76. Many convicts and guards were rewarded for slaughtering indigenous men, women and children. Chef Concierge: Josh Blake. Stay in the heart of the bustling Harbour City at this luxury Sydney Airbnb, ideal for a solo stay or couples retreat. British military officer who became the fifth Governor of New South Wales and was responsible for extensive social, economic and architectural development in the colony. Mel Gibson, Judy Davis, Baz Luhrmann, and Cate Blanchett attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art is based in Sydney. Looking for some fun and interesting facts about Sydney, Australia? After the end of transportation in 1840 and with the discovery of gold in 1851, immigration to the colony rose dramatically, resulting in an intense demand for housing. The Sydney Funnel Web Spider is one of the most dangerous spiders on Earth, able to kill a human in 15 minutes. In 2010, 80,000 runners participated which made it the largest run of its kind in the world. Small bay in Darling Harbour to the west of central Sydney. The pacemaker, a lifesaving electrical heart device, was created in 1926 by Dr. Mark Lidwill at the Crown Street Womens Hospital. 10) Sydney has more international students arrive on its shores than any other place on the planet. Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority, with the intention of demolishing most of the original buildings, re-developing them as high-density residential dwellings. The City2Surf is an annual 14-kilometre (8.7-mile) running race from the central business district to Bondi Beach and has been held since 1971. Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, the 2014 Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranks Sydney tenth in the world in terms of quality of living, making it one of the most livable cities. Home to the oldest university and library in Australia, Sydney has a lot more hidden facts and secrets. Sydney is home to the 'grey headed flying fox', the largest bat to be found in Australia. 80. It features a variety of souvenir and craft shops, as well as many themed and historic pubs. In 1823, the district had a population of about 1,200. Geodes are hollow, crystal-lined globular rock cavities found in sedimentary rocks like limestone (calcium carbonate) and dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate) or in volcanic rocks. Within the next 15 years, it is expected to exceed 6 million residents. 14) Sydney has over 100 beaches within its city limits. The significance of Church Hill dates back to the time of Governor Arthur Phillip, who mandated compulsory Sunday church attendance for all convicts, until they rebelled and burned down the areas first church in 1798. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is nicknamed "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design. 27. 50) Aboriginals have lived in the Sydney area for around 30,000 years, research has found. After phasing out the Australian 1 and 2-cent coins in 1991, the coins were melted down and used in the Sydney 2000 Olympics as Bronze Medals. 47. Sydney was ranked as one of the affordable cities in the world. So if you think there is any specific fun tidbit or the cultural fact that needs to be included, let me know! . Going behind the scenes at the Opera House with a knowledgeable guide is a fantastic way to learn interesting facts and hear fascinating stories about this World Heritage listing building. Because international moving companies need to schedule your move to Australia far in advance, some ask for 6 months in advance. Its weird that the sport isnt as popular in Sydney as it is in other cities. 12. It is one of many sedimentary formations in the Amadeus Basin. Superannuation In 1960, Robeson sang Ol' Man River to the construction workers. They took in lodgers the newly arrived convicts who slept in kitchens and skillions. 46. I actually got the chance to live there for a year on a working holiday visa, and it was easily one of the best decisions Ive made in my life! A really clever use for them! 4. When the neighborhood was founded, The Rocks area was a place that reflected the low-life slums. Know the fascinating facts and history of The Rocks at The Rocks Discovery Museum. Thats just for the first coat! Dictionary of Sydney | publisher = Dictionary of Sydney Trust | accessdate =, cite web | url = http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/the_rocks | title = The Rocks | accessdate =, George Robinson of Harrington St, taken in Cambridge St 1924. The Argyle features six bars set over two levels in one of the oldest buildings in The Rocks. Grace Karskens, The Rocks: Life in Early Sydney, Melbourne University Press, 1997, Grace Karskens, Inside the Rocks: The Archaeology of a Neighbourhood Hale & Iremonger, Sydney, 1999, George Morgan, 'History on the Rocks', in John Rickard and Peter Spearritt (eds), Packaging the Past? If they werent killed, they were moved away by force, sent to missions or died from foreign diseases brought to Australia by the British. 31) Rugby is the biggest sport followed in Sydney. The 102-year-old SS Ayrfield ship used during WWII as a transport ship was brought to Homebush Bay in Sydney in 1972 to be dismantled. Optimize LinkedIn Profile [10], When the first epidemic of bubonic plague broke out in Sydney in 1900, all eyes turned to the old working-class waterfront neighbourhoods. The city has carved out a name for itself in these sports as well! Much of its work was taken over by the new Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in 1999. IT'S ABOUT YOU. Sydney has the 7th largest percentage of foreign-born individuals in the world and immigrants account for 75 percent of Sydney's annual population growth. In September the city was declared free of plague and the yellow flag that had been flown at the Quarantine Stationwas taken down. [17] One ironic outcome of the Battle of The Rocks is that today only a handful of people live in the area, but more than 9 million people visit it every year. There were 480,000 visitors and 27,500 people staying overnight each day in 2012. Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sydney Opera House on October 20, 1973. Today the Rocks is a partly gentrified area, but still contains a significant proportion of Housing Commission properties, and there is still a significant problem of urban poverty and street crime in this district. History Walking Tour in The Rocks. The exact location of the Rocks, Sydney is on the southern shore of Sydney Harbor. meters of glass and 645 kilometers of electrical cable, which is one of the facts about Sydney Australia. Posted by Lauren | Expat Life in Australia. . The system circulates cold water from the harbour through 35 kilometres of pipes to power both the heating and air conditioning in the building. (Sydneyoperahouse.com). Hospital established by Governor Macquarie in 1815 just west of Fort Street on Observatory Hill. Chief executive of Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority 1970-. You can only visit with a tour, which run at 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00. The Queen has visited the Opera House four times since then. Waterway to the west of the city once surrounded by wharves, goods yards, woolstores and factories which contributed enormously to the city's economic wealth. This makes it the most populous city in Australia. Sydney is no small fry; this sprawling city measures a whopping 1,580 square kilometres across. 15. Australian Customs 85. Its famous sails are part of what makes its incredible design so unique. The Rocks Walking Tours: Fascinating facts about the Rocks - See 1,278 traveller reviews, 121 candid photos, and great deals for Sydney, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The punishment for convicts was being transported to Sydney rather than incarceration. The geographical area covered by urban Sydney is divided into 658 suburbs. 9) Sydney welcomes 10 million domestic visitors and 4 million international visitors per year. 34. People love it much due to the many areas of interest in this urban locality. Around 100 stalls can be found on the weekly Rocks Market. The Susannah Place Museum is located at 58-64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW. Thank you for supporting Sydney Moving Guide and keeping the lights on. They hunted and fished for food, and were very resourceful for tens of thousands of years before colonization. It's famous for its sun-drenched sandstone courtyard and it's packed dancefloor that keeps going into the wee hours. Small cove on western side of Sydney Cove between the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Dawes Point, named for the merchant Robert Campbell, who built his wharf and warehouses and an Indian-style bungalow there. Im truly in love with Sydney, so I thought itd be fun to compile a list of amazing and fun Sydney Facts thatll provide a deeper insight into the city, as well as helpful information tostart planning your big Aussie trip! Georgianbrick building at the southern end ofMacquarie Street. Essex and Harrington Street subdivision plan. Before the 1820's it was full of convicts and prostitutes, although this has changed from slums to three-story houses. This Sydney fact surprised me. Most of its parts were restored, with numerous cafes, restaurants, pubs, and nightlife spots livening the once squalid area. The first recorded death from plague in Sydney was that of Captain Thomas Dudley who died on February 22 at his home in Birchgrove and was buried at the Quarantine Station on February 24. It was named for the windmills that were built on its heights, and their owner, John Leighton, known as Jack the Miller. This tour was an excellent way to learn all about the history of the rocks in a fun and enjoyable way. My list of the best music festivals in Sydney will give you a music festival bucket list like you wont believe. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district. The trade union movement, and Jack Mundey of the Builders' Labourers' Federation, became involved in the protests and imposed green bans on building sites in the area. Chinese settlers arrived in Sydney from 1818 and their compatriots followed, especially after gold was discovered in New South Wales. 90. 66. During the late nineteenth century, the area was dominated by a gang known as the Rocks Push. But after the 1870s, this profile began to change as the wealthy increasingly abandoned city neighbourhoods for homes in the new suburbs. Numerous other outbreaks took place in subsequent years. While the governor and civil personnel lived on the more orderly eastern slopes of the Tank Stream, convict women and men appropriated land on the west. As the local population aged and passed away, houses became shops, cafes and galleries. Identification. They fenced off gardens and yards, established trades and businesses, built bread ovens and forges, opened shops and pubs, and raised families. Known for having the largest central business district and economy in Australia, there are many interesting facts about Sydney's economy. People are drawn to the historic appearance and ambience of The Rocks, for this once-common townscape is now so rare. 146. At the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on March 19, 1932, Francis De Groot, a retired cavalry officer, galloped forward on his horse and slashed the opening ribbon with his sword, declaring the bridge open in the name of the decent citizens of New South Wales'. The engineers placed 96 railway engines on the bridge to ensure it was up to the task of carrying so much weight. The ancient stories of the Aboriginal people are called The Dreamtime and Aboriginal history is now an important part of most school curriculums. Water Polo by the Sea is held there every year by Australian Water Polo with the Australia men's national water polo team take on the International All Stars. This is without doubt one of the best bars in Sydney for a big night out. Fun follow-up fact, Greenway was on the first Australian 10 dollar bill. It remained in use until 1850 when the military moved to Victoria Barracks. Princes Street, showing the first hotel on The Rocks. Sponsored Work Visas The Sydney Harbour Bridge is nicknamed The Coathanger because of its arch-based design. [media]In some streets, such as Atherden Street, children grew up surrounded by grandparents, aunts and uncles. =. It is located in New South Wales, Australia. Step back in time with The Rocks Walking Tours or wait outside historic Cadman's Cottage every evening at 6pm for the I'm Free Tour. That's more than two times the 780 square kilometres of The Big Apple. A passenger boat terminal and the Museum of Contemporary Art is also situated beside the Rocks area. As a result redevelopment of the area was severely limited. Max was a great host, spoke continuously for 3 hours on the history of the Rocks. This Sydney fact is a fundamental point of pride for Sydneysiders. Contact: View Website 02 9240 1100. 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