Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

112  SY DNEY

2Conservatorium furnishings and decorations is
of Music housed in the ground-floor state
rooms, while the upstairs rooms
Macquarie St. Map 1 C3. Tel (02) 9351 have been used as the private
1222. @ Sydney Explorer, Circular quarters of the Governor, Queen
Quay routes.  Martin Place. Open Elizabeth II and other members
8am–6pm Mon–Sat, public areas only. of the royal family and visiting
Phone for details of concerts. 7
Closed public holidays, Easter Sat, 24 heads of state. The grand interior
Dec–2 Jan. 8 phone 0404 256 256 features exquisite hand-painted
for details. ∑ music.sydney.edu.au stencilled ceilings and a signifi-
cant collection of portraits.
When it was finished in 1821,
this striking castellated Colonial
Gothic building was meant to 4Mrs Macquaries
be the stables and servants’ Chair
quarters for Government Resting on the carved stone seat of Mrs Macquaries Rd. Map 2 E2.
House, but construction of the Mrs Macquaries Chair @ Sydney Explorer, 111. 7 8
latter was delayed for almost
25 years. That stables should 3Government The scenic Mrs Macquaries
be built in so grand a style, House Road winds along much of
and at such great cost, brought what is now the city’s Royal
forth cries of outrage and led Royal Botanic Garden (Macquarie St Botanic Garden, from Farm Cove
to bitter arguments between entrance). Map 1 C3. Tel (02) 9228 to Woolloomooloo Bay and
the architect, Francis Greenway 4111. @ Sydney Explorer, Circular back again. The road was built
(see p177), and Governor Quay routes.  Circular Quay. in 1816 at the instigation of
Macquarie – and a decree House Open 10:30am–3pm most Fri– Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of the
Sun & 26 Jan (guided tour only; ID
that all future building plans required). Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. Governor. In the same year, a
be submitted to London. Garden Open 10am–4pm daily. stone bench, inscribed with
Between 1908 and 1915 8 every 30 mins. ∑ governor.nsw. details of the new road and its
“Greenway’s folly” underwent gov.au/government-house commissioner, was carved into
a dramatic transformation. the rock at the point where Mrs
A concert hall, roofed in grey The official residence of the Macquarie would often stop
slate, was built on the central governor of New South Wales, and admire the view.
courtyard and the building in this is one of Australia’s oldest Rounding the cove to the
its entirety was converted for buildings. Erected between 1837 west leads to Mrs Macquaries
the use of the Sydney and 1845, the turreted Gothic Point. These lawns are a popular
Conservatorium of Music. Revival edifice overlooks the picnic spot with Sydneysiders,
The café holds lunchtime harbour and Sydney Opera particularly at sunset.
concerts during the school House from within the Royal
term and an upper level with Botanic Garden. The eastern
great harbour views. “The Con” terrace has hosted lavish 5Fort Denison
continues to be a training receptions and entertainment Sydney Harbour. Map 2 E1. Tel (02)
ground for future musicians since 1862. A fine collection of 9247 5033. g Circular Quay. Open
and a great place to visit. 19th- and early 20th-century daily tours: for prices and times call
1300 072 757, or visit ∑ national
parks.nsw.gov.au. Closed 25 Dec.
& 0 8 ∑ fortdenison.com.au
First named Rock Island, this
prominent, rocky outcrop in
Sydney Harbour was also
dubbed “Pinchgut”, probably
because of the meagre rations
given to convicts who were
confined there as punishment.
In 1796, convicted murderer
Francis Morgan was hanged on
the island in chains. His body was
left to rot on the gallows for
three years as a warning to the
other convicts.
Between 1855 and 1857, the
Martello tower (the only one in
Conservatorium of Music at the edge of the Royal Botanic Garden Australia), gun battery and
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp482–3 and pp504–7