State Library of NSW
The library that has it all, literally
It would be hard to miss the sprawling glass and concrete bulk of the State Library looming between the Botanic Gardens and Parliament House on Macquarie Street.
If it does lack a certain aesthetic charm it's because this is above all a functional space, housing one of Australia's largest collections of books and manuscripts, bought initially by the State Government in 1869 for a mere $1,500.
Aladdin's cave has nothing on the treasure to be found here, extending from the downright odd to the incredibly rare. For the mercenary minded, the library's most valuable book (John James Audubon's Birds of America) is valued at a staggering $8.8 million American dollars. Speaking of staggering, that is precisely what you'd be doing if you tried to lift the library's largest work, a three-volume collection of maps that weighs 66 kilos in total.
The State Library is a reference and research library and doesn't lend books to individuals. The collections are open to all, but registering for a reader's card can give you additional access and benefits.
The State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000 (02 9273 1414).