Talks, tours & more
Sydney Open Pass holders are also treated to a range of talks, tours and more at selected sites throughout the day. Hear from architects and building experts, or follow a drop-in tour to hear stories and building insights. Check out the 2019 building pages and the schedule below to help plan your Sunday and see as much as possible.
Please note that talks and tours on Sunday 3 November are offered on a drop-in basis until they reach capacity. You cannot book these tours, so we recommend you arrive early to avoid missing out. Talks and Tours may be subject to change - please check closer to the event for possible updates.
Australia Square
Historical images of the building displayed in ground floor lobby.
More information about this building
BVN
Walk-and-talk tours will be held throughout the day as well as examples of model building and virtual reality demonstrations.
More information about this building
Genesian Theatre Company at St John’s Church
Theatre historian and archivist Grant Fraser will offer brief introductory talks on the history of the building.
More information about this building
George Place
Talk by Rob Mirams, Director of Fender Katsalidis Sydney office, who undertook the reimagining of George Place.
More information about this building
Hong Kong House
There will be exhibition panels showing the history of the building and the surrounding areas, as well as Hong Kong's latest developments. You may wish to try your luck in a lucky dip to win instant prizes of a range of Hong Kong-branded souvenirs.
More information about this building
Justice & Police Museum
Explore this fascinating museum on your own, or you can participate in our daily tours & talks. Note the tours & talks can take only limited numbers due to the size of rooms in the museum. Ask our friendly staff what’s on.
More information about this building
Lendlease at Tower Three International Towers Sydney
The design and fitout of Lendlease’s headquarters at Barangaroo South have created spaces that are more flexible, healthier and more connected. Tours throughout the day will demonstrate the key pillars guiding Lendlease’s workplace strategy.
More information about this building
Museum of Sydney
It falls to us to rewrite the future … Wingara’ba’miya (you will understand or foretell) is an exhibition of student work from a UTS Masters of Architecture Design Studio. Led by First Nations practitioners Shannon Foster and Jo Kinniburgh, students confront the unfeasible patriarchal, colonial, heteronormative, able bodied ‘business-as-usual’ practice of architecture. Instead, we foretell alternate spatial futures, in which architects challenge practices of erasure and marginalisation.
The exhibition will be on display at the Museum of Sydney across the Sydney Open weekend, Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 November.
More information about this building
Parliament of New South Wales
The Parliament of NSW’s public café will be open with gifts also available for purchase.
More information about this building
Property Council House (former Commonwealth Bank Building)
Historical photographs and information panels are featured on the first floor. Original floor and wall finishes are exposed in some areas to reveal finishes of the day.
More information about this building
Reserve Bank of Australia
Tours of the Board area, and the Harbour and Pacific Rooms on Level 20 (limited capacity, bookings made on the day).
Talks on the Bank’s architectural heritage and art collection will be held on the ground floor throughout the day (no bookings required).
More information about this building
St James’ Church
Members of the public are welcome to attend St James’ morning services:
• 7.45am – Said Eucharist
• 9.00am – Sung Eucharist
• 11am – Choral Eucharist
More information about this building
St Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary's Cathedral welcomes the public to 5pm Vespers and 6pm Mass following Sydney Open. For additional service times please visit St Mary's Cathedral website.
More information about this building
Steensen Varming at 9 Castlereagh Street
A video about the building featuring Harry Seidler & Associates will be playing on level 8.
More information about this building
Susannah Place Museum
Please note access to this site is by guided tour only with maximum 8 people per tour. Each tour is 30 minutes and explores one house.
More information about this building
Sydney Masonic Centre
Special exhibition and viewing of Son et Lumière video continuously all day. Audio tours also available.
More information about this building
The Great Synagogue
Guides will be on hand to speak about the historical and architectural aspects of The Great Synagogue.
9am
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney at the GPO
Guides will offer extra insight into the hotel's history in these drop-in tours departing from the entry to the GPO off Martin Place. Maximum of 45 participants divided into 3 groups.
45 mins
10am
Staff from Sydney Trades Hall will provide further insight into the building and the organisations history. Please note capacity is limited to 15 people per tour.
30 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
10.15am
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins
10.30am
Hear stories of the Police Station. Listen to true tales of courageous cops and rotten robbers. (max 20 pax)
30 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
11am
Alec Tzannes or Ben Green from Tzannes will speak on their work with Macquarie on Sydney Metro Martin Place.
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins
Join our curator for a special tour of BUILDING - The Great Synagogue since 1878 exhibition. Please note that places are limited to 15 people per tour and are given on a first come, first served basis. Access to the exhibition is only possible by joining a tour. There is no wheelchair accessible entry to the exhibition.
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
11.30am
Bushrangers Behind Bars: Join in a family-friendly mock trial of bushranger John Vane, a member of the Ben Hall gang. (max 45 pax)
30 mins
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney at the GPO
Guides will offer extra insight into the hotel's history in these drop-in tours departing from the entry to the GPO off Martin Place. Maximum of 45 participants divided into 3 groups.
45 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
11.45am
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins
12pm
Staff from Sydney Trades Hall will provide further insight into the building and the organisations history. Please note capacity is limited to 15 people per tour.
30 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
12.30pm
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
1pm
Come and listen to the Choir of St James’ in rehearsal.
30 mins
St Mary’s Cathedral tour guides will be available to talk about the significance of the Cathedral and the Crypt. Meeting point for the Cathedral tour: next to the organ console near the College Street entrance. Meeting point for the Cathedral Crypt tour: outside the Crypt gate within the main Cathedral, and next to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Please note, no bookings, and capacity is limited.
30 mins
Join our curator for a special tour of BUILDING - The Great Synagogue since 1878 exhibition. Please note that places are limited to 15 people per tour and are given on a first come, first served basis. Access to the exhibition is only possible by joining a tour. There is no wheelchair accessible entry to the exhibition.
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
1.30pm
Participate in a Church History Q&A with Geoff Taylor.
15 mins
St Mary’s Cathedral tour guides will be available to talk about the significance of the Cathedral and the Crypt. Meeting point for the Cathedral tour: next to the organ console near the College Street entrance. Meeting point for the Cathedral Crypt tour: outside the Crypt gate within the main Cathedral, and next to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Please note, no bookings, and capacity is limited.
30 mins
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney at the GPO
Guides will offer extra insight into the hotel's history in these drop-in tours departing from the entry to the GPO off Martin Place. Maximum of 45 participants divided into 3 groups.
45 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
1.45pm
Bell-ringing with Marylon Coates
15 mins
2pm
Paul van Ratingen from JPW will speak on their work with Macquarie on Sydney Metro Martin Place.
Organ talk and demonstration
30 mins
St Mary’s Cathedral tour guides will be available to talk about the significance of the Cathedral and the Crypt. Meeting point for the Cathedral tour: next to the organ console near the College Street entrance. Meeting point for the Cathedral Crypt tour: outside the Crypt gate within the main Cathedral, and next to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Please note, no bookings, and capacity is limited.
30 mins
Staff from Sydney Trades Hall will provide further insight into the building and the organisations history. Please note capacity is limited to 15 people per tour.
30 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
2.15pm
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins
2.30pm
Murder in the Museum (adults only tour). Come and hear intriguing stories of bushranger Andrew George Scott, alias Captain Moonlite, and Henry Louis Bertrand, aka ‘the mad dentist of Wynyard Square'. (max 30 pax)
30 mins
Children’s Chapel talk in the Crypt with Christopher Waterhouse (20 people max)
15 mins
St Mary’s Cathedral tour guides will be available to talk about the significance of the Cathedral and the Crypt. Meeting point for the Cathedral tour: next to the organ console near the College Street entrance. Meeting point for the Cathedral Crypt tour: outside the Crypt gate within the main Cathedral, and next to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Please note, no bookings, and capacity is limited.
30 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
3pm
Participate in a Church History Q&A with Geoff Taylor.
15 mins
St Mary’s Cathedral tour guides will be available to talk about the significance of the Cathedral and the Crypt. Meeting point for the Cathedral tour: next to the organ console near the College Street entrance. Meeting point for the Cathedral Crypt tour: outside the Crypt gate within the main Cathedral, and next to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Please note, no bookings, and capacity is limited.
30 mins
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney at the GPO
Guides will offer extra insight into the hotel's history in these drop-in tours departing from the entry to the GPO off Martin Place. Maximum of 45 participants divided into 3 groups.
45 mins
Tours hosted by Sydney Living Museums interpretation staff giving insight into the history of the site, focusing on the industrial Mint facility and its architectural adaptation into the head office of Sydney Living Museums. Make sure you add your name to the tour list as places are limited.
25 mins
3.15pm
Bell-ringing with Marylon Coates
3.30pm
Organ talk and demonstration
30 mins
St Mary’s Cathedral tour guides will be available to talk about the significance of the Cathedral and the Crypt. Meeting point for the Cathedral tour: next to the organ console near the College Street entrance. Meeting point for the Cathedral Crypt tour: outside the Crypt gate within the main Cathedral, and next to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Please note, no bookings, and capacity is limited.
30 mins
3.45pm
Children’s Chapel talk in the Crypt with Christopher Waterhouse (20 people max)
15 mins
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins
4pm
Participate in a Church History Q&A with Geoff Taylor.
15 mins
St Mary’s Cathedral tour guides will be available to talk about the significance of the Cathedral and the Crypt. Meeting point for the Cathedral tour: next to the organ console near the College Street entrance. Meeting point for the Cathedral Crypt tour: outside the Crypt gate within the main Cathedral, and next to the Fallen Soldier Memorial. Please note, no bookings, and capacity is limited.
30 mins
4.30pm
Guided tour exploring one of the houses. Maximum 8 people per group. Please note access to this site is by guided tour only.
30 mins