Australia House, London

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Australia House, London

Australia House, London

Just past Bush House—once the voice of the BBC’s World Service echoing across the globe—you’ll stumble upon a rather unassuming corner of London... unless you’re a wizard. Welcome to Australia House, the stately headquarters of the Australian High Commission (essentially, an embassy for Australia within the British Commonwealth). It opened in 1918, with King George V himself cutting the metaphorical ribbon. But let’s be real—if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’re not here for visa info.

You’re here for Gringotts.

Yes, the goblin-owned-and-run, no-nonsense wizarding bank—famously known, according to Rubeus Hagrid, as the second safest place in the magical world (after Hogwarts, of course)—was filmed right here. The bank appeared in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2." Remember that jaw-dropping marble lobby with glinting colossal glass chandeliers and goblin scowls? Straight from Australia House’s Beaux Arts interior. The filmmakers loved it so much that they recreated it later at Leavesden Studios. But those first shots were pure embassy magic.

Now, don’t expect to just stroll in waving a wand and shouting "Alohomora." Australia House is still a working embassy. You need a proper reason—something like a visa application or an official appointment—to get through those doors. But if you're charming (and not just in the magical sense), the security might let you peek at the grand chandeliered hall where the wizarding world's economy once jingled. Bear in mind, though, that Australia House is only open on weekdays, so if you visit on a weekend or public holiday, you won't be able to view the interior.

Tip:
It’s perched at a traffic-heavy junction, so even if you don’t get inside, you’ll be treated to a surprisingly hypnotic display of London traffic choreography. Just don’t try to ride a dragon through it. That’s been done.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø App

Australia House on Map

Sight Name: Australia House
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
London Introduction Walking Tour

London Introduction Walking Tour

London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let’s say, didn’t care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn’t one to stay down—it bounced back,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
City of London Walking Tour

City of London Walking Tour

The City of London, often referred to simply as the City (with the capital C), is the historic and financial core of the British capital. Despite being just over one square mile in area (for which reason it is also lovingly dubbed the Square Mile), it holds immense importance as the original site of Londinium, the Roman settlement founded circa 43 AD. Over the centuries, this small patch of land...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper, an unidentified serial killer who terrorized the British capital in 1888, became notorious for the series of brutal and gruesome murders that he carried out in the East End of London. The primary setting for the Jack the Ripper attacks was Whitechapel, at the time a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden district, known for its dark alleys and narrow streets.

The name "Jack the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Beatles London Walking Tour

Beatles London Walking Tour

The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour

Covent Garden Walking Tour

A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market – currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.

Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...