Sydney Town Hall

Sydney Town Hall is a stunning heritage building that stands right in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle. The mix of historic architecture and the lively atmosphere around it makes it one of those spots that always feels full of energy. I’ve been through here countless times, and no matter the time, weather, or season, it’s always buzzing—whether it’s workers rushing by, street performers entertaining the crowd, or people just soaking in the city vibe. With easy access to trains, buses, and light rail, plus plenty of shops and cafés around, it’s a place that truly captures the pulse of Sydney.

Sydney Town Hall is a remarkable landmark in the heart of the city, showcasing grand Victorian architecture. Its intricate sandstone façade and towering clock tower make it a must-see for architecture enthusiasts and photographers alike. Inside, the Centennial Hall is a highlight, featuring one of the world’s largest pipe organs. The hall’s ornate ceilings and chandeliers add to its majestic ambiance. Many visitors have praised the building’s beauty and the quality of events held here. The Town Hall is conveniently located near public transport and is surrounded by various dining and shopping options. It’s not only a functioning civic building but also a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and ceremonies.  Overall, Sydney Town Hall is a blend of historical significance and architectural splendor, making it a worthwhile visit for both tourists and locals.

Here’s a short praise for a Town Hall in English: “The Town Hall stands as a symbol of unity and progress, bringing people together for important discussions and celebrations. With its grand architecture and welcoming atmosphere, it serves as the heart of the community. A place where voices are heard, ideas are shared, and history is made—our Town Hall is truly a treasure that reflects the spirit of the people it represents.” Let me know if you want any changes!

Sydney Town Hall is located in the centre of Sydney's CBD. It is a historical, late 19th century building. I thought the hall looked grand from the outside, but inside was even more spectacular! There is a really large, ornate chandelier in the reception area, hanging below a pretty and very detailed high ceiling. Once in the main hall, there are many other details to look at and take in. I was fascinated by the many historical plaques and elements inside. The use of space and accessing the hall was very well organised on the occasion of my visit. I would highly recommend coming here!

The largest organ in the world at the time of its completion, it is now the second largest (Not sure) organ but remains the largest mechanical-action pipe organ in the world. Really worth visiting. But you can't go inside without a ticket to a concert. It is right in front of the town hall light rail station, really easy to access

Sydney Town Hall is one of Australia’s most iconic Victorian-era civic buildings. Venue for council chambers, weddings, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, and community events — over 300 events held annually.

A very special musical experience! The sound of organ is majestic and grand, creating a sacred and powerful atmosphere.

A Familiar Landmark Sydney Town Hall is more than just a transit point for me — it’s where my usual train stop is, and every time I pass by, it brings a sense of familiarity and comfort. With its grand architecture and central location, it reminds me of Ghanta Ghar in Kathmandu, Nepal — a comparison many Nepalese, including myself, often make. The building itself is a beautiful example of heritage architecture, standing proudly in the middle of the city. Whether it's your first visit or part of your daily routine, it adds a touch of historical elegance to the modern buzz of Sydney’s CBD. For me and many other Nepalese, Sydney Town Hall feels like a piece of home — a blend of movement, connection, and cultural memory. It’s a place that symbolizes both where I am and where I come from.

Disappointed it was closed & we couldn't wander inside. The trolley stops in front & there are many benches in front to sit & wait. The Sydney Town Hall was built over the Old Sydney Burial Ground. The cemetery was Sydney's first permanent cemetery and it is estimated that at least 2,000 buried between 1792 and 1820. The foundation stone was laid in 1868 by Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburg. The building was constructed in two stages & the design was the result of a competition, won by J. H. Willson. Before the Opera House opened this with the venue to meet and greet dignitaries. The building with its clock tower and steps is a city landmark & city symbol. It is considered the most elaborate and exuberant work of Second Empire Style architecture in Australia featuring corner towers, domed pavilions, pedimented breakfront entries, a hierarchy of decorative orders, columned & pedimented window treatment, venetian windows with many elaborate decorations. It exhibits the craftsmanship, quality of materials and incorporates technological advances.

This is one of the prettiest town hall buildings I have ever come across. It's on the scale and design of buildings found in DC. Our town hall at current is an ugly square or rectangular shaped building at the moment. The new city buildings today could only dream of looking at regal as this city hall.

Citizenship Ceremony Came here for a Citizenship Ceremony. Beautiful old building. Staff were all friendly and helpful and everything was so easy. Jazz band playing Australian songs in the corner. The Sydney Mayor presided over a lovely ceremony followed by Champagne and Australian cakes and biscuits!

Hey Doc! Rev up the DeLorean in front of Woolies, yell "Great Scott!" and find yourself transported in time (but not in space) to 1832. Gone are the Sydneysiders congregating on the steps of the Sydney Town Hall. Gone are the steps, pillars, "fanciful" roof, and the multi-facing timepiece. In fact the impressive, sturdy, Victorian, sandstone building is gone altogether! In its place is a quiet, secluded, and very neglected graveyard: The Old Sydney Burial Ground. A cow aimlessly strolls between the headstones whilst chewing on some cud, and a stray goat and a couple of pigs are also nearby. Closer inspection reveals the permanent citizenry of the necropolis are a motley crew: a cacophony of convicts, freemen and military men. The oldest tombstones are dated 1792. Many of the graves are vandalised and lying open. Great Scott! Something decidedly untoward just wafted up out of one of them! It is already quite dark and there is some movement over in the shadows. Grave robbers digging up another grave to purloin the leaden coffin, no doubt. Ah! Not this time - though, evidently, a common enough occurrence. No, this time it's just your average Piddlin' Pete relieving himself after a big night. ... When the construction of the Town Hall commenced in 1869, many of the remains were exhumed and moved to a mass grave, marked by a monument, at Rookwood Necropolis. However, only those graves that were directly in the path of the construction were removed so there are, in fact, still graves containing skeletal remains being unearthed on site in the Town Hall basement. (I'm still coming to terms with the realisation that, having danced at the Town Hall in the past, I was effectively dancing on the grave of one of my convict ancestors! A thieving con by the name o' William Innes). Tours showcasing these archaeological excavations are not currently offered on site, but there is nothing stopping you from parking yourself in front of Woolies and fashioning a DeLorean out of your grey matter so you can visualise what was once on the site of the Sydney Town Hall and what still lies beneath! If you need a bit of a stimulus to get your ol' noggin DeLoreanified, Google the "Old Sydney Burial Ground" to see historical sketches of how the burial ground used to look. As for me, it's high time I got back to the future. * Review originally written and posted 23 February 2013.

I haven't been inside, but the outside is where the free tour starts at 10:30 and 2:30. Look for the 'I'm free' green t shirt. Town hall is built on an old graveyard! Well, if you can call it that. It was so shallow and smelly that the citizens asked for it to be moved. Beautiful old building thought, right next to the oldest one--a church now facing the wrong way! The main street moved, but the building couldn't...

Psst . . . wanna see a massive organ? Follow me, and get ready to suspend your disbelief. It's easy to forget the Town Hall is there. Well it's not, given it's size and gothic facade, but after you've walked past it for the thousandth time it sort of fades into the background, and you need a special occasion to remind yourself that hey, we've got this epic old building, and it's all kinds of awesome. Inside are marble hallways, chandeliers, ballrooms, probably some stately offices at the back blocked off to the public, and the main chamber, a huge hall used for galas and fundraisers and events of state, and the entire back wall of this huge, regal room is an organ, an old, bold, colossal pipe organ like something out of a steampunk Wizard of OZ. It is a sight to behold, let me tell you. I just want to see the damn thing played. Might have to come back on Christmas.

Another great piece of architecture in Sydney. Located in the CBD, this is a great building showing unique architectural design. While I did not enter this building, I did sit on the steps on a busy and lively Friday night and people-watched - it was great! It must not be a unique thing to do since there were many others sitting on the steps of Town Hall enjoying the people watching too. This place is a great spot to appreciate day or night...an amazing landmark to see.

One of Sydney's historic gems and definitely worth a look in side, its played host to a variety of events in recent months including seminars for MBA's and even a Lady Gaga ga ga ga ga concert. Beautifully decked out in opulent furnishings albeit with a slightly tough and ready Aussie side to it, I mean its no Vatican or palace of Versailles but I really do love the interior its quite grand! Watch out for the emo's on the steps during the evening you may get eye liner on you .

I have been fortunate and blessed to be invited to many events in this historic, prestigious building. It is sophisticated and elegant inside, and it was a real honour to be enjoying my university graduation ceremony here. If there is any art or cultural event going on in Sydney such as the recent Art and About event; you would be lucky to find some prominent art hanging around here. Serves a variety of different purposes; just love the sheer elegance of the main auditorium; especially the beautifully shaped and designed roof with that european homely feel. The seats and comfortable. This is the best part of the Town Hall. Downstairs still has its grace, glory and elegance yet it's more functional and a little traditional like a normal church hall. It will forever remain Sydney's ideal meeting spot for friends to meet prior to catching up; hence the iconic Town Hall steps. It was also special when the Sydney Town Hall lit up the way it did in celebrating the ten year anniversary from the 2000 Olympic Games the way it did last year - just priceless. Just beautiful, well maintained, pristine and historic. Another great landmark to add to Sydney's books.

The Sydney Town Hall is one of our most impressive buildings; imposing over the four-way crossing on George Street, looking up to the beautiful architecture of Sydney Town Hall is a pleasant reminder of another time, a time when this country of ours was just forming. The Victorian Sandstone building is a good neighbour for the Queen Victoria Building, an ally in the ongoing competition of heritage versus progress. In addition to it's aesthetic beauty, Sydney Town Hall is a practical place; people have been meeting each other on the steps of Town Hall since forever. Locals, tourists, friends, business partners - Sydney Town Hall eclipses the social barriers between these people, with its iconic nature as a compelling force. Day and night, there are friends and lovers sat on the steps. It also serves as a venue for Sydney's various events, and can be said to be one of the most talked about, used and beautiful places in Sydney.

The Sydney Town Hall steps have been the meeting place for students and people from out of town who don't know the name of a bar of cafe to meet at since the dawn of time. The Town Hall is located bang in the centre of the city- as a town hall should be- and is a beautiful building. 1880's Victorian sandstone, the building has retained its original function and interior, and houses council chambers as well as various sized function rooms. These rooms, besides what ever Secret Council Business goes on inside, serve as a venue for talks during Sydney Writer's Festival and those type of events. But most of all Sydney Town Hall is famous for its huge organ. Yeah I went there. The main hall (the Centennial Hall) contains the world's largest pipe organ with tubular pneumatic action and it's the dream of organists world wide to play with those pipes.

There is a lot more to Town Hall than the steps. Yes ok it's probably the most central and convenient place to rendezvous (especially with wayward visitors!), but if you can conspire to actually go *inside* this gorgeous building, you're in for a treat. Over the years I've been to a few events here - dating back to school days (gasp!). I remember being impressed back then and to this day the stunning Sydney sandstone still manages to be awe-inspiring. Margaret & David (from ABC's At The Movies) packed out the place during the Sydney Film Festival. It was great to the hall used for such a vibrantly public service - and not merely reserved for stuffy council meetings and the like.

When I came to Sydney many decades ago, it used to be a waiting spot for everybody because there were no Starbucks, cafes and anything around here those days and on top, no one can miss this iconic spot. Perhaps still now many people will choose this place for meeting spot. It's really convenient place here because it locates just above the Town Hall Station and alongside the busiest street of George Street. If you arrived here a little bit ahead of time you can be browsing around the another iconic building of Queen Victoria Building or Galeria. But be careful not spend too much time for it and don't be late for your meeting time because too many things to see and too many nice shops to visit in these buildings. Oh, I shouldn't miss mentioning that there are some events held sometimes such as The Brick Show in April and The Game Changer by Iconic American artist Shepard Fairey in June. This building is such a beautiful architecture made of Sydney sandstones. If you have never been there, you should go and just have a look.

Town Hall is one of Sydney's iconic historical structures. The Town Hall itself is used for events like school award ceremonies or performances. Below the actual structure is the Town Hall train station. You can go north to Wynyard station or south to Central Station. The steps of Town Hall are a great place to wait for the bus and people watch. Watch out for the pigeons though. Nearby you can go to the Queen Victoria Building which houses stores that sell a wide variety of items. It's really a small mall.

Nice old piece of architecture. And a massive organ like the one at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, San Diego. We went inside to check it out as I hadn't been here in decades. Seems like nothing has changed, but you probably wouldn't want a change. No doubt its on the national historic registry and all that, also. There was a school assembly about to start for the school next door. Particularly snotty-nosed kids. Whatever.

Loved being able to attend a seminar in this amazing building.