Continuously occupied for the last 140-odd years, Customs House is the oldest surviving customs building in Australia — it's been around since 1845, after all. With such a rich history, the building was once responsible for all imports and exports, taxes on locally manufactured goods and immigration, but is now a heritage-listed public space that houses a library, workspaces, exhibitions and three restaurants. Customs House literally lays Sydney at your feet with its model of downtown Sydney below perspex flooring in the atrium. So, on you next visit, give your best King Kong impression a go as you step from suburb-to-suburb, admiring the miniature Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, CBD and more.
Customs House is free to enter and is open 8am–10.30pm Monday–Friday, 9am–10.30pm Saturdays, and 9am–5pm Sundays.