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The 11 Best Synagogues in Australia (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 11 picks

The best-known synagogues to visit in Australia in 2026 are The Great Synagogue in Sydney, Hobart Synagogue (the oldest synagogue building in Australia), the heritage Brisbane Synagogue on Margaret Street, the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra, East Melbourne's historic shul and Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda.

Australia's Jewish community, centred on Melbourne and Sydney, has synagogues across every capital city, from grand Victorian buildings to modern Progressive congregations. Visitors are welcome at services and on tours, but security is tight: contact the synagogue in advance, bring photo ID and expect to be met by security at the door. Service times are on each congregation's website. For kosher food, see our best kosher restaurants in Australia.

1. The Great Synagogue — Sydney CBD

Sydney's grand 1878 cathedral synagogue, facing Hyde Park.

The Great Synagogue is a heritage-listed Victorian building opposite Hyde Park, with an ornate interior of stained glass, gilded columns and a high vaulted ceiling. It is an Orthodox congregation and one of the most important Jewish buildings in Australia.

Guided tours run on set days, and the building houses a museum and library.

Good to know: Book a guided tour in advance and bring photo ID.

187A Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

2. Hobart Synagogue — Hobart CBD

Australia's oldest synagogue building, in rare Egyptian Revival style.

Hobart Synagogue was built in 1845 in the Egyptian Revival style and is the oldest synagogue building in Australia. It still serves a small, welcoming congregation.

It has special seating once used by Jewish convicts, part of the story of early Jewish life in Van Diemen's Land.

Good to know: Contact the synagogue ahead to arrange a visit outside service times.

59 Argyle St, Hobart TAS 7000

Google Maps Website

3. Brisbane Synagogue — Brisbane CBD

A heritage-listed 1886 synagogue on Margaret Street.

The Brisbane Synagogue on Margaret Street is home to the Brisbane Hebrew Congregation, founded in 1865. Its 1886 building, with domes and arched windows, is heritage-listed.

The congregation is the largest Jewish organisation in Queensland.

Good to know: Check the website for service times and contact the office before visiting.

98 Margaret St, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Google Maps Website

4. Melbourne Hebrew Congregation — South Yarra, Melbourne

Melbourne's founding congregation, in a grand domed synagogue.

The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1841, and its Toorak Road synagogue, with a large dome and classical portico, is one of the largest in Australia. It's an Orthodox congregation known as the 'Toorak Shule'.

Its museum and heritage collections tell the story of Melbourne's Jewish community.

Good to know: Contact the office ahead of a visit and bring photo ID.

Cnr Toorak Rd & Arthur St, South Yarra VIC 3141

Google Maps Website

5. East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation — East Melbourne

Melbourne's oldest synagogue building, a Victorian gem in the city.

The East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was formed in 1857, and its synagogue on Albert Street, completed in 1877, is the oldest synagogue building in Melbourne still in use. It's an Orthodox congregation with a richly decorated interior.

It's close to the CBD and Fitzroy Gardens, convenient for visitors staying in the city.

Good to know: Check service times ahead; the congregation welcomes visitors staying in the CBD.

488 Albert St, East Melbourne VIC 3002

Google Maps

6. Temple Beth Israel — St Kilda, Melbourne

Australia's first Progressive congregation.

Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda was founded in 1930 as Australia's first Progressive Jewish congregation. Its synagogue on Alma Road hosts services, education and a large community programme.

It suits visitors looking for an egalitarian, Progressive service.

Good to know: Contact the office ahead of Shabbat services.

76-82 Alma Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182

Google Maps Website

7. Central Synagogue — Bondi Junction, Sydney

One of the largest Orthodox congregations in the Southern Hemisphere.

Central Synagogue in Bondi Junction is one of Sydney's largest Orthodox congregations, in a modern synagogue rebuilt after a fire in the 1990s.

It's at the heart of eastern-suburbs Jewish life, close to Bondi and its kosher shops.

Good to know: Visitors staying near Bondi will find it the most convenient Orthodox shul.

15 Bon Accord Ave, Bondi Junction NSW 2022

Google Maps Website

8. Emanuel Synagogue — Woollahra, Sydney

Sydney's largest Progressive community, with several services.

Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra is home to a large Progressive community, offering Progressive, Masorti and Renewal services under one roof.

It's welcoming to visitors and to interfaith families.

Good to know: Check which service suits you; several run on Shabbat.

7 Ocean St, Woollahra NSW 2025

Google Maps Website

9. Perth Hebrew Congregation — Menora, Perth

Western Australia's main Orthodox synagogue.

The Perth Hebrew Congregation is Western Australia's largest Jewish congregation, a Modern Orthodox community whose synagogue is in Menora, north of the city.

The surrounding suburbs are the centre of Perth's Jewish community.

Good to know: Contact the office ahead of a visit.

Freedman Rd, Menora WA 6050

Google Maps Website

10. Adelaide Hebrew Congregation — Glenside, Adelaide

Adelaide's historic Orthodox congregation.

The Adelaide Hebrew Congregation dates from the 1840s. Its synagogue is in Glenside, in Adelaide's south-eastern suburbs.

Adelaide also has Beit Shalom, a Progressive congregation.

Good to know: Contact the congregation directly about service times before visiting.

13 Flemington St, Glenside SA 5065

Google Maps

11. National Jewish Memorial Centre — Forrest, Canberra

The home of Canberra's Jewish community, near Parliament.

The National Jewish Memorial Centre in Forrest, a few minutes from Parliament House, is the home of the Canberra and region Jewish community, with a synagogue serving both Orthodox and Progressive services.

It welcomes visiting diplomats, public servants and travellers.

Good to know: Contact the centre ahead to confirm service times.

Cnr National Cct & Canberra Ave, Forrest ACT 2603

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What is the oldest synagogue in Australia?

Hobart Synagogue, built in 1845 in Argyle Street, is the oldest synagogue building in Australia still in use. Launceston Synagogue, built a year later, is the second oldest.

Can tourists visit synagogues in Australia?

Yes, but arrange it in advance. The Great Synagogue in Sydney runs tours, and most congregations welcome visitors at services. Expect security checks and bring photo ID.

Where are the main Jewish areas in Australia?

In Melbourne, Caulfield, St Kilda East, Elsternwick and Balaclava; in Sydney, Bondi, Rose Bay, Woollahra and Dover Heights, plus St Ives on the North Shore. Perth's community is centred around Menora and Yokine.

Are there Progressive synagogues in Australia?

Yes. Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda, Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra and the North Shore Temple Emanuel are among the Progressive congregations, and there are Progressive communities in most capitals.

Where can I find Shabbat services when travelling in Australia?

Contact the congregation directly, or the local Chabad House, which welcomes travellers in most cities and many regional centres.

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