Sydney walks from Circular Quay to the Australian art museum
There are a few cities in the world with a history as young
as the city of Sydney. It was only in 1788 when the first fleet first arrived
at now is what called Circular key. Circular Quay is a great place to start
many walks in Sydney for many reasons one very good reason is the easy
accessibility by public transport. You can travel anywhere within the city to
Circular Quay either by bus, train or ferry. On this walk you can see some of
the most old and beautiful historical buildings within the city learn about the
early convicts and the first settlers step back in time and go on a journey
from 1788 until the present. Learn what has made the city of Sydney, one of the
world's most prominent cities.
Custom House
We start our walk in front of Custom House built-in 1845 it
was at that time considered a prime waterfront location and a solitary symbol
of British power over the sea and trade. Customer's officers worked the
waterfront checking for contraband and smugglers. On January 26 1788, the
traditional Aboriginal owners watch Captain Arthur Phillip hoist the flag here
where customer's house now stands. This fine old structure refurbished to house
a major culture centre including an indigenous gallery. The newly refurbished
Customs House is an outstanding place to relax in a fashionable lounge area
with an extensive collection of international magazines, and newspapers and
free WI fi Internet access. Located on the rooftop of Customs House, Café
Sydney Sit back and relax, enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the
spectacular harbour views. See what exhibitions are showing at Customs house. Customs house
Jessie gardens
From Customs house, we cross the road walk up Loftus street
to enter a small park and garden Jessie gardens. This park dedicated to the
women of Australia and includes memorials and plaques to the women who served
in the Australian armed forces during the times of war and to the women
pioneers for the courage and endurance in the role they played in the early
development of Australia. Jessie gardens name after one of Australia foremost
campaigners for Women's rights. Jessie Street born 1889 died 1970 campaigned
vigorously for women's rights and social reform she was the key Activist in the
fight for equal pay and work in 1967 she help lead the movement that held a
successful referendum to end discrimination against the aborigines.
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| Jessie Gardens |
Macquarie Place
From Jessie gardens we cross the road to Macquarie place
this small park was once part of the gardens of the first government house.
Macquarie place is the home to a very important historical monument the Anchor
and cannon from the escort ship HMS Sirius. The cannon placed ashore in 1788
and used as a signalling device. Unfortunately, in the early days of settlement
HMS Sirius sunk off the rugged shores of Norfolk Island. There is also a
monument on the far side of the park dedicated to Thomas Sutcliffe Mort a
pioneer of Australian resources and founder of Australian industries. A small
charming wrought iron drinking fountain dated 1857 add a nice touch to this
small little park. Across the road is another beautiful old building of
Victorian architecture made from sand stone with sand stone moments
Museum of Sydney
We now walk up Bridge Street and our next stop is the museum
of Sydney in front of the museum there are some plaques telling the story of
the first built government house. This was the home and offices for the first
nine governors of New South Wales built-in 1788 and demolished in 1846. Now
standing where the fist government house was first built is the Sydney museum.
The museum of Sydney explores colonial and contemporary Sydney and offers a
journey of discovery through Sydney from 1788 to the present this journey
achieved through a range of displays using state of the art technology. Travel
forward through 200 years and you will learn about the uniqueness of this great
city.
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| king Edward vii Monument |
Conservatorium of Music
From the Museum of Sydney, we cross Phillip Street cross
Macquarie and past King Edward vii Monument until we reach the Sydney
Conservatorium of music located next to the Sydney royal botanical gardens. The
Sydney Conservatorium of music is one of the most prestigious and oldest music
schools in the country the Sydney Conservatorium presents an all year round
program magnificent concerts, educational classes given by lectures and
excellent musicians, students, academics and researchers. Many of these events
are free for more information on upcoming events and concerts. More events and concerts
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Sydney Conservatorium of Music
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Parliament house
From the conservation of music we head back to Macquarie
Street from here, we are heading towards government house and discovering a
series of buildings, which trace the city's history back to the colonial days.
Macquarie Street has an extensive range of architectural styles such as
Victorian town houses with cast iron verandas and many of the houses and
buildings along this street the buildings date back to the mid and late 1800s
up to the 1920s. We find Parliament House on the left side of Macquarie Street.
Although Parliament House is less elegant than other historical buildings in
the city, this building has played a very important role in the history of
Sydney. The original parliament house was part of the rum hospital built by
convicts and labour costs paid in rum money, and completed in 1817. Over the
past 200 years, Parliament house has required a variety of artifacts and
artworks. Learn about the development of New South Wales from its early
colonial days through the achievement of self-government in 1856 and the
founding as a state in 1901 and many more achievements from the past 112 years.
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Millicent Preston Stanley the first woman to sit in the parliament of New South Wales
The mint
From parliament house, we head to the mint this building
generally known as the Mint. The Mint built from 1811-1816 was the south wing
of governor Macquarie's general hospital. Private contractors built this part
of the hospital in exchange for a monopoly on the importation of rum. Upon the
discovery of gold in New South Wales in 1851 large quantities of unrefined gold
started to circulate in the colony. The colonial government suggested to the
British secretary of state to establish a mint in Sydney to control the
underground economy and protect the economy. The mint commenced operations on
May 14 1855 producing gold sovereigns and half sovereigns as currency for all
the Australians colonies and New Zealand. The Australian sovereigns had a
unique design and became legal tender in the 1860s. The mint close in 1927 and
the machinery sold and or transferred to other mints. When traveling past Visit
the Mint and explore you can do some shopping at the Mint Shop stop for a
coffee on the front veranda or enjoy a stroll around the central courtyard.
Below is a picture of the original coin press.
 Hyde Park barracks Museum
Hyde Park barracks compassionately been restored to its
original appearance. Built by the convicts in 1819 the barracks is another very
important historic landmark. More than 50,000 convicts passed through its gates
from 1819 to 1848 the building designed to house 600 convicts at any one time.
Subsequently the building housed Irish orphans and then single female
immigrants before becoming legal offices and courts. Once restored to its
original appearance Hyde Park Barracks reopen as a museum in 1990 there are 15
different displays for you to explore and travel back in time. The displays
include a room reconstructed as convict quarters where you can climb into a
hammock and imagine you are sleeping with convicts there are many pictures
models and artifacts relating to this period of Australian history including
many of the objects found during archaeological digs at the site.
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The Australian art gallery
once we leave Hyde Park barracks we head towards Hyde Park
and turn right around the corner and here you can see one cities most beautiful
most popular most famous St Marys' cathedral on the opposite side of the road
keep heading straight across the road to the Art gallery road until you reach
the Australian art gallery. This building has an architectural style favoured
in the 1900s the art gallery of New South Wales established in 1847 and has
occupied this building since 1897. The gallery has 4 main levels and houses
some of the finest works of art in Australia it also has collections devoted to
15 to 20 century European art, Australian and aboriginal art, contemporary
gallery , photography gallery, Asian gallery, and a modern art gallery. In the gallery,
there is a restaurant café and a gift shop you can spend many hours in here
walking around admiring all the magnificent art works. Entry is free except for
some special exhibitions for more information on special events. Donations are most welcomed.
