Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(cnr Phillip, Young & Bent Sts; Circular Quay) Clad in steel, granite and glass, Governor Phillip
Tower (1993) is one of Sydney's tallest buildings (254m including antennae). Its distinct-
ive metallic-bladed top has earned it the nickname 'the Milk Crate'. It's propped up on
zinc-plated columns for a monumental 10 storeys before the tower proper begins. At
145m, neighbouring Governor Macquarie Tower (1994) is a comparative pipsqueak.
These towers were part of the redevelopment of the site of Governor Phillip's first
Government House, which had been semiderelict for 50 years. At the block's northern end
the house's remnant foundations were converted into First Government House Plaza and
the Museum of Sydney.
WYNYARD PARK
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(York St; Wynyard) Above Wynyard train station is this rare wedge of downtown greenery.
Surrounded by skyscrapers and spindly plane trees, it has a certain Manhattan vibe to it.
Office workers chew sandwiches, smoke, kick off their heels, read magazines and bitch
about the boss.
PARK
Haymarket
CHINATOWN
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( www.chinatown.com.au/eng ; Dixon St; Town Hall) With a discordant soundtrack of blaring
Canto pop, Dixon St is the heart and soul of Chinatown: a narrow, shady pedestrian mall
with a string of restaurants and their urgently attendant spruikers. The ornate dragon gates
(paifang) at either end are topped with fake bamboo tiles, golden Chinese calligraphy
(with English translations), ornamental lions to keep evil spirits at bay and a fair amount
of pigeon poo.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
This is actually Sydney's third Chinatown: the first was in The Rocks in the late 19th
century before it moved to the Darling Harbour end of Market St. Dixon St's Chinatown
dates from the 1920s. Look for the fake-bamboo awnings guarded by dragons, dogs and
lions, and kooky upturned-wok lighting fixtures.
On Hay St, the surreal Golden Water Mouth sculpture drips with gilt and water.
Formed from a eucalyptus trunk from Condobolin, the destination of many gold-rush-era
Chinese, its feng shui is supposed to promote positive energy and good luck. A little fur-
ther down Hay St, Paddy's Markets ( CLICK HERE ) fills the lower level of a hefty brick
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