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Government House. Photograph Patrick Bingham Hall
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Can you name all the 37 Governors of New South Wales? Famous places like Darling Harbour and Fort Denison might help you with the early ones but what about the others?

When the colony was an unruly infant, public servants with a military or navy background came out to represent the British government. However as New South Wales progressed under colonial self-government, men with aristocratic backgrounds and relatively little political experience assumed office. As a result the role became less political and more socially orientated.

Governor Sir George Gipps celebrated the Queen's Birthday Ball at the house in May 1843 even though construction would go on for another two years (at the unprecedented cost of £46,000). Almost 100 years later Governor Wakehurst made the house available for public inspection to raise funds for the war effort.

Today our current Governor, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, is the first female to occupy the office. 

COLLECTION

Contemporary design within a vice-regal interior.
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CHINA AUSTRALIA CONNECTIONS

The Teahouse at Eryldene. Photograph Sheridan Burke.

Explore the work of Australian architect William Hardy and his passion for Chinese culture.

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CLOSURES

EXTENDED JANUARY OPENING HOURS

Take advantage of our extended opening hours this January.

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Location: Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Contact: 02 9931 5222

Admission:

  •  Free
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Hours: Friday to Sunday from 10.30am to 3pm by guided tour ONLY | Grounds open daily from 10am to 4pm | Check for closures

Transport: