The entire of this day was set aside to explore the city center. Initially, we planned to explore the Hyde Park and Domain vicinity on the first day. Because most museums closed at 5 pm and we were still tired of the flight, we might not able to make it. Saved it for later, we had a lot of thing to do this day.
The biggest highlight other than Hyde Park and domain were the Royal Botanic Garden, Circular Quay (though we've been here yesterday) and of course the city center vicinity. We skipped some of the less attractive sites, and pessimistic think that we could cover the Rock neighborhood in the afternoon.
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| Looking at the St. Mary Cathedral from the Hyde Park |
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| The Archibald fountain is to commemorate the Australia&France association during the Great War |
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| Taking a short walk in the Hyde Park Garden |
The Hyde Park Barrack museum opened its doors at 10 am. It used to be a convict site for the penal colony from British, setup in early 18th century. Rather than a prison, the convicts forged lively and established the neighborhood, but with full surveillance. We had learnt that it had turned into a court and immigrant depot in the 19th century. The entrance charges were included with the Sydney's Living Museum family pass, including other 12 museums and historic sites. We spent about an hour in the barrack.
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| The old entrance gate of Hyde Park Barrack Museum |
It's listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
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| The female immigration depot was much better compared to the male dorm (at top most floor) |
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| Among the women immigrants that brought into the New South wales |
Some part of the barrack were left unrestored wall to get the feel of it
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| Nu'man experienced what it was like to sleep in such cramped quarters |
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| The court building looks newer than the barrack itself |
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| I plead not guilty Mr Judge! |
We had to skip The Mint and the Caroline Simpsons Library and Research Collection, 5 minutes walk from the barrack, as its opens only on weekday. Heard that the Mint is a must for any visit to Sydney, probably we can do that on the the next trip.. :P
About 10 minutes walked through the Domain park, we reached the New South Wales's Art Gallery. Another must-visit-site while in Sydney, it contained the collection of Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian and contemporary art. The general admission to the gallery is free and its open daily. This gallery has opened to the public since 1882. I was therefore intrigued to the architecture of this old building once we stepped into the gallery.
A gothic style sandstone fountain (left) and statue of Robert Burns, a famous poet (right)
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| Names of the sculptors appear on the northern half of the front |
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| Staircases leading to the art gallery's entrance |
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| Glad with the atmosphere whenever in a gallery/museum |
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| The Dancer (1904) by Bertram Mackennal |
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| The James Fairfax Gallery: A collection of 15-19th century of European art |
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| An athlete wrestling with a python |
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| There were several Malaysian artists works that were displayed |
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| The Malaysian artist impression on the Sulu's archipelago |
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| A artist creativity using the cardboard box |
We took a cab heading to the Rocks, a historic neighborhood lane way towards the Sydney Harbour bridge. We saw a long queue when we passed through the Museum of Contemporary Art. Thought of stop over later, we asked the driver to stop at Cadman's Cottage Historic Site. A water transport headquarters, located at the western side of the Circular Quay, is one of only handful of colonial remnants.
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| It originally stood on a rocky shore with a small sandy beach |
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| A two-storey Georgian-style house |
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| The site is named after the last & long serving superintendent, John Cadman |
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| We had lunch at one of the Thai restaurant nearby |
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| Let see what is interesting in the Pasar Tani... |
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| The Rock Markets open on Friday to Sunday |
After the lunch, we searched high and low for the Rock Discovery Museum. Up until the Argyle Cut before turned back to the Visitor Information Center. Too bad, the queue was bit long so we continued search on the other site of the Nurses Walk. The Museum was actually on the back site of the information center.
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| The sandstone warehouse were built in 1805 |
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| The free-entrance museum he story of The Rocks from pre-European days to the present |
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| An old-wooden staircase |
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| We were inspired by its artifacts and surroundings |
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| Artist and designer Judith Martinez transforms archival items from The Rock |
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| A hand-operated winch which operated since 1850 to 2000 |
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| Strolled along the Nurses Walk |
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| The walk was created in 1979 in honour the nurses that work in that area between 1788 to 1816 |
We couldn't imagine what was the distance that we had gone through the Rock area. Not that we don't want to be lost, the area was not very scarce though, but when some reviews suggested to spend at least a day to wander the neighborhood.
The other two sites that we visited were further up north the Rock. The Big Dig contains the late 18th century archaeological remains, part of the Sydney YHA. The excavation early 90s revealed the foundations of over 30 homes and shops, the earliest built in around 1795.
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| There were at least 46 buildings at this site |
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| The excavation site located below the YHA hostel |
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| Some of the artifacts found during the excavation began in 1994 |
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| It was said that the Cadigal People used to live in this slum area |
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| Looking south along Carahers Lane |
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| The original lane, named after the owner of house no 1 (demolished in 1902) |
While on the way to the Big Dig, we did a reservation for the 2.30 pm Susannah Place Museum tour. It was included with the museum pass. It tells a story about a family who lived in this conserved terrace house built since 1844.
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| There were plenty of signage so you won't feel lost |
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| Described the neighborhood |
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| Let choose the old path... |
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| Former grocery store and workers' cottages |
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| Among the old items that still being kept in this museum |
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| A tricycle |
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| Taking picture at the backyard |
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| A unique refrigerator |
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| Taking picture with Con |
We went back to Circular Quay and romped to the Sydney Opera House in the evening. It was still lot of people hanged around to the one of famous icon in the world. We only managed to get pictures of the best view of it while we were strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden. My advice, head on to the park if you want to get the Opera House as the backdrop!
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| We had a barista bro's while taking rest at Pullman Quay Grand |
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| Crowds having drinks by the quay looking at the Harbour Bridge |
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| Looking at the sphere... |
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| Nu'man said that the roof looks like toilet's tile.. |
We missed out the last ride of Choo Choo train as it was fully book. It is the best way if you want to explore the Royale Botanic Garden, where you can hop on and off between four stops. Tickets can be purchased at the Queen Elizabeth II gate, just 5 minutes walk from the Opera House. So, we just walked in the gardens towards the Woolloomooloo Gate.
The entire of this day was set aside to explore the city center. Initially, we planned to explore the Hyde Park and Domain vicinity on the first day. Because most museums closed at 5 pm and we were still tired of the flight, we might not able to make it. Saved it for later, we had a lot of thing to do this day.
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