Thomas Townshend, may be just another English peer for many but very few people know that a city surrounding the world’s largest natural harbour has immortalized him. Yes it is Sydney, named after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney.

Sydney, Australia needs no introduction. A city packed with both natural and man-made features is among the top fifteen most visited cities in the world. Sydney boasts a heady mix of history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine, design, which draws millions of tourist each year.

I have been completely balled over by this Harbour City and in my opinion it is best to explore this city on foot as you may discover a hidden gem at any nook or corner.

It is possible to cover the entire city on foot in a single day, depending on your fitness level. But for ease the city walk can be divided into a couple of smaller walks. Over a period of few days we will cover many such walks in Sydney. These are self-guided walks and you can download the map to follow the route.

Disclaimer: The data included as part of Sydney Walk – Sydney Town Hall to Hyde Park has been obtained from other agencies, HolidayLogue cannot guarantee that information contained in the walk is comprehensive and up to date

Walk 1 – Town Hall to Hyde Park

Walking Time: 15 mins (excluding time spent at each place), Distance 1.2 km

This walk starts at Sydney Town Hall. You can plan your journey to Town Hall using Transport Info trip planner at http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/getting-around/public-transport

Sydney Town Hall

townhall
Images by Shashi Shaw & Kumar Anand

  • See High Victorian interiors and rich decorations, it is the largest and most ornate late 19th Century Civic Building in Australia
  • This is the place where Sydneysiders meet, wait and watch
  • Walk inside and have look around at the ornate interior and see the massive pipe organ. Open Hrs: Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm. If interested can even go for guided tour
  • To the left of the entrance is a quiet café

Walk across Sydney Square

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St. Andrew’s Cathedral

st-andrews-cathedral
Images by Shashi Shaw

  • Oldest cathedral in Australia
  • It is a pleasant Gothic Revival Cathedral of the late Colonial and Early Victorian periods
  • Enter via the main entrance located at the far end of the Square. After looking around, exit via the side entrance
  • Monday – Thursday: 10.00am-4.30pm; Friday & Saturday: Closed; Sunday: 8.00am-9.30pm

Head east up Bathurst Street toward Hyde Park

Cross Elizabeth Street and past the Obelisk (arrowThe obelisk, irreverently known as “George Thornton’s scent bottle”, was erected in 1857.It is an air outlet for the underground sewer cleverly disguised as a full-size replica of Cleopatra’s Needle – the Egyptian antiquity now displayed in London)

YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall

obelisk
YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall Image Source
Obelsik Image by J Bar via Wikimedia

  • A sculpture by Aboriginal artist Tony Albert
  • This sculpture acknowledges and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women that served in the nation’s military
  • The artwork is composed of 4 standing bullets and 3 fallen shells
  • The arrangement of the bullets represents those who survived and those who were sacrificed
  • Also references the discrimination faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women when they returned to Australia

Turn Left

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ANZAC Memorial

anzac
Image Source

  • This memorial to Australia’s World War 1 soldiers
  • You can enter the building via the side entrance at the ground level. There is a small museum to the right and ahead is a statue of a dead soldier being carried by the grieving women left behind in his life.
  • Read the explanatory plaque and head upstairs to the main chamber where the eternal flame burns.
  • Exit via the main doors and walk around the reflecting pool

Continue down the central path of Hydearrow Park and cross Park Street. Note the amazing canopy of trees as you walk towards the Archibald Fountain

Archibald Fountain

archibald-fountain
Image by Jamie Williams via City of Sydney

  • This is a beautiful place, especially on a sunny day when rainbows form in the spray from the fountain
  • It commemorates the association of France and Australia in World War 1
  • Depicts Greek God Apollo and other mythical characters
  • The large basin is divided into three groups; one represents Diana, goddess of purity, of peaceful nights, symbol of charity
  • The Pan group symbolises the good things of the earth – it is the ‘Young God of the fields and pastures and of the countryside
  • The third group represents sacrifice for the public good. Theseus vanquisher of the Minotaur.
  • The fountain is illuminated and floodlit at night

Other Places that could be of interest at Hyde Park are:

Oddfellows Memorial

  • It is an elaborate drinking fountain which, commemorates members of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows who served and died in World War 1. It stands on the corner of Park and Elizabeth Streets.

Sandringham Gardens

  • This terraced garden was designed by Ilmar Berzins, the first qualified landscape architect in Australia. It is a memorial to King George V and George VI.

Captain Cook Statue

  • It is a statue of Captain Cook, he was an English explorer who discovered Australia’s east coast. This statue was erected on the highest point in the park, in 1879 to mark the centenary of his death.

SMS Emden Gun

  • It is a four-inch naval gun from the German cruiser “Emden” which was sunk off the Cocos Islands by HMAS “Sydney” on 9 November 1914, the first Australian naval victory. It was installed here in 1917.

References:
City of Sydney: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park,_Sydney https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Fountain


Downloads
Walking Route Map
Places of Interest Map