History

Until the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, there were two ways of crossing the harbour with a vehicle. One was to go inland to Bedlam Point, near Gladesville where there was a punt, the other was to catch the horse ferry. There were several horse ferries operating in this vicinity, but only two wharves…

The Garden Palace was located just south of the present-day Conservatorium of Music (in the southwestern end of the Royal Botanic Gardens). It was constructed for the Sydney International Exhibition which opened its doors on 17 September 1879. It was designed by James Barnet and constructed in just eight months, an achievement at the time The…

During construction of Sydney’s new metro train line, two ‘ghost platforms’ were uncovered. These has lay hidden beneath Central Station, buried and abandoned for over 40 years. Platforms 26 and 27 lie dormant and gathering decades of dust as 270,000 people walk above them every say without knowing what lies beneath their feet. These platforms…

Tucked away on the harbour near Elkington Park on the western side of the Balmain Peninsula is the heritage listed Dawn Fraser Baths. Originally constructed in 1882, these swimming baths are said to be the oldest in Australia. It is the home to Balmain Swimming Club, the country’s first Swimming Association and location of Australia’s…

This imposing structure was built between 1863 and 1867. The Knapsack Viaduct was constructed to transport railway traffic across Jamison’s Creek and into the “little zig zag” train line. This climbed the eastern side of the Blue Mountains to Glenbrook. The enormous structure stands at 40m tall, is 118m long with seven sandstone arches rising…

Poking through the top of flower beds is the spire of the old underground public toilets located in Hyde Park at the North-East corner of the intersection of Park and Elizabeth Streets in the CBD. These facilities were one of several underground facilities built during the early years of the 1900s. During the 1800s the…

Harry’s Café de Wheels, the mandatory late-night feed for all those who enjoyed best day ever in Sydney. A must on anyone’s 24-Hour Sydney itinerary. Harry’s is a Sydney icon. The van has been serving peas and pies since the 1930s when Harry Edwards first opened his café in front of the naval dockyard. In…

For a best day ever, take yourself back in time. If you look closely at the image you can distinguish the outlines of a kangaroo or wallaby. These carvings are some of the 11 or so found in the Glades Bay Native Gardens area in Gladesville. These carvings are located at what was once a…

Riddle me this. Why do the Wynyard station’s platform numbers start at the number 3? Where have platforms 1 and 2 disappeared to? For a best day in Sydney, why not find out where. Those who park cars, know the answer. Laying immediately to the west of platforms 3 and 4 are these high arched…

24 Hours in Sydney is proud that Sydney was blessed with many Art Deco style film houses throughout the suburbs. Many have gone now. Today we remember one of the best where this writer spent many a Saturday evening watching cult classic movies. The Valhalla was located in Sydney’s inner west suburb of Glebe. It…