Close to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Opera house located in the Government building, the facade of which goes directly into Sydney Harbour. It was once the official residence of the Governor of the state of New South Wales, and today is a Museum, which, however, are regularly held governmental techniques.

The place of residence of the first Governor of the colony, Arthur Phillip in 1788 the building was of logs, covered with tarpaulin. Then, on the spot where today cross street, bridge street and Phillip street, was built solid building, which became a full house. Its architect was James Bloodsworth under whose direction it was built most of the buildings of the colony between 1788 and 1800. The first Government building was rebuilt and repaired the following eight governors, but has generally remained in a poor state, and in 1846 was demolished.

In 1835, the British government decided that Sydney needed a new Government building, and commissioned the Royal architect Edward Blore to develop the project. Construction work began in 1837 – stone, cedar and marble for buildings transported from all corners of the colony. Already in 1843, in new residence of the Governor held a ball in honor of Queen Victoria's birthday, even though construction was not yet complete. The first occupant of the building became Governor George Gipps who entered him in 1845.

Government building in a romantic neo-Gothic style, decorated with battlements and having a turret, it is decorated with portraits and suits its owners. In 1873 the building was attached to the gallery, even 6 years later, added a porch, and in 1900-1901 was expanded ballroom and the Governor's office.

A century and a half - from 1845 until 1996, this building served as the official residence of the Governor of the state of New South Wales. However, in 1996, the government moved to the nearby building of the Secretary-General. Former Prime Minister Bob Carr explained this change: "the Governor's Residence should be associated with less pomp and ceremony, to be less burdened with legacy protocols, but to be in tune with the mood of the people".