Built in 1816 for Superintendent of Government Boats John Cadman (a former convict with a commuted death sentence for horse theft), this is the inner city's oldest house. Sydney Water Police detained criminals here in the 1840s; it later became a home for retired sea captains. The interior isn't accessible except by half-hour tours that run at 9.45am on the first and third Sundays of the month.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Circular Quay & The Rocks attractions

1. Rocks Discovery Museum

0.03 MILES

Divided into four displays – Warrane (pre-1788), Colony (1788–1820), Port (1820–1900) and Transformations (1900 to the present) – this small, excellent…

2. Ken Done Gallery

0.06 MILES

The cheerful, quasi-childlike work of Sydney artist Ken Done is exhibited inside the lavishly restored Australian Steam Navigation Building. Expect…

3. Suez Canal

0.07 MILES

One of few remaining such lanes, the Suez Canal tapers downhill until less than a metre wide (hence the name, also a pun on the word 'sewers')…

4. Overseas Passenger Terminal

0.07 MILES

Multi-storey luxury cruise ships anchor at this large terminal, disgorging hordes of shaky-legged tourists onto the Quay. For a killer harbour view, head…

5. Foundation Park

0.08 MILES

Thought-provoking Foundation Park is set among the preserved ruins of 1870s houses, built against the cliff face. The oversized furniture by artist Peter…

6. Museum of Contemporary Art

0.09 MILES

The MCA is a showcase for Australian and international contemporary art, with a rotating permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Aboriginal art…

7. Argyle Cut

0.13 MILES

Convict labourers excavated this canyon-like section of road clear through the sandstone ridge that gave the Rocks its name. The work began in 1843 with…

8. Campbell’s Storehouses

0.13 MILES

In 1839, Scottish merchant Robert Campbell started building a private wharf and this gingerbread-style row of storehouses for his stash of tea, alcohol,…