iVaucluse House
Vaucluse House grew from an 1803 convict-built cottage into a Gothic Revival mansion for explorer and statesman William Charles Wentworth, whose family lived there until 1900. Now run as Australia's first house museum, it preserves furnished period rooms, servants' quarters, stables and a working 19th-century kitchen garden across 10 hectares of harbourside grounds. Visitors can explore the house and gardens independently, with self-guided digital and audio tours, or on a staff-led tour.
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What's On
Permanent Collections
The Kitchen Garden
A working 19th-century kitchen garden growing heritage fruit and vegetables year-round, showing how food was produced in the colony through seasonal planting and crop rotation.
The House and Grounds
Self-guided or staff-led exploration of the furnished period rooms, servants' quarters, stables, pleasure garden and the rarely opened Wentworth family mausoleum.
Plan Your Visit
Getting there
69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030, Australia
Nearest station: Edgecliff Station, Vaucluse bus stop (route 325) and Watsons Bay Wharf
Show on mapHours
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 10:00–16:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–16:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–16:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–16:00 |
| SunToday | 10:00–16:00 |
Admission
Free
Last verified
Visitor Information
- Is Vaucluse House free to visit?
- Yes, general admission to Vaucluse House is free. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
- What are the opening hours of Vaucluse House?
- Vaucluse House is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas Day and Good Friday.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is Vaucluse House?
- Vaucluse House is located at 69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030, Australia, in the Vaucluse area of Sydney. The nearest stations are Edgecliff Station, Vaucluse bus stop (route 325) and Watsons Bay Wharf.
- What can I see at Vaucluse House?
- Gothic Revival harbourside mansion built for explorer William Charles Wentworth, with period rooms, stables and a working 19th-century kitchen garden. Current highlights include The Kitchen Garden and The House and Grounds.
- Do I need to book Vaucluse House in advance?
- Vaucluse House is free to enter and most days you can walk in. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
- When is the best time to visit Vaucluse House?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Image credits
1
- Vaucluse HouseBgabel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0