Secret Sydney

Possibly the only one of Australia’s “big things” to actually be smaller than the original, Sydney’s second harbour bridge is like a sapling growing far from the tree it sprung from. The bridge marks the entrance to the Peter Warren automotive empire. Sydney’s longest running auto “mall”, the Peter Warren compound occupies a lot the…

The backroom of a small tobacconist is probably the last place you’d look for a high-end specialist shop, but this is precisely where Joelie Zhou decided to open a traditional Chinese teahouse selling some of the priciest leaves money can buy. Welcome to the Taishan Tea Club. Located out the back of a convenience store on…

Throughout the later part of the 19th century and into the 20th century the Hordern Family dominated the Sydney retail trade. Beginning with ‘Mrs Hordern’s’ drapery shop in 1823, Anthony Hordern and Sons soon became the largest department store in Sydney, with businesses in Europe, America and China. By the end of the 19th century…

The Australian Monument to the Great Irish Famine (Great Hunger) is located on the southern wall of the Hyde Park Barracks, on the site of the former convict-era kitchen and mess halls The monument was inspired by the 1995 call of Irish President Mary Robinson to remember the famine of 1845–52 and those who died…

This major artwork located in Hyde Park South honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served in our nation’s military and their families. Sydney-based artist Tony Albert created the work, inspired by the story of his grandfather Eddie Albert’s narrow wartime escape. The work is also based on research by family historian Trisha Albert. The artwork YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall depicts four standing bullets…

Il Porcellino, meaning ‘the little pig’, is a larger than life-sized bronze wild boar, anatomically realistic and resting on its left haunch and front legs. It is located outside the Sydney’s oldest hospital, Sydney Hospital, facing Macquarie Street. The sculpture is an exact replica of an original by Pietro Tacca which has stood in Florence,…

Located across Sydney are fine examples of public art. They inspire, some even confuse but they all celebrate living in one of the world’s greatest cities. One such fine example is found on Pitt Street. The Dobell Memorial sculpture commemorates one of Australia’s most celebrated landscape and portrait artists. Australian painter William Dobell was born…

Sydney Park, Sydney. This Park is located in St Peters and borders Alexandria in the south of the city. It is well known by its high brick chimneys. A large 40-hectare site with hills, grasslands, wetlands with an extensive cycling path. Sydney Park is bounded by the Princes Highway and Euston, Campbell, Barwon Park and…

Nutcote, located in North Sydney, was the home and studio of May Gibbs, Australia’s first woman cartoonist who is well remembered for her children’s stories and illustrations. He books have enchanted Australian and international children for over 100 years and the inspiration for incredible characters came from the gardens of Nutcote, The Blue Mountains and…

If you’ve ever peered into the murky waters of a pond in Centennial Park chances are you’ve seen one of their long, slimy occupants flopping about. The long-finned eels seem pretty content in their picturesque sludge, but apparently, they migrate as far as New Caledonia or the Solomon Islands to lay their eggs. Autumn is…