Qtopia Sydney — Attraction in Sydney

Qtopia opened in February 2024 at the original Darlinghurst Police Station. The site itself is significant in the history of the LGBTQIA+ community as it is where people were arrested and imprisoned during the original protests on 24th June 1978. To now be a place where history can be displayed and to celebrate the freedoms achieved speaks volumes as to how far we have come.... while still being aware of what still needs to be done.

Currently, there are four main venues at Qtopia; the Main Building (Darlinghurst Police Station) where most of the exhibits are, The Substation for Queer music and storytelling, The Loading Dock which is a performance space and The Toilet Block...an adults only space exploring facets of gay culture. The second floor of the main building will be open in the future to house more exhibits once an elevator is installed to make the second floor fully accessible for all visitors.

The museum has several permanent displays/exhibitions ranging from the HIV/AIDS crisis, human rights, sexuality and identity as well as an exhibition of some of the costumes worn during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Exhibitions are changed regularly so check their website for further information.

The museum is assisted by some lovely volunteers who give their time to ensure that all who visit are aware of the significance of the site and how best to experience your time wandering through the exhibits.

There is a lot to take in with short videos, explanatory notes of the exhibits and a shop to purchase some goodies to take home.

I’d allow a good hour or so to fully experience the museum. Entry is currently $15 ($10 concession) and free on Sundays.

Thoroughly recommend a visit to find out more about Queer history in NSW...

I will have to declare an interest in this site as it has a history that resonates with my local Gay and Lesbian Community. Being the site of one of the Police Stations (now former Police station) that housed the arrested protestors of the first (24/6/1978) Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. As a "78er" I found the reclaimed site quite poignant. The display about the 1978 demonstration is housed in the actual police cell that housed the arrested women is quite powerful. The cell next door that is housing the NSW Police apology for their actions that night is the cell that housed the arrested men. The HIV AIDS displays reflects a sad yet triumphant era in my communities history that displays the communities resilience. the displays rotate over time and I have made it my own personal commitment to visit as the display change to catch these glimpses into my communities past as they come and go. I suggest you...

Global cost of living crisis.Aussies doing it hard.Do not see where the $7 MILLION dollar TAXPAYER FUNDED dollars went!Very disappointed with the overall Queer Feel an history of the place!!Hope it Really gets a lot better!Oxford St has become a Serious Bad joke! I really Expected much more Past present an future.Sometimes ideas 💡 need to be thrown out or modified!A gay man who has done the whole Tough yards losing dear friends to Aids! Marching for same sex equality!Seen being gay become a commercial enterprise! History defines the Future!Namaste queer ones.Always plenty of room for creativity,history an a new direction!!Cheers.Political correctness NEVER tells the whole TRUE story!It is an WAS MESSY Dirty horrible an yes there was colour celebration BUT let's include the messy parts as well!It is all part of the colourful horrible...