The Hyde Park Barracks was built in 1819 to house convicts. Barracks convicts were marched to worksites around town where they built the docks, roads, churches & bridges of early Sydney.
From 1830 courts of General Sessions were held at the barracks in front of visiting magistrates. In 1862 wards for destitute women were added & the barracks became known as the Hyde Park Asylum.
The barracks later became a hub of government departments & was renamed Chancery Square. Until the late 1970s public servants occupied the complex. Today it is a museum which shows some of the history of sydney & tells the story of the barracks.
Parts of the complex are in varying stages of renovation & visitors can see the buildings in different stages of their history. The courtrooms look like they have just been cleaned & are ready for the next days cases.
The main barracks building has several levels of rooms with displays on the history of the barracks & sydney. One of the fun things is the rooms of hammocks which you can try out - they make a hostel dorm seem like luxury.
