Sydney Macquarie Street Self-Guided Audio Walk: Hyde Park Barracks, the Rum Hospital and the State Library

What to bring

• Booking details: Enter your booking number on the Roamer redemption page before you set off while you have signal.
• Phone access: Bring a charged smartphone to run the audio tour in your browser with GPS map and directions.
• Earphones: Bring earphones so you can hear the commentary clearly in busy or noisy areas.
• Data or Wi-Fi: Use mobile data, or open the tour on Wi-Fi before starting if you will not have data.
• Camera or binoculars: Bring a zoom lens or binoculars to view the BMA House knights and koalas high on the facade.

What's not allowed

• Parliament House security: Expect security screening at Parliament House, and note that bags and phones are cloaked in the galleries.
• Professional photography: Professional camera gear at Hyde Park Barracks requires prior permission.

Accessibility

• Step-free route: The walking route itself has no steps, but the obelisk at stop 12 and Mitchell Library entrance have steps, so view them from the sidewalk.
• Kerb ramps: Kerb ramps are present at crossings, but not all were checked in person, so take extra care at street corners.

Additional information

• Tour access: The tour opens in your phone browser via a link in your confirmation, and no separate app is needed.
• Best time to go: You can walk any day in daylight or after dark, since all stops are on public paths and plazas.
• Indoor visits: To go inside key sites, visit on weekdays roughly between 10:00 and 16:00 when most venues are open.
• Start point: Start on College Street beside St Mary's Cathedral and Hyde Park, near St James or Museum train stations.
• Hyde Park Barracks: Hyde Park Barracks is free with pre-booking recommended and is open daily except Good Friday and Christmas Day.
• The Mint: The Mint is free and open Monday to Friday during daytime, and it closes on weekends and public holidays.
• Parliament House: Parliament House is free on weekdays, closes on public holidays, and offers free weekday guided tours at set times.
• State Library: The State Library is free, with reading rooms and galleries open longer on weekdays than on weekends.
• Museum of Sydney: The Museum of Sydney is free with pre-booking recommended and is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
• St Mary's Cathedral: St Mary's Cathedral is open daily from early morning to early evening with slightly longer hours on weekends.
• End point: The walk ends near Circular Quay, about 250 meters from trains, ferries, light rail, and The Rocks.
• Road crossings: There are twelve road crossings; use the signals and take extra care at the unsignalled zebra crossing near Shakespeare Place.
• Shared paths: Some park edges and paths between stops are shared with cyclists, so keep to one side as you walk.
• Hospital access: Watch for ambulances near Sydney Hospital and keep all hospital doorways clear while you listen.
• Quiet in churches: St Mary's Cathedral and St James Church are active churches, so keep noise low during services.
• Future works: From March 2027, upgrade works at St Mary's Cathedral may mean scaffolding or hoardings around the site.
• GPS accuracy: GPS can drift under trees and among tall buildings, so use the audio descriptions to orient yourself.
• Local wildlife: Expect bold ibis and gulls in Hyde Park, especially if you are carrying food.

• Please check your final voucher for the redemption details and specific instructions.
• Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.