The seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, a Gothic Revival sandstone cathedral facing Hyde Park with twin spires added in 2000 and an atmospheric crypt with an intricate terrazzo mosaic floor.
St Mary's Cathedral is the principal Catholic church in Sydney and one of the largest Gothic Revival buildings in Australia, standing on the site of the first Catholic chapel in the colony, established in 1821. The current sandstone structure was largely built between 1868 and 1928 following a design by architect William Wardell, though its twin western spires were not completed until 2000, finally realising the original 19th-century plan in time for the Sydney Olympics.
The cathedral's crypt, beneath the main sanctuary, holds an elaborate terrazzo and marble mosaic floor created by Melocco Brothers in the 1930s, depicting Celtic-inspired designs and biblical scenes across several connected chambers — considered one of the finest mosaic floors in the world and open to visitors for a small donation. The cathedral sits directly opposite Hyde Park and the Archibald Fountain, forming one of the CBD's most photographed streetscapes, particularly at dusk when the sandstone facade is floodlit.
| Admission | Adult Free (crypt AUD 5 / approx. USD 3.50 donation requested) · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Fri 6:30AM-6:30PM, Sat-Sun 8AM-7:30PM (hours may vary around Mass times) |
| Typical visit | 30-60 minutes |
| Best time | Weekday outside Mass times for a quiet visit |
| Getting there | 5-minute walk from Museum or St James train stations, directly opposite Hyde Park |
| Address | St Marys Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 |
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- history, architecture, culture
Location
St Marys Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
-33.8712, 151.2131 View on map
Highlights
- View the terrazzo and marble mosaic floor in the crypt
- Photograph the twin Gothic Revival spires completed in 2000
- See the sandstone facade floodlit at dusk facing Hyde Park
- Attend Mass in the largest Gothic Revival cathedral in Australia
- Walk across to the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park
Tips for visiting
- The twin spires, completed in 2000 for the Sydney Olympics, were part of the original 19th-century design but not built until more than a century later
- Visit the crypt beneath the main cathedral to see its terrazzo and marble mosaic floor, one of the largest of its kind in the world
- Check Mass times before visiting if sightseeing rather than attending a service, as tourist access is restricted during services
- The cathedral faces directly onto Hyde Park and the Archibald Fountain, making it easy to combine with a walk through the park
When to visit
Visit on a weekday afternoon outside scheduled Mass times, or at dusk to see the sandstone facade floodlit against Hyde Park.
Accessibility
The main cathedral floor is wheelchair accessible via a ramped side entrance. The crypt is reached via a staircase and is not wheelchair accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
Can visitors tour the cathedral outside of Mass?
Yes, the cathedral is open to visitors daily outside of Mass times, though sightseeing during an active service is discouraged out of respect for worshippers.
Is there a fee to visit the crypt?
A small donation of around AUD 5 is requested to enter the crypt and view its mosaic floor, though there is no fixed mandatory fee.
Why were the spires added so much later than the rest of the building?
The original 1868 design by William Wardell always included twin spires, but funding shortages meant they were left unbuilt for over a century. They were finally added in 2000, timed to the Sydney Olympic Games.