FAQ

• Q: How long does it take to go through St Mary’s Cathedral?
  A: If you are a tourist, you can comfortably walk through the Cathedral at a slow pace within 30 minutes. You are more than welcome to sit quietly and enjoy the Cathedral’s calm atmosphere and join in prayer or attend Mass. The free Sunday Tour after the 10:30am Mass takes about 90 minutes.
• Q: Is there a fee or door charge to enter St Mary’s Cathedral?
  A: No, admission to St Mary’s Cathedral is free. However a donation towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Cathedral is always well received. Conservation boxes are located within the Cathedral.
  We are open to visitors from 6:30am to 6:30pm, 7 days a week. We do ask visitors to respect and follow our rules when Mass and Liturgical celebrations are in progress.
  The Crypt is currently closed to the public and is only open on for the 2pm Free Sunday Guided Tour. Please email the Cathedral Office to register.
• Q: What rules should I be aware of?
  A: When Mass or a Liturgical celebration is in progress, there may be restricted areas which you cannot visit. It is also important to remember that you cannot take photos during these times. For more information, please click here to view our Official Photography and Videography Policy.
  At times, you may be asked to sit and watch while the events are in progress.
  Men should remove their hats when entering the Cathedral. Out of respect, you should also remember to dress appropriately as this is a religious building and site. We do not allow food or drink to be consumed or brought inside or around the Cathedral grounds.
• Q: What is the average wait time for planning or booking a Wedding at St Mary’s Cathedral?
  A: Generally the Cathedral is booked out 2.5 years in advance. We can hold up to four Weddings each Saturday. We do not allow Weddings during the entire season of Lent and Christmas-New Year’s period.
• Q: How much does it cost to book a Wedding at St Mary’s Cathedral?
  A: If you wish to book a Wedding here at the Cathedral, please complete our Online Weddings Enquiry Form. When completing your enquiry, costs for booking the Cathedral will be displayed with additional costs for Wedding music and St Mary’s Cathedral Bells to be rung also included.
• Q: Why can’t I stop and have photos taken of my Wedding photos in front of the Cathedral?
  A: St Mary’s Cathedral is a sacred building and site and as such, we reserve the right of photos to be taken for couples who marry at St Mary’s Cathedral only. As you can appreciate, we have over 3,000 people visit the Cathedral on a daily basis and can hold up to four weddings each weekend, so juggling and managing crowd control can be difficult. And this means managing brides and photographer’s expectations also.
• Q: Are the bells of St Mary’s Cathedral automatic or rung by people?
  A: St Mary’s Cathedral bells are one of only a few Cathedrals worldwide which are still manually operated. We have over 20 volunteers who peal the bells on a regular basis, at Special Liturgical events and for Weddings.
• Q: I heard that there are concerts held at the Cathedral?
  A: Yes, St Mary’s Cathedral holds both free and paid singing and organ recitals all year round. Please click here for further information. St Mary’s Cathedral also holds a spectacular Christmas Celebration Concert each year.
• Q: Can I book a guided tour of the Cathedral?
  A: St Mary’s Cathedral offers a free guided tour every Sunday at 2pm (subject to change depending the Cathedral’s Schedule). This tour meets outside the internal entrance of the Cathedral Shop. Please email [email protected] to register.
  Groups interested in booking a guided tour during the weekdays can email [email protected] or call 02 9220 0453. Please note minimum tour group numbers is 10. Cost for group tours is $5 per person; cost for school groups is $2 per person (children and adults).
• Q: Is the Cathedral accessible via wheelchair?
  A: The Cathedral does offer wheelchair access and if planning your trip, it is best to call us on the day of your visit to organise access. Please call 02 9220 0400.
• Q: Does the Cathedral offer a cloak or luggage room?
  A: No – the Cathedral does not have this facility. Your bags remain your responsibility and should never be left unattended. Unattended luggage could be deemed as a security risk and handed over to security for
  appropriate action.
• Q: Is there parking on site?
  A: No – we do not have parking on site for visitors or buses. Please click here for details on where to park or where to catch public transport.
  
• Q: Is there a café on site or somewhere we can purchase a drink or coffee?
  A: No – there is no café on site. Please remember that we do not allow the consumption of food or drink inside or around the Cathedral. There are however many nice cafes in walking distance from the Cathedral.
• Q: Are there people buried in the Crypt?
  A: Yes – the Crypt is the final resting place of three of Sydney’s Pioneer Priests, the Previous Archbishops of Sydney, a Papal Diplomat and the First Bishop of Maitland.
• Q: How do you donate?
  A: If you wish to donate, please click here.