History & archive collections

City of Sydney Archives

More than 12,000 shelf metres of archives relating to the City of Sydney and its people, places and events.

View showing two women posing next to graffiti We Love the Loo on wall of dilapidated building. City of Sydney Archives A-00066969.

Archives and history resources

Visit our online catalogue to search for historic photos, maps and documents.

Online catalogue

The City archives holds items from as early as 1842 when the Municipal Council of Sydney was established.

We’re responsible for managing, preserving and providing access to more than 1 million items including:

  • documents
  • photographs
  • maps
  • plans
  • data.

The collection consists of

  • City of Sydney corporate archives
  • items collected from the community relating to the City of Sydney local area
  • published reference material.

Main image: Fashion models on Forbes Street, Woolloomooloo, 1979. City of Sydney Archives, A-00066969

Some of our most popular collections include:

The catalogue also includes development and building records. If you are drafting a conservation management plan or heritage impact statement you might find these resources useful:

  • inspection, planning and survey cards
  • proposed and approved building plans
  • reports, such as statements of environmental effects
  • certificates for construction or for complying development
  • private certifier approved development applications
  • council approved building and development applications, including notices of determination
  • supporting documents.
A graphic with orange background and image of heritage street front with horse and cart. The text reads Developing Sydney, capturing change 1900 to 1920.

Explore early photographs of Sydney

This exhibition highlights photographs commissioned by Sydney Municipal Council between 1900 and 1920 known as the ‘Demolition Books’.