Can you go inside Strickland House, Vaucluse?

The only way to go inside Strickland House, Vaucluse, is as part of special function or rare guided tour. You can visit the grounds for free, however.

What is Strickland House?

Strickland House in Vaucluse is one of the most handsome buildings in Sydney. It was built in several stages between 1830 and 1858, with the current Victorian Italianate architecture courtesy of John Hilly. Hilly also designed St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sydney.

The building has a varied history, having gone through multiple owners, and being put to use as both a women’s convalescent home and a centre for aged care.

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Strickland House is owned by the Government of New South Wales.

Where is Strickland House?

Strickland House is in Vaucluse, one of Sydney’s wealthiest suburbs. Most visitors will go past while walking from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk. It is very close to Milk Beach, one of the best-kept secrets on Sydney Harbour, and Shark Beach is a little further to the north at Nielsen Park.

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Visiting Strickland House

The grounds of Strickland House are free to visit. The garden is well stocked with native plants, although the grand Moreton Bay fig trees tend to hog the attention.

The sprawling lawn is a good place for a picnic, or letting kids burn a little energy.

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Going inside Strickland House

Going inside Strickland House is a different matter, however. Most of the time, this Vaucluse mansion is off-limits to the public.

Unless you’re attending a function, the only way to get a look inside Strickland House is on a guided tour.

These Strickland House tours are rare, and run sporadically throughout the year, rarely more than twice a month. For tour dates, visit the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website.