Page 89 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

THE ROCKS AND CIRCULAR QU A Y  87

eMacquarie Place Formalities of the late­Victorian
legal proceedings can be easily
Map 1 B3. @ Circular Quay routes
from Elizabeth St. imagined in the fully restored
courtroom. Menacing imple­
Governor Macquarie created ments from knuckledusters to
this park in 1810 on what was bludgeons are displayed as the
once the vegetable garden of macabre relics of notorious
the first Government House. The crimes. Other interesting asp­
sandstone obelisk, designed by ects of policing, criminality and
Francis Greenway (see p177), was the legal system are highlighted
erected in 1818 to mark the in special changing exhibitions.
starting point for all roads in the The museum powerfully evokes
colony. The gas lamps recall the the realities of Australian
fact that this was also the site of policing and justice.
the city’s first street lamp in 1826. Montage of criminal “mug shots”,
Also in this area are the Justice and Police Museum
remains of the bow anchor and yWriters’ Walk
cannon from HMS Sirius, flag­ tJustice and Circular Quay. Map 1 C2. @ Circular
ship of the First Fleet. The Police Museum Quay routes from Elizabeth St. 
statue of Thomas Mort, a 19th­ Circular Quay.
century industrialist, is today a Cnr Albert & Phillip sts. Map 1 C3.
marshalling place for somewhat Tel (02) 9252 1144. @ Circular Quay This series of plaques is set
kamikaze bicycle couriers. routes from Elizabeth St.  Circular in the pavement at regular
Quay, Martin Pl. Open 10am–5pm Sat intervals between East and
& Sun (open daily in Jan & NSW school West Circular Quay. It gives the
rCustoms House hols). Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. 8 & visitor the chance to ponder
7 limited. ∑ sydneyliving
31 Alfred St, Circular Quay. Map 1 B3. museums.com.au the observations of famous
Tel (02) 9242 8551. @ Circular Quay Australian writers, both past
routes from Elizabeth St, Sydney The buildings housing this and present, on their home
Explorer. Open 8am–midnight Mon– museum originally comprised country, as well as the musings
Fri, 10am–midnight Sat, 11am–5pm the Water Police Court, designed of some noted literary visitors.
Sun. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. 7 by Edmund Blacket in 1856, the Each plaque is dedicated
- 0 ∑ sydneycustoms Water Police Station, designed to a particular writer, consisting
house.com.au by Alexander Dawson in 1858, of a personal quotation and
and the Police Court, a brief biographical note.
Colonial architect designed by James Australian writers in the series
James Barnet Barnet in 1885. Here include the novelists Miles
designed this 1885 the rough­and­tumble Franklin and Peter Carey, poets
sandstone Classical underworld of quay­ Oodgeroo Noonuccal and
Revival building on side crime, from the Judith Wright (see pp38–9),
the same site as a petty to the violent, humorists Barry Humphries and
previous Customs was dealt swift and, Clive James, and the influential
House. Its recalls the at times, harsh justice. feminist writer Germaine Greer.
bygone days when Detail from The museum exhibits Among the international writers
trading ships berthed at Customs House illustrate that turbulent included who have visited
Circular Quay. The building period, as they re­create legal Sydney are Mark Twain, Charles
stands near the mouth of Tank and criminal history. Darwin and Joseph Conrad.
Stream, the fledgling colony’s
freshwater supply. Among its
many fine features are tall
veranda columns of polished
granite, a finely sculpted coat
of arms and a clock face, added
in 1897, which features a pair
of tridents and dolphins.
A complete refurbishment
was completed in 2005. Facilities
include a City Library with a
reading room and exhibition
space, and an open lounge area
with an international newspaper
and magazine salon, Internet
access and bar. On the roof,
Café Sydney offers great views. Strolling along a section of the Writers’ Walk at Circular Quay