Parliament of New South Wales
Parliament of New South Wales
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A visit to the Parliament of NSW provides a rare opportunity to explore a significant 19th-century historic site while observing the workings of democracy in a modern Australian parliament. The Parliament of NSW is housed in one of the buildings formerly known as the Rum Hospital and is Australia’s first parliament established in 1829.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Central Business District
The Sydney Central Business District is abuzz with energy. Power brokers run to and from high rise buildings and after-work drink places, high-end shoppers tour venues like the QVB, and fine diners frequent the many celebrity chef restaurants. For a dose of culture, walk to the NSW Art Gallery, or visit the Sydney Museum. To escape the hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature at the Sydney Botanical Gardens or picnic lunch at High Park. No matter your interest, be sure to check the full calendar of events hosted by the city, from the Sydney Festival in January to October’s Good Food Month at Hyde Park.
How to get there
- Martin Place • 2 min walk
- St James • 5 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
5,475 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,064 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
112 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
47
Average
20
Poor
3
Terrible
1
stinkwink
Sydney, Australia7,254 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
The truth is not as serious that as it is possible to deduce it from the title. The building contractors built the parliament, that original function was a hospital- in exchange for the monopoly of rum transport.
Later on, one part of this building became the Mint; the other part is the Parliament House.
Both parts are free to visit. When you decide to go to the Parliament House, first make up your mind, that is it the politics that you’re most interested in, or to see old buildings from the earliest time of Australia?
If somebody most interested in how democracy works in the NSW Parliament, that one should go on sitting days, when the visit is restricted to the Visitors’ Galleries. You can listen but see less. On non-sitting days, both historic chambers can be visited.
My favorite was the Fountain Court. Free guided tours are available every day, and this is the rare occasion when I recommend it. The guides are very knowledgeable, and you can learn a lot about the history and the architecture of the building and Australia. In the end, treat yourself dining in this beautiful environment and very historic atmosphere.
Later on, one part of this building became the Mint; the other part is the Parliament House.
Both parts are free to visit. When you decide to go to the Parliament House, first make up your mind, that is it the politics that you’re most interested in, or to see old buildings from the earliest time of Australia?
If somebody most interested in how democracy works in the NSW Parliament, that one should go on sitting days, when the visit is restricted to the Visitors’ Galleries. You can listen but see less. On non-sitting days, both historic chambers can be visited.
My favorite was the Fountain Court. Free guided tours are available every day, and this is the rare occasion when I recommend it. The guides are very knowledgeable, and you can learn a lot about the history and the architecture of the building and Australia. In the end, treat yourself dining in this beautiful environment and very historic atmosphere.
Written July 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nomesie
Reading, UK57 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
I chanced going in for a quick walkabout as I was impressed by the architecture whilst walking down Macquarie Street. I was in luck, as there was a guided tour shortly commencing. They have free guided tours on Monday and Friday at 1.30pm.
Danny, the guide, was excellent. He explained the history of the "old rum hospital" and how it had been adapted and expanded throughout the years. He clearly has a passion for the history of the building, and his ability to answer questions and make the tour really enjoyable was brilliant. As I was the only person on this particular tour, he also took some pictures of me sitting in the Speaker's chair in the Legislative Assembly!!
I got to visit the Jubilee room - a huge library-esque room where all the transcripts of the proceedings of the NSW Parliament were stored, along with copies of those from UK Parliament affecting NSW. In this room, part of the floor lifted up to reveal old stony steps that formed part of the courtyard prior to the building's expansion backwards.
I was then taken to see both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council rooms, where they explained the history and the workings of the Parliament. In the Council chamber, part of the wall opened up, to reveal the rum casks that were used to pad out the walls - nothing went to waste!
I think I can safely say, that there are very few places in the world, where you could get as close to the parliament / assembly as here. You can go for a walk around the main areas of the building without a guide - there's an art display on the walls, a beautiful fountain in the central courtyard, and a model of the building which explains its development through the years. However, if you have a free hour on a Monday or Friday at 1.30, the free tour is definitely worth the time. And if you're lucky enough to get Danny as your tour guide, say hello from this Northern Irish lass.
Danny, the guide, was excellent. He explained the history of the "old rum hospital" and how it had been adapted and expanded throughout the years. He clearly has a passion for the history of the building, and his ability to answer questions and make the tour really enjoyable was brilliant. As I was the only person on this particular tour, he also took some pictures of me sitting in the Speaker's chair in the Legislative Assembly!!
I got to visit the Jubilee room - a huge library-esque room where all the transcripts of the proceedings of the NSW Parliament were stored, along with copies of those from UK Parliament affecting NSW. In this room, part of the floor lifted up to reveal old stony steps that formed part of the courtyard prior to the building's expansion backwards.
I was then taken to see both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council rooms, where they explained the history and the workings of the Parliament. In the Council chamber, part of the wall opened up, to reveal the rum casks that were used to pad out the walls - nothing went to waste!
I think I can safely say, that there are very few places in the world, where you could get as close to the parliament / assembly as here. You can go for a walk around the main areas of the building without a guide - there's an art display on the walls, a beautiful fountain in the central courtyard, and a model of the building which explains its development through the years. However, if you have a free hour on a Monday or Friday at 1.30, the free tour is definitely worth the time. And if you're lucky enough to get Danny as your tour guide, say hello from this Northern Irish lass.
Written October 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
b121
Newcastle, Australia831 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
The NSW Parliament House is one of the most significant historic buildings in Sydney. It needs to be more open to the public considering that it is supposed to be a place where the residents of NSW are represented. I appreciated it's colonial architecture.
Written December 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
655peterK655
Sydney, Australia55 contributions
Nov 2012
Australia's oldest Parliament. Facade's OK but the interior is dowdy early-Victorian. You can go when one of the houses is sitting and find out why NSW is so poorly managed.
Written May 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Humbirdi
Caloundra, Australia254 contributions
Sep 2019
The location of Parliament House is easy to get to. There is a lot to see and read so take your time. Interesting to learn again the history of our government. Worth a visit if you want to catch up on some history!
Written September 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maps690726
82 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Lovely food and the scones were fabulous. The waitress Pippa was very professional and friendly. Staff were excellent and well trained.
The setting was stunning and the china was unique and lovely.
The setting was stunning and the china was unique and lovely.
Written March 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zfy Ed
Singapore, Singapore10,584 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
We were on our way to the Royal Botanical Gardens after our own "free and easy" city walking tour from Town Hall and has just passed by the "Fortune" Wild Boar Fountain of Good Luck minutes ago (please refer to my earlier review of this place here too) and passed by this State Parliament House!
Well, we have just visited the Federal Parliament House in Canberra the 2 days ago that's a so new, nice and big overlooking the Anzac Square. In terms of size, this is much smaller and does not have much to see as compared to the former, but it is still worth a visit (just like what we had done when in Melbourne and Adelaide) as each state may be different and unique from one another though they are in the same country, especially for people who are keen in history, politics and governance.
Admission is free and visitors needed to go through security screening. Officers were friendly and smileful. There were nice art displays and portraits of the key government officials over the years, like the Premiers, Speakers and the chamber is nice though again much smaller than the federal ones etc.
Good to dropby for a visit if you are in the area!
Well, we have just visited the Federal Parliament House in Canberra the 2 days ago that's a so new, nice and big overlooking the Anzac Square. In terms of size, this is much smaller and does not have much to see as compared to the former, but it is still worth a visit (just like what we had done when in Melbourne and Adelaide) as each state may be different and unique from one another though they are in the same country, especially for people who are keen in history, politics and governance.
Admission is free and visitors needed to go through security screening. Officers were friendly and smileful. There were nice art displays and portraits of the key government officials over the years, like the Premiers, Speakers and the chamber is nice though again much smaller than the federal ones etc.
Good to dropby for a visit if you are in the area!
Written January 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek-Always
Alpharetta, GA2,517 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Free. You will go through a quick security check.
There are tours of the upper house on request which was interesting.
There is an interesting fountain in the center of the building. There is a cafe on site which we didn't use.
There is some art in the lobby but nothing exceptional.
Overall, we are glad we took a look, but it is an average attraction at best.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
There are tours of the upper house on request which was interesting.
There is an interesting fountain in the center of the building. There is a cafe on site which we didn't use.
There is some art in the lobby but nothing exceptional.
Overall, we are glad we took a look, but it is an average attraction at best.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
Written April 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When-on-me-travels
Stoke-on-Trent, UK1,283 contributions
To be able to visit the parliament of NSW provides a bit of an insight as to what goes on within.
The chamber and various rooms were fascinating to look at. You can also visit a live legislative session on certain days of the week around 11am.
It was a bit confusing as to where to go first when i entered, however they do have various brochures on the wall behind you once you walk into the main building, which i sat down and read for 10mins to get a better understanding.
Fascinating 30min tour, which i only did because it was free to enter.
The chamber and various rooms were fascinating to look at. You can also visit a live legislative session on certain days of the week around 11am.
It was a bit confusing as to where to go first when i entered, however they do have various brochures on the wall behind you once you walk into the main building, which i sat down and read for 10mins to get a better understanding.
Fascinating 30min tour, which i only did because it was free to enter.
Written April 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KGB777
Singapore, Singapore41,257 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Unfortunately I was here too late in the day to be allowed inside the building, so I had to be content with admiring the grandeur of the structure from outside. But from my last visit in the late 1990s I recall the houses of parliament inside being most impressive and well worth the effort of a visit.
Written November 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was recently at the Parliament House and outside in the front of the building there were flags from many different countries, some 40+ of them. I was wondering how they picked which countries to display?
Written November 12, 2024
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing