Customs House, Sydney

Customs House, Sydney

The Customs House in Sydney has been open since 1845 and is one of the city's most famous heritage buildings. This building has traditionally served as the entry point for all kinds of goods. There are many exhibits to help visitors learn more about what has gone on at the Customs House in the past. Exhibitions have included a photographic exhibition focusing on 1900 to 1920, exploring the city using cryptic clues, and an outdoor interactive display available all the time.

There is also a scale model of Sydney's downtown area, easily accessed by climbing the helix staircase. The miniature versions of some of the city's most famous sights give you a great idea of how to spot them in your travels. Fiber-optic lights come on at night to illuminate the scale model, a wonder for all ages.

One of the fascinating aspects of local history that the Customs House highlights is how British settlers initially encountered the Eora or Aborigines. The nearby seashore outside the building is host to shell middens that are evidence of how these early inhabitants lived.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sydney. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Customs House on Map

Sight Name: Customs House
Sight Location: Sydney, Australia (See walking tours in Sydney)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Sydney, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Sydney

Create Your Own Walk in Sydney

Creating your own self-guided walk in Sydney is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sydney's Historical Churches

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The impressive Early English-style of architecture seen in Saint Mary's Cathedral is said to have inspired the American...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Rocks Walking Tour

The Rocks Walking Tour

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Today's Rocks is a thriving locality packed...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Historic Buildings Walking Tour

Historic Buildings Walking Tour

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One can...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Food Tour in Sydney

Food Tour in Sydney

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Start with Gateway Sydney, an upscale food court with WiFi and just about any kind...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Sydney Introduction Walking Tour

Sydney Introduction Walking Tour

Sydney was found in 1788 when a fleet of eleven British ships arrived at where Sydney Cove is today. Onboard those pioneer vessels were 759 convicts plus sailors and marines to guard them. The city was named after Lord Sydney, the British Secretary of State who recommended the British government to establish a penal colony in Australia.

Human activity in the area that would later become Sydney...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Newtown Street Murals Walking Tour

Newtown Street Murals Walking Tour

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Ever since the early 1990s, with the appearance of the famous “I Have a Dream” Mural on King Street, a powerful depiction of Martin Luther King Junior's iconic speech, this...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles

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