Local Highlight

Elizabeth Bay House

When: Open Sundays from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Elizabeth Bay House, 7 Onslow Ave, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011
Admission: Free entry. Visitors are encouraged to pre-book tickets online

Built at a “very considerable expense”, Elizabeth Bay House was once the finest house in the colony, sitting within a garden of the most remarkable extravagance and fancy. It tells a familiar Sydney story: of ambition and passion, of riches to ruin. 

With magnificent views over Sydney Harbour, Elizabeth Bay House gleams like a Greek temple. Once surrounded by famous gardens, it is now one of the most spectacular private houses ever built in Australia. The home still attracts great attention full of astonishment and elegance with its sweeping staircase, lavish furnishing and grand bedrooms. It’s original owner, Alexander Macleay, is one of the most important public officials in colonial Sydney with his elegant taste expressed through his home. He most well known for his passion toward his magnificent gardens which ultimately pushed him towards ruin. Elizabeth Bay House is iconic for the obsession for property in Sydney. 

Macleay’s property covered an expansive 54 acres (22ha) of prime harbour-side real estate, and took in spectacular views east up the harbour towards the heads. It was in fact the textbook picturesque location, surrounded by rugged sandstone outcrops and cliffs, rich vegetation and bustling activity on the water. 

It is truly an iconic edition of Sydney’s past with an important lesson of ambition beyond means whilst showcasing spectacular views from inside and outside the elegant home.

Find out more & pre-book your tickets for the Elizabeth Bay House here.