Admiralty
House is the residence of the Governor-General
of Australia in Sydney. It is located in
Kirribilli, on the northern foreshore of
Sydney Harbour adjacent to Kirribilli
House, which is the residence of the
Prime Minister in Sydney. The large Italianate
sandstone mansion at Kirribilli Point, once
known as “Wotonga”, has commanding
views across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney
Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera
House. Originally its name originates
in the fact that it served as the residence
for the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal
Navy’s Australian Squadron.
The Royal Navy’s
Australian Squadron was increased to the position
of an Admiral’s command in gratitude of the
colony’s growing importance in 1885. As residence,
“Wotonga” for the Admiral of the Navy,
, which was bought by the Colonial Government. The
house was renamed “Admiralty House”,
and additions were made to the property. A second
storey was added to the house,
as was a colonnaded verandah. The gate lodge which
is in a Neo-Gothic style was also added to the grounds,
as was a covered Admiral’s Walk leading down
to the berth for the Admiral’s barge below.
The last British Admiral
left the house as the Royal Australian Navy took
over responsibility of the Naval Defence of Australia
in 1913 which came to a close of the history of
Admiralty house.
