Explore Sydney's History

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Sydney's history is as fascinating as those of the world's oldest and grandest cities. Take time to explore this pioneering city's history and you'll soon discover how truly fascinating it is. And the very best thing about this activity is that you can do it all for free on that Saturday when you just happen to be at a loose end. You'll soon discover that Sydney's history is Australia's very own.
So where do to begin? I've found that, as with anything in life, activities are best done in lots of twos, with a few well deserved breaks in between.

Begin with a visit to the State Records of NSW , located in the heart of The Rocks on 2 Globe Street, opposite a DFS Galleria. The 430, 31, 32 and 433 bus will take you to the right at the foot of Globe Street, just a spit away from this veritable cloister of information. If you've ever been curious that one of your forebears Smith (read: insert alternative surname) was indeed on the first fleet, here's the place to be.



The State Records is staffed by qualified archivists and historians working away in the back. Be nice to the receptionist and the specialist customer service (ask for Fabian) and you might just find what you came for, and perhaps more (something that might blow your mind about dear old Smithy who was expatriated, forced to leave the motherland for stealing a loaf of bread). The reading room is a minefield of information, comfortable, air-conditioned and recently refurbished: a relaxed place to explore history in context. Don't forget to take a peek at the great pictorial display of Aboriginal life during settlement.

From Aboriginal records to priceless photographic collections of how the streets of new Sydney used to look like, it's all here. The reading room is open Monday to Friday from 9 to 5, and Saturdays from 10 to 4. Check the website for public holiday hours. Absolutely free. Check out their page on flickr .

You're not going to lack for places to have that well-deserved lunch or coffee break after your State Records sojourn. If coffee is what you're after – try Café Danieli . After that well-deserved break, head on over to the nearby Circular Quay wharves and take the ferry to Darling Harbour (usually Wharf 5, check the boards, single tickets cost $5.30). The ferry will drop you off right outside the next stop on your history trail – the National Maritime Museum .



You'll be greeted by a 100-metre long bronze wall inscribed with names of immigrants who've settled in Australia over the years. This wall is a fitting, living reminder that Australia is a nation of immigrants. For a fee, you, too, can register your family's arrival in Australia. Check with the museum for guidelines on inclusion. Not far to your left, is an outstanding full-sized replica of Captain Cook's ship Endeavour (entry fee applies; at the moment the Endeavour on tour, and has been temporary replaced by the Duyfken, see this link ).



Open 364 days a year (it's only closed on Christmas Day), between 9.30 and 5.00 pm, the National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour is a national treasure. It was opened in 1991 under the direction of the Australian government, recognising Sydney's place as Australia's oldest and busiest port. You can visit a multitude of themed galleries and journey through vivid displays and such accounts as life on the First Fleet and early white settlement and the history of trading on the ports of Sydney harbour.

Admission Charges:

Galleries & Exhibitions Ticket
Adult $7
Concession/child $3.50
Family $17.50

Big ticket
(Galleries & Exhibitions vessels Kids on Deck)
Adult $25
Concession/child $10
Family $60

There's a lot to see and a lot to take in on this "short" history trail, all framed by the sparkling blue waters of the Sydney harbour.

(I recently took this trail, and I can't think of a more relaxing way to spend the day. My own pics do not justice. Full credit to the NMM and the SRNSW for use of pics).

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