Sydney’s oldest stories are stepping out of the archives and into the streets this autumn as the Australian Heritage Festival returns from 18th April to 18th May 2026, celebrating 46 years of exploring the history that shaped New South Wales.
From the sandstone lanes of The Rocks to the rolling hills of the Southern Highlands, more than 150 events will bring heritage to life—through ghost tours, live music, talks, food experiences and regional getaways that celebrate the places and people that define the state’s identity.
“The Australian Heritage Festival is an opportunity to explore and celebrate the rich history of New South Wales,” said Debbie Mills, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust (NSW).
“Spanning Sydney’s historic streets to regional towns and sacred Indigenous sites, the festival invites people to discover the places, objects and traditions that tell the stories of our communities and highlight the depth and diversity of our shared heritage.”
Sydney’s Dark & Delicious side
Sydney’s past runs far deeper than postcard-perfect sandstone. Festivalgoers can descend into its shadowy corners with after-dark events tailor-made for thrill-seekers. Tours of haunted pubs, mafia backstreets and buried archaeological sites blend goosebumps with unearthed local lore.
Top Sydney picks
- Paranormal Nights at Old Government House, Parramatta – 18th April: Ghost tours and investigations in Australia’s oldest public building. Entry fee: from $40
- Lindesay After Dark at Darling Point – 28th April: Wine, canapés and moonlit tours of a harbourside 1830s mansion. Entry fee: from $45
- The Black Hand in Sydney – Various dates, from $45: Walk the razor gang haunts of early mafia Sydney. Entry fee: from $35
- Ghosts, Grog & The Rocks – 18th & 30th April + 7th & 14th May: Haunted pub crawl through The Rocks’ infamous spots. Entry fee: $39
Regional Gems (Few Without The Tag)
The festival stretches deep into NSW’s heartland, from steam-powered weekends to vintage fairs and sunset estate tours.
Regional standouts
- Hunter Valley Steamfest in Maitland – 18–19 April: Locomotives, live music and gourmet markets roar to life. Entry fee: from $35
- Norman Lindsay Vintage Fair in Faulconbridge – 16th May: Retro fashion, classic cars and music amid heritage gardens. Entry fee: $5
- Retford Park Sunset Evenings in Bowral – 9th–10th May: Mother’s Day champagne tours of an 1887 mansion. Entry fee: from $35
- Baroque Scottish Music in Riversdale, Goulburn – Various dates: Newly conserved 300-year-old manuscripts debut.
Certain festival events won’t cost you a cent. In Kogarah, the Extreme Housekeeping exhibition (6th May) reveals the conservation wizardry behind historical artefacts.
Palaeontologist Sally Hurst launches Found a Fossil (7th May, Macquarie Park), while Bungambrawatha: Stories of Albury spotlights regional resilience all month long.
Key Details:
- When: 18th April to 18th May 2026
- Where: Across NSW (metropolitan and regional areas)
- Price: Free and ticketed
Organised by the National Trust (NSW) and backed by Heritage NSW, this community-driven festival preserves the state’s diverse heritage. It also shines a spotlight on local heroes.
Find the full program here.
