The Sydney Traveler

Fort Denison is one of Sydney’s most significant historical sites. Located in the centre of Sydney Harbour, this heritage area offers much for visitors of all ages.
When the first settlers arrived in Sydney in 1788, Fort Denison was a popular fishing spot known to the Aboriginal people as Mat-te-wan-ye. The First Fleet renamed it Pinchgut, and began to use the rocky island as a place to confine convicts who had committed secondary crimes. Here they lived in leg irons on strict rations of bread and water.
In 1839 American warships entered the harbour and circled Pinchgut. This threatened attack led the …read more

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Are you looking for a place to stay in Sydney? Somewhere to enjoy an indulgent meal? Something fun to do with the kids? Remarkably Q Station in Manly can offer it all. Put simply, it’s a one-stop entertainment destination.
Q Station doesn’t just want to teach visitors about history, it wants them to experience it. Through their theatre production, Defiance, guests will learn more about life in quarantine than they will in any history book. Seated inside the buildings where these events actually took place, Defiance delivers and engaging and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
A range of tours step out of the everyday, …read more

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Most people come to the Royal Botanic Gardens to admire the immaculately-kept blooms. Nowadays it’s hard to imagine the way things were when white settlers first arrived. But Cadi Jam Ora helps you do just that.
As it happens, this part of the Royal Botanic Gardens is where European settlers and the native Cadigal people had some of their earliest encounters. Today a dramatic 50-metre long “storyline” weaves its way through garden beds like an ancient serpent, reminding us of the early lives of the indigenous people who lived there.
Everyone can view this ancient site, but if you want to learn …read more

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Step back in time and discover Sydney’s convict past at the Hyde Parks Barracks Museum.
The site, built by convict architect Francis Greenway, housed 15, 000 male convicts between 1819 and 1848. Later it became a female immigration depot, before being transformed into a government asylum for destitute women.
The museum lets you immerse yourself in the history of this fascinating site. You’ll learn what it was like to be a convict, be spooked by the Soundscape, and discover the fascinating stories of the Barracks’ occupants. There’s also a free archaeological display on the ground floor which is sure to delight history …read more

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Sydney’s inner city will come alive this Saturday with the inaugural Millers Point Festival. The event has got plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.
History buffs will love the guided walks, social history exhibition and heritage talks. Some of the area’s most beloved landmarks including Sydney Observatory, St Brigid’s Church, Kent Street Tennis Courts and St. Patrick’s Church will also open their doors to the public.
Make sure you bring along the whole family, even the furriest! Your favourite pooch will love the pupacinos! There’ll also be roving entertainers, children’s activities, and stalls featuring local produce.
So come and help …read more

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Nestled in the historic Rocks district, Susannah Place Museum offers a fun day out for adults and kids alike.
The museum is actually a terrace of four houses which date back to 1844. The houses were occupied by working-class Sydney families from that time to 1990. Today the museum allows us to see how average people lived in the city throughout history.
The many layers of paint, wallpaper, and floor coverings tell us much about the tastes of the occupants, and the way these changed over time. The buildings still have the original brick privies and open laundries, which are believed to …read more

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These days Melbourne is the tram capital of Australia. But did you know that trams were an important part of everyday life in Sydney for a century? Turn back the clock and explore this important part of local history at the Sydney Tramway Museum.
The Sydney Tramway Museum features exhibits and photos showing the development and operation of Sydney trams from 1861 to 1961. The best part is that it’s not just about looking. You can actually ride these old trams, a real novelty for Sydneysiders!
Trams travel to The Royal National Park, which is the perfect spot for lunch. The Lakewood …read more

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Architecture enthusiasts and history buffs will relish a trip to Government House. This beautiful mansion was built between 1837 and 1845 for the Governor of New South Wales. But today you don’t have to be a VIP to step inside.
At the time it was built, Government House was considered the most sophisticated Gothic Revival building in the colony. And it’s not hard to see why.
The ground floor contains the dining room, drawing room, and ballroom. It’s not hard to imagine the hub of activity this floor would have been centuries ago. These rooms feature stunning 19th and 20th century furniture …read more

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Cockatoo Island may just be Sydney’s best kept secret. This heritage listed island is smack bang in the middle of stunning Sydney Harbour, and it’s just opened up for overnight camping.
This beautiful island used to be an imperial prison, industrial school, reformatory, and gaol. It was also the site of one of Australia’s biggest shipyards. Remnants of Cockatoo Island’s rich history remain today. Visitors can explore the historic sites at their own pace or join a guided tour.
History aside, Cockatoo Island offers one amazing view. It’s one of the best places in Sydney to appreciate the harbour, the city skyline, …read more

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Sydney is a modern metropolis, but drive 10 kilometers out of the CBD and you can step back in time. Vaucluse House  was built in the early nineteenth century, and its stunning grounds and beautiful interior allow us to imagine what it was like to live in colonial times.
The house was built by Sir Thomas Henry Brown Hayes, a colourful character who was sent to Australia as punishment for kidnapping the woman he loved. It was a terribly romantic gesture but her father, a wealthy Irish banker, didn’t see it that way!
It’s had some famous residents, including Captain John Piper …read more

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