Known to locals as the Bear Pit, the New South Wales Parliament is said to be the roughest, toughest parliament in the country.
Australia’s first parliament, and the oldest occupied law-making place in the country, this impressive sandstone building 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.
The Legislative Council is Australia’s oldest legislative body. Also known as the ‘Upper House’, this was Australia’s first house before parliament became bicameral in the 1850s. Today, they meet 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 Legislative Assembly was (very cooly) the first totally elected legislature to arrive in Australia, with all of its members being elected to sit there and represent their people since 1856. It is the ‘Lower’ of the two houses of parliament, and is still used by sitting NSW politicians today.
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.
In the 21st century, folks who are keen at getting a look in on the people running the show can do so with a number of guided tour offerings that are all (believe it or not) totally free. Whether you’re just really into history, architecture or political transparency, you can book in for a chance to wander through the historic legislative chambers, all while learning all the facts you need to know about the NSW parliament.
Keen? You can book in right here.