Wander through the beautiful Sorensen garden, enjoy devonshire tea in the downstairs refectory, join an informative tour of the House ($10pp) or listen to a garden talk.

Join this heritage walk that highlights how the NSW Government's planning polices threatens Killara's heritage and environment. Discover what’s at stake.

The Friends of Ethel Turner will host boutique tours of historic 'Woodlands' Killara on Sunday 18th May. We'll be sharing 'Woodlands' rich heritage and stories of past resident and blue plaque recipient, Ethel Turner, and her classic novel, 'Seven Little Australians'.

The theme for this year's festival is 'Unearthed' and we'll be sharing Woodlands' rich heritage and stories of past resident and blue plaque recipient, Ethel Turner, author of the classic 'Seven Little Australians'.

Discover how Marion Mahony and Walter Burley Griffin created a unique neighbourhood that celebrated the beauty of the Australian bush.

The Ku-ring-gai Art Society Heritage Exhibition - Celebrating 60 Years

Join this heritage walk that highlights how the NSW Government's planning polices threatens Lindfield’s heritage and environment. Discover what’s at stake.

Join this heritage walk that highlights how the NSW Government's planning polices threatens Roseville’s heritage and environment. Discover what’s at stake.

A multimedia exhibition of images, models and demonstrations bringing to life Mosman’s maritime history.

Dr Peter Sheridan AM will discuss aspects of his critically acclaimed 2019 book Sydney Art Deco, which explores the impact of the Art Deco style on Sydney’s landscape and life during the 1930s and 1940s with glimpses of Australian artwork, fashion, furniture, appliances and accessories.

Come and unearth the cultural diversity of the people of Willoughby in our latest temporary exhibition supported by a Community Grant from Willoughby City Council.

The Thornleigh Zig Zag Railway was an engineering marvel that helped build the Great Northern Railway in the 1880s. Unearth local history buried under suburban streets in Sydney’s north with a 90-minute tour tracing the route from the station, past bushland and into an historic old quarry, this May.

Join a tour of the heritage listed Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery which will unlock some of the stories of the lesser known pioneers of Sydney's north shore

Discover some of the artefacts unearthed during the pain-staking archaeological dig by heritage firm Casey & Lowe in 2018 at Blues Point, prior to the construction of the Sydney Metro Tunnel.

This special exhibition commemorates the 150th anniversary of one of the greatest photographic achievements in Australia: the creation of the ‘Holtermann Panorama’ of Sydney Harbour by Charles Bayliss in 1875.

Delve into deep time along the Old Great North Road with a geologist - from Gondwana 200 million yrs ago to present day sandstone country. A full day walking excursion focusing on the rocks and landscape of Hawkesbury Sandstone Country from Devine's Hill to Finchs Line.

Enjoy twilight at May Gibbs' harbourside house in Neutral Bay. At this special after hours event you will be able to watch the sunset over the water from May’s garden, take a guided tour of the historic house and picnic on the lawn. BYO picnic.

Discover the thrilling worlds of palaeontology and archaeology as experts come together to share their field adventures, uncovering both shared insights and key differences. Engage directly with them through live Q&A, and dive deep into these captivating sciences that reveal Earth's history.

Join artist Patrick Shirvington for a morning of drawing in the surrounds of the 'Hut of Happy Omen' Ahimsa. Continuing Marie Byles legacy of connection to the natural world. Patrick is a well known artist / illustrator, with his work focusing on the natural world.

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. View artefacts that were unearthed from the excavation of the site in 2010.

Explore the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s past with Frank Johnson, former Chair of Engineering Heritage Sydney.

Join Mel Flyte, Collections Discovery Assistant at Museums of History NSW, for a special viewing of the Alexander Mackintosh Archive. View some of the beautifully hand-drawn plans, detail drawings, and specification documents along with pictorial material.

A hidden gem overlooking Sydney Harbour, Lindesay is an atmospheric 19th century mansion with restored Georgian interiors and a glorious garden to explore.

Unearth a piece of Lane Cove's history. On this special Open Day weekend, explore Carisbrook Historic House and enjoy Devonshire Tea in the courtyard. Overlooking the Lane Cove River, travel back in time to the Victorian Era.

Discover Sydney’s dark past on a true crime walking tour. Uncover notorious crime scenes, daring heists, and the city’s infamous underworld. Step into the violent era of razor-wielding gangsters, where brutal power struggles and bloody turf wars shaped Sydney’s history.

Immerse yourself in Sydney’s rich Aboriginal history, with stories spanning thousands of years to today. Guided by your Climb Leader and First Nations Storyteller, journey to the top of the iconic Harbour Bridge via the Summit Climb route.

Venture back to historic Sydney. A time when prisoners were the law, public executions were commonplace and the Rocks Push ruled the street.

On your one-hour tour, walk with your First Nations guide through the the Cadi Jam Ora garden at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney to learn more about Indigenous bush foods and how these foods were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate and taste some goodies for yourself!

On your one-hour tour, you’ll stroll along the stunning Sydney Harbour foreshore with an experienced First Nations guide and learn about stories of Gadigal lifestyle, traditions, history and connection to country & community.

Explore the Royal Botanic Garden and its remarkable history, botany, and wildlife on an unforgettable 1.5-hour guided walk.

Explore all things ghostly as we visit Sydney's most haunted pubs. Hear about the notorious Rocks Push, vanishing sailors and the Woman In Black. You will discover the seedy underworld of Australia's original seaport.

These tours will immerse you in the native history of the area, the importance of the land and its significance to the Gadigal people who called the area their home.
Barangaroo Reserve is also home to over 70,000 native plants that are food sources, resources for tools and environmental indicators.

Join Institute of Australian Tour Guides annual workshop, a unique professional development opportunity focused on lesser-known facets of Sydney, designed to enhance your knowledge as a guide. Expert speakers who will reveal fascinating insights into the city’s underexplored histories and culture.

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.

Kevan’s work is wide ranging including portraits of rock and pop icons and celebrities.

Get ready for the ultimate island adventure! On Sunday 4 May, Cockatoo Island will come alive as we celebrate the Australian Heritage Festival 2025 and offer a range of free and paid activities to excite families!

We warmly invite you to the opening of Souter's Bondi, a new exhibition presented by the Bondi Pavilion Gallery. The evening will include light refreshments and speeches.

As a part of Souter’s Bondi in the Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery, join the Waverley Action Group as we discuss Bondi of the inter war period and what circumstances lead it to become a base for some of our countries most recognisable Art Deco streets and buildings.

Celebrate our ‘First Landscapes' project launch and the Balmain Association’s 60th anniversary. Experience our ‘illuminating’ evening event and place activation of the Balmain Watch House. Join us as we begin an initiative in meaningful conversation, reconciliation and regenerative placemaking.

The QVB History Tour takes you on a journey to uncover a story of resilience, culture, and progress as you explore one of Sydney's most iconic historical buildings. Built in 1898 as a monument to the long reigning monarch, you will learn about the Queen Victoria Building's creation, near destruction and modern day preservation.

Barry Clare is passionate about Art Deco, across its many forms and applications. In this talk he will take us through the challenges facing water supply dams for Sydney, and the innovative architectural and engineering solutions that were developed and still stand today.

Experience the thrill of ocean sailing on a fully restored Tall Ship from the 1870s: James Craig!

Anzac Memorial Unearthed reveals three remarkable collections not previously shown to the public including the Rex Money collection, the TB Association and Kuring-Gai Chase Sphinx collection and new research recently uncovered in Zimbabwe about Captain Alfred Shout VC MC.

By day, Hyde Park is a peaceful retreat, but by night, it was once a haven for gangsters, radicals, killers and outcasts. Join historian Elliot Lindsay on a journey through 200 years of crime, scandal, and intrigue in Sydney’s oldest park. Step into the past and uncover its darkest secrets.

Unearth the history of the Chinese Market Gardens in Ryde in the late 19th and early 20th centuries! This bilingual event in English and Mandarin will explore the history of the Chinese gardeners and market gardens in the City of Ryde in its early days.

Our carefully curated tour uncovers the forgotten stories of buildings, people, and places. This journey highlights unique architecture, views, and histories, giving visitors a deeper understanding of each location’s origins, residents, and transformations. Every step paints a picture of the past.

Researcher and Historian Peter Sheridan explores the impact of the Art Deco style on the landscape and life of Sydney during the 1930s and 1940s with glimpses of Australian artwork, fashion, furniture, appliances and accessories from the period.

Modernism: a talk on modernist architecture in Woollahra. Author and architectural historian Rebecca Hawcroft will explore the influence of Modernism in the development of the local area.

Delve into the depths of Paddington's peculiar past. This history hunt will expose the crimes before the cafes & the slums before the chic. Exploring hidden alleys, terraced streets & historic pubs, we'll connect with odd identities, local legends & unusual architecture. 2 hour historian-guided tour.

Visit the graves of some of our earlier residents, hear their stories, learn their histories. Tours will be virtual and actual. Visit the grave of Granny Smith, creator of the Granny Smith apple and other interesting people. Learn about their lives, and their deaths.

Unearth hidden histories with the City of Sydney Archives in this workshop. Explore archival images and transform them into laser-cut prints. With guidance from experts at Darling Square Library, create a relief plate and print to take home while gaining insight into archival research & printmaking.

Unearth historical images from the City of Sydney Archives to create laser-cut jewellery at Darling Square Library. Guided by expert facilitators, you will personalise earrings or pendants with archival photos of Sydney’s architecture and your design will be laser-cut to create wearable jewellery.

Join us for an immersive walking tour through Sydney's iconic City Circle stations, where history, intrigue, and urban legends intertwine. This tour will take you through the stations while uncovering their hidden stories, including ghost platforms, wartime secrets, and visionary transport plans.

Step back in time, join us for a fun-filled weekend cruise aboard historic steamer: 1902 Steam Tug Waratah!

Join a First Nations guide from Bush to Bowl for a fascinating two-hour guided walk-through Centennial Parklands, exploring the rich history and traditional uses of native plants. Learn how these plants have sustained First Nations people for generations and hear cultural stories.

Historic walking tour of Callan Park to learn about its early Aboriginal associations, its establishment as a psychiatric asylum, home to veterans of WWI and WWII and today it's one of Sydney's iconic parklands.

Free Organ Recitals at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Annandale Local History Walk at 1pm ($25)
Devonshire Teas in the Church Hall ($5)
Displays of local and church heritage in the Church Hall
Free church heritage talks at 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm

Hear about the men who enlisted from Callan Park – and those who returned shell-shocked to convalesce here. Roslyn Burge, author of "Callan Park's Veterans: A Century of Connections" will speak about veterans at Callan Park and the significance of Callan Park’s two War Memorials.

Why fly to the UK? You can see a rare intact example of a large Edwardian private residential estate, in Sydney, on our Open Day. 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.

Join City of Sydney Historian Laila Ellmoos as she delves into the inspiring life of Lilian Fowler, who made history when she was elected Australia’s first female mayor in 1938.

Now is your chance to explore a gothic revival masterpiece in the heart of Sydney. St Stephen's Anglican, Newtown, are offering tours that tell some of the many fascinating stories from the history of this church building and the graveyard it sits in.

Discover Newtown’s hidden past! Wander old laneways, grand Victorian mansions, and eerie colonial Camperdown Cemetery as you uncover tales of crime, scandal, tragedy and rebellion. From shocking murders to underground subcultures, explore the darker, stranger side of Sydney’s history. Book now!

Meet the Author and hear his account of researching his book, and his account of the circumstances prevailing in the early years of settlement.

Simon Reich, the award winning podcast creator and film maker, has used his own father's connection to the Bonegilla reception and training centre, which was Australia's version of America's Ellis Island, to create this multi media presentation including live music.

Join us for the much-anticipated book launch of the heritage publication, The Mysterious Disappearance of The Grosvenor - Summer Hill's Lost Movie Palaces. The Astonishing True Story of Summer Hill’s Colossal Lost Movie Palace.

If the surname rings a bell, it should—the poet Henry Lawson is a name many of us know. But the real trailblazer in the family was his mother, Louisa Lawson (1848-1920). Louisa was an Australian poet, farmer, writer, publisher, suffragist, and feminist and a long-time Marrickville resident.