ABOUT US
Touring the Past Pty Ltd believes the historic environment has always been in flux. At their best, heritage management systems recognise this reality and provide tools to guide change, not stifle it.
At the core of our practice is a conviction: meaningfully engaging with the tangible and intangible remains of the past enriches the present. This approach supports sustainable and excellent design, layered place-making, community well-being, and new social and economic opportunities.
To every project — simple or complex — we bring dedication, historical consciousness, and regulatory expertise. With the right advice and mindset, heritage need not be a hindrance.
Statutory heritage policy, conservation principles, and the complexities of adapting existing buildings are demanding. An effective response requires independence, pragmatism, and rigour. We offer frank advice, fine-grained analysis, inventive solutions, and clear communication — whether for small-scale interventions or major developments.
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Why engage us?
Touring the Past is an independent heritage consultancy based in Sydney and Melbourne, servicing all of New South Wales and Victoria.
Our work spans history, heritage, and interpretation. We provide the full suite of heritage services—from strategic advice and cultural heritage reports to interpretive planning, content design, and commissioned histories.
We are dynamic, practical, and client-focused. Every project begins with clear scoping of requirements and processes, enabling us to minimise unnecessary costs and deliver best-practice work on time and to a high standard.
We work flexibly: managing projects independently or collaborating as part of multidisciplinary teams to achieve effective and enduring outcomes.
Who will you be working with?
Our principal, Patrick Wilson, is a Heritage Consultant and accredited Professional Historian specialising in built heritage. He combines wide-ranging experience with a down-to-earth approach to statutory heritage processes, historical practice, and client communication.
As an Australian history specialist, Patrick brings fresh perspective to every project—looking beyond fabric and façade to uncover the deeper significance of places. His method opens up grounded possibilities for interpretation, conservation, and design.
Patrick is committed to achieving your aims and will go to great lengths to deliver them—while always being frank about what is feasible.
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
Our name, Touring the Past, was inspired by and is used with the kind permission of, Richard White, Affiliate Associate Professor of History at the University of Sydney.
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