Designed as Australia’s first law courts by Francis Greenway for Governor Macquarie, what became the King Street Courts were originally intended as a school. The original law courts were redesigned as St James Church and subsequently the adjoining school was repurposed as courts.
Completed in 1828, the final building differed significantly from Greenway’s original plan and suffered from damp, overcrowding and insufficient roof support. Over several decades these defects were addressed and the courts still operate today.
We visited as part of Sydney is Open and were able to see each courtroom. Volunteers stationed throughout the building, let us gain an insight into the building and its operation.
One courtroom still has a bullet hole when someone on trial wrested a gun from a guard. The gun discharged and the man made a getaway. Not surprisingly gun security was improved and egress from the courtrooms tightened.
The room where prospective jurors waited still has the wooden barrel from which numbers were drawn to select jurors.
Restoration of the courthouse, has resulted in a modern courthouse while maintaining its historical significance.
Memorial to those in the legal profession who served in World War OneCourt RoomOne of the court roomsBullet holeAtrium and staircaseWrought Iron StaircaseBarrel used to draw names for jury duty
One of the prime attractions in Port Stephens is the Koala Sanctuary. Not only does it allow you to see koalas, but it rehabilitates injured ones, while providing a place to live for those that cannot be returned to the wild.
Accommodation
An excellent accommodation option for the Port Stephens region are the cabins available at the sanctuary. This allows visitors to see the koalas in the evenings and mornings when they are more active.
Accommodation
Koala Sculptures
After paying for your entry, a path leads through a number of large koala sculptures. As you walk along the path, most sculptures also have an information board helping you understand the koalas, their habitat and the threats to their survival.
This is a great educational opportunity and is especially good for children.
Koala Sculpture
Koala Hospital
Before reaching the viewing area, you pass the hospital where injured koalas are treated. A window allows you to see into the treatment room and we were lucky enough to see one there, along with the vet and his assistants.
Koalas
Only koalas that are unable to be rehabilitated back to the wild are on display. Koalas that have undergone surgery and are being rehabilitated are housed in separate enclosures. Each kolas has its own information board detailing how it came to the sanctuary and what injuries it was suffering.
Because we arrived in the middle of the day they were not very active, but were able to see most of them. stationed here were two volunteers who gave talks on the koalas and the work of the sanctuary.
Information Board about the koalaKoala information boardA Kookaburra
What Did We Think?
This was a great visit and would recommend it to anyone wanting to see or learn about koalas. It’s similar to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital although larger and offering onsite accommodation.
Located on the banks of the Parramatta River, Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia. Additionally it is an important UNESCO World Heritage listed site, and one of 11 recognised convict sites that tell the story of Australia’s forced convict migration.
History of Old Government House
Built between 1799 and 1818 by convict labour, the house and Barracks buildings are the oldest surviving public buildings in Australia.
The Georgian house was the country residence for the first ten governors of New South Wales. The ten Governors used Old Government House as either their primary or secondary residence.
Governor Denison officially handed over the house to the care of the Parramatta Park Trust in 1855. Parramatta Park Trust leased the building for private use, and over the next 100 years it was run variously as a boarding house, school and private home.
In 1967 the House transferred to the National Trust by an act of Parliament. The house features a collection of Australian colonial furniture, displayed as it would have been when Governor Macquarie was in residence.
Current Use of Old Government House
Today, Old Government House is operated as a museum and managed by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). Only open Thursday to Sunday
Government HouseGovernment House
Parramatta Park
Covering 85 hectares, the surrounding grounds of Old Government House, known as Parramatta Park, provide a picturesque setting for walks and recreational activities.
Originally used for farming and grazing by the early settlers in the late 19th century, it was transformed into a public park by Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned for his work on New York City’s Central Park.
Main Entrance
Historical Landmarks and Memorials
Parramatta Park is home to several historical landmarks and memorials that pay tribute to significant events, influential figures, and important moments in Australian history.
Boer War Memorial
Erected in 1904, this memorial commemorates the soldiers from New South Wales who served in the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa.
Boer War Memorial
Governor Brisbane’s Bathhouse
Built in the early 19h century for Governor Brisbane, the Trustees converted it to a pavilion in 1886.
Bath House
Observatory
Governor Brisbane built an observatory in the Park in 1821, in keeping with the spirit of discovery of the time. Used by explorer Thomas Mitchell’s first trigonometric survey of Australia in 1828, the transit stones, which originally supported a transit telescope, are all that remains of the observatory.
Site of the observatoryTransit stones from the observatory
For more information about Parramatta Park and its memorials, you can visit the official website: Parramatta Park.
