Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Martin Place)
The estimable State Library holds over five million tomes, including James
Cook's and Joseph Banks' journals and Captain (later Governor) Bligh's log from the
mutinous HMAV
Bounty
. The main reading room is an elegant temple of knowledge clad
in milky marble.
Also worth checking out are the temporary exhibitions in the galleries, and the elabor-
ately sculpted bronze doors and grand atrium of the neoclassical Mitchell Wing (1910);
note the map of Tasman's journeys in the mosaic floor. Beneath one of the windows on
the Macquarie St side of the building is a sculpture of explorer Matthew Flinders with his
intrepid cat Trim.
GREAT SYNAGOGUE
( 9267 2477;
www.greatsynagogue.org.au
;
187a Elizabeth St; tours adult/child $10/5; tours noon Tue & Thu;
St James)
The heritage -listed Great Synagogue (1878) is the spiritual home of Sydney's
oldest Jewish congregation, established in 1831. It's considered the Mother Synagogue of
Australia and architecturally is the most important in the southern hemisphere, combining
Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish and Byzantine elements. Tours include the AM Rosenblum
Museum's artefacts and a video presentation on Jewish beliefs, traditions and history in
Australia.
SYNAGOGUE
Look out for the starry gold-leaf ceiling (supported by 12 arches representing the tribes
of Israel) and the French Gothic wrought-iron gates.
THE DOMAIN
The Domain is a large grassy tract east of Macquarie St, set aside by Governor Phillip in
1788 for public recreation. Phillip's intent rings true: today's lunchtime workers use the
space to work up a sweat or eat their lunch. Large-scale public events are also held here,
including the Tropfest film festival.
PARK
Sculptures dot the park, including a reclining Henry Moore figure and Brett Whiteley's
Almost Once
(1991) − two giant matches, one burnt − rising from the ground near the Art
Gallery of NSW.
On the lawn in front of the gallery you can listen to religious zealots, nutters, political
extremists, homophobes, hippies and academics express their earnest opinions at the by
