Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
Darling Harbour
CHINESE GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP
9.30am-5.30pm; Town Hall)
Built according to Taoist principles, the Chinese Garden of
Friendship is an oasis of tranquillity. Designed by architects from Guangzhou (Sydney's
sister city) for Australia's bicentenary in 1988, the garden interweaves pavilions, waterfalls,
lakes, paths and lush plant life. It's too serene for words (so shut up and be still).
GARDENS
CHINESE SYDNEY
Chinese immigrants started to come to Australia around 1840, when convict transportation ceased and labouring
jobs became freely available. Initially they were considered a solution to labour shortages, but as gold-rush fever
took hold, racial intolerance grew. The tireless Chinese were seen as threats, and state entry restrictions were en-
forced from the early 19th century into much of the 20th century.
In 1861 the New South Wales Government enacted the 'White Australia Policy', aimed at reducing the influx
of Chinese. This included a ban on naturalisation, work-permit restrictions and acts such as the 1861
Chinese Im-
migration Regulation & Restriction Act
. As a result, the Chinese population remained low (many also returned to
China after the gold rush ended). The White Australia Policy wasn't totally dismantled until 1973.
Sydney's Chinese community eventually gravitated to Dixon St near Darling Harbour, an area once known for
opium and gambling but now better known for tasty and great-value food. Today people of Chinese extraction
make up 7.9% of Sydney's population, with well over half of these born in Australia.
AQUARIUM
SYDNEY AQUARIUM
This place brings in more paying visitors than any other attraction in Australia - even with
its hefty admission charges. Highlights include clownfish (howdy Nemo), platypuses, an
