Join us for the Mothers Day weekend at Eryldene.

Join a guided walking tour and be inspired by the geological wonders of Ku-ring-gai's Bicentennial Park.

Join Joy Bryan, daughter of Mr Arthur Newling Swain and Council’s resident gardener Adam for a guided walk and talk through Swain Gardens, followed by a morning tea on the tennis lawn.

The Friends of Ethel Turner Society will be hosting tours of Historic 'Woodlands' for one day only on Sunday 5th May 2024. We'll be sharing the built heritage and stories of past resident and blue plaque recipient, famous Ethel Turner, author of the classic, Seven Little Australians.

As a part of the Ku-ring-gai Heritage Festival, The Friends of Ethel Turner will be hosting tours of historic 'Woodlands' Killara.

Follow in the footsteps of Ethel Turner, author of Seven Little Australians and join local artist Marguerite de Fondaumiere to capture the unique character and charm of the beautiful and historic Woodlands House with its late Victorian Georgian and Federation Filigree style.

Did you know that one of our local residents, Annie Wyatt, was responsible for setting up a conservation group in our area? Her work was so important, it led to the formation of the National Trust. As part of Council's Heritage Festival, we will be hosting a special storytime to celebrate the connec

A scavenger hunt will need solving using clues provided in historic photographs of the Lindfield area. Children are invited to put their best problem solving skills to the test to complete the challenge of finding the necessary clues and completing extra activities.

Join a guided walking tour and be inspired by the geological wonders of the Northern Beaches Long Reef.

Delight in the elegance of these original 1930s glamorous evening gowns and accessories.

Peter Pan (1924) restored silent classic presented by Film Heritage Academy with live music (Graeme Costin).

The Thomas & Jane Rose Family Society's annual Picnic Open Day aims to bring together descendants, friends and community members for a day of fun, reminiscence and appreciation of Thomas and Jane Rose as the first free settler family in Australia. It is held at heritage listed Rose Cottage (1811).

Join this talk and be inspired by the geological wonders of Ku-ring-gai GeoRegion project.

The General (1926) restored black and white silent movie presented by Film Heritage Academy with live music (Graeme Costin).

Step back in time and look through our Cottages from the 19th Century, we will have the family history to look at on the majority of our Cottages. There is also a Post Office, Police Station and Bank to go through with artifacts from the 1800s.

Heritage Month returns to Wyong for 2024! You’re invited to explore the rich history of Wyong town centre though an interactive Virtual Reality experience or an in-person walk conducted by Wyong Family History Group.

Discover the unique history of Wyong by taking an easy paced walking tour around the town centre. Our experienced and knowledgeable guides will both educate and entertain you.

A Place to Call Home: Why heritage houses matter. Artist Marta Madison presents a collection of watercolour paintings depicting Federation and Arts and Crafts style homes (circa 1880-1920), on display at Art Space on The Concourse, Chatswood, 24 April-05 May 2024, 11-5pm. Closed Anzac Day.

Our latest temporary explores the Natural History of Willoughby focusing on local fungi, flora and fauna and the importance of protecting and enhancing the habitat essential for its survival. See how humans connect with nature in restoring local bushland for the benefit of all.

Bella Vista Farm sits in spacious, picturesque parklands. Once owned by John and Elizabeth Macarthur it was later farmed by the Pearce family who developed it into a thriving citrus orchard. The farm, preserved in its entirety, sits upon a hilltop with sweeping views of the district.

In the lead up to Anzac Day, this timely seminar will provide attendees with valuable and unique information about our military past.

The Paradise Plan.

A short (14-minute) film that explores connections between Canberra and Castlecrag. It intertwines the aspirations of the Griffins in both places with the history of the Gigante puppets created in their name, as part of the campaign to save Castlecrag Infants School back in 1989.

Take a guided walk in the Griffins’ Castlecrag and visit the interiors of two beautifully restored homes designed by Walter Burley Griffin.

Explore the world of a family of artists who have been overlooked for the past 100 years. From Georgian London (1714-1811) to the Great Depression in Australia, the Clint family through four generations pursued their creativity - and livelihood - from the many branches of the fine arts.

The Parramatta River has been an essential waterway for Australia’s indigenous population as well as for the early settlement of the colony. Over time settlement followed the river, spreading into surrounding districts in order to secure the best agricultural land and open up the area.

Carisbrook will be open during the Australian Heritage Festival on April 20th and 21th between 10am and 4pm.

Enjoy a self-guided audio tour through Carisbrook's 1880s rooms and Devonshire tea or coffee and cake in the sunny courtyard. The gardens are always a delight to wander through afterwards,

Carisbrook will be open during the Australian Heritage Festival on May 18th and 19th between 10am and 4pm.

Enjoy a self-guided audio tour through Carisbrook's 1880s rooms and Devonshire tea or coffee and cake in the sunny courtyard. The gardens are always a delight to wander through afterwards

Join Karen Smith from the Aboriginal Heritage Office as she explores how First Nations people lived their lives around the Manly Dam area and the broad changes the area underwent to support the local European people.

A guided walking tour that will visit the ' vanished site' but 'vibrant memories' of the old ABC television studios at Gore Hill.

Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery connects the physical heritage of the present to the historical past highlighting those individuals whose achievements forged our future.

Learn about the old ABC studios at Gore Hill by watching historic film footage of the site. Listen to former ABC staff who will share stories of what it was like to work on this site that for almost fifty years produced some of the finest television programs in the nation.

The Female Orphan School building has been a key witness to some of the most significant social changes in Australian history. The building has shaped thousands of lives over the two centuries it has stood on the banks of the Parramatta River.

Discover the connected history and compelling stories of Parramatta North, located by the Parramatta River, by exploring the restored buildings, cultural and innovation hub and open spaces. Heritage Day is family friendly, with guided tours, talks and workshops, live music, great food, and children's activities.

In 1824, how did a London schoolmaster's wife find herself appointed as the first female Superintendent at the Parramatta Female Factory? And did her actions really lead to the infamous riot of 1827?

Join us as we learn about Elizabeth Fulloon, described by Governor Darling as a woman of 'extraordinary bodily strength and energy of character', who rose to the challenge of managing such

Discover the intriguing history of Little Manly as you join Max Burns-McRuvie from Journey Walks on a historical walking tour, delving into the past and sharing stories that make our surroundings so special, before enjoying a delicious 2 course lunch with bread and snacks at Ripples Little Manly.

View a stunning exhibition of the Art of Paul Rolfe featuring landscapes in Field of Mars Park and Hunters Hill.

All Aboard! Come to the launch of the Kirribilli Writers Group’s latest Anthology 'Heritage Matters', with readings by members of the KWG interspersed with music by popular composer pianist Michael Hope. This Anthology of original stories and poems has been inspired by the theme of 'connections'.

Are you ready to publish your book? Then join award winning publisher, Margaret Szalay who will guide you through the maze of editing, design and marketing.

Since inception, The Faces in the Crowd series of exhibitions have celebrated Mosman residents and business owners. This year the focus is the unique stories of three amazing locals.

Hear from citizen heritage sleuths who uncovered an important contributor to North Shore development, the long-forgotten architect, E.S. Garton. They diligently connected the incredible jigsaw pieces that spanned decades of Garton’s life that ultimately reconnected history with local heritage.

The past is never past but alive in our present. Connecting the stories of its compelling history to today’s heritage site, Q Station’s next open day, Quarantine Connections will bring the site alive through a program of free tours and activities.

This talk covers the history of Hambledon Cottage, built for John Macarthur as a Colonial Georgian cottage now 200 years old, including its construction, additions and restorations over these years, as well as its current use.

This talk is about the history of Parramatta & District Historical Society, the oldest local historical society in NSW, which is 110 years old this year. The Society is the local authority on the local & family history and heritage of Parramatta, and operates Hambledon Cottage, now 200 years old.

An intriguing talk, with morning tea, which will showcase many connections between artworks and surveyors, including world renowned and lesser known artists who were also surveyors, plus be delighted with an array of artworks featuring surveyors, many painted by some of our early surveyors.

The inland Port tour experiences connections between Aboriginals and settlers as they work and play around the river port and environs.

Lively power-point presentation, with morning tea, that will bring tombstones 'alive' as some intriguing historical connections are revealed.

Join internationally renown speaker, John Brock, for a captivating talk, with morning tea, which will reveal many historical connections between Australia and the tiny island of St. Helena.

Explore the different meanings of black across a century of fashion, from mourning a loved one, to the chic elegance of the little black dress, at Old Government House's new major exhibition Back to Black.

Connect with the past on a candlelit tour of Old Government House, Parramatta and hear stories of strange happenings experienced by volunteers, staff and past guests.

Join a guided walking tour and enjoy exclusive access to view the Graythwaite site that sits within Shore, North Sydney. Discover the story of the site from its beginnings as a stone cottage to a grand 19th century estate incorporating a Coach House, the Stables and a former Rose Garden and Hut.

A journey back to the humble beginnings of the suburb of Mosman where it all began, Archibald Mosman's Whaling Station. The Barn is one the last remaining examples of Early Colonial Maritime Industrial architecture left in Sydney. Enjoy a cup of tea and an historical overview of the Barn.

That Sydney has a rare intact example of a large Edwardian private residential estate surprises many. The Yaralla Estate was developed by the Walker family between 1848 and 1937 as a farm, pleasure garden, residence and one of Sydney’s premiere social destinations. You can see it on our Open Day.

Enjoy twilight at May Gibbs' harbourside house in Neutral Bay.

A walk through one of Parramatta's historic cemeteries where many ‘residents’ have strong connections, good and bad, with the City of Parramatta.

Calling all ghost-busters in training! Join us on a special one-hour twilight candle-lit tour of the ground floor of Old Government House – a 222-year-old early Governors country residence known for some very strange happenings. Hear stories by volunteers, staff and guests!

Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Greenway public housing with a walking tour of Milsons Point and Kirribilli, followed by a viewing of the photography exhibition All Things Considered by Christopher Ireland, at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre.

Bradfield Park North is a little gem. Join a guided walk in the park with our 3 local experts to discover the layers of history evidenced by the landscape, architecture and engineering features around us.

The Longbottom Stockade, at Parramatta Road and Loftus Street, Concord served many purposes in its lifetime

'The Balmain Observer' goes inside the Post Office and Court House and takes us on a tour of the original building before it was opened. Explaining in detail the fittings both upstairs and down. An amazing observation from over 100years ago.

Discover the history of East Balmain as Sydney historian Max Burns-McRuvie from Journey Walks whisks you away to an earlier era, with stories of Balmains culture, mystery & colourful characters. You will meet at The Fenwick, be taken on a historical walking tour before returning for a 2 course lunch

Discover the history of Sydney’s Walsh Bay as historian Max Burns-McRuvie from Journey Walks rewinds the clock to an earlier age, leading guests on a historical walking tour delving into local murders, mysteries and tales of ancient pubs, smugglers and street gangs

Make your way through the murky maritime village of old Millers Point on a historian-led walk that uncovers the fascinating locals, legends and layout of this history drenched hub. This tour will visit convict built pubs, hidden laneways, colonial mansions, shipping wharves and views of the harbour.

Australia has a rich natural and cultural heritage that underpins a sense of place and national identity. Our heritage includes stories, traditions, events and experiences inherited from the past and is comprised of natural, historic and Indigenous places and people.

Step back in time, join us for a fun-filled guided Saturday cruise aboard historic steamer: 1902 Steam Tug Waratah!
Whether you're a steam enthusiast or just looking for a unique experience, this cruise is perfect for you!

Join industrial heritage expert and Artefact Principal Dr Iain Stuart on a specially curated guided tour of Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont.

Outdoor walking exhibition at Callan Park and Broughton Hall highlighting the history of Repatriation care and veterans at Callan Park.

Come connect with Callan Park. Immerse yourself in its beauty and extraordinary history.

Discover two of the Hawkesbury's lesser known, historic cemeteries as part of Heritage Festival. The Hawkesbury is unique having numerous cemeteries located in the area. We will visit the Old Presbyterian Cemetery followed by the Catholic and Methodist cemeteries in Richmond.

Experience the thrill of ocean sailing on a fully restored Tall Ship from the 1870s: James Craig!
Your amazing experience begins as this historic 1874 square rig sail ship leaves her berth at Pyrmont.

A rare opportunity to explore the restoration work of the last Sydney's double-ended ferry: Kanangra at Sydney Heritage Fleet Shipyard.

Step back in time! Join us for a fun-filled cruise of Sydney Harbour aboard historic steamer: 1902 VIP Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun!

Immerse yourself in an evening of Crime Trivia, Cocktails and Sinister Stories of the past.

Historian Max Burns-McRuvie and SILY Bar will animate your passion for true crime stories through a unique series of live events in a heritage setting.

Join us for: Crimes, Quizzes, Cocktails and Connections.

Join Transport Historian Peter Hughes for the book launch of Wheels within Wheels: A history of Sydney’s Buses, is based on documents and reports in the State Library of NSW, State Records NSW and Bus and Coach Association (NSW) and then enjoy the museum at your own leisure.

The Heritage Centre brings alive the spirit of the Sisters of Charity, its history and heritage. It is a creative and inclusive space comprising of a permanent and temporary exhibition, chapel and courtyard, and meeting room. We'd love to welcome you!

To celebrate the Australian Heritage Festival, the Harbour Trust is opening the doors of Sydney’s oldest navigational light source for a special guided tour.

In this talk, City Historian Laila Ellmoos will tell us about the history of the City of Sydney's Condemnation and Demolition Books, a key photographic collection held in the City Archives comprising almost 5000 photographs and associated glass plate negatives.

You'll discover the wonderful and decadent sides of Sydney’s housing.
Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay are amongst the colourful places in the country. With a harbourside location, these have been home to the very rich and the very poor, to churches, gangsters and scandal.

Step into the sinister, sensational and sexed-up world of old Kings Cross. This unique exploration will connect contemporary visitors with the colourful characters, notorious crime stories and infamous clubs of Sydney’s historic entertainment hub. 2 hour evening tour led by Sydney Crime Historian.

Embedded in the floor of the Hall of Service is a ring displaying 100 battlefields or sites of military significance. Join our senior historian to learn how this artwork was created and of the NSW service personnel who have fought, sweated and bled beyond our shores between 1863 and 2018.

Embark on a cultural journey at the Chinese Garden of Friendship during the Heritage Festival. Experience a captivating school holiday workshop, explore an enticing exhibition, join a newly developed Meandering Pathway of Tranquility tour, and indulge in the delights of the new menu.

Free 30-minute Organ Recitals on the Award Winning 1890 William Hill & Son Organ: 1pm 2pm, 3pm 
Free Church History Talks 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:30pm 
Display of Church History / Memorabilia in the Church Hall
PWA Devonshire Teas in the Church Hall (only $5) 
Annandale Local History Walk (only $20)

City Historian Laila Ellmoos will share how the archive sheds light on the rapid urbanisation of Darlinghurst in the 19th century, and the intricate and intimate interconnections between neighbours, tenants and landlords.

How does a pretty hamlet with windmills, cottages and paddocks transform into an inner-city suburb of Victorian terraces, Art Deco flats and rowdy pubs? Join us for a part how-to, part history talk about exploring the City of Sydney’s archives and connecting its people, places and stories.

Come and immerse yourself in the soundscape of Darlinghurst in the 1920s and 30s with historians Paula Hamilton and Lisa Murray, as they evoke localised sounds and trace how modern living and technology triggered complaints and new definitions of noise.

Use images from the City of Sydney Archives to create a laser-cut printing plate and print your image on our printing press!

At Real History Walking Tours, we love sharing overlooked or unknown stories from the past. Sydney's streets are oozing with incredible historical stories just waiting to be uncovered! Our 1.5-hour walking tours allow visitors to understand the cultural and social history of multiple Sydney suburbs.

Embark on a curated tour that will unveil the rich history and architectural grandeur of the heritage-listed Hotel Morris. Following the tour, indulge in a culinary journey with a specially crafted shared menu packed with mouthwatering Italian flavours and limited-time dishes.

Be inspired by images from the City of Sydney archives to create heritage inspired laser-cut jewellery pieces.

Join award winning historian and local resident Dr Ian Hoskins on a walk around one of Sydney's oldest suburbs, where a Pugin-inspired church, early-Victorian terraces and remnants of the once dominant Tooths Brewery survive with the best in contemporary architecture, art galleries and eateries.

Uncover the hidden gems of Double Bay's heritage on this 2-hour walking tour, with our dedicated library staff as your guides. Discover historic stories, images and information that illustrate local themes and connect us to the past.

Delve into the depths of Paddington's peculiar past. This history hunt will expose the crimes before the cafes and the slums before the chic. Exploring hidden alleys, terraced streets, historic pubs, we'll connect with odd identities, local legends and unusual architecture. Don't miss this 2hour Historian led tour.

Linnwood is a NSW State Heritage Listed house (1891) on 5 hectares at Guildford. The house will be open on Sunday 28 April with various displays of local and historic interest. Devonshire tea provided and visitors are free to roam the house and grounds. Parking on site.

Join award-winning author Alecia Simmonds as she uncovers a hidden history of love and heartbreak in the archives of law.

While the Australian Diggers were battling in New Guinea, the gangsters in Surry Hills were battling each other for control of the lucrative vice marketing feeding the US Servicemen. Join a walking tour of Surry Hills and discover the lost (censored) history of when WW2 came to Surry Hills.

A guided walk to flesh out the characters and events that contributed to our heritage of Smith Street, Summer Hill.

Unforgettable night of local knowledge shared by Kate and her henchmen. True local stories direct from the mouth of the Queen of Surry hills herself with her insights into the razor gang years in her actual home which was also her first sly grog shop. Tickets include performance, antipasto plate and dessert.

Join the Heritage Team on a guided tour of the Vintage Village at Fairfield City Museum & Gallery during the Australian Heritage Festival in 2024.

Connect with the history of this lively Petersham Street with an illustrated talk by the author of the book Palace Street, Gerard Windsor, and publisher Richard Cashman who has lived in Palace and Fisher Street for four decades and has observed changes in the street.

Located in Waverley in Sydney’s busy Eastern Suburbs, Edina is described as ‘one of the grandest private houses surviving in Sydney from Colonial times’, yet few people know of this historical gem, hiding in plain sight. Tour this historical gem and enjoy morning tea.

Join us on a guided tour of Cabra-Vale (Cabramatta and Canley Vale) to uncover the fascinating history behind each of these suburbs. Discover parks, heritage sites and colourful Daoist temples along the way... A visit to Canley Vale is a timeless experience for first timers!

Experience life during the Victorian era in one of the oldest homes in the St George District. The State heritage-listed building is home to a wonderful collection of fine antiques and period objects. Enjoy Devonshire Tea on the back verandah with views of Botany Bay.