Page 85 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

THE ROCKS AND CIRCULAR QU A Y  83

4Sailors’ Home
106 George St, The Rocks. Map 1 B2. @
Sydney Explorer, Circular Quay routes
from Elizabeth St.  Circular Quay.
Built in 1864 as lodgings
for visiting sailors, the first
and second floors here were
dormitories, but these were
later divided into 56 cubicles
or “cabins” which were
arranged around open Terrace restaurants at Campbell’s Storehouses on the waterfront
galleries and lit by four
enormous skylights. At the 6Campbell’s outdoor eating establishments
time it was built, the Sailors’ Storehouses very popular with local business
Home was a welcome people and tourists alike.
alternative to the many seedy 7–27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks.
inns and brothels in the area, Map 1 B2. @ Sydney Explorer, 7Sydney
saving sailors from the perils Circular Quay routes from Elizabeth St.
of “crimping”. “Crimps” would  Circular Quay. 7 Harbour Bridge
tempt newly arrived men into See pp84–5.
bars providing much sought- Robert Campbell, a prominent
after entertainment. While Scottish merchant in the early
drunk, the sailors would be days of Sydney, purchased
sold on to departing ships, this land on Sydney Cove in
waking miles out at sea and 1799. In 1802 he began
returning home in debt. constructing a private wharf
Sailors used the home until and storehouses in which to
1980. It now houses the private house the tea, sugar, spirits and
Billich Gallery, with works by cloth he imported from India.
surreal artist Charles Billich. Campbell was the only
merchant operating in Australia
5The Rocks who managed to infiltrate the
monopoly held by the British
Discovery Museum East India Company. The first
five sandstone bays were built
Kendall Lane, The Rocks. Map 1 B2.
Tel (02) 9240 8680. @ Sydney between 1839 and 1844. A
Explorer, Circular Quay routes from further seven bays were built
Elizabeth St.  Circular Quay. Open between 1854 and 1861. The
10am–5pm daily. Closed Good Fri, 25 full row of storehouses were
Dec. 7 ∑ therocks.com.au finally completed in 1890,
including a brick upper storey. The historic Hero of Waterloo Inn, built in
This fascinating museum, in Part of the old sea wall and 11 the 19th century
a restored 1850s sandstone of the original stores are still
coach house, is home to standing. The pulleys that were 8Hero of Waterloo
a unique collection of used to raise cargo from the 81 Lower Fort St, The Rocks.
archaeological artifacts and wharf can be seen near the top Map 1 A2. Tel (02) 9252 4553. @ 311.
images that detail the story of the preserved buildings. Open 10am–11:30pm Mon–Wed,
of The Rocks from the pre- The area fell into disrepair 10am–midnight Thu–Sat, 10am–10pm
European days to the present. during the first half of the Sun. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec.
There are four permanent 20th century. However, in 7 limited.
exhibitions which are highly the 1970s the Sydney Cove
interactive, making use of Redevelopment Authority This picturesque old inn is
touch screens and audio and finalized plans and began especially welcoming in the
visual technology. Some of renovating the site. Today the winter with its log fires.
the artifacts were found at bond stores contain a range Built in 1844, this was a
the archaeological site on of fine restaurants catering to favourite drinking place for the
Cumberland Street. all tastes, from contemporary nearby garrison’s soldiers. Some
The Rocks Discovery Australian to Chinese and Italian. sea captains were said to use
Museum has been developed Their virtually unimpeded views the hotel to recruit. Patrons who
in close consultation with across Circular Quay towards the drank too much were pushed
local Aboriginal groups, so Sydney Opera House (see pp88– into the cellars via a trapdoor.
that their story of the area is 9) and Sydney Harbour Bridge Tunnels then led to the wharves
properly told. (see pp84–5) make these and on to waiting ships.