The iconic stretch of Oxford Street bordering Surry Hills and extending towards Anzac Parade has been officially added to the National Heritage List, recognising the significance of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade route to Australia’s national identity.
The two-kilometre route, which passes directly through the heart of Surry Hills, now shares heritage status with landmarks including the Great Barrier Reef and Bondi Beach. The listing honours both the original 1978 protest march and the parade’s ongoing importance to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Photo Credit: Siena Di Giovanni-Arundell/DCCEEW
The recognition comes two years after the 78ers—the group who led the first protest march in 1978—nominated the route for inclusion on the list. That initial march was met with police violence and arrests, occurring at a time when LGBTQIA+ people faced systemic discrimination and prejudice embedded in Australian law.
Photo Credit: Jordyn Kerrison/DCCEEW
NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe acknowledged the courage of those early protesters while marking the announcement on 26 February 2026. She emphasised that whilst Mardi Gras has become a celebration of progress, it’s crucial to remember the activists who risked their safety to demand equality when the LGBTQIA+ community was treated as second-class citizens.
Photo Credit: Tim Guthrie/DCCEEW
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt confirmed that inclusion on the National Heritage List represents Australia’s highest heritage honour. Since that first march nearly five decades ago, the annual parade has evolved into a significant event where Australians gather to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, advocate for equal rights, and reflect on the journey towards acceptance.
The heritage listing provides formal protection for the parade route’s historical and cultural values under national environment law. It also opens access to funding through the Australian Heritage Grants programme, which may support preservation and education initiatives related to the route’s significance.
For Surry Hills residents, the recognition reinforces the suburb’s central role in Australia’s LGBTQIA+ rights movement and acknowledges Oxford Street’s transformation from a site of protest and resistance into a symbol of visibility, pride and ongoing advocacy.
Published 26-February-2026
