Parliament of New South Wales
Australia’s first and oldest parliament, in a building once part of the ‘Rum Hospital’
10am–4pm
About the building
Australia’s first and oldest Parliament House has evolved over the centuries to accommodate expansion and change. Originally constructed during Governor Macquarie’s term and completed in 1816, the building began as part of the first hospital in the NSW colony. Known as the ‘Rum Hospital’, the general hospital was built in exchange for a monopoly on the importation of 60,000 gallons of rum.
In 1843, the site was expanded to include the Legislative Council chamber, now used by the Legislative Assembly. In 1906, Parliament House was extended by Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon, who designed the parliamentary library, now known as the Jubilee Room.
Late-20th-century additions balanced the demands of a modern parliament – such as functionality and security – with the need for conservation, restoration and heritage protection. In 1983, a modern administrative tower and the Fountain Court designed by Andrew Andersons, a principal architect in the Government Architect’s office, was added. That same year, internationally celebrated fountain designer Robert Woodward designed and installed the Fountain, signifying the transition between the old and the new.
Extensive restoration work took place in the early 1980s, and in 2015 the Government Architect’s office partnered with Andersons (then PTW Architects) to design a new office on the level 9 roof garden. In 2023, the largest restoration in a generation was completed to the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Legislative Council Chamber, and the Macquarie Street facades in association with Purcell Architecture and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects.
The Parliament of NSW is closed on weekends, except during Sydney Open. The public areas on level 7 will be open, as well as the Fountain Court and Reconciliation Wall
Built
1816
Architect
Unknown
Alterations
Parliament of NSW; Mortimer Lewis, 1843; Walter Liberty Vernon, 1906; Andrew Andersons, 1972–85; Robert Woodward, 1983; PTW Architects, 2015; Purcell Architecture, 2022–23; Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, 2022–24
Awards
Australian Institute of Architects NSW Architecture Awards – Winner, Heritage Conservation Award, for the Parliament of NSW restoration, 2025
National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards – Winner, Conservation – Interiors, for the Rum Hospital restoration, 2025
National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards – Winner, Conservation – Interiors, for the Chambers restoration, 2024
Concrete Institute of Australia – Award for Excellence in Concrete, 1981
IES Illumination Awards – Meritorious Lighting Award, 1984
Australian Institute of Architects NSW Architecture Awards – Lloyd Rees Award for a Work of Outstanding Environmental Design, 1985
Acknowledgements
The Parliament of NSW’s participation has been made possible by agreement from the Presiding Officers of the 58th Parliament of NSW.
The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.
Find out more about this building here
Parliament of New South Wales
6 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Entry details
The public areas of the building on level 7, the Chambers of the Legislative Council and Assembly, the Parkes Room, Jubilee Room, Fountain Court exhibition and Reconciliation Wall
10am–4pm
3.30pm
Need to know
Accessible featuresThere is wheelchair and pram access down a ramp to level 6, where a lift is located to the public areas on level 7. Visitors will be required to go through airport-style security scans before entry. Lift accessibility requires a different entry and an escort. Accessible toilets are available
Toilets availableBaby changing facilities
Photography allowedFilming is not permitted
