Sydney Town Hall

The Sydney Town Hall is one of Sydneys best-loved icons.

Renowned for its high Victorian interiors and rich decoration, Sydney Town Hall is the largest and most ornate late 19th century civic building in Australia.

For more than a century it has been the city's major public and civic building, its clock a popular landmark and the marble steps leading up to the entrance, one of Sydney's favourite meeting places.

Located at the corner of George and Druitt Streets, the Sydney Town Hall is the seat of the city government and the venue for meetings of the City of Sydney Council.

The foundation stone of the first section of the Town Hall was laid on 4 April 1868 by Prince Albert, Duke of Edinburgh and comprised the current vestibule (the original Town Hall) and civic offices.

CLOCK TOWER

Built in sandstone in an Italian Renaissance style, the building incorporates a wealth of carved detail, mosaic pavements, elaborate plasterwork, stencilling, joinery, and etched and stained glass. The clock tower was completed in 1881 and the clock and chimes installed in 1884-1885.

GRAND ORGAN

When it was installed in 1890, Sydney Town Hall's Grand Organ was the largest in the world and described as the 'finest organ ever built by an English organ builder'. Today, it continues to enthral organ lovers and audiences.

COLLECTIONS

Sydney Town Hall is the backdrop for a fascinating collection of items which reflect the civic traditions and interpret the cultural heritage which have shaped the city. It is a collection full of surprises - its uniqueness derives from the intimate connections the items have with the people, places and events of Sydney.

PUBLIC ACCESS

The Sydney Town Hall is open during Council's business hours, Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm. Due to the building's event schedule, access to the different areas of the building is often restricted to because of this.

GETTING THERE

Public Transport
Central Sydney is served by a comprehensive and convenient public transport network, ranging from buses and trains to light rail and ferries. Buses and trains travel direct to Sydney Town Hall.

For trip planning, maps and ticket info visit transportnsw.info or call 131 500

Cycling
Cycling is a convenient, sustainable and enjoyable way to get to the Sydney Town Hall. The City of Sydney has begun construction of a high quality network of cycle paths and lanes that will make cycling a relaxed, safe, mainstream transport option for adults and children.Bike parking facilities are available on both the Druitt Street forecourt and the Sydney Squareside of the building.

For information about bike paths and cycling in the City, further information is available on the City's website.

Parking
There is limited street parking in the CBD. Patrons should use the Car parking available at a number of parking stations close by. The location of these and other car parks in the city by downloading City Car Park Locations PDF.

The two car parks nearest to Sydney Town Hall are:

QVB Parking
Phone (02) 9267 1627
www.qvb.com.au
Entry and exit via York Street.

St Andrews parking
Phone (02) 9267 6331
464 - 474 Kent Street,
Sydney NSW 2000