Thing to do
Manly Ferry
The F1 public ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, a seven-nautical-mile harbour crossing past the Opera House and the harbour's eastern bays to the Heads.
Queen Victoria Building
A Romanesque-style arcade completed in 1898 on George Street, with a central dome, stained glass, decorative clocks and four levels of shops and cafés.
At a glance
- Type
- Heritage shopping arcade
- Area
- Sydney CBD, Sydney, Australia
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- qvb.com.au
Good to know
- Shops and cafés
- History tours
- Direct access to Town Hall station
Why we recommend it
The Queen Victoria Building fills an entire city block on George Street, between Market, York and Druitt Streets. It was designed by George McRae and built between 1893 and 1898 as a market hall, opening in July 1898. After decades of alterations and a period when its future was uncertain, it was restored in the 1980s and again between 2006 and 2009, and today it is one of Sydney's most admired buildings.
Inside, the arcade runs the full length of the block under a glass roof, with balconies on several levels and a large central dome about 19 metres across. Look up for the stained-glass windows and decorative ironwork, then search out the two famous clocks. The Royal Clock comes to life on the hour, and the Great Australian Clock, about 10 metres tall, depicts scenes from Australian history.
The shops range across fashion, jewellery, homewares and gifts, with cafés and places to eat on several levels. Even if you are not shopping, it is worth walking through for the architecture alone. At the southern end, in the plaza outside, stand a statue of Queen Victoria and a wishing well, and the building also holds a sealed letter written by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, to be opened in 2085.
The centre opens from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday, with late trading until 21:00 on Thursdays, and from 11:00 to 17:00 on Sundays; the upper levels open from 10:00 Monday to Saturday. Guided history tours can be booked through the official website and are a good way to learn about the building's design and restoration.
Allow from half an hour for a walk through to an hour or two with lunch or shopping. The arcade suits all ages and is a useful place to shelter from summer heat or rain. Lifts connect the floors, and the lower level links underground with Town Hall station.
The building is on the main north to south route through the city, so it combines easily with Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral to the south, Pitt Street Mall and Sydney Tower to the east and Darling Harbour, about ten minutes' walk to the west.
Queen Victoria Building FAQs
When was the Queen Victoria Building built?
Between 1893 and 1898; it opened in July 1898.
Who designed the QVB?
The architect George McRae.
What are the opening hours?
09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday, until 21:00 on Thursdays, and 11:00 to 17:00 on Sundays.
Are there tours of the building?
Yes. QVB history tours can be booked through the official website.
What are the famous clocks?
The Royal Clock, which activates on the hour, and the Great Australian Clock, which shows scenes from Australian history.
How do you get to the QVB?
It connects underground with Town Hall station and is on George Street in the city centre.
How long should you spend there?
Half an hour for a walk through, or longer if you plan to shop or eat.