Sydney Open Unlocks 60 Urban Landmarks For 21st Anniversary

Sydney Open marks its 21st anniversary on 2 November, with 60 buildings across the city throwing open their doors for one day only. From colonial relics to modern towers, the event gives Sydneysiders and visitors rare access to explore spaces typically closed to the public.

Presented by Museums of History NSW, Sydney Open showcases the city’s architectural evolution and cultural landscape.

“Together, these buildings tell the story of our past while shaping the way we live, work and imagine the city’s future,” says Annette Pitman, CEO of Museums of History NSW.

History on display across 60 buildings at Sydney Open

Some of the day’s highlights trace Sydney’s history. Bundarra, a sharply twisted tower beside a restored Victorian terrace, dominates a busy intersection, its striking angles drawing the eye of passing commuters and photographers alike.

Perched on Gadigal land atop Warrane, Sydney Observatory has guided ships and charted the stars for centuries, offering sweeping views over Sydney Harbour. Nearby, Mortuary Station, once the terminus for funeral trains to Rookwood Necropolis, remains Australia’s only surviving Victorian funerary railway building.

Other sites reveal more hidden layers of the Sydney’s past. At The Rocks, a former Police Station opens 19th century cells and rooms now adapted for modern use, giving visitors a glimpse of law enforcement in colonial Sydney. Beneath a residential block, the Parbury Ruins expose an 1820s cottage and a cache of artefacts, turning an ordinary street into a mini time capsule of Sydney.

Locals who’ve visited in previous years describe a “surprising sense of discovery,” walking from modern streets into these preserved historical pockets.

Reshaping Sydney’s cultural skyline

Sydney Open doesn’t just look back, it highlights the city’s future too. Midtown’s first new commercial tower in over a decade, Parkline Place, soars 39 storeys above Gadigal Station, part of the Pitt Street over-station development. Nearby, 1 Elizabeth, opened in 2024, merges sleek, aerodynamic design with heritage buildings and the new Martin Place Metro station.

These projects are few examples of how Sydney is blending invention with history, reshaping the city while respecting its roots.

Cultural innovation is on display as well. Qtopia Sydney, a former Edwardian police station, now houses the world’s largest centre for queer history and culture. Former cells, underground spaces, and even a substation have been repurposed as immersive exhibition spaces.

For Sydneysiders, photographers, or anyone curious about the city, Sydney Open promises a full day of discovery.

Each building tells a different story: the drama of a twisted tower, the quiet history of a funerary station, or the thrill of stepping into spaces rarely open to the public. Walking from site to site, the city unfolds in layers, revealing something that feels unexpectedly larger, stranger, and connected.

A City Pass provides entry to all 60 sites including heritage landmarks, contemporary award-winning buildings, and new developments reshaping Sydney’s skyline.

With more buildings than ever participating, this 21st birthday edition of Sydney Open is shaping up to be a citywide adventure—one that encourages you to see Sydney in a whole new way.

Sydney Open is on from 2 November. For tickets and more information, visit sydneyopen.com.au.