NSW Parliament House is Australia’s oldest public building still in continuous use — a civic landmark that embodies both historical significance and democratic service. Located at Macquarie Street in the Sydney CBD, it hosts everything from parliamentary debates and community forums to school visits, public exhibitions, and official functions in spaces such as the Fountain Court, Strangers’ Dining Room, and public galleries of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council chambers.

While designed to welcome the public, the building’s heritage architecture, complex layout, and multiple entry points can present real challenges for visitors — particularly for those with vision impairment, mobility needs, or unfamiliarity with the space.

In line with its commitment to access for all, NSW Parliament partnered with BindiMaps to modernise the wayfinding experience and ensure that every visitor, regardless of ability, can confidently explore the building

Goals & Challenges:

The key challenge was to make Parliament easier to navigate, without compromising its heritage integrity. Existing signage and staff directions were helpful but limited, particularly during busy periods or for people needing accessible or language-specific support.

NSW Parliament aimed to:

• Provide a digital wayfinding solution that reflects the real layout of the building
• Support independent navigation where possible for people with disability, first-time visitors, and school groups
• Enable visitors to plan ahead or get guidance on a particular space or room — whether moving between events or locating public areas like galleries or restrooms
• Reduce reliance on staff for directional assistance, especially for those who communicate using alternative methods

Ultimately, the goal was to make one of Australia’s most important civic spaces as easy to navigate as it is important to visit.

Solution: Gold Standard BindiMaps

To enhance accessibility and create a more empowering visitor experience, NSW Parliament House implemented BindiMaps’ Gold Standard Wayfinding solution, combining both interactive kiosks and the BindiMaps mobile app for real-time, in-building navigation.

With the Gold Standard Wayfinding Package, visitors can:

• Access turn-by-turn audio, text, and visual guidance throughout the building via the BindiMaps app
• Use the on-site digital kiosk to explore key areas like the public galleries of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council chambers, Fountain Court, Strangers’ Dining Room, and accessible facilities
• Navigate using wheelchair-friendly routes and multiple language options, designed to support independence regardless of ability or familiarity with the site
• Plan ahead or search on-the-spot for points of interest, including event spaces, public galleries, reception, and restrooms

To support uptake and awareness, Parliament staff worked closely with BindiMaps on an integrated rollout that included:

• Training for front-of-house staff and security personnel to help guide visitors and promote the technology
• Ongoing feedback loops to refine mapping accuracy and address any changes in room usage or layout

This implementation marks a major step forward in making one of Australia’s most historic civic spaces more navigable, inclusive, and future-ready, setting a new benchmark for digital accessibility in government buildings.