As photographers, our attention is focused on the outside of beautiful buildings like the Sydney Opera House. But inside some of these incredible structures, the interior can be pretty amazing. In fact, sometimes, the interior can be far more impressive than the exterior.

I recently wrote two separate photography lists focusing on great photography locations in Sydney. While creating these lists, I went through and reviewed all of my photos, looking for good images to include in each article. During this process, I realised I had been fortunate enough to photograph the interiors of many stunning buildings in Sydney.

So I thought it would be fun to create this list and share my favourite Sydney buildings to photograph internally with you.

Some of these locations are open to the public, some only during particular events or times of the year, and one I was lucky enough to be invited to photograph.

Towards the end of this article, I have included a section that talks more about the best ways to photograph the insides of these incredible Sydney buildings. I have also included information under each location to provide some guidance as to the access of a building.

My list of the best buildings to photograph in Sydney is as follows:

  1. The Fullerton Hotel
  2. The Strand Arcade
  3. Holy Trinity Church
  4. State Theatre
  5. Sydney Conservatorium of Music
  6. St Mary’s Cathedral

The Fullerton Hotel, Martin Place

The staircase inside the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney

There is something wonderfully symmetrical about this staircase, making it an amazing subject for interior photos. Plus, you then have all of this scene’s many details. When I originally shared this photo in 2012, a few photographers I knew were inspired to visit the Fullerton Hotel to capture a similar photo. (HDR Image, Nikon D300s, 10mm | Morning | December 2012)

I ducked inside the Fullerton Hotel, then known as the Westin Hotel, one morning in 2012 after photographing the giant Christmas Tree that lights up Martin Place in December of each year.

Just inside the entrance, I found this stunning staircase! 😲

I love how, with a wide-angle lens, you can capture both levels of the hotel, the incredible stairs, and the patterns that can be seen everywhere you look. There are patterns on the carpet, the balustrade, the walls and the roof.

It is all very elaborate, quite symmetrical and looks terrific!

I was so excited about the potential of this staircase image that I actually processed it before any images I took of the Christmas Tree in Martin Place. That was why I visited Martin Place in the first place!

I must admit, I didn’t go beyond this staircase as I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be in there. And while I am still not 100% sure, I believe the Fullerton Hotel is open to the general public.

At least the foyer, anyway. 🤷

The Strand Arcade

The Strand Arcade in Sydney

This above photo is the only photo I took and processed of the interior of the Strand Arcade in Sydney. Hopefully, it does show just how incredible the interior of the Strand Arcade is. Reminiscent of the staircase in the Fullerton Hotel, the Arcade, photographed in this way, is also quite symmetrical and has loads of incredible details and patterns that make photos look magical. (HDR Image, Nikon D300s, 10mm | During the day | December 2012)

Usually, when you walk into a shopping centre and take a quick inhale of breath, it is because you have just spied the price tag of something you thought you could afford but can’t. You then need to continue looking casually at the item, trying to hide the shock you feel as you try to get out of there as fast as possible.

While that might still be the case when you first enter the Strand Arcade in Sydney, it is the beauty of this heritage-listed arcade that truly takes your breath away.

The interior of the Strand Arcade is incredible! 😍

I feel like visiting the Strand Arcade would be like being transported into a Harry Potter book. There is something magical about the place. Which shows through in the stunning photos you can capture from within.

The Strand Arcade can become quite busy during peak shopping times. I have a feeling that they frown upon people setting up tripods as it would cause a trip hazard. Which makes sense.

So please try and use common sense, go when there are not too many people around and be considerate of others when taking photos. And if you don’t need a tripod, leave it at home.

I found that heading up to the second level had significantly less foot traffic and made for slightly better photos.

Holy Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity Church in Sydney

The Holy Trinity Church was simply a happenstance that I was able to hop inside and capture its interior. I captured this photo a while ago but might have been on my way to Observatory Hill and noticed it was open to the public. I did only capture a few photos, but I do like them. It’s something different from photographing your typical landscape scene. (HDR Image, Nikon D300s, 10mm | During the day | December 2012)

The Holy Trinity Church, also known as the Garrison Church, is located in The Rocks, just down from Observatory Hill. This church was a great little find and not one I had considered until I walked past, camera in hand.

The interior of the old church looks fantastic, with sandstone walls, wooden floors, church pews, and stained glass windows. You are transported back nearly 200 years ago to 1840, when the construction of this church began.

Once inside, it didn’t take long for me to capture a few photos of the interior, which I think turned out great.

State Theatre Sydney

State Theatre in Sydney

Look at how insane the interior is in the State Theatre; this is only the hallway! I am trying to remember why I didn’t get any good shots of the main stage. Maybe there were a few too many people around. I remember misplacing my camera bag, which started a frantic search to locate it. Hopefully, one day, I can go back and capture the main stage, as it’s incredible. (HDR Image, Nikon D800, 24mm | During the day | November 2014)

To date, the State Theatre would be my favourite interior of any of the buildings to photograph in Sydney.

The theatre’s interior is stunning, and that word does not do it justice! It is easy to see why this building is heritage listed. It is ostentatious and eccentric and makes for incredible photos.

If you do an image search on Google for the ‘State Theatre Sydney’, you will be stunned at the variety of unique images you will see. Not only is the theatre itself incredible, but the foyer and many other rooms that lead to or are located around the theatre are just as impressive.

In 2014, the State Theatre was part of the Sydney Open Exhibition, and it alone was worth the price of admission.

What I wouldn’t give for a few hours in the State Theatre, with limited people, with my camera and tripod and snap photos.

It would be incredible! 🤩

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music

I really like this photo! A trend that I am beginning to notice is that many of the good interiors to photograph have symmetry. But to me, the image also has a lot of depth, with the layers of seats in the foreground and the large organ against the back wall. It might not be the most spectacular interior, but there is something pleasing about the photo. (HDR Image, Nikon D800, 24mm | During the day | November 2014)

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music was quite cool and fun to photograph. The conservatorium was another one of the buildings that we were allowed to enter and take photos of as part of the Sydney Open Exhibition in 2014.

There isn’t a great deal to say about this location. It might not be Sydney’s most spectacular interior, but it was still enjoyable, and I would happily revisit it.

St Mary’s Cathedral

Inside St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney

The above photo is a two-image panorama from my time being allowed to photograph the interior of St Mary’s Cathedral. It was an awesome experience and one that I am very grateful for. (Panorama, HDR Image, Nikon D300s, 10mm | During the day | August 2014)

Getting to photograph the interior of St Mary’s Cathedral will always be one of my most treasured moments as a landscape photographer. 😊

Long story short, I was invited to photograph the interior of St Mary’s Cathedral after they contacted me about using an exterior photo I had taken as the cover image for a book they wanted to release.

I love photographing the beautiful old St Mary’s Cathedral. So, I was super excited by the rare opportunity to photograph inside Australia’s largest cathedral. What a fantastic place, and once inside, it certainly did not disappoint!

I am unsure if the book is still being sold at St Mary’s Cathedral; I did have a quick look on their website but couldn’t find anything. But some of the photos I took of the Cathedral’s interior were also included in that book.

The best way to photograph inside Sydney’s buildings

Attend Sydney Open

I have mentioned this great event, the Sydney Open, several times throughout this article already. This exhibition, I think that you would call it that, is probably the best thing you can do if you want to get inside Sydney’s most admired and interesting buildings with your camera.

If you visit the Program page on their website, you see 29 incredible buildings were part of the Sydney Open event in 2022. These Sydney buildings would contain areas that would make for stunning interior photos.

If this style of photography does interest you, make sure to look out for the Sydney Open event. I do believe that it is an annual event and is held in November.

After putting together this article, I am super keen to return to Sydney this year to attend the event again. Hopefully, I can add a few more buildings to this list by doing so! 🙂

For more information regarding the Sydney Open exhibition, here is a link to their website: www.sydneyopen.com.au

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Looking for opportunities in public buildings

The other option you have outside of an event or invitation is to look for opportunities to photograph a building which is open to the public.

On this point, it is important to be diligent and respectful when taking photos in public places. Therefore, please exercise due diligence before grabbing your camera and photographing the interior of any building in Sydney or elsewhere.

Check to make sure that you are allowed to be there if it is possible to find that information. You could also check with security or venue staff when you arrive and if asked to move on, then simply move on.

It is also important to be aware of other visitors to the building you are in and to respect them and their needs. Please don’t create a safety issue by taking up to much space, blocking off any exits, etc.

When writing this article, I came across a very detailed article by Paul Clarke called ‘Know your rights – Shooting in public’, published in 2016, which might interest you. It discusses an unfortunate event with the famous Australian landscape photographer Ken Duncan at Barangaroo Reserve and being asked to leave the area.

Book launch at St Mary's Cathedral in 2014

The above image is me, Rob Potter, holding a copy of the St Mary’s Cathedral book with my photo of the cathedral’s exterior on the front cover. Still to date, one of my proudest moments as a landscape photographer. (iPhone image | November 2014)

Go and photograph Sydney’s Interiors

I hope that this article has been helpful and has motivated you to photograph the interior of some of Sydney’s impressive buildings rather than only considering the exterior.

There are many other Sydney buildings that I would still love to get the opportunity to photograph inside.

One that springs to mind straight away would be the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney. I believe they don’t allow people to use tripods in this building. I have seen some stunning photos taken by Trey Ratcliff (Stuck in Customs) of the QVB, which look incredible. So I would love the chance to try this!

Sydney is full of beautiful buildings, and I would encourage you to seek opportunities like the Sydney Open Exhibition to get inside with your cameras. The interiors can be just as good, if not better, than the exteriors.

It might just open up many new doors.

Pun intended! 😆

Enjoy,
Rob Potter

P.S: If you have any comments, thoughts or would like to recommend any other Sydney buildings to photograph inside of, make sure to share them over on my ‘Grab Your Camera’ Facebook page where I have shared a link to this article. 🙂