If you’re looking for a list of the best historical sites in Australia, read on.
Counting from the start of the British colony, Australia is a relatively young country, and not one most people consider for its historical richness.
But its 250 year history has been eventful to say the least, and defined by 4 key things that make it unique: Indigenous Australians, colonialism, convicts and outlaws.
All the best historical sites in Australia reflect this, with ancient Indigenous rock art, old brick colonial buildings, countless old prisons, and stories of notorious criminals like Ned Kelly.
So while most people visit Australia for its unrivalled natural beauty & laid back culture, ‘the Great Southern Land’ still has plenty to offer for history buffs.
Having lived in Australia my whole life and travelled extensively, I can tell you from experience that these are the absolute 15 best historical sites in Australia.
Table of Contents
A word on Indigenous Australian historical sites
Australia’s history dates back at least 40,000 years before the British arrival, and I would love nothing more than to fill this list with amazing Indigenous historical sites across the country.
However, it’s sad to say that very little remains to see of this long history. Up until the British arrival, most Indigenous tribes were nomadic, with only a few tribes having established permanent settlements and dabbling in agriculture.
Because of this, there are no ancient ruins or temples one can visit like in most other countries. Most man-made Indigenous structures disappeared a long time ago.
That doesn’t mean there are no Indigenous historical sites in Australia, just that options are limited. Across the country there are countless ancient rock art sites that you can see. I’ve made sure to include one of these (arguably the best one) on this list.
Aside from this, all the historical sites on this list are British (and 1 Dutch). It’s important to point out that this isn’t due to the lack of relevance or significance of Indigenous history, but rather due to a lack of options to choose from.
If you’re interested in learning more about what Indigenous societies were like before the English arrived, I highly recommend a book called Dark Emu.
The 15 Best Historical Sites in Australia
1 - Port Arthur
Most people visit the island Tasmania for its untouched wilderness and amazing scenery, but it’s also home to one of the most famous historical sites in Australia.
Port Arthur is one of 11 penal (prison) sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Built in the 1830s, Port Arthur stands out among the other convict sites because it held the most serious & dangerous offenders, including those who re-offended after being brought to Australia. It’s one of the best examples of British colonial expansion via the mass transportation of convicts used for labour.
The prison at Port Arthur was closed in 1877 and is now a museum and one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist sites.
When you visit Port Arthur, you can freely explore the roughly 30 buildings that made up the colony, including the cell blocks, church and dockyard, and learn the many stories of those who were incarcerated here (including the escapades of some who attempted to break free).
2 - The Rocks
The Rocks is an area of downtown Sydney that still maintains many of its historical buildings from the colonial days.
Situated right next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks was one of the first areas of the city to be built after the British ‘First Fleet’ arrived in 1788. For the first few decades of the city’s history, it was considered a slum.
While most of Sydney’s old buildings were demolished to make room for modern high-rise buildings, The Rocks was spared thanks to community pushback. Today it’s a popular tourist precinct and an example of what Sydney used to look like.
Despite being a bit of a tourist trap, The Rocks retains its narrow streets and sandstone buildings, albeit inhabited by modern stores and restaurants.
For you history buffs, spending half a day exploring The Rocks offers an insight into the old Sydney. There are a bunch of historical sites and buildings to check out, such as Cadman’s Cottage (said to be the oldest building in Australia) and The Rocks Discovery Museum.
3 - Ubirr Rock
There aren’t many Indigenous historical sites to see around Australia, but what you can see are many ancient rock paintings across the country, the best of which is found at Ubirr.
Located in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, Ubirr is a series of rock foundations. For thousands of years, the local nomadic tribes would use these rocks for shelter as they hunted and scavenged for food in the surrounding area.
The rock art found at Ubirr offers a glimpse into ancient Australia through the eyes of those who drew it. Most of the paintings here depict local wildlife, including paintings of the Thylacine, which went extinct on the mainland over 2000 years ago.
While it may be remote, the Ubirr rock paintings aren’t the only reason to visit this part of Australia, because the popular Kakadu National Park has some of the most stunning and untouched wilderness in the country.
To visit Kakadu National Park and see the Ubirr Rock paintings, you’ll first need to travel to the state capital of Darwin. From here, you’ve got the options of either renting a car (a 2-wheeled car is okay) or booking a tour.
While Ubirr is arguably the best Indigenous Australian rock art, there are many more across the country, some even dating back as far as 5000 years.
Click here for a list of more amazing Indigenous rock art sites across Australia.
4 - Sovereign Hill
Step back in time to 1850s Australia at this historical recreation of a colonial gold-rush town.
During the mid-19th century, the regional Victorian town of Ballarat was at the centre of Victoria’s gold rush, which drew countless hopeful workers from around the world, all looking to become rich.
It was an energetic time in the town’s history, and now, thanks to Sovereign Hill open-air museum, you can go back there and experience it for yourself.
Like stepping into an Aussie-themed version of Westworld, Sovereign Hill has over 60 preserved historical buildings, including shops, factories, schools and of course the mine itself.
Everything from the staff (who are in costume), to the animals, even the newspaper, is recreated for you to see, hear and feel what life was like in 1850s Australia.
Sovereign Hill is one of Victoria’s most popular attractions, and the best way to experience and learn about Australia’s colonial history.
5 - Glenrowan
The town of Glenrowan was the site of the last stand of Australia’s most notorious outlaw: Ned Kelly.
If you’re not familiar with the story, Ned Kelly was a bushranger and gang leader during the late 1800s. Aside from his long career as an outlaw, Kelly is most renowned for his self-made suit of bulletproof armour – making him somewhat of a 19th century iron man.
He would wear this suit of armour during his final shoot-out with police – which took place in the town of Glenrowan.
Ned Kelly’s last stand was one of the most iconic moments in Australian history, a notorious event that sparked fascination all over the world. Some see his acts as those of a violent criminal, while others see it as a noble stand against authority.
And there is no better place to learn about this iconic story than where it all took place.
Glenrowan has a number of Ned Kelly-related historical attractions for you to visit, including:
- Kellyland – Essentially a Ned Kelly themed theme park, offering re-enactments of the famous last stand.
- Ned Kelly Museum & Homestead – An exact replica of Kelly’s homestead, this small museum has a number of artefacts from the time, including a replica of his iconic suit of armour.
- Ned Kelly Discover Hub – A museum offering a detailed and visual re-telling of Ned Kelly’s last stand.
- The Big Ned Kelly Statue – Because Aussies love big statues of random things, so why not have one of old Ned?
Glenrowan feels like a living museum based around an iconic historical event, and is undoubtedly one of the best historical places in Australia.
6 - Fremantle Prison
Just south of the state capital of Perth you’ll find one of the best heritage sites in Western Australia at Fremantle Prison.
Ironically in a place intended to be a ‘free settlement’ (as opposed to the many convict settlements on the East Coast), Fremantle Prison was built in the 1850s by the very convicts it housed.
As with many places in Australia at the time, convict labour was pivotal to the early growth of the colony, and so Fremantle Prison played an important role in Western Australia’s early years.
While most convict sites across the country were decommissioned a long time ago, Fremantle Prison was still in use up until 1991. Soon after closing its doors, it became one of the 11 convict sites that make up the Australian Convict Site UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Thanks to it being used until the 90s, Fremantle Prison is one of the best preserved convict sites in the country, and has become one of Western Australia’s most popular tourist attractions.
Fremantle Prison is a large complex and has a lot to offer. Entry to some parts of the prison is free and can be explored at your own pace (such as the gatehouse and cell blocks). To see the more interesting parts of the prison, such as a labyrinth of underground tunnels dug to supply the prison with water, you’ll need to book a tour.
7 - Old Melbourne Gaol
Situated in the heart of Melbourne’s modern city centre, standing out among the surrounding high-rise buildings, is one of Victoria’s most famous heritage sites.
Old Melbourne Gaol was built in 1839 and was used to house some of Victoria’s most notorious prisoners until it was closed in 1924.
This imposing bluestone structure once held Australia’s most notorious outlaw: Ned Kelly. After his infamous final stand against the police in Glenrowan, Kelly was imprisoned in Old Melbourne Gaol, convicted and then hanged in its courtyard.
Today, Old Melbourne Gaol is among Victoria’s most popular tourist attractions, and alongside Glenrowan (also on this list) is the best place to learn about the Ned Kelly story.
Today, Old Melbourne Gaol offers an insight into Australia’s history of convicts and outlaws. You’ll get to freely explore the 3-story complex, with each cell containing memorabilia and stories of those who were imprisoned here (including cell number 113, which belonged to Ned Kelly).
8 - Elizabeth Farm
Situated in the western suburbs of Sydney, Elizabeth Farm is the oldest surviving building in Australia and now services a museum offering insight into life during colonial Australia.
The farmhouse was built by the MacArthur family in 1793, after the land was granted to them by the local governor at the time. It remained in their family until 1881 and has had various other owners since.
Today, the property is a museum and is a popular attraction for those interested in Australia’s colonial past. While some parts of the building have been fixed and modernised, considerable effort has gone into maintaining the property exactly as it was during the 19th century, making it somewhat of a ‘living museum’.
Unlike other such museums, visitors at Elizabeth Farm are encouraged to interact with everything inside the house. Meaning you can sit down at the old dining table, read a 19th century newspaper, play the piano, and otherwise get a ‘hands on’ experience of colonial Australia.
This unique approach to a museum makes Elizabeth Farm a unique experience and one of the best historical places in Australia.
9 - Melbourne Royal Exhibition Centre
Situated in the heart of Melbourne, the Royal Exhibition Centre was the first building in Australia to get a UNESCO World Heritage listing, and is arguably the most picturesque building in the country.
Built in 1880, this glorious looking building was created to host exhibitions during a time when the colony of Victoria was thriving, and Melbourne was turning from a small colonial town to a major city.
While the building is still used to host exhibitions, you don’t need to wait for an event in order to get inside. Instead, book yourself a guided tour and explore one of Melbourne’s most famous landmarks.
After you’ve checked out the 140 year old building, head next door to the Melbourne Museum or take a moment to relax in the Carlton Gardens.
10 - Hyde Park Barracks
Among the high-rise buildings of the Sydney CBD, you’ll find another reminder of Australia’s origins as a convict settlement.
Built in 1819, Hyde Park Barracks was not a barracks for the military, but rather a home for the convicts who were used for labour to establish the colony. While these convicts had a lot of freedom around the settlement, the governor thought it best that they live under the same roof.
By the time convict transportation ceased in 1840, Hyde Park Barracks had seen over 30,000 men pass through its doors. After this, it built quite a resume, later becoming a hospital, a mint, a courthouse, and now a museum.
Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is open to the public, with its museum dedicated to Australia’s convict legacy. Here you can explore one of Australia’s oldest buildings and learn the stories of the thousands of people that once lived here.
11 - Fort Scratchley
Fort Scratchley holds claim to being the only coastal battery to fire on an enemy during World War 2.
Despite being known for this run-in with a Japanese submarine attacking Newcastle in 1942, Fort Scratchley was actually built not for the Japanese, but rather to fend off a Russian attack.
Although located nowhere near Russia, Australia was caught up in tension between England and Russia in the mid 1800s, and fear of an attack was rampant in the city of Newcastle.
Fort Scratchley was built to ward off Russian naval threats, but by the time it was completed in 1882, the threat had passed and soon it would be used to defend the country from the Empire of Japan.
Today Fort Scratchley is one of Newcastle’s most popular tourist sites and the local government has gone to great effort to keep it maintained, allowing you to freely explore the tunnels and fortifications of this 150 year old coastal battery.
Entry to Fort Scratchley is free, but guided tours are offered and can be purchased from the front entrance. Visit the fort at 1pm and you’ll also get the chance to the daily cannon firing – an old tradition.
Check out the Fort Scratchley website for more details on opening hours and tours.
12 - Maitland Gaol
Maitland Gaol was the longest continuously-run gaol in Australia.
This 180-year-old correctional facility was first opened in 1844 and closed only recently in 1998, housing some of the country’s most notorious criminals for over 150 years.
After closing, the Maitland Gaol was immediately turned into a museum and is now arguably the most popular tourist attraction in town.
Because it was operating up until the late 90s, Maitland Gaol doesn’t look as old as other prisons on this list, with most of the buildings’ interiors looking relatively modern, but the site is absolutely brimming with history.
So purchase one of the self-guided audio tours, or book a group yourself into one of 2 different group tours, and get to know the often-outlandish stories of the notorious felons who were once imprisoned here.
Check out the Maitland Gaol website for more details.
Maitland is located in the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s most popular wine regions, so you have more than one reason to make the journey inland to this regional town.
13 - Wiebbe Hayes Stone Fort
Wiebbe Hayes Stone Fort is the oldest European building in Australia.
Although it’s probably not what you’d expect.
This 400 year old historical site wasn’t built by the British, nor is it near any major city or former colony. It’s located on a tiny, remote island 62km off the coast of Western Australia.
Why? Because in 1629 a Dutch ship named Batavia ran aground on this island while on their way from Jakarta back to the Netherlands.
What followed was a story of mutiny and survival, in which one group of survivors fought the other in their own little regional conflict. Along the way they built defensive walls and stone shelters, the ruins of which still remain today.
The tragic story of the Batavia and its crew is famous, and numerous books have been written on it, like this one.
Given the remote location, this is no doubt the most inaccessible historical site on this list, but those interested can visit the island, and other nearby attractions, on a multi-day cruise.
There are 2 companies that run these cruises:
Not only will these tours take you to the stone fort, but you’ll get the chance to go diving the wreck and see the remains of the Batavia yourself.
It may be out of the way, but its age and fascinating story makes Wiebbe Hayes Stone Fort among the best historical places in Australia.
14 - Captain Cook’s Landing Site
Captain Cook’s Landing Site might be the most significant historical place in Australia.
Located in a public parkland in the suburb of Kurnell (in Sydney)this area is famous as being the site that Captain Cook and his crew on the HMS Endeavor landed in 1770.
It was here that the first recorded interaction between the English and Indigenous Australians. The years that followed would lead to the almost total annihilation of the Aboriginal people and the establishment of Australia as an English colony.
Aside from the scenic bushwalks, there are a number of historical attractions to see here, including:
- Landing Site Monument – A stone obelisk marking the exact site where Cook first stepped foot on the continent.
- Meeting Place – A memorial at the site of the first encounter between Cook & his crew, and the local Aboriginals.
- Visitors Centre – A small museum and a great place to learn more about this significant historical event.
Visually, there may not be a whole lot to see at Captain Cook’s Landing Site (aside from the amazing coastal scenery), but its historical significance makes it worth the visit for any history lovers in Sydney.
15 - Old Parliament House
If you’re interested in learning about Australia’s political history, there’s no better place to do that than at Old Parliament House.
Since 1988, the Aussie parliament has met inside the current, fancy Parliament House on Capitol Hill, but before this it was situated in the old brick building just next door.
Opened in 1927, Old Parliament House was only ever intended as a ‘provisional’ location to be used for a maximum of 50 years. After the new building was constructed, this provisional parliament building was quickly turned into the Museum of Australian Democracy that it is today.
Entry to the Museum of Australian Democracy is free, and the entire building is open for you to explore. Here you can see the places like the old senate chamber, prime minister’s office and the ‘party’ room.
Check out more details on Old Parliament House on their website.
Now that you know the best historical sites in Australia, check out more posts below to discover more historical travel destinations…
