Landmarks

Customs House

Circular QuaySydneyCity centre
View of the building and the square in front.
A child looking at a colourful floor inside a building.
Looking from the mezzanine level down onto a white floor with a model under the glass.
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The ultimate inner-city escape, which you can enjoy in multiple ways. Includes a grand atrium, helix staircase, library, exhibition spaces and fine dining.

Opening hours

Check library and tourist information desk opening hours to plan your visit. Customs House building opening hours are: 

  • Monday to Friday

    8am to 12 midnight

  • Saturday

    9am to 12 midnight

  • Sunday

    9am to 5pm

Heritage listed, Customs House continues to be an entry point for people and ideas flowing into Sydney.

Our 2 level library has a multicultural collection of over 50,000 items. Use our relaxed lounge areas to read, chill and recharge. We also have spaces available to study, meet and work.

At our tourist information desk, you can ask about maps, brochures and information about activities to enjoy in the city.

While you’re here, plan your own self-guided walking tour. Some start at Customs House.

Free exhibitions and other events are offered throughout the year.

Features

  • Attractions included

    A spectacular scale model depicts 10 square kilometres of downtown Sydney.

  • Close to transport included

    Ferry, train, bus and light rail are on our doorstep.

  • Co-working spaces included

    • Shared informal working spaces free on level 1.
    • The library has a meeting room for hire.
    • Hub Customs House offers workspaces to businesses of all sizes.

  • Wifi included

    Free wifi and public access computers.

Accessibility

  • Onsite mobility parking not included

  • Mobility parking within 300m included

    1 mobility parking space at 45-54 Pitt Street, Sydney, around 300m from the venue. 

  • Level access entrance included

    • 3 steps to front entrance or use 2 ramps with handrails.
    • 7 steps to the rear entrance.

  • Entry door type included

    • Manual door for front entrance: open inwards during building opening hours, 1.5 metres wide.
    • Automatic sliding door for rear entrance: open 1.5 metres wide.

Access informationPDF · 4.13 MB · Last modified
two people, one of them motion blurred, look at a photo exhibition in the library at Customs House.

What’s On

A year-round program of exhibitions and events.

City model

See the city from a different perspective. Spot the miniature sights you’ve seen or will see in real life.

Handcrafted for over 20 years and regularly updated, the model is even more striking at night when it comes alive with hundreds of fibre-optic lights illuminating the streets. 

Climb the helix stairs to the first floor for a bird’s eye view.

Walking tours

Be your own guide. Tours take 1 to 2 hours and include points of interest, detours and museum stops along the way.

Choose 1 of 2 ways to plan your adventure:

  1. View or download brochures online.
  2. Download the Culture Walks app to your mobile device.
Hands holding a smart phone in landscape orientation. On the phone screen is a blue background with white text reading "The City of Forking Paths". Another person looks at a phone in the background.

Installations

The City of Forking Paths

A twilight video walk from Customs House through The Rocks, experienced on a mobile device.
Sydney

Also at Customs House

Spaces for use and hire

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