Open today

10am–5pm

Cafe
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Entry

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Address

Corner Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney, NSW 2000

Phone

Museum: 02 9251 5988

The Governors Kitchen: 02 9241 1788

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For 57 years first Government House was the centre of the social, ceremonial and political life of the colony of NSW. Today the Museum of Sydney protects the fragile remains of this deeply significant and symbolic site, and tells ongoing stories of Sydney and its people.

Old watercolour showing the harbour, foreshore area and gardens in front of first Government House. Yachts and aborigines in canoes are depicted on the water.

First Government House, Sydney by John Eyre.

A modern museum built over and around the remains of Australia’s first Government House, the Museum of Sydney celebrates the people and events that have shaped the character and soul of this city. In 1788 Governor Phillip chose this site for his official residence. It quickly became the centre of the colony’s administrative and social life, and an important focus of first contact between the Gadigal people and the colonisers. The next eight governors also lived here, and as banquets and balls, the business of government and family home merged, the public and private lives of the colony’s leading citizens played out. Today, through a diverse and changing program of exhibitions and events, the Museum of Sydney explores the stories of this city from its origins to today, while the remains of the original building can be glimpsed through glass openings in the museum forecourt and foyer.

Find out More About Museum of Sydney

Two people looking at museum display table.

Two people seated on verandah at Vaucluse House.

News

Bronze sculptures of birds installed on the roof of museum.

Museum of Sydney

Art at the Museum of SydneyMonday 26 March 2018

British artist Tracey Emin has created a new public artwork specifically for Sydney.

Small bronze sculpture of bird on stone wall with street and pedestrians in background.

Museum of Sydney

Tracey Emin's birds land at Museum of Sydney [SMH]Friday 23 March 2018

School holidays

Autumn School Holidays 2018: opening hoursMonday 19 March 2018

Cropped black and white photo of woman in mutton-chop sleeves with hands behind her head in a cane chair outdoors.

International Women's Day

Women's stories, women's livesWednesday 7 March 2018

To celebrate International Women's Day, we've brought together some of the stories of the lives of women associated with our houses, our exhibitions and our collections.