State Library of New South Wales

State Library of New South Wales Review

This large complex is based around the Mitchell and Dixson libraries, which make up the world's largest collection of Australiana. Enter the foyer through the classical portico to see one of the earliest maps of Australia, a copy in marble mosaic of a map made by Abel Tasman, the Dutch navigator, in the mid-17th century. Through the glass doors lies the vast Mitchell Library reading room, but you need a reader's ticket (establishing that you are pursuing legitimate research) to enter. You can, however, take a free escorted tour Tuesday at 11 and Thursday at 2. The library continuously runs free exhibitions, and the Shakespeare Room is open to the public Tuesday 10 am-4 pm. Inquire at the reception desk of the general reference library on Macquarie Street.