Secret Sydney

Busby’s Bore, which runs under Sydney’s streets between Centennial Park and Hyde Park remains as one of the most impressive pieces of convict-built infrastructure in Sydney. In the mid-1820s, Sydney was in the midst of a water crisis.  In the space of 30 years, the European settlers had managed to make their main fresh water…

Just like the mythical Scottish village that disappears and reappears again, Sydney too has a seaside spot that can vanish for years on end. This secret spot in Sydney is so secretive, it’s not even around for most of the year! This picture-perfect beach is around 100 metres north of Tamarama is actually hidden for…

The secret maybe well and truly out about this hidden garden, but it really is heart-warming story and a space worth sharing. When Wendy Whiteley lost her husband, Australian artist Brett Whiteley in 1992, she funneled her love and grief into transforming a disused, derelict train yard space. Wendy’s Secret Garden – which is at…

Did you know that Sydney is home to the largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere? It is the final resting place to over 1 million former Sydneysiders, including my ancestors.  Rookwood Necropolis, in Sydney’s western suburbs, was first opened in 1867 and is still an active cemetery today. The term necropolis refers to its enormous…

If you venture into the centre of Sydney today, you’ll find the extravagant Strand Arcade linking George and Pitt streets. It is Sydney’s only remaining Victorian shopping arcade dating back to the late 19th century. It was once one of six shopping arcades built in the city centre between 1881 and 1892, concentrated in the area…

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…