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Putting these sites together does take an immense amount of time and effort.If you even find some moderate amount of enjoyment would you consider giving us even a little bit of
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Greetings museum pervs.
It was time for another Brad N Virls heritage adventure. You know the sort of day where sensible people might decide to relax, but instead we elect to spend countless hours wandering around the city looking at old buildings, bits of archaeology and assorted transport. Different strokes for different folks.
So it was that we headed off by train to Circular Quay to finally tick the Museum of Sydney off the ever-growing "we really should visit that one day" list. It was just one stop on what became a rather lengthy expedition that saw us meandering from one end of the city to the other in search of heritage, transport, and Virls' much-raved-about Japanese Katsu Curry. Priorities, after all.
Nestled amongst the towering office blocks of Sydney's CBD is the Museum of Sydney, proving that even in the middle of a bustling financial district, history can still sneak up on you. Built on the site of Australia's very first Government House, this is where Governor Arthur Phillip set up shop in 1788 and where many of the colony's earliest decisions were made. Not bad for a place that's now surrounded by people speed-walking to meetings while balancing a takeaway coffee that's worth more than my first hourly wage.
Unlike museums packed to the rafters with endless rows of dusty artefacts and enough tiny information plaques to test your eyesight, the Museum of Sydney focuses on telling the story of the city itself. It explores everything from the rich history of the Gadigal people, through the arrival of the First Fleet, and on to the growth of Sydney into the sprawling metropolis we know today. Thankfully, it manages to do all this without making you feel like you've accidentally wandered into a Year 9 history exam.
One of the highlights is that you're literally standing over history. During excavations in the 1980s, archaeologists uncovered the sandstone foundations of the original Government House, and sections of these remains have been preserved beneath the museum. Through glass panels in the floor, you can peer down at walls that have been quietly minding their own business for more than two centuries, patiently waiting for visitors to stop taking selfies for five seconds and actually notice them.
The museum also features changing exhibitions covering Sydney's people, culture and development, along with historic photographs, maps, films and archaeological discoveries.
Outside, the striking artwork Edge of the Trees serves as a thoughtful reminder of the meeting between Aboriginal Australians and the British colonists—a meeting that history would later reveal wasn't exactly the warm neighbourhood welcome committee.
Best of all, entry is free. That's always a pleasant surprise in Sydney, where sometimes it feels like simply making eye contact with a landmark should incur a booking fee. Even if you've only got an hour or so to spare, the Museum of Sydney is well worth a visit and offers a fascinating glimpse into the city's earliest days. Just don't blame me if you emerge with an inexplicable desire to visit every other museum in town. It happens.
Above and three below.
The main entrance and souvenier shop area.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Museum auditorium.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Models of the first fleet made a truly impressive display. Photos: Brad Peadon.
Model of the first Government House
The Museum of Sydney stands on the site of the former First Government House, the very heart of the fledgling colony after the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Governor Arthur Phillip laid its foundation stone just a few months after landing, and for almost 60 years it served as the political, social and administrative centre of New South Wales. Every governor from Phillip through to Sir George Gipps lived and worked here, while many of the colony's earliest—and sometimes most dramatic—events unfolded within its walls, including the infamous Rum Rebellion. Sadly, the building was demolished in 1846 after the new Government House on Macquarie Street was completed, but archaeological excavations uncovered its foundations in the 1980s.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Paintings.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The main entrance desk for the museum.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and four below.
The upper level of the museum.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Interesting for a museum was this section where you could colour in flowers and hang them on display.
Both Virls and I took ours home as souveniers.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Jib crane.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Looking our over the corner of Bridge and Phillip Streets.
Photo: Brad Peadon
No idea what the point of this was, but you sat there and added loops of string to whatever it is that's hanging down.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Virls taking in the view of Phillip Street..
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Colouring in area which is surprisingly popular.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below
City Limits.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
An interesting way to display relics found on the site is this display in the floor near the main entrance.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Scale model ferries on sale. :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Virls gets stuck into her flower.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Thank you for joining us on yet another Brad N Virls adventure around Sydney. We hope you've enjoyed tagging along, even if it was from the comfort of your lounge chair rather than wearing out your own pair of shoes.
As always, we've deliberately tried not to give absolutely everything away. Half the fun of visiting these wonderful places is stumbling across things for yourself, and we'd hate to rob you of those little "Oh wow, that's actually really cool!" moments. Besides, if we showed every single exhibit, we'd be here until next Tuesday.
Our aim is simply to give you a little taste of what awaits, hopefully enough to tempt you into paying a visit yourself. Sydney is blessed with some fantastic museums, galleries and heritage sites, all looked after by passionate people who do an amazing job preserving our history and sharing it with the rest of us curious stickybeaks.
So if something you've seen here has sparked your interest, do yourself a favour and go along in person. Wander the halls, poke your nose into the displays, soak up a bit of history, and most importantly, support these wonderful institutions. They deserve every bit of encouragement they can get, and you'll almost certainly leave knowing something you didn't when you walked in.
Until the next heritage escapade... thanks for coming along for the ride!
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Virl Virls
& the wonderful staff at the museum.
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Semi-Retired Foamer!
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