Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Georgian Era
Sydney's early decades were times of
turbulence and growth. Lachlan Mac-
quarie governor from 1810 to 1821, was
one of the most significant figures. He
took over a town-cum-jail and left behind
a fully fledged city with a sense of civic
pride. Noted for his sympathetic attitude
to convicts and freed women and men, he commissioned
many fine buildings, including work by convict Francis
Greenway
(see p114)
. When Macquarie left in 1822,
Sydney boasted main roads, regular streets and an orga-
nized police system. By the 1830s, trade had expanded
and labour and land were plentiful. In 1840, transporta-
tion of convicts was abolished. A decade of lively debate
followed: on immigration, religion and education.
Merino sheep
for export wool
GROWTH OF THE CITY
Today
1825
The domed saloon
is elliptical, and has a
cantilevered staircase.
Bedroom
The breakfast
room
was used for
informal dining.
View from the Summit
Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth
were the first Europeans to cross the
Blue Mountains in 1813. Augustus
Earle's painting shows convicts work-
ing on a road into this fertile area.
The kitchen
was
originally in a sepa-
rate block to avoid
the danger of fire.
ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE
This extravagant Regency villa was built from
1835-9 for Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay
(see p120)
. After only six years' occupancy, lavish build-
ing and household expenses forced him into bankruptcy.
The Macquaries
Governor Macquarie and his
wife Elizabeth arrived in the
city with a brief to “improve
the morals of the Colonists”.
TIMELINE
1814
Holey dollar eases coin shortage
1830
Sir Thomas
Mitchell discovers
megafauna fossils in
New South Wales
Holey dollar and
dump, made from
Spanish coins
1820
Macquarie Chair crafted
of she-oak and wallaby skin
Macquarie Chair
1810
1815
1820
1825
1830
1817
The Bank of NSW
opens. Macquarie
recommends adoption
of the name Australia
for the continent, as
suggested by explorer
Matthew Flinders
1831
First Australian novel,
Quintus Servinton
, is
printed and published
1816
Convict architect Francis
Greenway designs his first
building, Macquarie Lighthouse
1824
Hume and Hovell are the first
Europeans to see the Snowy Mountains
