Sydney Town Hall, Sydney

The offices of the Lord Mayor and Councillors of the city are located in the Sydney Town Hall. It is an ornate sandstone building constructed on the site of a former cemetery. Before the inauguration of the Opera House, it was Sydney’s Concert Hall and many notable music performances took place at the venue.

The Sydney Town Hall was built between 1868 and 1889. The foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert, the Duke of Edinburgh. When it was completed, it was the grandest public building in the British Empire. The original structure was designed by architects, Wilson, Bell and Bond. The architectural style is Grand Victorian Second Empire Italian Renaissance. The clock tower was built in 1881 and the clock was installed in 1885. The Town hall underwent extensive repairs and refurbishment to suit modern office requirements and the renovated structure was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.

The Centennial Hall at the centre of the building has the largest pipe organ that uses tubular pneumatic action in the world. The interiors have a wealth of carved figures, mosaic floors, and stained glass. A 20-minute tour takes visitors around the building explaining the history of the City.

Why You Should Visit:
Free for a quick look – it's good to see grand old buildings preserved virtually as they were built.
The surrounding square is also great in summer when the City Council puts out deck chairs for the public to use and relax in the sun or just eat lunch.

Tip:
Try to visit during one of the free organ recitals held every month, as nothing beats hearing the organ in operation.

Opening Hours: daily: 8:00 - 18:00