Realizing the bus route had changed earlier this month, to not include the Hyde Park end of town on its rounds, we made a quick decision to get off, luckily, right in front of the Strand Arcade.
A good time to take a cuppa break and enjoy the surrounds.
While in George Street, directly across from the Strand Arcade was a camera shop. Nicki had intended to get a few prices while in Sydney and its always interesting to take a look around the store.
Wandering toward Hyde Park we came across a group of masked Uni students. Gathering together for a photo, Heather didn't mind complying at all.
Passing through Hyde Park, around Archibald Fountain and seeing in the distance St Mary's Cathedral, we continue on to Hyde Park Barracks. With a $5.00 concession entry fee and audio around our necks we entered the interior.
This is Australia's first government built convict barrack. Built in the Macquarie era and completed in 1819. The building was constructed by convict labor under the direction of Francis Greenway. Necessarily built, due to the heavily increased convict transportation since 1814 and greater volumes of crime.
Prior to this, for around 30 years, convicts were assigned to
government services or private masters. The convicts were responsible for their own 'lodgings and fire' in private houses or hotels and were permitted to work for themselves after hours to pay for their accommodation. In the barracks, convicts were subjected to greater surveillance and their freedom was restricted.
Here is the comfy sleeping accommodation for the 'lags'....
Ok, its been a really big day for us old girls but we soldier on.
We head off down Macquarie Street passing Sydney hospital, I spent some time there when I was young, remembering large wards of around 20+ beds and the nurses station situated at the entry door with their starched white head veils and red capes. This was before the time of the 'little pig' that was placed out the front to raise funds for the hospital. The Sydney Eye Hospital is situated at the rear of the old building.
Next is State Parliament House, it is our oldest public building.
Our growing colony needed a proper hospital and in 1810 Governor Macquarie came to an arrangement with a consortium of businessmen. The contract came with a monopoly over the rum trade, hence the name Rum Hospital.
Completed in 1816. Over the next 30 years buildings were added to the north and south ends.
New South Wales Parliament still occupies the original building.
Then came the State Library new and old. We stopped for a late lunch in the library café. Later, Nicki was happy to sit and relax while Heather and I took a peek around the photo exhibition and the old library.
We passed the Mint, next time we will take a look inside but for now we are happy to head back to our room for a nana nap. All three of us threw ourselves on the beds and fell fast a sleep with feet up.....oh! what bliss...
An hour or so later we were up and out again as the sun set to capture some night shots. We ventured down under the Harbor Bridge, looking across to Luna Park and the North shore.
We kind of split up, trying for the best advantage spot so I walked up to Dawes Point Park, the Aboriginal name is 'Tar-ra'.
Lieutenant William Dawes (first fleet) was an astronomer sent out to establish an observatory, I found archaeological dig's in the process here also. I really enjoyed the night photography as I'm sure, did Nicki and Heather.
We came across the G'day café in the rocks and ordered hamburgers and chips for a late dinner that was lip slapping and yummy, then back to YHA for a well earned nights sleep.
