Elizabeth Bay House

The finest house in the colony

With harbour views, sweeping staircases and spectacular landscaped gardens, Elizabeth Bay House was Sydney’s ultimate trophy home. Built for colonial secretary Alexander Macleay, after the governor, the most important public official in Sydney, it was by all accounts the finest house in the colony. Yet it tells a familiar story: of ambition and passion, of riches to ruin.

Stories from Elizabeth Bay House

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The sofa in the morning room at Elizabeth Bay House

The finest house

In 1835 colonial secretary Alexander Macleay set about building the ultimate trophy house, a shimmering, classical styled jewel box, perched in rugged bushland on the northern side of present day Potts Point, high above Elizabeth Bay with majestic views across Sydney harbour and beyond

7 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011. Phone +61 2 9356 3022

Elizabeth Bay House

7 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011. Phone +61 2 9356 3022Plan your visit

Conservation in action: Elizabeth Bay House external joinery work

We're undertaking external joinery conservation works to the front facade thanks to the funds generously donated by our supporters during the 2022 Annual Appeal

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