Moore Stairs

Moore Stairs is a stairway connecting Circular Quay with Macquarie Street in Sydney, made of a single straight flight with an intermediate landing. The steps were later rebuilt using bluestone from Melbourne to better withstand heavy foot traffic.

The stairs were built in 1868 during Charles Moore's time as mayor and replaced earlier designs to improve access between Tarpeian Way and the quay. A later rebuild using bluestone improved durability against constant wear from foot traffic.

The stairs are named after Charles Moore, an early Sydney mayor, and the sandstone paving at Macquarie Street marks an important pedestrian crossing in the city. The site shows how people once moved between different levels of the harbor and the city above.

The stairs provide a direct route from the quay to the upper city and are easy for pedestrians to locate. The steps are well lit and the intermediate landing offers a good spot to take in the surroundings.

A plaque on the landing wall commemorates Charles Moore and bears his name. Wrought iron lamp frames mounted on sandstone piers light the passage much like the original installation.

Location: City of Sydney

Inception: 1868

Made from material: bluestone

GPS coordinates: -33.86046,151.21299

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:05