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Statues Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Mare and Foal

Statues of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Besides plants and trees, the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney contains many varied and interesting statues. Many are from the early days of the garden when statues formed a major part of its display. Unfortunately removed in large numbers as the gardens developed, many still remain adding to the beauty of the area.

Located on Sydney Harbour in the centre of the city, the gardens are a great place to relax, either looking at the wonderful floral surrounds or watching the boat traffic on the water.

Horses of the Desert Mounted Corps

Located on the Botanic Garden’s exterior, this bronze plaque of an Australian light horseman and three horses commemorates the 140,000 horses sent to serve in the desert campaign in World War One. Only one came home to Australia, which is very sad.

Morshead Fountain

The Morshead Fountain sits outside the Morshead Fountain Gate entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens on Shakespeare Place. Lieutenant-General Sir Lesley Morshead was knighted for his defence of Tobruk in World War II. This fountain honours him and the men who served with him.

Cupid

This small bronze statue of cupid on a marble plinth holding a bow and arrow is the work of sculptor Paul R Montford (1868-1938). Cupid marks the exact spot of where the center dome of the Garden Palace once stood.

Governor Phillip Fountain

Commemorating Captain Arthur Phillip (1738-1814) the first Governor of New South Wales from 1788 to 1792, this marble and bronze fountain was first unveiled in 1997. Below the statue are three bas reliefs illustrating education, justice and patriotism. Encircling these are four reclining sculptures representing agriculture, commerce, mining and shipping. Bronze bas reliefs illustrate Aboriginal hunting techniques.

Huntsman and Dogs

Cast by the Val d’Osne Company around 1879 the Huntsman and Dogs statue is a copy of a sculpture by French sculptor Henri Alfred Marie Jacquemart. Located on the path next to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the sculpture of the Huntsman and Dogs is an “imitation” bronze. Created by using electrolysis to deposit copper on a cast iron casting, immitation bronze is a cheap way to crate a bronze statue.

The Four Seasons Statues

Located at the top and bottom of a stairway, the four seasons are represented by three young women, while an old man represents winter.

Linda di Chamonix Statues in the Royal Botanic Garden

These two Victorian style marble statues,  Linda di Chamonix and the Sweeb Boy are based on a characters from the Donizetti opera ‘Linda di Chamonix’, written in 1842.

The Boxers

Placed in the Botanic gardens in the 1880s these marble statues are copies from the original boxers statues, “Creugas and Damoxenus” by Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757-1822).

Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain

Commemorating Lewis Wolfe Levy (1815–85), a politician and businessman, this fountain has an Art Nouveau bronze statue of a young girl standing amid reeds, a heron and frogs. The fountain was a gift to the people of Sydney in 1889 from the Levy family.

Living Floral Sculptures

Scattered throughout the Botanic Garden living sculptures of animals which brighten up the garden beds. There are whales, bees, koalas and echidnas.

The Herb Garden

The Satyr

Sculpted by Guy Lynch in 1924, The Satyr is a bronze casting of the original (by the same artist) commissioned by his wife after is death. The sculpture was modelled on the sculptor’s younger brother and a local goat.

Vista Pavilion

Folly For Mrs Macquarie

Slit Drum from Vanuatu

Sumo Wrestlers

Lions’ Gate

This male and female lion guard the entrance to the Lions’ Gate Lodge in the Botanic Gardens.

Venus ‘Italica’

This marble statue is a replica of the Venus ‘Italica’. The naked Venus is clutching a flowing sheet around her body.

La Ballerina

This copy of a famous statue by the Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova, La Ballarina arrived from Italy in 1883, when the gardens were home to as many sculptures as trees. Following a spell in the sculpture graveyard in the 1970s, La Ballerina underwent restoration and is again on display.

Magnolia

Boy Extracting Thorn

This marble copy of the famous ‘Fidele’ (faithful) statue was imported into Australia from Italy, in 1883.

Mare and Foal

These bronze statues of a Mare, named La Reyna, and her foal overlook the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On the base are reliefs depicting training and racing scenes. Sculpted by French Sculptor, Arthur Jacques Le Duc, it was purchased in 1891.

Choragic Monument

This carved yellowblock sandstone is a copy of the circular Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. The monument features carved scenes depicting episodes from the myth of Dionysus as well as six Corinthian columns. Originally erected at Sir James Martin ( Premier of New South Wales ) home at Macleay Street, Potts Point in 1870, the Choragic Monument was moved to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the 16th November, 1943.

Bara

Venus Fountain

Although removed from display in 1990 this bronze statue of Venus was later reinstalled in 1994. However corrosion to the statue meant it needed replacement. Originally the base featured rocks and large clam shells but they were later replaced by a sculpted crocodile. It now features two cherubs riding dolphins.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

Carved out of a sandstone rock ledge by convicts in 1810 Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is one of the best vantage points to view the sights of Sydney Harbour. Governor Macquarie commissioned it for his wife Elizabeth who was known to love the area.

2nd / 30th Infantry Battalion Memorial

This memorial is a tribute to the men of the 2/30 Battalion AIF who departed for the First World War from docks near here.

Barrel Roll

Sculpted by Peter Lundberg, Barrel Roll, formed part of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundationit it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.

Paradiegma Metaphysic

Sculpted by Paul Selwood, paradiegma metaphysic was originally displayed at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2011. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundation it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.

Henry Lawson Memorial

Commissioned in February 1860 by the Henry Lawson Memorial And Literary Society, this monument commemorates Australian poet, Henry Lawson. Often called Australia’s greatest writer, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period. The bronze bust of Lawson is 1.5 times life size.

In February each year near the statue, a gathering celebrates Henry Lawson’s life with renditions of his works, performances by singers and other poetry and prose.

Henry Lawson Memorial
Henry Lawson Memorial

Memory is Creation Without End

Memory is Creation Without End consists of a massive spiral of sandstone blocks embedded into the earth of the Tarpeian Way, adjacent to Macquarie Street. Artist Kimio Tsuchiya has incorporated these relics from demolished buildings and structures such as the Pyrmont Bridge.

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

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.

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

St. James Church Sydney

Children's Chapel St James Church

St. James Church Sydney

Designed by convict architect Francis Greenway, St James Church Sydney is the city’s oldest church. Built between 1819 and 1824 using convict labour and consecrated on 11 February 1824 it has been in continuous use to the present day. Located at the end of King Street, the closest train station is St James which only a three-minute walk away.

During our visit, the altar area and organ were undergoing repairs. Unfortunately, Covid has caused delays to the replacement parts for the organ, however, the rest of the church is open to look around.

St James Church
St James Church

The Undercroft (The Crypt)

We were lucky to be able to see the undercroft (crypt), because it is not always open. One of the highlights, the Children’s Chapel is located here. Unique in Australia the murals were painted by the Turramurra Painters, a collaborative partnership of artists.

Also stored in the crypt are the ashes of former parishioners, including former prime minister Gough Whitlam.

Interior

The interior of the church was totally remodelled in 1900–1902, although the marble memorials were retained. It has also retained its original character as a Georgian town church. It has remained this way with the exception of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (south portico) which was rebuilt in 1988.

This is an interesting and historic little church, with the highlight being the undercroft and the Children’s chapel.

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

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