This restored heritage district is absolutely a must see for all visitors to Sydney. In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip established an outpost here on the western side of Sydney Cove. Captain Phillip had over 1400 men, women and children with him, with over half this number convicts. His outpost became the farthest in the British Empire. Today, the Rocks district has been exquisitely restored and offers visitors an experience they aren’t soon to forget. With old buildings and cobbled streets combined with excellent tourist amenities such as shopping, dining, hotels and attractions, this area is sure to please everyone.
The Rocks is home to one of the oldest buildings in Australia, Cadman’s Cottage. Built in roughly 1816 as barracks, the building is now run by the Parks Service and is a great place to get more information on local parks. Garrison Church was built in 1840 to provide a place for soldiers to attend religious services. The area also boasts many of Australia’s oldest pubs, including the Lord Nelson and the Hero of Waterloo, both built in the 1840s. Susannah Place Museum is located in terracehouses also built in the 1840s, and showcases a 19th century corner store.
For those with a taste towards things more modern, how about a walking tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? BridgeClimb takes visitors on a walking tour along the steel supports of the bridge. Be sure to book early as this is a popular attraction! The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Observatory are also located in the Rocks, and the Sydney Opera House is but a short walk from the area. If you visit the Rocks on the weekend, plan to spend some time at the Rocks Market, a fabulous outdoor market. Try taking the train or the ferry to the area, as parking is difficult on busy days.
When gold was discovered in Melbourne in 1852, it prompted a gold rush that had far reaching effects – immigrants in Britain purchased more tickets to Melbourne in 1852 than to any other place worldwide. It also had far reaching effects on the city, and to get a taste of how the gold rush impacted Melbourne you’ll want to take the Golden Mile Herigate Trail.
The trail starts in Federation Square at the Melbourne Museum. Guided tours are available daily, but be sure to call ahead for bookings. You can also explore the trail on your own with a booklet purchased from the visitor’s centre, an option that provides a very flexible way to enjoy the city. The trail is an easy walk of about four kilometers, taking about two-and-a-half to three hours and explores the so-called ‘golden mile’ of outstanding architecture built when the city was flush with money from the gold rush. With thirty-three stops, there is really no better way to begin exploring the sights of Melbourne.
As you make your way along the route, your tour guide will share stories of colorful characters and historic places. The trail opens with the Immigration Museum, which was the old Customs House. Further along you’ll see the La Meridien Hotel, formerly the Rialto, which was created by its architect to look like a Venetian building. Enjoy Melbourne’s equivalent of England’s Chancery Lane, and in the financial district marvel at the gothic architecture of the ANZ Banking Museum. In the Parliament area you’ll notice several prominent statues, and you can explore the supposedly haunted Princess theater. The tour ends at the Royal Exhibition Buildings where visitors can head back to the museum or enjoy a stroll around Carlton Gardens.
The quaint rural town of Narrandera is located in the Riverina region of New South Wales, about a four-and-a-half hour drive from Sydney. With streets lined with cedar trees and Victorian style two-level buildings complete with balconies and verandahs, this is a beautiful place to escape from the hectic pace of Australia’s urban centers.
Established as a village in 1863, the area was originally home to the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people. As a noted historical center, be sure to follow the self-guided historical walk to explore some of Narrandera’s oldest buildings. Pamphlets can be picked up at the visitor center, which, incidentally, also has a six meter guitar that can actually be played. The local Narrandera Park and Miniature Zoo is a great place for a picnic, and also is home to a Tiger Moth plane commemorating the pilots that were trained there in World War II. Other places to stop at in town are the Parkside Cottage Museum and the Hankinson ceramic fountain that was built by Royal Daulton.
For nature lovers, the area is best known for the Bundidgerry Walking Track, a trail following the wildlife reserve located just outside of town. The area is home to a large colony of koala bears that are part of a new regeneration project. Tours can be set up through the Narrandera Koala Regeneration Reserve. Additionally, the area is home to kangaroos and parrots, as well as many other species of birds. Try taking a walk early in the morning for optimal wildlife viewing.
The town itself is home to a diverse collection of shops, and hosts many festivals throughout the year, including the John O’Brien Folk Festival that celebrates the famed poet who called Narrandera home. With several hotels and many bed and breakfasts in the area, you’ll find Narrandera to be a very comfortable stop on your Australian vacation.
