Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney

Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney

Once known as 'the finest house in the colony', the Elizabeth Bay House is an historic Georgian Australia Colonial style home that is now open to visitors as a museum.

Once known as 'the finest house in the colony', the Elizabeth Bay House is an historic Georgian Australia Colonial style home that is now open to visitors as a museum. Built in 1835-'39, the sandstone building was designed by John Verge for NSW Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay. It is inspired by the Greek Revival style that was in vogue in London at the time, and has a centralized Palladian layout with two levels, 2 unconnected cellar wings below the house, and an attic under the roof. The house offers magnificent views of Sydney Harbour.

The ground floor has 7 rooms, comprising a central elliptical saloon with a domed lantern, surrounded by the vestibule, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, drawing room, kitchen, and the library which is the largest room in the house and attests to Macleay's botany interests. A grand geometric cantilevered staircase leads to the upper floor which has the bedrooms, a morning room and a maid's room. The rooms are furnished with period furniture, and present a vivid picture of 19th century domestic life. The north cellar was used for storing wines and spirits, while the south cellar had the larder, and space for dairy and coal storage.