We followed the Hunters Hill council’s walks… walk #2 from here
A lovely walk around the gorgeous older houses and estates.
Decosti
That View!
Lovely!
Irish Walk (Sydney)
Posted: September 16, 2019 in history, Sydney StreetsTags: irish, Local, sydney colony, Things to do in Sydney, this weekend in Sydney, what to do in Sydney, What to do in Sydney this weekend
So, this weekend, we followed a City of Sydney Irish walk which took as through some of the significant places where events concerning Irish immigrants in the young colony of Sydney occurred.
We learnt that
- about 20,000 people were in Hyde Park on St Patrick’s Day in 1878 when there was an anti-Catholic riot.
- that monument on the road at the top of the hill near St Mary’s Cathedral on the road to the Art Gallery was just a drinking fountain.
- There’s a significant Irish Famine memorial at Hyde Park Barracks. Really cleverly done, it shows a dining table divided by a wall.
- During the six years of great Irish Famine, when their potato crop was ruined by potato blight, about one million died and another one million left Ireland. The memorial remembers the 4114 orphan girls who were shipped to the Australian colonies. Some married, others were employed for different domestic work.
- The original Martin Place only ran between George and Pitt Streets.
Drinking Fountain
Irish Famine Memorial at Hyde Park Barracks
Irish Famine Memorial at Hyde Park Barracks
State Library
The windows are inspired by the Book of Kells
St Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral
Gladesville
Posted: August 26, 2019 in history, Sydney StreetsTags: Local, sydney harbor, Sydney History, weekend
A beautiful late winter’s day for a walk around Gladesville following one of Ryde Council’s Heritage Walks.
In 1963, Harry Triguboff built his first apartments at 20 Meriton St in Gladesville.
75,000 residential dwellings later, still building.
Indie is still getting used to the water.
At Looking Glass Point at the end of Wharf Rd.
(The chimney in the distance is at Burwood)
The old original pub building, still visible behind the buildings on Victoria Rd
Callan Park
Posted: July 21, 2019 in history, Inner WestTags: dog parks, Things to do in Sydney, this weekend in Sydney, walking inner Sydney, what to do in Sydney, What to do in Sydney this weekend
We went for a walk with the pup around Callan Park, 60ha site in Lilyfield near the Iron Cove Bridge.
It became famous as a psychiatric hospital (Callan Park Hospital for the Insane) which was in use until 1994.
Thne buildings are now occupied by the Sydney College of the Arts.
The Bay Run runs through the park along the foreshore of Iron Cove.
Lots of off leash dog area to roam. Some beautiful old buildings in what was a very sad place for so many people. You’d like to think we are a bit better these days at caring for those struggling with mental health.
Blue’s Point Rd, North Sydney
Posted: June 22, 2019 in history, Sydney StreetsTags: Sydney History, Sydney Streets, Sydney weekends, Things to do in Sydney, this weekend in Sydney, what to do in Sydney, What to do in Sydney this weekend
Our new pup Indie’s first proper walk. We forgot to take a pic of her first cafe outing!
A wander down this lovely strip this afternoon, following this guide from North Sydney Council.
We’ve walked down this street before and never noticed the former Presbyterian School Hall
1976! 1976! This chimney standing beside the fence at 126 Blues Point Rd belonged to a small cottage built in the 1860s. It was the last in the municipality to have electricity connected in 1976.
Randwick historical walk
Posted: June 10, 2019 in history, WalkingTags: Local, Sydney History, walk, walking inner Sydney, walking sydney
From The Dictionary of Sydney, a well put together self-guided heritage walk of Sydney’s oldest municipality.
Based on Randwick City Council’s heritage plaques program, an app contains information on the best historical buildings and sites in Randwick.
Randwick’s pretty high… imagine the views to the ocean 100 years ago.
The Verger’s residence… I can’t help but see Alice from The Vicar of Dibly.
The Coach and Horses… my uncle spent a little too much time here each day.
There are beautiful rows of terraces in this old suburb.
The Presbyterian Church is nothing to look at from the outside.
So easy to take things like water from a tap for granted. The first public fountain in Randwick
Captain Cook
State Library Exhibition – “Dead Central”
Posted: June 2, 2019 in historyTags: Sydney History, Sydney weekends, this weekend in Sydney, what to do in Sydney, What to do in Sydney this weekend
Dead Central. the State Library’s current exhibition, is on display in Sydney.
Did you know that Central Station was the site of the colony’s first major cemetery? Thousands of graves were moved to accommodate the new station, which parliament wanted initially built in Hyde Park to avoid disruption.
Graves were moved to other cemeteries across Sydney.
A great exhibition – heaps of photos and a great audio guide. And FREE!
Abbotsford history walk
Posted: May 26, 2019 in history, Inner West, Sydney StreetsTags: Sydney History, walk, walking sydney, weekend
Abbotsford. We’ve walked through here a few times, but not with an eye on history.
We followed the Canada Bay council walk which was well set out.
We discovered that the Nestle factory house (older people will know the one I mean) was once owned by A.E. Grace of Grace Bros., Abbotsford had a baths, an animal quarantine establishment operated here and that Henry Lawson lived in Abbotsford for a while.
We’ve been through here before but had forgotten the rich history. Sydney had a quarantine station for farm and domestic animals as well as for race horses.
Horse stalls
H
Probably an old punt location between Abbotsford and Gladesville
Waterfront living in Abbotsford. Just because you live on the water doesn’t mean you can afford to do anything with the site. Asset rich, cash poor.
Sydney Rowers.
Another walk from the City of Sydney – Gritty Newtown
Learnt a few things… again! Who’d have thought??
Did not know what this meant until now!
This art-deco building on King St was an icerink that transformed into summer baths!
Simply gorgeous terraces overlooking Hollis Park
The old Trocadero on King St – roller skating and dancing.
Newtown’s most sought-after address apparently
Hollis Park – beautiful
Harris Park Heritage Walk
Posted: May 5, 2019 in Sydney StreetsTags: Sydney History, this weekend in Sydney, what to do in Sydney
This weekend we were at Parramatta for an event, so we tacked on the Harris Park Heritage Walk for a historical wander through colonial western Sydney.
The Harris Park Heritage Walk is an initiative of Discover Parramatta
It’s poorly signposted as you leave Parramatta ferry wharf but is a good wander through Experiment Farm Cottage, Hambledon Cottage and Elizabeth Farm.
So, this weekend, we... 