White Rabbit Gallery is a great little gallery in the heart of Sydney. Specialising in contemporary Chinese art its three floors are full of amazing works from paintings and sculptures to surrealist works. Entrance is free and with a cafe on site, specialising in Chinese teas and dumplings, there are refreshments available once you finish your tour.
Suspended from the atrium roof is the most stunning work, consisting of life-size people with dragonfly heads and wings. This amazing sight greets you on entering. A great view of this artwork is available from the ramp up to the second level, which is a great perspective.
Access to the second floor is via a ramp which passes close to the dragonfly men. Alternately you can use an elevator which also goes to all floors (it is the only access to floor 3), but we enjoyed the view of the art work while walking up the ramp..
During our visit there was a great variety of paintings on display on the first two floors and floor three was filled with a single, large sculpture.
There are also small rooms on the first two floors where audio visual displays are running.
Dragonfly Men in the Atrium of the White Rabbit GalleryDragonfly Men From the Second FloorDystopian Second Floor ArtSecond Floor ArtSecond Floor ArtThird FloorThird Floor Art
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The Rocks is one of the oldest areas of Sydney, and as such it has many historically important buildings to visit. We started our walk near the Fortune of War hotel and the old restored police building next door. Walking through the archway nearby we went to Nurses Walk and looked at the monuments to the original hospital located there and read a lot of the history surrounding the nurses who worked there during that period. The area is now very trendy and full of eateries, nothing like its original use. However, it’s an interesting spot to visit.
Suez Canal
At the end of Nurses Walk is Suez Canal which is the narrowest street in the city. It was originally a sewer and a haunt of the underclass and criminals during the early days of the colony.
Suez Canal
Cadman’s Cottage
At the top of Suez Canal is Harrington Street. We turned right here and again at Argyle Street, walking to George Street, where we crossed the road and walked down some stone steps to check out Cadman’s Cottage.
Cadmans CottageCaptain William Bligh
Returning to Argyle Street we walked down Playfair Street and its Cafes and restaurants, buying some excellent meat pies from a stall holder and eating them near some brilliant buskers. All this near the shortest street in Sydney, Atherden Street. This is a popular spot with great opportunities to take in all this place has to offer, including the statue First Impressions of early settlers, convicts and soldiers.
Biggles
First Impressions Sculpture
The Rocks
Federation Park
The old row of houses in Playfair Street back onto one of the Rocks hidden gems, Federation Park, a rank of demolished cottages left as ruins. There is a small passage through the shops, or you can get to them from Cumberland Street. This area has been left with only a few enhancements to help show what used to be there. Some old rooms have been decorated with furniture, and stairs added for easy access. We found this a great spot to sit and relax. It is very quiet and such a great place to see the history, without the congestion that usually goes with these hidden gems.
Foundation Park
At the end of Gloucester Walk we took the stairs down to the Cahill Expressway underpass. This took us past Garrison Church and then to the Sydney Observatory, which were great to explore. The observatory has amazing views of Sydney.
Argyle St Underpass
The Garrison Church
Sydney Observatory
View From South African War Memorial
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The Paddington Reservoir Gardens are a hidden gem in the middle of Sydney. You will find them next to the Paddington Town Hall on Oxford Street. Well sign posted they are difficult to miss. We caught the number 440 bus from Central Station and got off near Town Hall, making it an easy trip.
Previously a major water reservoir for the area they fell into disrepair after being superseded. With the roof now mostly gone the interior and support columns are visible, providing a unique setting. With the previously underground reservoir now exposed, it has been turned into an amazing sunken garden. Stairs and walkways provide access to the lower section.
Wandering around the lower section is surreal, because of the structures surrounding you. The archways appear to be from an ancient ruin overgrown by the gardens. Cleverly designed modern stairways and viewing platforms blend in with the older construction.
Looking Down From the Street
Paddington Reservoir Gardens
Columns and Archways
Columns and Archways
The Gardens
The Gardens
Columns and Archways
Looking Down From the Street
What Did We Think?
A fantastic spot to visit and something different to the usual garden and attractions. Very peaceful with a surreal atmosphere in the centre of the city.
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