More than 5000 people are set to celebrate the milestone on Sunday during a spectacular open house at the freshly restored NSW Parliament House.
Visitors will be able to explore areas of Australia's oldest public building, usually cut off to them, while high school students will step onto the upper house chamber floor to contest a regional public speaking grand final.
Visitors on Sunday are allowed to access areas usually cut off to the public. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
"The NSW Parliament's Upper House has come a long way since 1824, as an advisory council of five men appointed by the governor," NSW Legislative Council President Ben Franklin said on Sunday.
"Today, we celebrate a robust House of Review with 42 directly elected members, representing the diverse voices of our state."
That first session in 1824 included Governor Sir Tom Brisbane and the colony's chief surgeon, colonial secretary, principal surgeon and surveyor general.
But not much was done that first day.
Minutes from the historic day show that after reading King George IV's royal warrant establishing the council and taking oaths, the group debated whether they needed the fifth member - the governor's deputy - present.
They decided they didn't and finished for the day due to lack of official business.
The modern NSW Parliament features an equal split of male and female members. (Nikki Short/AAP PHOTOS)
Elections for some seats began in 1843 though direct democratic elections for all seats took until 1978.
Come 2024, the chamber boasts an even split of men and women members and numerous from immigrant backgrounds.
Sunday's festivities will also include the world premiere performance of a composition by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, prepared especially for the Bicentenary.
After NSW, Tasmania has the oldest legislative council, established in 1825 after splitting from the mainland colony.
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