Elizabeth Bay
House
Built at 'very considerable expense', Elizabeth Bay House was once the finest house in the colony, set within a garden of the most remarkable extravagance and fancy. Yet it tells a familiar Sydney story: of ambition and passion, of riches to ruin.
Elizabeth Bay House. Photograph © Nicholas Watt for Sydney Living Museums
Entry
Adult | $15
Concession | $12
Family* | $38
Members | Free of charge
Children under 5 years | Free of charge
*2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children
Built at 'very considerable expense', Elizabeth Bay House was once the finest house in the colony, set within a garden of the most remarkable extravagance and fancy. Yet it tells a familiar Sydney story: of ambition and passion over-stretched, of riches to ruin.
Elizabeth Bay House.
With commanding views over Sydney Harbour, Elizabeth Bay House gleams like a Greek temple. Once surrounded by famous landscaped gardens, it is one of the most splendid private houses ever built in Australia and still arouses our delight and astonishment. Its elegant rooms and fine proportions, sweeping staircase and lavish furnishings reveal the tastes and aspirations of its original owner, Alexander Macleay, after the governor, the most important public official in colonial Sydney. But it was his magnificent gardens which most keenly expressed his tastes and passions, and in the economic downturn of the 1840s pushed him towards ruin. Elizabeth Bay House is an iconic Sydney home, with an iconic Sydney back-story of obsession for property and position stretched beyond means and undone by changing financial times.
The latest at Elizabeth Bay House
Elizabeth Bay House
Winter Warmers at Elizabeth Bay HouseWednesday 30 May 2018
It’s that time of year again! As winter rolls in at the end of this week, our curators are busily about the business of ‘wintering’ our houses.
Elizabeth Bay House
Stage royalty comes to Elizabeth Bay HouseWednesday 7 February 2018
In the 1930s, Elizabeth Bay House emerged as a glamorous events venue after hosting the wedding reception of two of the most famous celebrities of the day.
School holidays
Summer school holiday opening hoursWednesday 6 December 2017
SLM Food
Sumptuous seasonal delightsTuesday 29 August 2017
The arrival of spring heralds the return of two popular food-related festivals, as well as two exclusive events in our Colonial Gastronomy series.
Elizabeth Farm
Home is where the hearth isThursday 3 August 2017
There’s nothing like the sound of a crackling fire or the smoky aroma of burning wood to keep winter’s frost at bay. With only a few weeks left of winter’s cold embrace we’ve asked two of our curators to shed some light on the humble (and not so humble) fireplaces at Elizabeth Farm and Elizabeth Bay House.
Cellar
Vaulted ceiling and shelves in underground wine cellar, Elizabeth Bay House.
Reception area
Visitor Interpretation Officer Diana Bates with a visitor and baby girl in the entrance hall, Elizabeth Bay House
Front facade, Onslow Avenue.
The impressive facade of Elizabeth Bay House.
Butterfly specimens
Butterfly specimens on display in the library, Elizabeth Bay House
Drawing Room
The Drawing Room at Elizabeth Bay House. The room is in its summer mode, with the fire tools and grate removed, plants arranged across the hearth and furniture reoriented.
Library
View of the library, Elizabeth Bay House.
Dome in the saloon
Dome in the saloon, Elizabeth Bay House .
The breakfast room
Curtains and french doors in the breakfast room, Elizabeth Bay House.
Morning room
Sofa in the morning room, Elizabeth Bay House.