Explore free exhibitions that highlight Sydney's evolving identity. Whether you're a history buff, a curious local or simply looking for an inspiring day out, there's something for everyone at Customs House.
The Model Makers
Every day until 1 May 2026
The City of Sydney is the only local government in Australia that maintains and exhibits a working scale model of its area. Unlike the static model of Sydney visible from the ground floor of Customs House, this dynamic model, on level 2 of Town Hall House, has been an essential urban planning tool since the mid-1980s.
Learn about the team of skilled model makers who meticulously maintain and update the city model. Using a colour-coded system to differentiate existing, proposed and under construction buildings, their work keeps the model an essential resource for the public, architects, planners and others making decisions about development.
This exhibition is on level 1 of Customs House and you can visit the city model itself on level 2 of Town Hall House.
Objects from the City of Sydney’s civic collection
Every day until Monday 30 June 2025
Spanning more than 180 years, our civic collection tells the story of a city shaped by cultural diversity, historic milestones and constant transformation. With over 3,000 items acquired through gifts, purchases, and bequests, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Sydney’s evolving identity and public life.
The collection features decorative arts, furnishings, memorial objects, artworks and official gifts, many on display or in use across our properties. It also serves as an important resource for researchers and historians.
This photographic exhibition highlights selected pieces from the collection, honouring the depth and richness of Sydney’s heritage.
This exhibition is on level 2 of Customs House.
You can also view the civic collection display More than Meets the Eye on level 2 of Town Hall House.
To learn more visit our civic collection and archives and history resources.
Little Sydney Lives Retrospective
Every day until Sunday 31 August 2025
Take a moment to see Sydney through the eyes of its young creatives and witness their award-winning perspectives of our city.
This exhibition features 6 years of photography, capturing a transformative period of global change. Through their lenses, young photographers share moments of joy, pride and creativity, offering a heartfelt glimpse into their worlds. From cherished family moments to quiet reflections in nature, their images reveal milestones and moments of stillness within a rapidly changing landscape.
For this retrospective, we invited the photographers to share how winning the prize impacted them, its lasting impressions and the subjects that inspire them today.
This exhibition is on the ground floor of Customs House.
Customs House regularly hosts new exhibitions which are all internally curated and produced. Keep an eye on its page for the latest updates.
Published 27 May 2025
