History and Architecture Tour

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: Looking out over the city from the Sydney Tower, it's hard to believe that this sprawling metropolis was once a small, squalid, penal colony populated by convicts and soldiers.

Today Australia's oldest and largest city has a population of more than 4 million and a flourishing arts, food and leisure scene.

But, as this easy stroll around the central city and parks demonstrates, Sydney hasn't forgotten it's past.

This tour will help you explore its more than 230 years of history, starting at Sydney Tower for a bird's-eye view of the city and then walking you north through the city to important buildings such as the Hyde Park Barracks, as well as historical places to note as you walk by, such as the Archibold Fountain.

After you reach the harbor and take in views of the famous Opera House, the tour has you head back south and finish where you began, at the tower. Stops such as the Art Gallery of NSW and the Royal Botanic Gardens each could easily take an hour or more of your time, so feel free to adjust the length of the tour to fit your taste and schedule.

Tips: Bring water, especially on a hot day. A tote bag or backpack for picnic supplies is also a good idea. Make sure to apply sunscreen before setting out and take a hat.

Points of Interest

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Sydney Tower

Start at the Sydney Tower right in the center of the city. The tallest building in the city, tourists (and locals) often use it as an orientation landmark. You can go up to the observation deck (at 250 meters it's the highest in the Southern Hemisphere) for a bird's-eye view of the city. And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can gear up and do the skywalk. Complete with a glass platform that extends 2 meters over the towers edge, the skywalk is a good 10 meters above the observation deck.
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100 Market St. (access from the Westfield Shopping Center)
02-9333-9222
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Sydney Tower Observation Deck
Hours
Daily 9am-10:30pm
Admission
Adults AU $25
Kids AU $15
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Skywalk
Hours
Daily 9:30am-4:30pm (every 45 minutes)
Admission
Adults AU $65
Kids AU $15
Includes Sydney Tower admission
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Tip: Stop at David Jones department store on the corner of Market and Castlereagh Streets to buy some picnic supplies to enjoy later in your walk. The food court is in the basement.

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Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park

Walk two blocks east on Market Street to Hyde Park, once a popular venue for prize fights, horse races and even a public hanging or two.

Hyde Park is much is much tamer these days and the only gaming you'll see is at the large public chess set. To find the chess set, enter Hyde Park at the St. James Station entrance and walk toward the Art Deco Archibald Fountain. A gift to Sydney from Australian journalist J.F. Archibald, the fountain, which features a bronze Apollo surrounded by other mythical figures, was built in 1932 in memory of Australian/French ties during World War I.

Tip: Keep an eye out for possums that usually sleep in the trees during the day and run around the park in the evening.

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Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney

Turn north at Archibald Fountain and exit Hyde Park at Queens Square, a junction where King, Phillips and Macquarie Streets meet. To the right of the square is the Hyde Park Barracks, one of Sydney's most important historic buildings. A stellar example of early Australian architecture, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a building of historical and cultural significance.

Designed by convicted architect Francis Greenway, it was the first convict barrack in Australia and is well worth a visit to discover Sydney's convict past.

Be sure to check out the barracks' most unusual display of live rats in the museum's shop. In the 19th century, hordes of rats scurried beneath the barracks' floor boards, stealing old scraps of newspaper, clothing, buttons and other objects to use for their nests. Little did they know that those stolen "artifacts" would eventually end up on display in the museum.
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Queens Square, MacQuarie Street
02-8239-2311
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Hours
Daily 9:30am-5pm
Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day
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Admission
Adults AU $10
Kids AU $5
Family AU $20

Hyde Park Barracks from Sydney Tower Photo

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Art Gallery of NSW

Leaving Hyde Barrack, head east to the Domain, walking along the Art Gallery Road until you reach the Art Gallery of New South Wales, more commonly known by locals as "the art gallery." With its classic Greek frontage and modern rear end, it's hard to miss.

The gallery houses three permanent collections-- Australian, post-16th century European and Asian--as well as temporary exhibitions from around the world.

Time your visit for Sunday afternoon and you'll get the added bonus of being entertained by the rants and raves of passionate, if not eccentric, individuals speaking out from the Speakers' Corner located on the lawns in front of the gallery.
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Art Gallery Road, the Domain
18-0067-9278
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Admission
Free
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Hours
Thursday-Tuesday 10am-5pm
Wednesday 10am-9pm
Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day

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Mrs. MacQuarie's Chair

From here, continue north through the Domain to Mrs. MacQuarie's Point at the tip of the peninsula for spectacular views of the harbor. Check out Mrs. MacQuarie's Chair, a natural seat that was carved out of the rock so Mrs. MacQuarie, wife of Gov. MacQuarie (1810-21) could rest and enjoy the view on her daily walk.

This would be the perfect place to enjoy the picnic foods that you picked up at the David Jones food court.

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Farm Cove

Leaving Mrs. MacQuarie's Chair, take the Waterfront loop path to the left along Farm Cove. With the Royal Botanic Gardens on your left and the harbor on your right, it's easy to forget you are in the middle of a sprawling city.

Keep your camera handy to capture the numerous different views of the Sydney Opera House.

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Botanic Gardens walk to Sydney Opera House

Continuing on the Waterfront loop path will take you to the Queen Elizabeth II Gate, one of the many exits/entrances to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Detour from the path and wander through the gardens on your way to the Opera House, keeping an eye out for the many sculptures, fountains and memorials scattered around the grounds.

Cover more ground by hopping onto the Choo Choo Express, the garden's scenic train that operates every 30 minutes, weather permitting. It travels along the Waterfront Path, so it would be hard to miss. The train's route goes right past all the garden's highlights--herb garden, rose garden, fernery, palm house, first encounters garden, Garden Restaurant, main pond--and you can hop on and off as you please and even ride it straight through to the Queen Elizabeth II gate once you've seen all you want to see of the gardens.
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Mrs. Macquaries Road
02-9231-8111
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Admission Free
Choo Choo Express tickets
Adults AU $10
Kids AU $5
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Hours
Daily 7am-5pm
Gardens stay open as late as 8 pm, depending upon the time of year

Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House Photo

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Sydney Opera House

In front of you is the Sydney Opera House in all its glory. You can walk all the way around it, taking in its many features and design quirks. Just watch out for the steps while you are taking photos.

Most visitors only check out the outside of the Opera House. But it's definitely worth the time to take a look on the inside, especially if you have time to take a guided tour around the many performance spaces for over a fascinating view of life behind the curtain.

On Sundays there is a huge open market on the concourse.
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Bennelong Point, Circular Quay East
02-9250-7111
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Tour hours
Daily 9am-5pm
Tours depart every half hour
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Admission
Adults AU $35 (Essential Tour)
Online AU $29.75

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Circular Quay East

It's time to head back toward the city center via Mrs. MacQuarie Street. But first take time to stroll along the Circular Key promenade: It's a great place for people watching.

If you need to revitalize after the walk through the gardens, stop for coffee and cake at the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café.
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Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café
Shop 10, Opera Quays
3 MacQuarie St.
02-8274-7900
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Hours
Sunday-Thursday 8am-11pm
Friday-Saturday 8am-midnight

Opera House at end of Circular Quay Photo

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Government House

Heading south down MacQuarie Street, with the Royal Botanic Gardens on your left, you will pass the Government House. Constructed between 1837 and 1845, it's one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture in New South Wales.

Designed by English architect Edward Blore (best known for Buckingham Place), this mock castle has an extensive collection of 19th and 20th century Australian furnishings, pictures and decorative arts. Home to numerous Australian governors, the house also has hosted many members of royalty, including Queen Elizabeth, during state visits.

Today, Government House is a busy "working house" that frequently hosts regal receptions and other government, community and cultural events. Free guided tours--you cannot wander at will--are available throughout the day; tickets can be picked up at the gatehouse.
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Government House
Royal Botanic Gardens, MacQuarie Street
02-9931-5222
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Hours
Friday-Sunday 10:30am-3pm
Closed occasionally for government functions; check website for closures

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The State Library of New South Wales

The State Library of New South Wales is one of Australia's oldest and largest public libraries. Composed of two libraries joined together, it houses more than 5 million items, including many historical documents, maps, journals, paintings and sketches from early Australian explorers and pioneers.

Head for the older Neo-Classical designed Mitchell Wing (built in 1910) and check out the fascinating decor, featuring bronze doors depicting Aborigine peoples and European explorers, a map of Tasman's journeys in the mosaic floor and a ceiling modeled on Cardinal Wolsley's closet in Hampton Court.
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MacQuarie Street
02-9273-1414
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Hours
Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm
Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Closed Sundays
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Admission Free

Bronze Doors of State Library of NSW Photo

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Parliament House

The politicians of New South Wales have been meeting here since 1816, making this puce-colored building the world's oldest continually operating parliament building. It's open to the public, but you'll need to go through a metal detector to get in. The inner sanctum features art exhibitions in the lobby and a historical display in the wood-paneled Jubilee Room.

The public gallery is open when parliament is sitting. When parliament is not in session, visitors are able to visit inside both chambers as well.

Free 60-90 minute tours are offered throughout the day (9:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm) but advance reservations by telephone are required.
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MacQuarie Street
02-9230-2111
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Hours
Weekdays 9am-5pm

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Sydney Hospital

Housing Australia's oldest hospital, the three Victorian sandstone buildings that comprise the original Sydney Hospital have had a long and checkered history. Built in 1816 by a consortium of businessman who struck a deal with Gov. MacQuarie to erect a hospital in exchange for a monopoly over rum imports, the hospital ended up nicknamed "the Rum Hospital."

Be sure you stop at "Il Porcellino," the bronzed pig statute in front of the hospital. Rubbing its snout is meant to bring good luck.
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MacQuarie Street
02-9382-7111(general inquiries)
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Tours

This is a working hospital but guided one-hour historical tours around the 19th century sandstone building are available during the week at a cost of AU $10 per person. There is also the Nightingale Museum tour led by the museum curator for $5 per person. Reservations are essential for both tours: phone 02-9382-7111 or e-mail wolf.krueger@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au for more information.

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The Mint

In 1854 this stately building, the original southern wing of the Rum Hospital, became the first branch of the Royal Mint outside of England and had a coining factory at the rear of the building

Closed in 1926 when a new Commonwealth Mint was established in Canberra, the Mint building is now the head office for the Historic Houses Trust; it maintains a small historical collection plus an upstairs cafe.
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10 MacQuarie St.
02-8239-2288
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Hours
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
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Admission Free

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Sydney Tower

A short walk back through Hyde Park and along Market Street will return you to where the walk started.

Pictures in this guide taken by: Kiwiwriter, dcafe via flickr, Moody Man via Flickr, Patrick Bingham-Hall, City of Sydney, rjackb via Flickr, Paul Green, City of Sydney, David Druce; Tourism NSW, g_kat26 via Flickr, RubyGoes via Flickr, dicktay2000 via Flickr, Grenville Turner; Tourism NSW, Tourism NSW, avilasal via Flickr, CindyRichards, zayxayem via Flickr, Hamilton Lund;Tourism NSW, Sebastian Bergmann via Flickr, Robert Wallace; Tourism NSW, Hamilton Lund; Tourism NSW, Tim Sheerman-Chase via Flickr, kevgibbo via Flickr, Liz Lewis, BeauGiles via Flickr, amanabhslater via Flickr, Flying Cloud via Flickr, Jeffrey Drewitz; Tourism NSW, brewbooks via flickr, avlxyz via Flickr, Chris_Gaun via Flickr, City of Sydney, John Cowper via Flickr, David H Chu

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