Susannah Place Museum
Tucked into The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood, the Susannah Place Museum is a row of four terraced homes that housed working-class families from 1844 to the 1980s. Now a museum, the restored homes—incorporating an original corner shop—let visitors chart the lives of some of Sydney’s earliest and poorest residents.
The basics
Visitors can explore the Susannah Place Museum via an in-house tour only. Follow a guide around the exteriors and backyards before exploring the interiors, which are recreated with the furnishings and décor of 100 years ago. See a basement kitchen, parlor, outdoor washhouse, and bedrooms; visit the grocer’s shop, and hear stories of the tenant families and The Rocks district.
Susannah Place is included on many Sydney tours that combine the city’s must-sees with its hidden gems. Options include private tours that incorporate guided walks around The Rocks and stop outside the museum en route. If you want more flexibility, consider audio-guided Rocks walking tours that let you explore at your own pace; catch hop-on hop-off buses that stop in the district; or book hop-on hop-off harbor cruises that dock at nearby Circular Quay.
Things to know before you go
- Visitors pay an admission fee to Susannah Place that includes an hour-long tour.
- Steep stairs make the houses inaccessible to wheelchair users and visitors with strollers.
- Amenities include a restroom and the restored shop, which sells 1920s-style wares.
How to get there
Susannah Place is a short walk west of Sydney’s Circular Quay. As local parking is limited, it’s best reached via walking tours of The Rocks or public transport—buses, trains, and ferries all stop at the Quay. After disembarking here, walk across First Fleet Park to George Street, turn left into Argyle Street, and left again into Cambridge Street, which leads to the houses.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The museum is open every afternoon year-round, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Tours start at fixed times and can be prebooked online or joined on the day on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are in small groups so arrive in advance to avoid missing out, especially during weekends and the peak summer season.
Other Must-Sees at The Rocks
Combine your Susannah Place visit with other must-sees in The Rocks. History buffs will enjoy the nearby Big Dig Archaeological Site, where remnants from The Rocks’ early houses have been excavated. See other archeological finds at the Rocks Discovery Museum. Alternatively, trawl the outdoor Rocks Market for artisanal goodies before relaxing at one of the historical pubs and restaurants tucked along the cobbles.
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