Sydney, NSW
1.0 km (0.5 hrs )
★★☆☆☆

The Sydney Mint is one of Australia's oldest surviving public buildings. The building was constructed between 1811 and 1816 as the southern wing of the Sydney Hospital, better known as the Rum Hospital, since funds for the building's construction were in lieu of a monopoly on the purchase of spirits for three years. A branch of the Royal Mint was later established on the site in 1854, with the hospital building used to house mint staff and a coining factory built at the rear.

Today the Mint is the headquarters of the Historic Houses Trust. The buildings house a cafe, function rooms, offices and the Caroline Simpson Library and Research Collection. There is a small display in the bullion strong room and in the eastern corridor of the main building. The building is only open on weekdays, so I took the opportunity to have a quick tour after a conference in the city.