Guided Tours Archives - Page 2 of 12

14 February 202310 February 2023

Fullerton Hotel Post Office Building

Colonnade on Martin Place side of the building

Fullerton Hotel Post Office Building

Originally Sydney’s Post Office (GPO), this beautiful building has been repurposed into the Fullerton Hotel. Completed in 1891 after 25 years of construction, it served as the GPO until 1996 when the main post office relocated. Instead, Australia Post operate a smaller Postal Shop from the George Street end of the building. At this time, a refurbishment of the building took place. This entailed enclosing the courtyard into an atrium and turning the remaining building into retail shops and offices. With its prominent position on the corner of George St. and Martin Place, it’s a beautiful building and easy to find.

Tour of the GPO

Our tour of the Old-GPO took us through the building, while learning about its history. Originally designed by James Barnett, the building was later expanded as postal services grew. If you look at the exterior photo, you will see that the lower two floors have arched windows, while the upper floor’s are round. Apparently Barnett thought that the later architect ruined his design by not continuing with the arches on the upper floor.

We were able to climb the interior spiral staircase to the upper floors, but access to the clock tower is restricted. This is because the stairs are no longer safe for visitors and are in need of repair. We did see the smaller George Street clock from the round windows on the third floor. From here you are able to see the clocks mechanical workings.

The old GPO courtyard is now covered, forming an atrium where natural light streams in from the glass ceiling. This is a great sight, even from ground floor, but is much better on the access bridge from the third floor. From here you are able to look down onto what was once a bustling courtyard, but is now a relaxed open space.

Even if you do not enter the building the exterior is worth looking at because of it’s carvings and colonnade. At 114m long, it’s still one of the largest sandstone buildings in Sydney.

What Did We Think?

This was an interesting and informative tour, accessing areas usually off limits. We especially liked the atrium and internal staircase as well as the colonial sandstone architecture.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

11 February 202310 February 2023

Queen Victoria Building Sydney

Three levels of the Queen Victoria Building

Queen Victoria Building Sydney

Built between 1893 and 1898, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is an iconic shopping destination in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Originally designed to replace the Sydney markets, the QVB housed a concert hall, coffee shops, showrooms, warehouses and a wide variety of tradespeople. Over time things changed, the concert hall became the city library, tenants left and others moved in. In the 1930’s the original Romanesque architecture was remodelled into the Art Deco style, while shop fronts were modified and internal galleries are floored over.

As the building aged it deteriorated until there were constant calls for its demolition from 1959 to 1971. Fortunately this did not occur and the building underwent a refurbishment and restoration from 1982. Original plans, drawings and photographs were not available, so this was an envisaged refurbishment, done to the best abilities of the architects.

Today with it’s floors and galleries restored it is a wonderful place to wander through, either browsing, shopping or eating.

Tour

We organised a tour through the building which takes visitors behind the scenes into places where the general public is not able to go. The guide gave a detailed history of the building explaining many of the design features.

One of the major features of the building is the copper clad domes on the roof. Dominated by the large central dome, there are also 20 smaller cupolas on the roof. We were able to go through a service door and see the interior of several domes, being able to view their timber structure. We were also able to walk on the roof, getting a close up look at the dome’s exterior.

The true beauty of the building though is the internal design, where the stained glass of the dome, ceiling and windows provide an amazing sight. Even the floor tiles are works of art and they are best viewed from one of the upper galleries. From here you not only get a get view of the interior, but a birds eye view of the tiles’ design.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to climb the spiral staircase that is a feature of the upper floor. Apparently it is unsafe to take a group of tourists up it. Instead, this old staircase that used to be for maintenance access is now just a decoration.

What Did We Think?

This was a great tour, where we got to go behind the scenes. Being able to see inside the domes and onto the roof was great. The knowledge of the guide was amazing, not only could they talk about the building and answer questions but were also able to keep a group of tourists all heading the same way so that we stayed on time.

The Queen Victoria Building and its domes — Queen Victoria Statue

Our photos are available for purchase on

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

7 January 202325 December 2022

Bare Island

The external walls of the fortified island

Bare Island

In the 1860s Britain removed its garrison troops from its Australian colonies, which resulted in a rapid examination of the colonies’ defenses. Britain’s war with Russia escalated fears of an invasion (not sure how Russia was going to send an invasion force all the way to Australia). As a result two Imperial Engineers arrived (Scratchley who also designed Fort Scratchley in Newcastle and Jervois). Between them and with the assistance of colonial architects they devised a series of forts to defend the coastline and major centres. One of these was Bare Island.

With excellent views over the entrance to Botany Bay, Bare Island was perfectly placed to guard against an overland attack of Sydney. Manned by around 70 soldiers it served as a fort from it’s completion in 1886 until the early 1900s. With changing technology, the fort became a war veterans’ home until 1942 when the military again took up residence.

Bare Island Fort Today

Unfortunately during the 1930s all but the two largest guns were sold for scrap. The largest guns remain only because they were too heavy to move. In 1967, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) were given control of the now gazetted historical site. In 1989, the fort opened to the public.

Getting There

We drove to La Perouse and parked in the foreshore parking area. From here we walked over the pedestrian bridge to Bare Island.

The Tour

NPWS conduct guided tours of the island, which can be booked online. Joining a tour at the entrance gate is possible, but only if there is room. Book onlie to avoid disappointment.

Access to the island is via a pedestrian bridge. Your guide will meet you at the far end of the bridge and let you through the gates. From here, the tour takes you through the gun pits, tunnels and rooms of the fort. The guide provides a narration throughout the tour, so you receive the full history of the island.

From the top of the island, you get amazing views of Botany Bay, while being able to appreciate the importance of the fort as it overlooks the bay’s entrance.

What Did We Think of Bare Island?

This was a great tour, full of history and interesting things to see. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, providing us with lots of information on the Island’s history. Especially good was the group size, which was no so large that you missed out on seeing things.