One of Balmain's many notable historic buildings, the Watch House, is Sydney’s oldest surviving lockup (1854). It now operates on Saturdays (combine it with the nearby market) as a small space for temporary exhibitions. It was built by Edmund Blacket, the architect best known for St Andrew's Cathedral and the University of Sydney quadrangle.

Transportation

  • bus: 442, 444, 445
  • ferry: Balmain

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sydney attractions

1. Balmain

0.04 MILES

Once a tough, working-class neighbourhood, Balmain now rivals Paddington in Victorian-era desirability – with the added advantage of being surrounded by…

2. St Mary’s Hall

0.07 MILES

This brick former church hall, built around 1851, is in a rather dilapidated state.

3. Clontarf Cottage

0.11 MILES

Balmain’s jacaranda-filled streets contain dozens of historically significant buildings, most of which are privately owned. The squat, shingle-roofed…

4. Hampton Villa

0.19 MILES

Balmain’s hibiscus-scattered streets contain dozens of historically significant buildings, most of which are privately owned. The most notable is this…

5. Cahermore

0.44 MILES

Balmain’s hibiscus-studded streets contain dozens of historically significant buildings, most of which are privately owned. Darling St has Cahermore,…

6. Waterman’s Cottage

0.5 MILES

Just up from the ferry slip, this cute sandstone cottage was built in 1841. It's one of many historic houses of this era scattered through Balmain.

7. Goat Island

0.71 MILES

Goat Island, west of the Harbour Bridge, has been a shipyard, a quarantine station and a gunpowder depot in its previous lives. Heritage tours are offered…

8. Anzac Bridge

0.76 MILES

Completed in 1996, Sydney’s other eye-catching bridge spans Johnstons Bay, connecting Pyrmont and Rozelle. It’s the longest cable bridge in Australia …

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
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      "url": "australia/sydney/sydney-harbour/attractions/watch-house/a/poi-sig/1077343/362320",
      "destination": "Sydney",
      "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
      "country": "Australia",
      "region": "New-South-Wales",
      "city": "Sydney",
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