In the mid 19th century Australia’s only link with the rest of the world was via by sea and consequentially around 1,000 ships with crews totalling some 20,000 were passing through Sydney’s port each year. In the main, seafarers were not well paid or cared for and many came to rely on charities and community welfare groups, often after the little they had had been lost in the pubs and brothels of The Rocks. Continue reading “Sailor’s Home”
Totally overshadowed by Circular Quay, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, it is little wonder that most visitors scarcely notice Cadman’s Cottage and those that do pay it scant regard, being intoxicated by its world famous neighbouring sights. Continue reading “Cadman’s Cottage”
In the days of Empire Britain acquired, and used, Australia as a dumping ground for its undesirable and unwanted citizenry. By the late 18th century Britain’s prison system had reached its breaking point and Australia, at the other end of the world, provided the perfect solution to overcrowding in British gaols. Continue reading “Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre”
There are two options in terms of climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge – either a climb up the south-east Pylon, the one closest to Circular Quay, or the main bridge climb by which you can get to the top of the arch. I have not done the main bridge climb, nor do I intend to, for reasons outlined on my Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb review. You can also find more details on the Bridge and its history in my main Sydney Harbour Bridge review. Continue reading “Harbour Bridge – Pylon Climb”
When I wrote my main review on the Sydney Harbour Bridge I deliberately focused on the history of the bridge and admiring it from anywhere other than its upper heights. I did not want a negative commentary on climbing (to the top) to detract the visitor from enjoying what is one of Sydney’s top sites. Accordingly, I have decided to write here separately on the bridge climb. Continue reading “Sydney Harbour Bridge – Climb”
In addition to its beautiful natural harbour, Sydney boasts two instantly recognisable man made structures, the Sydney Opera House and the rather unimaginatively named Sydney Harbour Bridge – sometimes referred to as the ‘coat hanger.’ Continue reading “Sydney Harbour Bridge”
Of all the modern public art work that has appeared in Sydney over the past few years this one, ‘Tied to Tide’, and ‘In Between Two Worlds’ in Chinatown are my favourites. Continue reading “Tied to Tide – Pyrmont Point Park”
Looking at The Star’s website you would be forgiven for missing the fact that the raison d’être for this whole complex is that it hosts Sydney’s only casino. The focus of the website is on the complex as an entertainment hub with its theatre (Lyric), Events Centre, hotels (Darling and Astral), bars and nightclubs, day spas, shops and wide range of restaurants, from higher end food court style to some of the City’s most expensive. Continue reading “The Star – On a Mission to Thrill”
The last beer was pulled and the Terminus Hotel closed for business in 1984. Very oddly, given the popularity of the area, it has remained boarded up and apparently abandoned ever since. Continue reading “Terminus Hotel – Abandoned for Thirty Years”
This ornate four sided trachyte stone World War One memorial commemorates the 750 men from the Pyrmont – Ultimo district who enlisted in the Australian Expeditionary Forces during the Great War. All are named on the base of the memorial. Of the 750 enlistees, 150 lost their lives during the war and many more were wounded. Continue reading “Pyrmont War Memorial”
The Rambling Wombat 