In 1857 Sydney acquired a small number of these ornate cast iron drinking fountains from Macfarlane & Co, a prominent Scottish iron foundry. Continue reading “Oxford Square – Canopy Drinking Fountain”
Tank Stream Fountain
By way of explanation, what soon became known as the Tank Stream was a small stream that ran from a swamp to the west of present day Hyde Park to Sydney Cove (now Circular Quay). This stream was the original source of fresh water for Sydney. In fact, its existence was the reason Sydney Cove became the site of Australia’s first European Settlement in 1788, as opposed to Botany Bay, the other location considered for the initial establishment of Sydney. Continue reading “Tank Stream Fountain”
Tank Stream and Tank Stream Museum
Writing back to his masters in London on 15 May 1788 the first Governor of the New South Wales, Arthur Phillip, wrote:
“…we had the satisfaction of finding the finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security…” Continue reading “Tank Stream and Tank Stream Museum”
The General Post Office (Former)
While no longer a post office, the exterior of this building, thankfully, retains its classical elegance and beauty. The interior which now, in the main, comprises the lobby, bars and restaurants of the Westin Sydney Hotel, retains a significant number of architectural features of the former post office but it’s just not the same and to me more resembles the recreated architecture of a Las Vegas casino than the original building interior that it actually was. That said, what’s here is better than nothing, and I do especially like that part of the original ceiling which remains accessible to pubic view as depicted in picture four attached. Continue reading “The General Post Office (Former)”
The Rambling Wombat 