun in a sparkling echo of the ocean. It’s a lovely contrast with the building’s robust form.
Everything Else
This circular, mid-century tower was Sydney’s first skyscraper, and it symbolised a coming of age for the city. Architect Harry Seidler was a forefather of Australian modernism who shaped much of Sydney, and this was one of his first grand statements. Don’t miss the Sol LeWitt murals in the lobby, and the large Calder sculpture in the square itself.
On level 47 there’s a revolving restaurant, now called O Bar Dining, which was radical in its day. It’s changed hands since its original incarnation but still offers superb views of the bridge, city, and Sydney Opera House. Come for a meal, a drink, and a gentle orientation to Sydney.
Australia Square
264 George StreetThis circular, mid-century tower was Sydney’s first skyscraper, and it symbolised a coming of age for the city. Architect Harry Seidler was a forefather of Australian modernism who shaped much of Sydney, and this was one of his first grand statements. Don’t miss the Sol LeWitt murals in the lobby, and the large Calder sculpture in the square itself.
On level 47 there’s a revolving restaurant, now called O Bar Dining, which was radical in its day. It’s changed hands since its original incarnation but still offers superb views of the bridge, city, and Sydney Opera House. Come for a meal, a drink, and a gentle orientation to Sydney.
Food Scene
Architect SJB did an incredible job repurposing this Art Deco 1930 incinerator into a gallery, studio, and cafe, but the original incarnation was also beautifully executed. It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin—responsible for designing our capital city of Canberra—using a signature motif, his triangular decorative design, fashioned in concrete.
The whole neighbourhood of Castlecrag, just nearby, has Griffin’s unmistakeable stamp on it. After lunch, drive around to get a good sense of his thinking—particularly his trademark circular roads and respect for nature—and admire the sense of seclusion here, despite an urban setting.
17 locals recommend
The Incinerator Café
2a Small StArchitect SJB did an incredible job repurposing this Art Deco 1930 incinerator into a gallery, studio, and cafe, but the original incarnation was also beautifully executed. It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin—responsible for designing our capital city of Canberra—using a signature motif, his triangular decorative design, fashioned in concrete.
The whole neighbourhood of Castlecrag, just nearby, has Griffin’s unmistakeable stamp on it. After lunch, drive around to get a good sense of his thinking—particularly his trademark circular roads and respect for nature—and admire the sense of seclusion here, despite an urban setting.
Parks & Nature
An island in the middle of Sydney Harbour that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with historical buildings. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay—a journey in itself—to see architecture from five distinct eras. Squat, convict-built lock-ups of Sydney’s beginnings contrast with grand-scale ship-building facilities of a once-thriving industry.
Dedicate a good half-day here: there’s also a cafe, a bar, walking tracks, and several ways to interact with the history, including an audio tour and video installations. This isn’t a pretty, Disneyfied experience—it’s quite gritty. And an interesting contrast against the sparkling harbour.
104 locals recommend
Cockatoo Island
An island in the middle of Sydney Harbour that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with historical buildings. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay—a journey in itself—to see architecture from five distinct eras. Squat, convict-built lock-ups of Sydney’s beginnings contrast with grand-scale ship-building facilities of a once-thriving industry.
Dedicate a good half-day here: there’s also a cafe, a bar, walking tracks, and several ways to interact with the history, including an audio tour and video installations. This isn’t a pretty, Disneyfied experience—it’s quite gritty. And an interesting contrast against the sparkling harbour.