Self guided art tour, Sydney Mystery Structures

The Sydney Mystery Structures map collects some of the city's unusual and unexpected landmarks. Mystery structures often hide in plain sight, their purposes unclear, attracting speculation and rumours among those who notice them. These towers, monuments and architectural oddities, past and present, form part of the storied landscape of Sydney, connecting to hidden histories and enriching our sense of place. 

The map was produced as part of the Mirror Sydney project, in which Vanessa Berry has recorded the changes, marginal places, and undercurrents of the city and suburbs since 2012. Originally commissioned by the New Landscapes Institute in 2015, the Sydney Mystery Structures map has been revised for 2025 to cover its own mystery structure in The Rocks. The map provokes curiosity, inspiring the viewer to notice the details of the urban environment anew, and to share in their stories. 

About the Artist
Vanessa Berry is a writer and artist who lives and works on Gadigal land. Her work examines memory, personal storytelling, and the urban environment. Her books include Calendar (2025), Gentle and Fierce (2021), and Mirror Sydney (2017) and her visual artworks, in the form of zines, illustrations and hand-drawn maps have been exhibited at galleries including the Museum of Contemporary Art and National Gallery of Australia.