Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Inspired by Italian Renaissance palaces, architect James Barnet caused a minor fracas by
basing the faces carved on the sandstone facade on local identities. Queen Victoria domin-
ates the central white-marble statuary, surrounded by allegorical figures. Under a staircase
in the basement there is a small historical display and a pipe housing the dribbling rem-
nants of the Tank Stream.
Martin Pl)
was Australia's first steel-framed 'skyscraper'. Its interiors are largely intact and
clock-watching tellers still muse over the inscription on the wall: 'The Noiseless Foot Of
the old State Savings Bank building: it's a beaut example of interwar beaux-arts architec-
ture, featuring green-marble Doric columns and an enclosed brass-and-marble teller area.
Near the George St end of Martin Place you'll find the
Cenotaph
, commemorating
Australia's war dead. Abutting Martin Place on George St is the former
Commercial
Banking Corporation of Sydney
- an impressive marbled edifice, worth a look if you're
passing by.
MUSEUM OF SYDNEY
Quay)
Built on the site of Sydney's first (and infamously pungent) Government House, the
MoS is a fragmented, story-telling museum using state-of-the-art installations to explore
the city's people, places, cultures and evolution. The history of the indigenous Eora
people is highlighted - touching on the millennia of continuous occupation of this place.
Be sure to open some of the many stainless-steel and glass drawers (they close them-
selves).
MUSEUM
In the forecourt, check out the disarming
Edge of Trees
sculpture by Janet Laurence and
Fiona Foley. There's a cool cafe too.
TOWN HALL
Hall)
Mansard roofs, sandstone turrets, wrought-iron trimmings and over-the-top balus-
trades: the High Victorian wedding-cake exterior of the Town Hall (built 1869-1889) is
something to behold. Inside, the elaborate chamber room and the wood-lined concert hall
are almost as good (the concert hall has a humongous 8000-pipe organ and hosts free
monthly lunchtime concerts).
NOTABLE BUILDING
Unless there's something on, you can explore the halls off the main entrance.
