1. Captain Cook. William Macleod. 2. Sydney Cove, August 20th 1788. 2a Farm Cove and the Garden Palace. 3. Sydney Observatory and Telescope. 4. Windmill near Fort Phillip. 5. 25-Ton Gun at Middle Head. J. R. Ashton. 6. Fortifications, South Head. J. R. Ashton. 7. St. Phillip's Original Church. W. C. Fitler. 8. Circular Quay, West Side. F. B. Schell. 9. The “Argyle Cut”, Sydney. F. B. Schell. 10. Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. 11. First Presbyterian Church, Sydney. W. C. Fitler. 12. Lodge Gate, Government House. 13. St. Mary’s Gate, Sydney Domain. W. C. Fitler. 14. Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour. F. B. Schell. 15. Darling Harbour, Sydney. F. B. Schell. 16. Government House and HMS “Nelson” J. R. Ashton. 17. Elizabeth Bay and Darling Point. F. B. Schell. 18. Post Office Colonnade and Clock Tower. W. T. Smedley. 19. Woolloomooloo to Darlinghurst. F. B. Schell. 20. Hyde Park, Sydney. J. R. Ashton. 21. Yachting in Sydney Harbour. Schell and Hogan. 22. Railway Station, Redfern. W.C. Fitler.

23. The Inner Domain and Fort Denison. F. B. Schell. 24. George Street, from the Post Office. J. R. Ashton. 25. Pitt Street, Sydney. W. C. Fitler. 26. Synagogue, Elizabeth Street, Sydney. 27. Union Bank, Sydney. A. H. Fullwood. 28. Congregational Church, Pitt Street. W. C. Fitler. 29. King Street, Sydney. J. R. Ashton. 30. Sydney Town Hall and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. 31. Macquarie Street, Sydney. W. C. Fitler. 32. Sydney Art Gallery. J. R. Ashton. 33. King's School, Parramatta. 34. Interior of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. A. H. Fullwood. 35. St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. 36. Ocean Beach, Manly. F. B. Schell. 37. Lane Cove, Sydney. A. H. Fullwood. 38. Lavender Bay and McMahons Point. 39. Bridge Street, Sydney. W. C. Fitler. 40. On the Lawn at Government House. 41. Regent Street, Wesleyan Church, Sydney. 42. Parramatta, Sydney. A. H. Fullwood. 43. Shipping at Circular Quay. J. R. Ashton. 44. Coogee Beach, Sydney. W. T. Smedley. 45. Riverview College, Sydney. 46. Forts Denison and Macquarie.

“ After examining bay after bay, they lay on there oars in admiration within a small tree-shadowed cove into which a little bubbling stream discharged its limpid waters. Phillip determined there to fix his colony, and gave the place the name of Sydney Cove, in honour of the Secretary of State, under whose directions the exhibition had been carried out.”
“ The little bay was deep, and surrounded by large boulders rising only a few feet above the surface, out of twenty feet of water, and in that the Governor saw much prospect of convenience.” P18

“ In the evening all the men were assembled, the Union Jack was run up to the top of the flagstaff that had just been erected, and with three volleys they signalized the termination of their long voyage.

A canvas house was put up for the Governor, on the East side of the cove and round it was formed a small garden wherein might be cultivated the fig, the orange, and the grape, of which young plants had been brought from the Cape. The live stock was landed and on the 6th February 1788, when the settlement began to look a little more comfortable, the women went on shore. On the following day the marines were drawn up in a square, on a slope afterwards known as Dawes’ Point, and the Governor’s commission was read. He then addressed the convicts, and in a speech of much eloquence besought them to consult their own happiness and welfare, by leading praiseworthy lives in their new abode. There is a ring of sterling manhood in his utterances, and a forecast which, to-day, we read with surprise” :-
“ What Frobisher, Raleigh, Delaware, and Gates did for America, that we are to-day met to do for Australia, but under happier auspices. ~~ We are here to take possession of this fifth division of the globe, on behalf of the British people, and to found a State which we hope, will not only occupy and rule this great country, but will also be the beneficent patroness of the entire southern hemisphere. How grand is the prospect which lies before this youthful nation !” P19

“ His first interview with the natives was at a pretty little bay near the Heads, where a dusky party, who had been fishing came forward in response to a signal, and encouraged by the kindly smile they saw on his face, showed him some fish they had caught, and their appliances for fishing. They retired with quite dignity, and Phillip was so pleased with their bearing that he gave to the place the name of Manly Beach.” P18

“ Sydney Cove was full of shipping from all parts of the world; vessels were fitted out in Sydney sealing and whaling in the adjacent seas; trade was opened up with New Zealand and the South Sea Islands. P66

“ Glancing around the wharf, the great produce stores arrest the attention of the observer at once, as indicating the character, as well as the extent of the business done. The earliest of these is Mort’s Wool Store , which occupies the whole of frontage between Phillip and Castlereagh Streets. It stands foursquare, simple, massive, elegant, striking as it were the keynote to the commercial movement of the Colony.” P66

“ A little distant behind is the tall stone built store of Messrs, Harrison, Jones and Devlin.” P66
“ On the high ground behind Mort’s store may be seen the upper windows of two palatial structure built for the accommodation of some of Civil Service Departments.” P66

“ The eastern, like the western point is still a public reserve, the site of Fort Macquarie, one of the ancient structures, but now destined to give way to a railway shed. Leading up to the point is a rocky escarpment, the pathway along the summit of which has received the borrowed name of the Tarpeian Way.” P66 Fort Macquarie designed by Francis Greenway and built on Bennelong Island the foundation stone was laid in 1817, the fort was armed with 15 guns, and dismantled in 1900. The purpose for the Fort was twofold, the first as a defence against feared invaders but more importantly to detain vessels wishing to depart the colony without authorisation. It was considered that had convict labour not been used in its construction the cost would have been in the vicinity of £21,000 pound sterling.
A causeway connected the Island to the mainland which later became known as Bennelong Point, Fort Macquarie. In later years it became a terminus and shelter for Sydney trams and today the site of the famed Sydney Opera House.

A twenty metre high rocky island once stood mid-stream in Sydney Harbour between Kirrabilli and Bennelong Point’s. The early 1800’s saw the island leveled to just above the high water mark and a prison was erected. Built to contain the most hardened convicts, who in turn labelled the place Pinch-Gut. Within fifty years 8,000 tons of Neutral Bay sandstone was used to build Fort Denison, a fort designed to ward off an enemy that never arrived.

“ The highest land on the peninsular is that just abreast of the landing place, and up the slope toward this height, now occupied by the Observatory, climbed some of the earlier settlers.
“ The first Observatory in the Southern Hemisphere was erected at Parramatta. Work commenced on the Sydney Observatory in 1822. Most of the buildings for the Sydney Observatory were completed in 1856. “The site being chosen from its suitability for a time Ball.” P734

“ On the top was erected one of the first windmills, the only remaining memorial of which is Windmill Street leading down from Lower Fort Street to the water.” P74-75

Built on what became known as Windmill Hill in 1797 was Sydney’s first windmill, its function was to grind grain for flour. The mill was dismantled after only ten years, the site was then home to Fort Phillip and later a signal station built to communicate with South Head.
At one time there were three windmills on the hill. Part of the locality became known as Jack the Miller’s Point named after a miller named Jack Leighton, hence the name Miller’s Point.

“ Sydney began on the western shore of the cove, close to the present site of the Manly steamers wharf, where the short street still called Queen’s Wharf, leads into George Street, and its topography will best be understood by studying the fall of the land at that point. The natural feature that determined the selection of the site of the city was the Tank Stream, which furnished an immediate supply of fresh water-that prime essential to a young settlement.” P74

“ The earliest private wharves were formed along the slopes from Dawes Point and round by Miller’s Point, and the great knob of land which was thus half–encircled was a convenient dwelling-place for those who did not wish to go far from their ships or business. This part of Sydney, which is still known as “The Rocks” has a quaint old-world air about it.” P74/75

“ The extreme point on the western side is not a wharf at all, but a reserve in front of Dawes’ Battery, the guns of which point eastward straight down the harbour.” P74/75

“ A handsome and commodious building was hastily erected on a commanding site in the Inner Domain: its noble dome being a striking feature in the landscape as seen from the harbour. The Exhibition was a huge success, nearly all the civilised countries of the world being represented. It cost the country about a quarter of a million, but it was deemed that the money was well spent. The resources of the colony were displayed to great advantage, and as a natural consequence commerce was greatly quickened. The Exhibition Building was unfortunately destroyed by fire two years afterward.” P37

“ A few years ago the dominating object of this view was the Garden Palace – the Exhibition Building of 1879 – the dome of which was the largest and finest on which the Southern has ever shone. But one mild summer morning the whole disappeared, leaving only a heap of ashes. No building, however, is necessary to give charm to the Botanic Garden. One of the earliest attempts at horticulture was made on this site, and from the very beginning it has been carefully reserved. Nature has done much for the position, whose original beauties have been turned to the best account by the art of the landscape gardener. With good reason it is a favourite resort of the Sydney public, especially on afternoons when there is any performance by one of the military or naval bands. Part of the garden has been laid out with a view to instruction in botany, but the predominant purpose has been to make a pleasure ground. Naval men could not wish for a lovelier spot for their repose than one that gives them a constant view of this singularly charming landscape, and striking indeed, to one standing on the deck, is the contrast between the implements of grim-visaged war and this abode of peace.” P67

“ The view from the deck, or through the large port-holes of any of the men-of-war, is singularly charming, especially to the south, for the eye there rests on the gracefully curved sea-wall of the cove, with the Botanic Garden in the background – its smooth broad lawns in front of its umbrageous slopes and winding walks rising behind.” P67

“ Through the rigging of the ships, on the eastern side of the Quay, is seen the rising ground of the Government Domain, surmounted by the tower and flagstaff of Government House.
The greenery of this Domain, and that of the Battery reserve on the other side of the Cove, is grateful to the eye, bringing as it does into strong relief the contrast between the leisure and labour of life.
From the Domain :- “ The house selected for the residence of the Admiral is situated on Kiarabilli Point on the northern side of the harbour, and commands a complete view of the squadron.” P67

Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. Be it thus Recorded that the Road Round the inside of the Government Domain. Called MRS. MACQUARIE’S ROAD. So named by the Governor on account of her having it originated. Planned it Measured 3 Miles, and 377 yards. Was finally Completed on the 18th Day of June 1816.
“ Sitting on Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, and looking northwards, the eye rests on the island of Fort Dennison – a small rock lying in mid channel. In early days it was christened Pinch-gut by convicts, who had painful memories of being sent there to repent on short commons. In Governor Denison’s time it was turned into a fortification, a round tower was being erected, and several guns placed en barbette. Round Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair is the entrance to Woolloomooloo Bay, on the western side of which are the public baths. At the head of the bay is a wooden wharf much used for the landing of coal and timber, and over the piles of lumber may be seen the clock tower of the Fish Market, beyond lies a monotonous mass of houses, the streets rising steeply towards the distant ridge and on the western side is a precipitous rocky escarpment up which stone staircases have been cut for foot passengers.
Off the mouth of Woolloomooloo Bay lies Garden Island, where one of the first gardens was formed. It is now given up to the Imperial Government as a naval depot, and the original form of the island is largely through the alterations made to fit it for its present purpose.” P68

“ Once inside the North Head, ~~ On the port bow is seen a lightship, anchored there to mark the only obstruction in the entrance, a rocky patch known as the Sow and Pigs. Between these rocks and the nearest headland on either side lies the shoalest part of the entrance, but having on it twenty feet of water at low tide. To admit the passage of the largest ships at all times, a deep cut has been dredged in the eastern channel, the course of which is indicated at night by lights on the shore, and in the day-time by obelisks. Steering through this channel, and passing Shark Point and Shark Island, names only too suggestive of the danger in which the harbour abounds, the magnificent sweep of the shoreline of Rose Bay is seen on the left, and on the right Bradley’s Head, projecting into the water like a huge and lofty mole.” P63/64

“ ~ while on the slope of land rise the red brick offices of A.S.N. Company. South of the P. and O. steamer begins the Government portion of the wharf, with a fine berth for a large vessel, and behind it may be seen the Sailors’ Home, the Mariner’s Church, and the Commissariat Store. This last is one of the oldest stone buildings in the colony, plain and substantial, built of material quarried on the spot, and shewing that Sydney sandstone can weather a hundred years of exposure without deterioration.” P65

“ The route from Lower George Street round to Miller’s Point, by way of Dawes’ Battery, was inconveniently circuitous, while to take laden drays over the height was out of the question. So a passage, known as the Argyle Cut, was driven through the rock.” P74/75

“ Here begins the inner harbour, and heedless of the sleepers in the villas that crown the heights, the cautious commander wakes all the echoes by a blast of his fog-horn, for he is entering the region of careful navigation, and is under strict regulations to announce his advance and check his speed. For this inner harbour is alive and active by night as well as day with colliers, ferry-boats, coasters and fishing craft.
At this point the signs of a great city bust into view. All ahead is light and life, lights twinkling through the trees of the shore on either hand, lights moving rapidly over the surface of the water between all the dark points ahead, lights beyond the red spark which caps the round tower of Fort Denison.”
“ The great ship moves slowly past the round tower, for ferry boats to and from North Shore are crossing and re-crossing, coming out of different bays, and approaching may be the last boat to Manly, and the nightly coasting steamers leaving for Newcastle or the Illawarra ports.
On the left lie the men-of –war at anchor, and perhaps from some deck, where the spread of bunting and the brilliant illuminations betoken festival, may come strains of music, while swift launches are darting hither and thither keeping up communications with the shore.” P64

“ Aloft, tier above tier on the westward side, the lighted windows of old Sydney town look down upon the once where the first anchor was dropped, close upon a hundred years ago, for the steepest part of all the city was the earliest occupied, the settlers clambering up these cliffs, and lingering in sight of the water from which they seem loth to break away. This high ground is kept in view a the ship rounds the embattled rise of Dawe’s Point. Another line of jetties, ships, wharves, and ware-houses occupies the sweep between the Battery and Miller’s Point, and past the latter is the entrance to Darling harbour, a busy scene even by night. The shore is thick with Jetties, alongside which loom, silent and dark, the bold forms of various craft, while elsewhere are steamers agleam with long rows of cabin lights, their decks alive with the bustle of departure. Passengers, porters and stewards throng the gangways, seamen rush hither and thither at the order of the officer pacing the bridge, and hurrying forward the departure. The shrill scream of the whistle breaks upon the ear, and the clang of the signal-bell ringing out upon the midnight air, echoes from the silent hills that skirt the water’s edge upon the other side.
Behind the long line of vessels is the background of the rising land, with houses irregularly grouped, and the summit of the rocky hill – the Acropolis of Sydney – crowned with the Observatory tower.” P64/65 “ On the outer side of Fort Macquarie lies the little boat harbour, formed by a projecting mole, which is the landing place for Government House, and also the point nearest to the anchorage of the men-of war, situated at the mouth of Farm Cove. Here, when not on duty in the other colonies rides the “Nelson” the Admiral’s ironclad – symbol of the naval power of Great Briton, and of the close connection between the colonies and the mother country. Round her cluster the other vessels of the squadron, ranging in size and power from frigates to corvettes, gunboats, and yacht – like schooners. Here, too anchor all foreign men-of-war that enter the port, and not unfrequently the ensigns of half a dozen nations may be seen at the same time floating in the breeze. Cruisers from all countries, when in these seas, make for Port Jackson to coal and refit, and there is not a well known flag that has not been seen flying in Farm Cove, including a representative of the new-born navy of Japan. When many vessels are at anchor here, the stairs of the little boat-harbour are alive with officers in uniform landing or departing in long-boats manned by blue-jacketed sailors, or with consuls and visitors going on board to pay their respects, for nowhere is international courtesy more observed, or hospitality to visitors more displayed than in Sydney.” P67

“On the 7th February 1867 it was announced that the "Nelson" was being masted and rigged for service in Australia.” “Following upon a series of Russian scares in the 1870’s the "Nelson" was converted into a fighting ship for the Victorian Navy.”

“ William Street, the great artery of traffic for Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, and the waterside suburbs beyond. The road, following the old inconvenient gradient, runs down into the valley and still more steeply up the ridge beyond. In the early days this ridge was faced by a cliff, a portion of which still remains, forming one of the curious features of this part of Sydney. Victoria Street North runs along the top of the old cliff, the back windows of the houses on its western side looking down upon the mass of dwellings in the Woolloomooloo valley below. Streets up this steep cliff there are none, but flights of stone steps give a pathway for foot passengers. From the top of these stairs a good view is obtained of a portion of the city, for the eye ranges over the whole of Woolloomooloo Bay, up the western slope of the Domain to Hyde Park and the lofty buildings beyond.
The valley of Woolloomooloo itself is the least pleasing part of the project, for it is a poor quarter, though not one of the poorest.” P80

“ At Pott’s Point, business ceases and pleasure takes its place, for here begin those water-side mansions and gardens for which Sydney Harbour is so justly famed. The climate gives every encouragement to the florist and the landscape gardener. Frost is unknown along these harbour slopes, the extremes of summer heat are tempered by the ocean breezes, and flowers can be gathered and roses will bloom the winter long. The mean temperature of Sydney is two degrees above that of Nice, and only three degrees lower than that of Messina. Here nature gives heightened effect to the labours of art. The myrtle flourishes beside the orange-tree, and hyacinths burst into all their florid glory with the opening days of spring. At Pott’s Point the rock-face to the water was originally a steep slope, and the utmost has been done, while following the lines of nature, to turn to good account every inch of ground. In some cases the frontage is occupied by boat and bathing houses, elsewhere trees grow down to the water’s edge, and almost dip their branches into the rippling waves.” P68

“ George Street is, in fact, the survival of the primitive bush track by which the bullock drays entered and left the settlement. It bends and its irregular width bear witness to this day to its origin. The other main track, Pitt Street, which lies roughly parallel to it, is straighter and more regular, but it was not at first continued through to Circular Quay.” P74

George Street: - “ But farther up the Street stands the new Post office - one of the finest buildings in the city. It runs through to Pitt Street, and its longest facade looks on a narrow connecting lane, the frontages to the two main streets being comparatively short. It is built of Pyrmont sandstone, but the massive pillars supporting the long colonnade are of polished granite. From the centre of the building rises a handsome tower, the loftiest in Sydney. A little beyond is King Street, a scene of busy traffic, leading up as it does to the Court-House, and being also an omnibus route to Woolloomooloo.” P77

“ At the corner of Hunter Street stands the office of the Sydney Morning Herald – the oldest and largest newspaper in the colony. Opposite are premises of the Union Bank, once thought to be a credit to the city but now completely eclipsed by the grander buildings of the more modern banks. ~ On the other two corners stand large buildings belonging to insurance companies” P77

“ Looking down Pitt Street, the masts of the great vessels are seen, and behind them the green hills of the North Shore. “The ships seem lying in the streets” is sometimes the remark of visitors.”
“ Walking up this street from the wharf, the visitor goes straight away from the sea. The visitor notes on both sides the offices of the shipping agents, importers, steamship companies, brokers and insurance agents. At the intersection of Bridge Street is the Exchange, erected by a mercantile corporation on a site granted by the Government.” P77 “ Bridge Street terminates opposite the entrance gate to Government house, making thus a bold and handsome approach to the vice regal residence. Macquarie Street is an eastern boundary to this part of the city, one side of it being all public reserve; in fact it was partly carved out of the original Domain, which was pushed back to this line. The northern end is almost wholly devoted to wool stores, which have one face to it and another to Circular Quay. South of the lodge gates Macquarie Street is devoted to private residences, and makes a street-front equal in beauty to that of any city in the world. The windows of the houses look out on the Domain and the harbour beyond, the balconies commanding all the moving panorama of the daily fleet of incoming and outgoing vessels, while the sea breeze comes up fresh and cool. Indeed, it would be difficult to find anywhere so charming a residential street so close to the centre of the commercial operations of a great city.” P15

“ Macquarie Street was formally continued through Hyde Park, but it was closed and turned into a broad promenade, the street traffic being deflected to the east along College Street past St. Mary’s Cathedral, which, though still incomplete, is the grandest piece of ecclesiastical architecture in Sydney.” P80

“ The narrowness of the streets and the concentration of traffic on them has made their maintenance a difficult task. The ordinary macadam wears out very fast, and several varieties of asphalt roadway have been tried, though without success in the principal streets, where even bluestone cubes do not last long. But at length, after several experiments, wooden pavements made of brick-shaped blocks have been found to be very durable. Several varieties of colonial hardwood have been subjected to experiment, those that have proved the most suitable being blue gum, blackbutt, spotted-gum and tallow-wood. This new method of road making is expensive in the first instance, but the economy in maintenance is very great.” P85

“ ~~ early records frequently made mention of the antagonism of the Rev. Richard Johnson to the official element, and the difficulty he experienced in his endeavours to enlist its interest in the work on which he was engaged. His chief trouble was the building of a church, in which task he vainly sought the Governor’s assistance. The usual reply to his solicitations was to the effect that the housing of the population and stores claimed first attention. He therefore undertook after a time to build a church himself, and in 1793 he opened a small building for Divine Service on the east side of Sydney Cove. This primitive structure was built of wattle and plaster, and covered with thatch. It was seventy-three feet long by fifteen feet wide, and had a transept measuring forty feet by fifteen feet.” P782

“ The Church of England remained the only recognised State Church of New South Wales up to the time of Governor Bourke. The ministers were like Samuel Marsden, usually civil magistrates as well and some strange stories are told of the effect of this novel combination of offices in a penal settlement. Some order was introduced into the religious system of the infant settlement in 1825, however, when the Church and School Corporation was established by Royal Charter, under which one-seventh of the whole of the lands of the colony were set aside in perpetuity for the purpose of religion and education.” P782

“ The period from the foundation of the colony up to 1835 had not elapsed, however, without certain unmistakable developments of the religious systems of the colony outside the Church of England. During these forty eight years the Catholic and Presbyterian Churches had established themselves and built up valuable interests. The latter under the vigorous direction of Dr. lang, had rapidly grown into wealth and influence, as the Kirk that crowned the hill to the left of Sydney Cove soon rose to witness. This old fashioned edifice still stands. A noteworthy relic of the old colonial days. Dr. Lang’s immigration labours also had a very important influence in giving strength to his Church. He saw what a fine opening the colony afforded for frugal and industrious Scotchmen, and wishing also to balance the somewhat disproportionate immigration from Ireland, he proceeded to exert himself with great energy and success to promote immigration from Scotland. Thousands of prosperous Presbyterian families have to bless his energetic labours.” P784

“ In 1820 the first steps were taken for the erection of St. Mary’s Catholic cathedral, Sydney. A meeting was called in the courthouse, and all classes in the community united in subscribing for the cost of the proposed building, while the Governor promised to add from the Treasury a sum equal to the amount contributed. The foundation stone was laid next year, and the Cathedral was consecrated by Archbishop Polding in 1836.” P784
The artist could only have drawn the Cathedral from original drawings. The two spires were not installed until after the nation’s second centennial. Cardinal Clancy raised $27 million dollars for this project in 1995.

“It was decided to build a Great Synagogue - great in relation to the two smaller places of worship that had preceded it, and because it reflected in its ritual and principles the historic Great Synagogue in the City of London. An architectural competition for a design for the new Synagogue was won by Thomas Rowe, one of Sydney's leading architects, who planned a building in what was described as "Transition French Gothic". For financial reasons his plans had to be modified, and ornate as some aspects of the present building are, it appears that Rowe originally hoped to erect an even more elaborate building.”
“One of the most enterprising fund-raising ventures of the Synagogue building committee was a bazaar or fancy fair held over six days and nights in what is now Martin Place by the ladies of the congregation with much outside support including that of the Governor, Sir Hercules Robinson. This raised 5000 pounds, nearly one fifth of the total cost of the building. The foundation stone was laid in 1875, and three years later, on 4 March, 1878, the Synagogue was consecrated in a ceremony to which a choir and orchestra under Sydney Moss contributed most impressively.”

George Street remains very much what it was fifty years ago, but every here and there new shops of modern style are taking the place of the old buildings. At Park Street the ground reaches its greatest elevation, and here on the commanding site stand, side by side, the Town Hall and the Cathedral; the former being built on the site of an old burying-ground. The Town Hall is a handsome structure, though somewhat too florid in its style of architecture. The Cathedral was planned fifty years ago, and is now too small; but it is a fine specimen of the Gothic, and contrasts not unfavourably with the Italian edifice by its side. They both stand central and dominant in the city – the street here having widened out to a hundred and fifty feet.” P77

“Standing on the western edge of the Surry hills Plateau, the spectator looks down upon Redfern and the railway station. The site for what is now the centre of a very busy traffic was originally selected simply because there happened to be a vacant piece of ground there called the Cleveland Paddocks, and economy rather than convenience was the first consideration. The railway station was almost out of town when first built, but the suburbs have now so thickened round it that it is almost central to the population. The line of the first engineer was soon criticised by his successor, who pointed out that in a seaport the railway should be brought into close connection with the wharves.” P83

On the 26th September 1855 the first Sydney train station was named “Redfern” and opened at “Cleveland Flats” on the southern side of Devonshire Street. The station consisted of one wooden platform and a corrugated iron shed. Even though the station grew to contain 14 platforms, it was considered to be too far from the city, so an extension line was constructed to run a short distance in a northerly direction toward where Central Station (Sydney Terminal) stands today. On the northern side of Devonshire Street, another station named “Eveleigh” was built in 1876, a little less than one mile from the old “Redfern Station” in the direction of Parramatta. Nine years later Eveleigh’s platforms and some buildings were rebuilt at a new location a little further down the track. This new station was also named Redfern on the 21st October 1906, a little over two months after the official opening of Central Station on the 4th August 1906, then the original Redfern Station shown in the drawing by William Fitler was demolished.
The cylindrical building, (Highest on the skyline), was the Agricultural Exhibition Building in nearby Prince Alfred Park, beyond which is the city of Sydney. The Exhibition Building was built in 1870 and was home to the annual Agricultural Show, it was demolished in 1954 to make provision for an Olympic pool and an ice skating rink.
The rail tracks in the foreground are tram tracks while the railway line and platforms are to the right. A special area was set aside for horse-carts and hansom cabs.

“Sunday the 2nd May 1875, NSW will have its own art gallery, following a decision by the colony’s government to establish and subsidise a gallery run by the council of the NSW Academy of Art. Sir Alfred Stephen, Messrs J. R. Fairfax, Eccleston Du Faur, E. L. Montefioren and J. H. Thomas have been appointed to the gallery as trustees.
The gallery will be situated in the building formerly known as Clark’s Assembly Rooms in Elizabeth Street, Sydney.”
A second building constructed of timber and iron designated as the “Fine Arts Annex” was designed by William Wardell. The building was erected in the Domain late in 1879 to house the state’s art collection during the time of the Crystal Palace International Exhibition. Rising damp, termites and the fire at the Crystal Palace convinced the Trustees in 1883, to rebuild and exhibit our remarkable state treasures in the grand Art Gallery we cherish today.

“Then comes the steep recess of Lavender Bay, the street from the wharf at the head of which is a long flight of steps cut in the solid rock, leading picturesquely, if somewhat toilsomely, to the streets above.
MacMahon’s is another ferry-landing, the road running at a stiff gradient up to the higher land. Then comes Berry’s Bay and Ball’s Head Bay, both deeply recessed, and the entrance to Lane Cove, an estuary running up a considerable distance into the hills, though only navigable for a few miles. P72

“Then come Berry’s Bay and Balls Head, both deeply recessed, and the entrance to Lane Cove, an estuary running up a considerable distance into the hills, and though only navigable for a few miles. This northern side of Sydney Harbour has deep a water frontage as the southern, but the rise from the shore is steeper, and the high ground is scored by deep gorges of Middle Harbour and Lane Cove, and the many lateral valleys running down to them. The surface is thus broken up into ridges and gullies, the main road running along the summit.
The soil on the high ground has been found admirably adapted to orangeries and orchids, and market gardens abound for many miles inland.
This orchid cultivation characterises all the district westward as far as Parramatta-indeed, the line of the river may almost be said to be the line of the orange culture, the lower land on the south side being more exposed to frosts and mists than the warm ridges on the northern side.
Hunter’s Hill occupies the peninsular between Lane Cove and the Parramatta River, affording a large water frontage to the waterside residences. The hill is covered with villas not less picturesque, though less imposing than those found about the foreshores nearer the city. The soil here is loamy, and being set a little inland from the salt sea-breezes, rich and delicate vegetation makes a more luxuriant display. The houses are mostly built of the fine sandstone which lies a few feet beneath the surface, and the gorgeous and glorious creepers are trained where ever balcony or trellis-work affords an opportunity. It is a richly floral district, and it is almost impossible to exaggerate the beauty and splendour of the rich masses of Bougainvillea which cover a whole house-side in the earliest days of spring, or of the climbing rose that makes a veritable “ field of cloth of gold ” over a hundred square feet of trellis in every spring and autumn. Nowhere else along the river or by the sea can be seen finer contrasts of colour and foliage, bananas and plantains by the water’s edge, cedars drooping on the slopes, hibiscus and flame-trees putting out their crimson and scarlet blooms, the tender green of the budding vine prophetic of the purple show of autumn, and the dark glossy leaves of the orange trees rich with their golden fruit.” P73

“To the eastward of the village of Randwick, and on the shore, is Coogee Bay. The whole beach is reserved for the public from point to point, and on both rocky headlands there are liberal spaces in frequent use as picnic grounds. The beach is a popular promenade and a favourite bathing-place, the tramway running down to its edge bringing on holidays multitudes of the city folk to enjoy the freshness of the pure salt water and the Pacific breezes.
To the northward of Coogee is another reserved beach, skirting Bondi Bay, the tram-road reaching within half a mile of the water. To the southward lie other bays, especially Maroubra Bay and Low Bay, but these have not yet been made accessible by the tram, or even by good roads; but they are both available for future marine esplanades.” P95

Watson’s Bay, South Head: -
“ This is a favourite holiday resort, and also the nearest landing place for those who wist to climb to the South Head and look down on the long wash of the Pacific. On the summit of the cliff is the great lighthouse, the reflection of whose electric beam is seen for sixty miles out to sea. Between the lighthouse and the inner South Head is a fissure in the seaward face of the cliff, known as Jacob’s Ladder, only to be attempted by an agile climber, and down which descended the brave Icelandic lad who took succour to the “Dunbar’s” sole survivor, lying in a ledge above the tragic “Gap.”
“ Here too, frowning grimly above fair green mounds of turf are the great guns pointing out to sea, and nearer the Inner Head others of heavier metal are fixed on pivots in pits cut in the rock. Below them is a torpedo depot, and at Camp Cove is the pilot station, to which is attached a steamer kept in constant readiness for disaster or emergency. Right out beyond the guns, and almost on the extreme edge of the inner South Head, stands the Hornby Lighthouse, with its striped tower, whose fixed red light makes so noticeable a feature in the darkness when entering the Sydney Heads at night.” P69

“Middle Head a broad, bold peninsular. On the point of this, looking straight out to sea, stands the greatest fortification of Sydney. The gun – carriages are placed in shallow circular wells; the rock is caverned with magazines, and the powerful guns sweep all the water’s face in front. To this point come the artillery, professional, and volunteer, to practice marksmanship, and to learn with accuracy the distance of any point that could be occupied by an invading foe. Often on a Saturday afternoon the headlands are alive with spectators watching the practice. Here too, the scientific manoeuvres of the Easter encampment are elaborately gone through, while a detachment of infantry occupies an entrenched camp on the summit and rehearses the operations necessary to prevent a landing on either of the Middle Head bays, and in an attempt to take the forts in the rear. At the foot of the cliff at St. Georges Head are embrasures reached by tunnels, in which are guns that command the line of the bar intended to protect any boom which might be constructed, or sweep the area of the torpedo field.” ” P71/2

“At the head of North Harbour lies the village of Manly, situated on a flat between the North Head on the one side and the Manly Heights on the other. This flat is really an old harbour mouth, which has been slowly barred up by the sand washed up by centuries of billows. The Corso, as the level street is named, which runs from the landing jetty to the beach, is only a few hundred yards in length. Manly, therefore, has this special peculiarity as a watering-place, that it is a harbour-side and a sea-side village all in one, and in a walk of a few minutes the visitor can pass from a land locked sheet of water, smooth and transparent as a lake, to the ocean beach, fretted with the long roll of the Pacific.” ” P70

“Flowers fill all the bush about Manly in the spring Hearth-like epacrids of many varieties carpet the table-lands; wattles, of various shades of yellow, bloom in the scrub on the flats; waratahs or native tulips shine like crimson cones in the gullies; the aromatic native roses and other boroneas grow in profusion; the gold and silver stars of Bethleham lie thickly tufted on the ground, and on many rocky faces of the coast ravines are beautiful orchids called rock-lilies.” P71

“Yachting, also has always been a favourite recreation in the colonies. The romantically picturesque harbour of Sydney in the season is white with sails of various craft gliding to and fro across the bright waters of the bay like the white wings of the graceful sea birds, and making the pleasant scene instinct with life and movement. In the centennial year a gold cup valued at £500, and known as the “Hundred year Challenge Cup,” to be won twice by the same yacht, was offered by the Government of New South Wales. For this trophy the “Era,” “Magic,” “Mistral,” and the “Waitangi,” competed. The first named being the winner. The most important regatta of the year takes place in Sydney Harbour on Anniversary Day. On the Derwent in Tasmania, and on the rivers and harbours of the other colonies this branch of sport is enthusiastically pursued.”

“Aquatic sports have found a field for their exercise on the Parramatta and Nepean Rivers and Sydney Harbour in New South Wales ; on the Yarra and Albert Park Lake in Melbourne ; and on the harbours of most of the important Australian and New Zealand cities. In this connection it is almost unnecessary to mention the victories of Trickett, Beach, and Searle, who have obtained a world-wide reputation, and earned for Australia the aquatic championship of the world. The achievements of these and other famous New South Wales rowers have brought the colonies prominently before world, thus indirectly attracting population and contributing to the development of the country. The victories of Australian rowers in England have brought ex-champions to the colonies in search of their lost honours, and their unsuccessful efforts to re-capture the laurels which had been carried away from them, drew the eyes of the world in this direction. The case of Hanlon, for years the world’s champion, is an instance of this ; the results of contests in which he was engaged on the Nepean and Parramatta rivers were flashed all over the English speaking world within a few hours of the events themselves.” P796.

Text: "Picturesque Atlas of Australasia 1886"