Parliament House

Known to locals as the Bear Pit, the New South Wales Parliament is said to be the roughest, toughest parliament in the country. Its impressive sandstone home was built between 1811 and 1814 as the northern wing of the Rum Hospital, but was commandeered in 1829 to house the new colony’s decision makers. Only the Legislative Assembly (lower house) existed until 1850s, when the parliament became bicameral. The Legislative Council (upper house) meets in a building that was originally intended for use as a church; the cast-iron prefab was being shipped from Glasgow to Victoria when it was diverted mid-voyage to Sydney. The parliament is largely modelled on its mother in London: there’s a Speaker and Black Rod, and even the colour scheme follows the British tradition of green for the lower chamber and red for the upper chamber. Legislative sessions are open to the general public, with viewing from a public gallery; booking is essential for the guided tours. CityRail Martin Place or St James. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. Tours (groups) 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm non-sitting days; 1.30pm Tue sitting days. Individual tours available. Admission free.