Sydney TV Tower Sydney. The best city on Earth. Sydney, Australia Buildings in Australia
The architecture of Australia reflects the free spirit, as well as the liberal attitude of the people towards the history, culture and traditions of the country. Let's look at 10 famous buildings in Australia that should show us that.
– Downtown High-Rises, Sydney, New South Wales
Top 10 Australia
Buildings in Australia
This list includes buildings included in tourist excursions, i.e. those buildings that need to be seen, and even better, visited. They have become the “face” of the country or city, notable for their architecture, history or features.
Interestingly, in the early 20th century, all cities in Australia banned the construction of buildings taller than 150 feet (45 m), which prevented the development of American-style skyscrapers until the ban was lifted in the late 1950s. Blind walls, aluminum cladding, and prestressed concrete have become standard features of tall buildings in cities. During these years, the “international” style was introduced, American “glass boxes” were copied. A new type of skyscrapers has appeared in Sydney and Melbourne. American influence is also manifested in the calculation of external effect, in stylized graceful design, an example of which is the resort town of Surfers Paradise - a smaller version of Miami.
In 1967, a 50-story cylindrical tower joined Sydney's skyscrapers. Australia Square Tower, built by one of the most prominent representatives of modern Australian architecture - the Austrian Harry Seidler, who settled in Sydney in 1948. It was the tallest building in Sydney until 1976. The architect continued to develop new methods of reinforced concrete architecture in the appearance of Australian cities (Seidler's residential buildings in Sydney).
In the 21st century, many Australian architects have adopted an avant-garde approach to design, resulting in truly unique buildings that reflect Australian culture and values. As a result, the Australian experience begins to spread its influence abroad, rather than the other way around, as has traditionally been the case.
– 1 – Sydney Opera House – (NSW)
– Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales
Opened in 1973 by the Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, today this theater is a true symbol of Australia. Interestingly, at one time this site on Bennelong Point was home to first a fort and then a tram depot, until it was decided to build a theater in 1958.
The creator of this outstanding building of modern architecture was the Dane Jorn Utzon, who received the highest award in the world of architecture - the Pritzker Prize - for his project.
The Sydney Opera House building covers an area of 2.2 hectares. Its maximum height is 185 meters, width is 120 meters. The famous theater roof consists of 2194 sections and weighs more than 27 tons! This entire seemingly airy structure is held in place by steel cables with a total length of 350 km. The top “shells” of the roof are covered with a million tiles of white and matte cream colors, which create different color schemes in different lighting conditions.
The Sydney Opera House remains controversial and is seen as a radical departure from traditional style.
– 2 – Government House (Parliament House) – (ACT)
– Government House, Capital Hill, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
In 1988, the government moved to the new parliament building. Project Parliament House made by New York architectural company Mitchell/Giurgola, and work on site was carried out under the guidance of an architect Romaldo Giurgola. At the time of construction, it was the most expensive building in the Southern Hemisphere, costing more than $1,100 million. The building was opened on May 9, 1988, the anniversary of the opening of the first federal parliament, and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
The Australian Parliament building in Canberra is one of the largest buildings in the southern hemisphere, it is located on Capital Hill and covers an area of \u200b\u200b32 hectares, and its 80-meter flagpole with the flag of the Australian Federation, the size of a double decker, is visible from everywhere in Canberra.
– 3 – Swan Bells – (WA)
– Swan Bells, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
One of the main attractions of Perth is the tower Bell Tower. This glass tower, better known as, surrounded by copper “sails” was built not so long ago (in December 2000), but it has already become a very popular city landmark. She stands by the river Barrack Square.
There are 18 bells in the tower. Twelve of the eighteen bells were given to Perth by England on Australia's bicentenary celebrations. Previously they belonged to the famous church St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. The first records of these bells date back to the 14th century, but since then they have been rung several times (most recently in 1770).
Now Swan Bells the tallest bell tower in the world. On the fourth level of the tower you can see the bells up close. The hall for bell ringers is located on the first level, and on the second, everyone can watch the performers at work through the glass. In addition, it houses a museum and an observation deck. Museum exhibition Swan Bells includes a set of orchestral bells (Tubular bells), carillon bells and much more related to the history of this musical instrument. On the sixth level there is an observation deck with all-round visibility.
– 4 – The Shine Dome – (ACT)
– The Shine Dome, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The Academy of Sciences building in Canberra has quite interesting architecture. It was built in the form of a dome, to be more specific, in the form of a segment of a flat dome. This building was originally known as Becker's house is a well-known Canberra landmark. It was designed by the architect Sir Roy Grounds. The dome has a diameter of 45.74 meters and was the largest in Australia when it was completed in 1959.
In 1962, the building was named Becker House, in honor of Academy member Jack Ellerton Becker. In 2000, it was renamed in honor of another Academy member, John Shine, who donated $1 million to repair the dome.
– 5 – Queen Victoria Building – (NSW)
– Queen Victoria Building, Sydney, New South Wales
Queen Victoria Building was designed by an architect George McRae. This unique architectural monument was built in 1898 on the site of the old food market in Sydney. The building was conceived as a monument dedicated to the long-reigning monarch. Its construction took place during difficult times for the city, accompanied by a deep recession. The building was specially designed in the majestic neo-Romanesque architectural style so that as many unemployed artisans as possible from among masons, plasterers, and stained glass artists could be involved in the construction work. Initially, the premises, which are now occupied by concert halls, cafes, offices and exhibitions, were intended for warehouses and various types of entrepreneurs (traders, tailors, hairdressers, florists, etc.).
Gradually, trading shops began to give way to concert halls, and then a large library was located here. The number of offices grew. Especially here, piano tuners, palmists and clairvoyants liked to rent premises for representative offices. The building underwent a radical “reconstruction” in the 1930s, when the Sydney City Council became its main tenant. And in 1959 over Queen Victoria Building the threat of demolition looms. But it was subsequently decided to leave the structure, and today the Queen Victoria Building still dominates the city. It is living proof of the extraordinary skill of the artisans who were involved in its construction.
– Royal Clock
The area of the building occupies an entire city block. Its dominant structure is the huge central dome, consisting of an inner glass part and an outer copper shell. Next to the dome is the original 19th century staircase, and inside the building everything is designed in a magnificent architectural style and decorated with stunning stained glass windows. Today, every detail of the decoration has been restored, including the arches, columns, balustrades and intricate tile patterns on the floor. Fortunately, the integrity of the original structure was preserved during the reconstruction.
On the round stained glass window depicting the coat of arms of Sydney, local residents tried to place concise information about the city. The image of a beehive here symbolizes the hard work of the townspeople, a sailboat indicates extensive trade relations, and dolphins, according to the artist’s plan, are satellites of the sea harbor. The letters IGB, which can be found in the decor, are an abbreviation for the name of the Malaysian company that was involved in the restoration of the building (Ipoh Gardens Berhad).
– 6 – St. Mary’s Cathedral – (NSW)
– St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, New South Wales
Australia's largest church, the Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians, is located in the heart of Sydney's business centre. Long a national shrine, in 1930 it received the honorary status of "minor basilica", which means that if the Pope visits the country, he can stay in this cathedral.
The history of the cathedral spans almost two centuries. Australia, as we know, was populated by exiles and convicts, many of whom were Catholics and who were prohibited from practicing their religion until 1820. Only after the declaration of religious freedom in the country did it become possible to build a Catholic church in Sydney.
The first stone for the foundation of the Catholic Church was laid on October 29, 1821. After a short time, the church was completed; it was built in the neo-Gothic style, in the shape of a Latin cross. Since 1842, when the Catholic diocese was formed in Sydney, the church began to serve as a cathedral. In 1865, a fire broke out in the cathedral, almost completely destroying it.
The first stone for the foundation of the new cathedral was laid in 1868. The construction of the gigantic building took a very long time and in stages. In 1882, the premises of the first stage of construction of the building were consecrated. The main nave was not completed until 1928. The richly decorated crypt was completed in 1961. For many years there were no spiers above the two towers of the cathedral's façade, creating a feeling of incompleteness. In 2000, with financial support from the country's government, the spiers above the towers were finally erected.
The dimensions of the structure are impressive: its length is 107 m, the width of the nave is 24.3 m, the height of the nave to the ceiling is 22.5 m, the height of the tower above the middle cross is 46.3 m, the height of the towers of the southern facade is 74.6 m.
– 7 – Australian Cinema Center (ACMI) – (VIC)
– Australian Center for the Moving Image, Melbourne, Victoria
Australian Center for the Moving Image (ACMI/Australian Center for the Moving Image) or Australian Center for the Moving Image the main part of Federation Square. Entrance to this center is free and it houses art galleries, museums, cinemas, restaurants, bars, shops and exhibition halls. It is the center of social and cultural life in Melbourne, and one of the city's most popular attractions.
A major architectural competition was held for the future design of the complex in 1997, which received more than 170 different options for the future center of Melbourne. The winners of the competition were Peter Davidson and Donald Bates. The project caused a lot of controversy due to its uncharacteristically provocative architecture for Australia. Initially, the budget for the construction of the square was supposed to be about 120 million dollars, but after confirmation of the final project, the amount increased almost twofold and amounted to 467 million.
All the buildings in the square have an irregular shape - the designers called them “shards”, and this name stuck and is used to this day. The official opening of Federation Square took place in 2002. The buildings of the complex include the National Gallery (Australian art), the Cinema Museum (ACMI) with a cinema, the BMW Edge hall, the Horse Racing Museum (pictured below):
In 2005, Federation Square was included in the list of "10 Great Central Squares" in the world.
– 8 – Sydney Tower – (NSW)
– Sydney Tower, Sydney, New South Wales
Sydney Tower, it is Sydney's tallest building. And the second largest structure in Australia. Height Sydney Tower– 305 meters. This architectural landmark can be seen from all points of the city and from all adjacent satellite towns. Fortunately for tourists, the tower is open to the general public, so you can do the opposite: not look at the tower from all the surroundings, but look at the surroundings from the tower. Tourists flock to the tower, mainly because of the observation deck, which is installed at an altitude of 250 meters above ground level. The viewing angle of the surroundings is 360 degrees. The site is completely closed, but there you can find out information about external conditions - wind speed, direction, amplitude of the tower's swing. Coming down from Sydney Tower, you can get to the shopping center, which is its base.
The construction of this structure began in 1970 and was completed in 1975. However, it opened to visitors 6 years after the end of construction. The tower is designed to accommodate 960 people at the same time.
– 9 – Q1 Tower – (QLD)
– Q1 Tower, Gold Coast, Queensland
Queensland Number One- this is the name of the tallest residential building in the world in 2006 (the baton was taken over by the Marina Torch skyscraper in Dubai), on the observation deck of this building - "Sky Point" - you can drink a cup of coffee and admire the surrounding views from a bird's eye view. The Q1 building has become a landmark on the Gold Coast. The view of the canals of the Nerang river, the long ocean coastline and high-rise buildings create a feeling of unreality. The feeling of being in the future. The Q1 Tower is 323 meters high and has 78 floors, making it the tallest in Australia.
Space in the building immediately after construction was sold out like hot cakes. One Japanese restaurant managed to buy its place for only 9 million Australian dollars. This is the largest property deal in Queensland history.
Q1 Tower was designed by Atelier SDG, and its shape was inspired by the Sydney 2000 Olympic flame and the Sydney Opera House. The name of the skyscraper is given in honor of members of the Australian Olympic rowing team of the 1920s. The building turned out to be truly enchanting. In 2005, the tower won the silver medal at the Emporis Prize, which is awarded for the best skyscraper of the year.
Q1 is supported by 26 piles that go 40 meters into the ground and 4 meters into the hard rock. The observation deck, which can accommodate 400 people, is located between the 77th and 78th floors.
– 10 – Eureka Tower – (VIC)
– Eureka Tower and Flinders Street Station Dome, Melbourne, Victoria
Eureka Tower- a skyscraper decorating the Melbourne coastline. The height of the structure is 297 meters (91 floors and 1 underground). Construction of the facility began in August 2002 and was completed on June 1, 2006. The official opening took place on October 11, 2006. The project was designed by Melbourne architectural firm Fender Katsalidis Architects, and construction was carried out by the Australian company Grollo Australia.
The skyscraper is named after the uprising at a gold mine in Victoria, which took place during the Australian Gold Rush. This event is also reflected not only in the name, but also in the design of the structure, which contains the element of a golden crown, symbolizing the “gold rush,” and a red stripe, a symbol of the blood shed during the uprising. The blue glass that covers most of the skyscraper's surface reflects the blue background of the rebel flag, and the white lines reflect the scale on the gold miners' measuring watering can.
– View of Melbourne from Rialto Towers. That tall building like a needle is Eureka Tower.
During the construction of the skyscraper, concrete was used using the moving formwork method. In total, 110,000 tons of concrete were used, as well as 5,000 tons of reinforcing steel, the construction cost was about 500 million Australian dollars. The top ten floors of Eureka Tower feature 24 carat pure gold glazing.
But the skyscraper is notable not only for its striking appearance. This is perhaps the largest skyscraper in the world in terms of population. The basement and 9 above ground floors are a parking lot. Residential apartments are located, in whole or in part, on 84 floors.
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There are cities that you want to return to again and again. Sydney is one of them. I have been there more than once, but every time this city inspires and enchants.
The eternal competition for superiority between Sydney and Melbourne (I wrote about this) takes place with varying degrees of success, but regularly both cities are recognized as one of the most convenient for living. Melbourne, of course, is very good, but in my personal rating Sydney still wins.
Today we will take a walk through the center of Sydney (in Australia, the business center of the city is called CBD - Central Business Distrcit) - from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour. Other delights of the city - the Sydney Bridge, the famous Opera House, a ferry ride across the bay, views from the Sydney Tower - await us in the next episodes.
Today's points of interest on the Sydney city center map (1):
Circular Key
The view of Circular Quay from Port Jackson Bay is one of the “calling cards” of Sydney, along with the Opera House and the Sydney Bridge. Ferries depart from the waterfront piers to different parts of the city, and behind them rise the skyscrapers of the CBD.
The silhouette of the embankment is created (from right to left): Gateway Plaza (black skyscraper on the right, 164 meters, 46 floors), AMP Center tower (188 m, 45 floors). Behind the AMP tower is the Governor Phillip Tower (227 m, 54 floors). To the left of the AMP Center is a building with two flags on the roof - AMP Building (115 m, 26 floors). This skyscraper, built in 1962, was the first high-rise building after the city allowed the construction of buildings taller than 50 meters. Behind the AMP Building is the Intercontinental Hotel (100 m, 30 floors). Finally, the lone high-rise building on the left is Key Apartments (95 meters, 25 floors). (2)
On the embankment. (3)
Circular Quay was once a port area. A reminder of this is the old customs building (Custom House). Nowadays the city library is located here. (4)
The Museum of Modern Art is located by the water. (5)
From Circular Quay you can take a speedboat tour of the bay. (6)
In the CBD, pompous buildings of the Victorian era coexist peacefully with modern skyscrapers, the coolness of Protestant cathedrals and the canopy of parks with the bustle of the streets, and the ever-hurrying white-collar workers with idly wandering tourists.
Let's delve into the labyrinth of CBD streets starting from Circular Quay. However, in relation to Sydney, “labyrinths of streets” is an unjustified cliche. The layout of the center of Sydney, set by Darling Harbor on the west and the parkland on the east, is quite correct - a dozen main streets run strictly from north to south, and the same number intersect them in a perpendicular direction.
Once in the CBD, you find yourself on narrow streets shaded by skyscrapers. However, the vastness of high-rise buildings does not overwhelm - the lower tier of the urban environment with numerous cafes, restaurants, and public institutions is quite friendly.
One of the “vertical” streets of CDB is Phillip Street. On the right is the Sydney Museum, on the left is the Aurora Place Tower, a 41-story Art Nouveau skyscraper 188 meters high. (7)
The Museum of Sydney stands on the site of Australia's first government building, built in 1878. The museum is located at the base of the Governor Phillip Tower, named after the first governor of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip. (8)
Let's continue our acquaintance with the CBD skyscrapers lining Phillip Street. This is Chifley Tower (216 meters, 53 floors). (9)
The next building is Deutsche Bank (160 meters, 39 floors). The characteristic spire of this structure (and with it the height of the building is 240 meters) is easily recognizable in any panorama of the city. (10)
The tallest building in the city is Sydney Tower. This 309-meter tower is visible from anywhere in the city. There is an observation deck on the tower, which we will climb to in one of the following episodes. On the lower floors of the tower is the Westfield shopping center. The sandy building in the frame is the David Jones department store. (eleven)
The CBD does not live solely on skyscrapers - in the center of Sydney there are many pedestrian areas, malls and arcades. Pedestrian shopping area on Pitt Street. (12)
Classic buildings with establishments founded, like this pharmacy, back in the 19th century have been preserved here. (13)
Sydney's oldest shopping arcade is The Strand. (14-16)
Diverse crowd on Pitt Street. (17-19)
Sydney Square and Queen Victoria Building
The central point of the CBD is the square in front of the city hall (Sydney Square) at the intersection of George Street and Druitt Street.
The Sydney City Hall (Townhall) with its tall clock tower looks quite organic against the backdrop of skyscrapers. On the flagpoles are the Australian flag and the Aboriginal banner. (20)
Near the municipality is St Andrew's Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Australia. (21)
Skyscrapers Sydney Square. On the left is Energy Ostrelia (99 meters, 28 floors). Behind it is HSBC Center (151 m, 37 floors). On the right is the Lumiere residential building (151 m, 47 floors). (22)
George Street is the longest and busiest street in the CBD, running north to south from Central Station to Sydney Bridge. An entire block along George Street is occupied by the Quinn Victoria Building (CVB), a building erected in 1898 as a fruit market. Now there are many shops and restaurants located here. (23)
Monument to Queen Victoria in front of the KVB (24)
KVB should be visited even if you are not interested in shopping - the architecture and interiors of the building are impressive. (25-26)
One of the decorations of KVB is the Royal Clock (27)
Another impressive hanging clock, the Great Australian Clock depicts scenes of the colonization of the continent: (28)
Aborigines before the arrival of the whites. (29)
Captain Cook's landing in 1770. (thirty)
Whites take Aboriginal children. (31)
Hyde Park and Domain
Sydney is a very green city. To the east of the CBD there is a vast park area - Hyde Park, Domain Park and the Botanical Garden.
Two blocks from Sydney Square is Hyde Park, with the ANZAC Memorial at the southern end and St Mary's Cathedral at the northern end. The compositional center of Hyde Park is the Archibald Fountain against the backdrop of St. Mary's Cathedral and Sydney Tower. (32-33)
St. Mary's Cathedral is one of the largest Catholic churches in Australia, architecturally more interesting than St. Andrew's Cathedral. (34)
The ANZAC Memorial is dedicated to the Australian-New Zealand Allied Corps, which fought in the First World War in Europe and suffered enormous losses. There are monuments to ANZAC and the victims of the First World War in almost every city in Australia. (35)
The alleys and lawns of Hyde Park are a convenient place for people-watching. (36-40)
Hyde Park is adjacent to Domain Park. Football and rugby are played on the huge lawns of the park, runners and joggers scurry along the alleys, and all this is against the backdrop of a panorama of CBD high-rises. From left to right - Sydney Tower, the multifaceted tower of the MLC insurance company (228 m, 60 floors), Westpac Bank with a red beech W on the facade (119 m, 30 floors) and the already familiar Deutsche Bank and Chifley Tower. (41)
Art Gallery of NSW in Domain Park. (42-43)
View of Woolloomooloo, an upscale bohemian residential area east of Domain Hill. We will also visit Woolloomooloo in one of the following episodes. (44)
Darling Harbor
To the west of the CBD, around the bay of the same name, Darling Harbor is a recreation and entertainment area. The Sydney Aquarium, the Maritime Museum, a convention center, a casino are located here, and various concerts and festivals are held. Sydney residents with their entire families and groups of visiting tourists come here to relax and have fun.
The modern appearance of the area is determined by the development of the mid-80s - 90s, and Darling Harbor gained particular popularity after the ring monorail was opened in 1988, the year of Australia’s 200th anniversary, connecting it with the CBD and neighboring Haymarket.
The western shore of Darling Harbor is linked to the CBD by the Pyrmont Bridge pedestrian bridge. There is a monorail over the bridge. (45-46)
At the eastern end of the bridge is the Darling Park monorail station... (47-48)
...and on the west is Harborside station. (49)
Sydney Aquarium with CBD in the background. (50)
On the other side of the bay is the maritime museum. (51)
One of the museum exhibits. (52)
The lighthouse is also part of the exhibition. (53)
Australian flag over Darling Harbour. In the background are exhibits of the Maritime Museum: the destroyer Vampire and the submarine Onslow. (54)
CBD panorama - view from the western part of Darling Harbour. The white building in the center is the Four Points Hotel. To the right are the three Darling Park towers, occupied by Commonwealth, PWC and Rabobank banks. (55)
Darling Park Towers and Maritime Museum. (56)
King Street Wharf and several other small high-rises (from left to right) - AON Tower (128 m, 35 floors), Veritas Tower (95 m, 32 floors) and Westpac Towers (166 m, 40 floors). (57)
The bay is busy with cruise and scheduled ferries. (58)
If desired, you can use a water taxi. (59)
Pyrmont Bridge - view from the maritime museum. (60)
The Sydney Convention Center is located on the shores of Darling Harbor. (61)
The spiraling fountain in front of the convention center adds a little coolness. (62)
The Darling Harbor waterfront is one of the favorite vacation spots for Sydney residents. (63-64)
Highmarket and Chinatown
Adjacent to Darling Harbor to the south is the Highmarket area. There are markets, hotels, Sydney Central Station and Chinatown - Chinatown.
Highmarket monorail station. (65)
The main attraction of the area is the huge indoor market Market City. (66)
Signs with Chinese characters indicate that we are in Chinatown. (67)
A gate is a must for Chinatown in any city in the world. (68)
That's probably enough for today.
Icons of Sydney - Sydney Bridge and Opera House
- Ferry ride on Port Jackson Bay
- The Rocks, Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo
- Sydney: top view
PS. Which photo format suits you best?
Starting with this post, I decided to switch to photographs of a slightly larger format - 1000x666 pixels. I used to use 900x600 format for blog posts.
Unfortunately, I can’t do a poll about this (I have a regular account, not a paid one), so if photo size is important to you, answer in the comments what resolution you prefer.
1000 x 667
- More than 1000 x 667
- 900 x 600
- Less than 900 x 600
Sights of Sydney
1. Sydney Opera House
Located on the waterfront,Sydney Opera Houseis one of the most famous buildings in the world and an iconic Sydney landmark. Considered an architectural masterpiece of the 20th century. The Sydney Opera House was designed and built by the architect Jorn Utson; in the theater building he tried to reflect the image of a huge sailing ship entering the harbor. The Sydney Opera House hosts more than 1,500 productions a year.
Official website: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
2. Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is one of Australia's most famous beaches and is well known around the world, a true Sydney beach landmark. Located a short walk from Sydney's central business district, Bondi Beach is almost 2 kilometers of golden sand, red-tiled houses and green spaces.The promenade, which goes directly to the beach and is shaped like a crescent.Bondi Beach attracts swimmers, surfers and sun-seekers from all over the world.
Official website: www.bondivillage.com
3. Queen Victoria Building
Queen Victoria House(or QVB), is a building built at the end of the nineteenth century according to the design of the architect George Mac Ray in the CBD Sydney. The building was built in Romanesque stylebetween 1893 and 1898.It was originally built as a market, but has been used for many other purposes.
Now, it is a huge five-story shopping center that fills an entire city block and houses more than 200 stores.
Official website: www.qvb.com.au
4. Sydney Tower
Sydney Tower, it is the tallest building in Sydney And second tallest observation tower in Southern Hemisphere , after Auckland Tower, although the main observation deck at the Sydney Tower Eye is almost 50 meters higher. B Ashnya is also known as Sydney Tower Eye, AMP Tower, Westfield Centrepoint Tower, Tower Centrepoint or simply Centrepoint. Sydney Tower is a member of the World Federation of Tall Towers.
The top floor is located at an altitude of 260 meters. The building was designed in 1970year, was built during the period from 1975 to 1981.
Official website: www.sydneytowereye.com.au
5. Sydney Harbor Bridge
The famous Sydney Harbor Bridge is one of the largest arch bridges in the world and the largest in Australia. Harbor Bridge is the world's tallest steel arch bridge. The best view of the bridge occurs when entering the harbor, from the deck of a cruise ship. The Harbor Bridge is an iconic Sydney landmark along with the Sydney Opera House.
It connects Sydney's northern suburbs to the city centre, making it an important link in Sydney's transport infrastructure.more than 200,000 cars pass through it every day.
6. Darling Harbor
Darling Harbour, rebuilt in the 1980s, rSituated just outside the city's central business district, it is now home to some of Sydney's most popular tourist attractions, including the National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, Aboriginal Center and the world's largest screen IMAX cinema.
7. Royal Botanic Gardens
Founded in 1816, the Royal Botanic Gardens are located between the Sydney Opera House and the city's parkland.Overlooking the harbour, the botanical garden contains over 7,500 plant species, many of which are endemic. Opened in 1816, the garden is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historical botanic gardens in the world.
Official website: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
8. The Rocks District
Situated between the Harbor Bridge and the northern edge of Sydney's CBD, The Rock is the city's oldest precinct.Named after the rocky shoreline, The Rock was the first permanent European settlement in Australia and the place where modern Australian history began.
By the end of the 19th century, the area had degenerated into a slum filled with taverns and brothels.In the 1970s, the city began a huge restoration project to save the area's historic homes.Today, it is a popular tourist destination, with many art galleries, chic boutiques, trendy restaurants and gift shops.
9. Australian National Maritime Museum
One of Sydney's many attractions is the recently redeveloped Darling Harbor, home to Australian National Maritime Museum, which is famous the 19th century ship James Craig and a full-scale replica of Captain James Cook's Endeavor.The museum's seven main galleries cover the country's maritime history.
10. Sydney Harbor
Sydney Bay is considered the most beautiful natural harbor among cruise ports in the world.Its sparkling waters and iconic landmarks attract tourists from all over the world who want enjoy the beauty of the harbour. On any given day it is dotted with sailboats, ferries and cruise ships, standing out against the blue water.
Book a harbor tour and you won't be disappointed, as the water offers truly stunning views of most of Sydney's attractions, including iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
But of course, the most ideal view of the city and the harbor can only be seen from a cruise ship entering the bay; Australia's main cruise port is located in Sydney.
11. Taronga Zoo
Located in Sydney's Mosman area, on the slopes of the harbour, Taronga Zoo, o the bottom of Sydney's most famous landmarks. Taronga Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals, including endemic animals, as well as rare and endangered exotic animals.Overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is just 12 minutes from the city by ferry.
There are cities that you want to return to again and again. Sydney is one of them. I have been there more than once, but every time this city inspires and enchants.
The eternal competition for supremacy between Sydney and Melbournepasses with varying success, but regularly both cities are recognized as one of the most convenient for living. Melbourne, of course, is very good, but in my personal rating Sydney still wins.
Today we will take a walk through the center of Sydney (in Australia, the business center of the city is called CBD - Central Business Distrcit) - from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour. Other delights of the city - the Sydney Bridge, the famous Opera House, a ferry ride across the bay, views from the Sydney Tower - await us in the next episodes.
Today's points of interest on the Sydney city center map (1):
Circular Key
The view of Circular Quay from Port Jackson Bay is one of the “calling cards” of Sydney, along with the Opera House and the Sydney Bridge. Ferries depart from the waterfront piers to different parts of the city, and behind them rise the skyscrapers of the CBD.
The silhouette of the embankment is created (from right to left): Gateway Plaza (black skyscraper on the right, 164 meters, 46 floors), AMP Center tower (188 m, 45 floors). Behind the AMP tower is the Governor Phillip Tower (227 m, 54 floors). To the left of the AMP Center is a building with two flags on the roof - AMP Building (115 m, 26 floors). This skyscraper, built in 1962, was the first high-rise building after the city allowed the construction of buildings taller than 50 meters. Behind the AMP Building is the Intercontinental Hotel (100 m, 30 floors). Finally, the lone high-rise building on the left is Key Apartments (95 meters, 25 floors). (2)
On the embankment. (3)
Circular Quay was once a port area. A reminder of this is the old customs building (Custom House). Nowadays the city library is located here. (4)
The Museum of Modern Art is located by the water. (5)
From Circular Quay you can take a speedboat tour of the bay. (6)
CBD
In the CBD, pompous buildings of the Victorian era coexist peacefully with modern skyscrapers, the coolness of Protestant cathedrals and the canopy of parks with the bustle of the streets, and the ever-hurrying white-collar workers with idly wandering tourists.
Let's delve into the labyrinth of CBD streets starting from Circular Quay. However, in relation to Sydney, “labyrinths of streets” is an unjustified cliche. The layout of the center of Sydney, set by Darling Harbor on the west and the parkland on the east, is quite correct - a dozen main streets run strictly from north to south, and the same number intersect them in a perpendicular direction.
Once in the CBD, you find yourself on narrow streets shaded by skyscrapers. However, the vastness of high-rise buildings does not overwhelm - the lower tier of the urban environment with numerous cafes, restaurants, and public institutions is quite friendly.
One of the “vertical” streets of CDB is Phillip Street. On the right is the Sydney Museum, on the left is the Aurora Place Tower, a 41-story Art Nouveau skyscraper 188 meters high. (7)
The Museum of Sydney stands on the site of Australia's first government building, built in 1878. The museum is located at the base of the Governor Phillip Tower, named after the first governor of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip. (8)
Let's continue our acquaintance with the CBD skyscrapers lining Phillip Street. This is Chifley Tower (216 meters, 53 floors). (9)
The next building is Deutsche Bank (160 meters, 39 floors). The characteristic spire of this structure (and with it the height of the building is 240 meters) is easily recognizable in any panorama of the city. (10)
The tallest building in the city is Sydney Tower. This 309-meter tower is visible from anywhere in the city. There is an observation deck on the tower, which we will climb to in one of the following episodes. On the lower floors of the tower is the Westfield shopping center. The sandy building in the frame is the David Jones department store. (eleven)
The CBD does not live solely on skyscrapers - in the center of Sydney there are many pedestrian areas, malls and arcades. Pedestrian shopping area on Pitt Street. (12)
Classic buildings with establishments founded, like this pharmacy, back in the 19th century have been preserved here. (13)
Sydney's oldest shopping arcade is The Strand. (14-16)
Diverse crowd on Pitt Street. (17-19)
Sydney Square and Queen Victoria Building
The central point of the CBD is the square in front of the city hall (Sydney Square) at the intersection of George Street and Druitt Street.
The Sydney City Hall (Townhall) with its tall clock tower looks quite organic against the backdrop of skyscrapers. On the flagpoles are the Australian flag and the Aboriginal banner. (20)
Near the municipality is St Andrew's Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Australia. (21)
Skyscrapers Sydney Square. On the left is Energy Ostrelia (99 meters, 28 floors). Behind it is HSBC Center (151 m, 37 floors). On the right is the Lumiere residential building (151 m, 47 floors). (22)
George Street is the longest and busiest street in the CBD, running north to south from Central Station to Sydney Bridge. An entire block along George Street is occupied by the Quinn Victoria Building (CVB), a building erected in 1898 as a fruit market. Now there are many shops and restaurants located here. (23)
Monument to Queen Victoria in front of the KVB (24)
KVB should be visited even if you are not interested in shopping - the architecture and interiors of the building are impressive. (25-26)
One of the decorations of KVB is the Royal Clock (27)
Another impressive hanging clock, the Great Australian Clock depicts scenes of the colonization of the continent: (28)
Aborigines before the arrival of the whites. (29)
Captain Cook's landing in 1770. (thirty)
Whites take Aboriginal children. (31)
Hyde Park and Domain
Sydney is a very green city. To the east of the CBD there is a vast park area - Hyde Park, Domain Park and the Botanical Garden.
Two blocks from Sydney Square is Hyde Park, with the ANZAC Memorial at the southern end and St Mary's Cathedral at the northern end. The compositional center of Hyde Park is the Archibald Fountain against the backdrop of St. Mary's Cathedral and Sydney Tower. (32-33)
St. Mary's Cathedral is one of the largest Catholic churches in Australia, architecturally more interesting than St. Andrew's Cathedral. (34)
The ANZAC Memorial is dedicated to the Australian-New Zealand Allied Corps, which fought in the First World War in Europe and suffered enormous losses. There are monuments to ANZAC and the victims of the First World War in almost every city in Australia. (35)
The alleys and lawns of Hyde Park are a convenient place for people-watching. (36-40)
Hyde Park is adjacent to Domain Park. Football and rugby are played on the huge lawns of the park, runners and joggers scurry along the alleys, and all this is against the backdrop of a panorama of CBD high-rises. From left to right - Sydney Tower, the multifaceted tower of the MLC insurance company (228 m, 60 floors), Westpac Bank with a red beech W on the facade (119 m, 30 floors) and the already familiar Deutsche Bank and Chifley Tower. (41)
Art Gallery of NSW in Domain Park. (42-43)
View of Woolloomooloo, an upscale bohemian residential area east of Domain Hill. We will also visit Woolloomooloo in one of the following episodes. (44)
Darling Harbor
To the west of the CBD, around the bay of the same name, Darling Harbor is a recreation and entertainment area. The Sydney Aquarium, the Maritime Museum, a convention center, a casino are located here, and various concerts and festivals are held. Sydney residents with their entire families and groups of visiting tourists come here to relax and have fun.
The modern appearance of the area is determined by the development of the mid-80s - 90s, and Darling Harbor gained particular popularity after the ring monorail was opened in 1988, the year of Australia’s 200th anniversary, connecting it with the CBD and neighboring Haymarket.
The western shore of Darling Harbor is linked to the CBD by the Pyrmont Bridge pedestrian bridge. There is a monorail over the bridge. (45-46)
At the eastern end of the bridge is the Darling Park monorail station... (47-48)
...and on the west is Harborside station. (49)
Sydney Aquarium with CBD in the background. (50)
On the other side of the bay is the maritime museum. (51)
One of the museum exhibits. (52)
The lighthouse is also part of the exhibition. (53)
Australian flag over Darling Harbour. In the background are exhibits of the Maritime Museum: the destroyer Vampire and the submarine Onslow. (54)
CBD panorama - view from the western part of Darling Harbour. The white building in the center is the Four Points Hotel. To the right are the three Darling Park towers, occupied by Commonwealth, PWC and Rabobank banks. (55)
Darling Park Towers and Maritime Museum. (56)
King Street Wharf and several other small high-rises (from left to right) - AON Tower (128 m, 35 floors), Veritas Tower (95 m, 32 floors) and Westpac Towers (166 m, 40 floors). (57)
The bay is busy with cruise and scheduled ferries. (58)
If desired, you can use a water taxi. (59)
Pyrmont Bridge - view from the maritime museum. (60)
The Sydney Convention Center is located on the shores of Darling Harbor. (61)
The spiraling fountain in front of the convention center adds a little coolness. (62)
The Darling Harbor waterfront is one of the favorite vacation spots for Sydney residents. (63-64)
Highmarket and Chinatown
Adjacent to Darling Harbor to the south is the Highmarket area. There are markets, hotels, Sydney Central Station and Chinatown - Chinatown.
Highmarket monorail station. (65)
The main attraction of the area is the huge indoor market Market City. (66)
Signs with Chinese characters indicate that we are in Chinatown. (67)
A gate is a must for Chinatown in any city in the world. (68)