Qtopia Sydney
A historic police station transformed into the largest centre for queer history and culture in the world
10am–4pm
About the building
The former Darlinghurst Police Station, at the corner of Forbes and Bourke streets, has been transformed into Qtopia Sydney, a museum and storyteller of queer history and culture.
The Edwardian-style building was designed by Colonial Architect Walter Liberty Vernon and constructed in 1899, replacing the Darlinghurst Watch House, built on the site in 1854. Two additional cells were built in 1930, and in 1935 an upper floor was added to the side wings. Nearby, in Taylor Square, the electric substation and men’s underground toilets, both designed by Robert Hargreave Brodrick, were opened in 1904 and 1907, respectively. In 1938, after much lobbying by women’s groups, the first female public toilet was built in the upper level of the substation building.
The former police station, with its original cells and prison tram yard, is important to the history of the NSW Police Force and to the LGBTQIA+ community. In the 1970s and 80s, members of the gay and lesbian communities were locked up at the Darlinghurst Police Station, including the protesters during the 1978 rally that led to the establishment of the very first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and participants in the parade.
Qtopia Sydney opened in 2024, with the cells and nearby substation and underground toilets converted into exhibition space. A centre of queer history and culture, Qtopia is dedicated to telling the stories of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Built
1899
Architect
Walter Liberty Vernon
Alterations
Robert Hargreave Brodrick, 1904, 1907
Acknowledgements
Qtopia Sydney acknowledges the generous support of the Australian Government, Create NSW, City of Sydney and the Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch Foundation.
Find out more about this building here
Qtopia Sydney
301 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst
Entry details
Qtopia Sydney in the former police station, cells, and the over-18 exhibition in the underground toilets
10am–4pm
3.30pm
Need to know
Accessible featuresAs this is a heritage building, some rooms have access limitations, such as steps and narrow entries. Cells have very narrow doors and are not accessible to wheelchairs. The underground toilets are only accessible via steps. Accessible toilets are available
Toilets availablePhotography allowedFood and drink availableCoffee cart
