St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Church

Address: St Mary’s Cathedral, St Mary’s Road / College Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Website: https://www.stmaryscathedral.org.au

Hours: Daily 7:00am-6:00pm

Admission: Free entry (guided tours may be ticketed)

St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney is the principal Roman Catholic cathedral for the Archdiocese of Sydney and a major Gothic Revival church in central Sydney. The present stone building was designed by William Wardell and its construction began in the 19th century.

Key attractions include the long nave and transepts, stained glass, the crypt with memorials, and the twin towers and western façade facing Hyde Park. The cathedral remains an active place of worship and a focal point for major liturgical events in Sydney.

Building work on the current Gothic Revival structure commenced in 1868 and continued through later phases into the 20th century; the cathedral occupies a prominent site on College Street adjacent to Hyde Park in the central business district.

• Construction period and architect: Construction of the present Gothic Revival building began in 1868 to a design by William Wardell and continued into the 20th century, making it a major 19th-century cathedral complex in Australia.
• Location and role: The cathedral stands opposite Hyde Park in central Sydney and functions as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney.

What to See#

• Nave and transepts: The long nave and transepts form the main public interior and contain the high altar and large stained glass windows.
• Crypt and tombs: The crypt beneath the cathedral contains tombs and historical memorials and is open to visitors during normal hours.
• Towers and western façade: The twin towers and western façade are a prominent feature facing Hyde Park and College Street in central Sydney.

St Mary’s Cathedral (St Mary’s, Sydney) sits on College Street beside Hyde Park in the Sydney CBD. The easiest public-transit access is by train to St James or Museum stations (City Circle); both are about a 5-10 minute walk to the cathedral. Many city buses run along Elizabeth and College Streets and drop close by if arriving by surface transport; there is limited nearby on‑street parking in the CBD.

• Avoid Sunday morning and major feast days when Masses draw large congregations; weekday mornings or early afternoons are usually much quieter for viewing the nave and stained glass.
• Enter from the Hyde Park/College Street side to step straight into the cathedral precincts and then continue to Hyde Park afterwards-this makes for an easy combined visit with central Sydney sights.
• Check the cathedral's website for guided tour times and any special concerts or liturgical events, as these can provide access to parts of the building not always open to casual visitors.