Explore St. Mary and St. Andrew - The Most Beautiful Cathedrals in Sydney

In addition to being known as the "Land of Kangaroos," or for iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Australia is also famous for its magnificent and majestic cathedrals. Among them, the most notable are two of the oldest and most historically significant cathedrals in Australia, featuring a unique Gothic architectural style: St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

1. St. Mary’s Cathedral

1.1 Where is St. Mary’s Cathedral?

St. Mary’s Cathedral is located in the heart of Sydney, serving as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. It is dedicated to the "Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of Australia," and holds the title and dignity of a minor basilica, granted by Pope Pius XI on August 4, 1932.

Address: 2 St Mary’s Road, at the corner of College Street, opposite Hyde Park, New South Wales.
Opening Hours: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM (Guided tours are available at 2:00 PM every Sunday).
Ticket Price: Free (If you want to visit the crypt, the ticket price is 5 AUD per person, approximately 84,000 VND).

1.2 History of St. Mary’s Cathedral

St. Mary’s Cathedral was first built in 1821, initiated by one of the first two Roman Catholic priests in Australia, John Therry, who requested land to construct it. Initially, the church had a simple stone and wood structure, but unfortunately, after the death of Father John Therry, it was destroyed by fire twice.

Following these events, the Archbishop at the time, McEnroe, raised funds to plan the construction of a larger and more durable cathedral. A talented architect from the Gothic Revival movement, William Wardell, was invited to design one of the most beautiful and grand cathedrals in the region.

The northern part of the cathedral was built in the first phase (1866-1900), and the southern part was completed in the second phase (1912-1928). The construction of the crypt to house the bodies of bishops and priests was completed in 1961. The two towering spires—the focal point of the cathedral—were not finished until 2000.

St. Mary’s Cathedral is the longest cathedral in Australia, measuring over 106 meters in length.

1.3 Unique Architecture of St. Mary’s Cathedral

St. Mary’s Cathedral is the longest cathedral in Australia, measuring over 106 meters in length, and the fourth tallest in Australia with spires reaching 74.6 meters. The cathedral is built in a North-South orientation, unlike the traditional East-West, which allows the stained-glass windows on both sides to diffuse light in a unique and exceptional way.

The cathedral is constructed from sandstone and designed in a cruciform shape, most visible from above. This is a characteristic feature of the Geometric Decorated Gothic style. The cathedral has a square-shaped head, with full-sized spires above. Multiple entrances are provided for convenience during processions.

The façade of St. Mary’s Cathedral is designed like the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, with three large doors, two smaller windows on the sides, and a central rose window. The back and interior of the cathedral follow the English style.

Inside, the columns, stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and screens are intricately carved. The floor is decorated with mosaics. Around the walls of the aisles are Stations of the Cross. The cathedral is equipped with a golden lighting system, contrasting with the natural light that shines through the colorful stained-glass windows, highlighting religious stories depicted in each window, such as the Rosary Mystery, the lives of the Saints, and the childhood of Jesus Christ.

The façade of St. Mary’s Cathedral is designed like the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, with three large doors, two small windows on each side, and a central rose window.

2. St. Andrew's Cathedral

2.1 Where is St. Andrew’s Cathedral?

St. Andrew’s Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Australia, located near Town Hall, and stands in striking contrast to the modern skyscrapers in the heart of Sydney. It serves as the cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and New South Wales.

Address: Located at the intersection of George and Bathurst Streets, Sydney, New South Wales, next to Town Hall.
Opening Hours:

Monday: 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Ticket Price: Free

2.2 History of St. Andrew’s Cathedral

In 1819, construction of St. Andrew’s Cathedral began and it was consecrated and officially opened in 1868, on St. Andrew’s Day. The cathedral was designed by Edmund Blacket, the architect who also designed the University of Sydney.

After its consecration, the cathedral underwent further construction to complete unfinished parts. Over time, the cathedral faced challenges such as wars, the need for redesign, and the expansion of its area due to increasing numbers of parishioners. It wasn’t until 1999-2000 that the cathedral underwent major renovations, completing the solid and majestic structure we see today.

St. Andrew’s Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Australia, with a historic appearance that contrasts with the modern skyscrapers of Sydney.

2.3 A Glimpse into St. Andrew’s Cathedral’s Architecture

St. Andrew’s Cathedral is built in the Gothic Revival style. Though not as grand as other cathedrals, it still stands magnificently amid Sydney’s sunny skies. Over time, the cathedral has gradually turned a warm brown, enhancing its classic and harmonious look. The façade is designed with intricate Gothic windows, balanced buttresses, and towering spires. The roof of the cathedral is made from slate.The interior is beautifully arranged, creating a vast and overwhelming feeling due to the well-proportioned corridors and vaulted ceilings, as well as the carved details on the stone walls and columns. The furnishings for the church services, such as the pulpit, pews, and partitions, are made from intricately carved oak wood. The floor is paved with black and red encaustic tiles, further enhancing the cathedral’s classic and majestic atmosphere.One of the most impressive features of St. Andrew’s Cathedral is its colorful stained-glass windows, where the composition and color scheme are meticulously designed so that the sunlight shining through them highlights the images of Jesus Christ depicted on the windows. Particularly, the largest window on the east side, with its four-tiered design and seven smaller windows in each tier, represents significant milestones in the life of Christ, in which Apostle Andrew was present.

Inside, the cathedral also displays an impressive pipe organ crafted by William Hill and Sons. For over 40 years, on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, organ soloists from around the world gather here to perform.

The most impressive feature of St. Andrew’s Cathedral is its colorful stained-glass windows, depicting scenes of Jesus Christ.

3. How to Get to St. Mary and St. Andrew’s Cathedrals

3.1 Travel to Australia

The main mode of transportation from Vietnam to Australia is by plane. To visit St. Mary and St. Andrew’s Cathedrals, you need to fly into Sydney Airport. Currently, Vietjet operates many direct flights from Vietnam to Sydney, with fares starting from 5,500,000 VND (excluding taxes and fees). To get the best price and have flexibility with your travel dates, it is recommended to book 1-2 months in advance.

Vietjet offers direct flights to Sydney weekly, departing from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Check out the detailed flight schedule and don’t miss the chance to grab discounted tickets from Vietjet.

Currently, Vietjet operates many direct flights from Vietnam to Australia with fares starting from 5,500,000 VND (excluding taxes and fees).

3.2 Getting to St. Mary’s Cathedral

There are two main ways to get to St. Mary’s Cathedral: by bus and by subway.

Bus: For buses, get off at a stop near Hyde Park or Town Hall, then walk along Park Street toward Kings Cross.
Subway: If you’re taking the subway, the nearest stations are St. James, Museum, and Town Hall. It takes about 7 minutes to walk to St. Mary’s Cathedral from these stations.

3.3 Getting to St. Andrew’s Cathedral

To reach St. Andrew’s Cathedral, follow these routes:

Bus: Get off at the nearest stops, such as Town Hall, Queen Victoria Building on York Street, or the intersection of Bathurst and Pitt Streets.
Subway: The two closest subway stations to St. Andrew’s Cathedral are Town Hall and Queen Victoria Building. You can also stop at T2 and T3 gates on George Street.

4. Some Important Notes When Visiting the Cathedral

The cathedral is a sacred and respectful place, so when visiting, please keep in mind the following:

Dress appropriately; avoid wearing very short skirts or sleeveless tops, no barefoot walking, and remember to remove your hats/caps.
Photography is allowed inside the cathedral, but flash photography is prohibited, and you cannot take pictures during religious services.
Switch your phone to silent mode and speak quietly to avoid disturbing others.
No food or drinks are allowed inside the cathedral.

The information provided about the two historic cathedrals in Sydney with impressive architecture is intended to be helpful for your upcoming trip to Australia. Currently, Vietjet is offering many flights to Australia at surprisingly low prices. You can also look forward to their weekly Friday international flight sales with tickets starting at 0 VND HERE.Don’t forget to follow Vietjet for the latest travel information and special offers!