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
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.
Located in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia the historic Zig Zag Railway is a unique railway, with its zigzagging track and vintage steam locomotives. Offering an experience of travel in the late 19th century, it’s a must do if visiting Sydney.
History
The Zig Zag Railway’s story began in 1869, when the need arose to transport goods and passengers across the steep escarpment of the Blue Mountains. The existing railway line at the time was unable to handle the steep incline, and a more innovative solution was needed. The resulting design incorporated a series of switchbacks and tunnels that allowed trains to gradually climb the mountainside. Looking like a capital letter Z, the layout gave the track its name.
The Zig Zag Railway officially opened in 1870 and quickly became a vital transportation link between Sydney and the west of New South Wales. It played a crucial role in the development of the region, transporting coal, timber, and other essential goods.
Becoming a Tourist Attraction
Unfortunately, the Zig Zag Railway’s reign as the primary transportation route was short-lived. In 1910, the nearby Ten Tunnels Deviation opened, offering a more efficient and direct route. As a result, the Zig Zag Railway fell into disuse and was eventually abandoned.
However, in 1975, a group of volunteers formed the Zig Zag Railway Co-op and began the process of restoring the railway to its former glory. Reopening in 1977, the Zig Zag Railway offers visitors a chance to travel on heritage steam locomotives, while enjoying breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains.
Getting There
Depending on where you board the train, you can either drive or arrive by train. From the upper station at Clarence, a large car park caters for visitors. If leaving from Clarence self drive is the best way to get there. Choosing to join at the lower points enables you to catch a train from Sydney. Just make sure the connecting times are right and you can board the train here.
The trip is booked as a return ticket, so you finish at the same station you started at. Booking is best done on line as the trains are often fully booked.
What to See
At Clarence, displays and exhibits detail the history of the railway, providing a great introduction to the visit. Exchange your online ticket for vintage style ticket at the gift shop, which has some interesting items for sale.
When the train arrives there is plenty of time to look at the carriages and locomotive. We were able to go into the cab, talk to the driver and look at the firebox.
As the train travels between stations a commentary explains the history and workings of the railway. It also points out places of interest such as the viaducts and tunnels. The viaducts are amazing with their arches and at one point you can see several at once, built into the escarpment.
The train stops twice each way so that the locomotive can change to the other end of the train to pull it on the next leg. Passengers are allowed out at these stops where you can look at some displays in the old stations. The signal box at one was also open, so we were able to see that as well.
Be aware that there are no allocated seats, so if you get off when you come back, someone may be sitting where you were when you return to the carriage.
Locomotive
On our trip, the locomotive was Steam Locomotive 218A built in 1902 by Beyer, Peacock & Company in Manchester, England.it was withdrawn from service in 1958 and later acquired by the Zig Zag Railway Co-op in 1975. It has since been restored to operational condition and is now used to haul passenger trains on the Zig Zag Railway.
Engine 218A built by Baldwin Locomotive Works Philadelphia USA in 1943 an AC16 Class steam locomotiveThe firebox in the locomotiveTrack patrol vehicleOne of the viaducts along the trackView along the track during the train rideLocomotive changing endsSignal BoxInside the signal boxEngine 218A built by Baldwin Locomotive Works Philadelphia USA in 1943
