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Category: Guided Tours

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Queen Victoria Building Sydney

Three levels of the Queen Victoria Building

Queen Victoria Building Sydney

Built between 1893 and 1898, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is an iconic shopping destination in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Originally designed to replace the Sydney markets, the QVB housed a concert hall, coffee shops, showrooms, warehouses and a wide variety of tradespeople. Over time things changed, the concert hall became the city library, tenants left and others moved in. In the 1930’s the original Romanesque architecture was remodelled into the Art Deco style, while shop fronts were modified and internal galleries are floored over.

As the building aged it deteriorated until there were constant calls for its demolition from 1959 to 1971. Fortunately this did not occur and the building underwent a refurbishment and restoration from 1982. Original plans, drawings and photographs were not available, so this was an envisaged refurbishment, done to the best abilities of the architects.

Today with it’s floors and galleries restored it is a wonderful place to wander through, either browsing, shopping or eating.

Tour

We organised a tour through the building which takes visitors behind the scenes into places where the general public is not able to go. The guide gave a detailed history of the building explaining many of the design features.

One of the major features of the building is the copper clad domes on the roof. Dominated by the large central dome, there are also 20 smaller cupolas on the roof. We were able to go through a service door and see the interior of several domes, being able to view their timber structure. We were also able to walk on the roof, getting a close up look at the dome’s exterior.

The true beauty of the building though is the internal design, where the stained glass of the dome, ceiling and windows provide an amazing sight. Even the floor tiles are works of art and they are best viewed from one of the upper galleries. From here you not only get a get view of the interior, but a birds eye view of the tiles’ design.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to climb the spiral staircase that is a feature of the upper floor. Apparently it is unsafe to take a group of tourists up it. Instead, this old staircase that used to be for maintenance access is now just a decoration.

What Did We Think?

This was a great tour, where we got to go behind the scenes. Being able to see inside the domes and onto the roof was great. The knowledge of the guide was amazing, not only could they talk about the building and answer questions but were also able to keep a group of tourists all heading the same way so that we stayed on time.

Queen Victoria Statue
Queen Victoria Statue
The Queen Victoria Building and its domes
The Queen Victoria Building and its domes
Entrance staircase and stained glass window
Entrance staircase and stained glass window
Stained glass window over the entrance Queen Victoria Building
Stained glass window over the entrance
Spiral Staircase to the dome
Spiral Staircase to the dome
Spiral Staircase to the dome
Spiral Staircase to the dome
The dome from inside the building
The dome from inside the building
The Queen Victoria Building clock from the upper level
The QVB clock from the upper level
Looking down from the top level
Looking down from the top level
Three levels of the Queen Victoria Building
Three levels of the QVB
Three levels of the Queen Victoria Building and the dome
Three levels of the QVB and the dome
Wooden structure of one of the smaller domes
Wooden structure of one of the smaller domes
Internal structure of one of the smaller domes Queen Victoria Building
Internal structure of one of the smaller domes
The main dome from the roof Queen Victoria Building
The main dome from the roof

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Bare Island

The external walls of the fortified island

Bare Island

In the 1860s Britain removed its garrison troops from its Australian colonies, which resulted in a rapid examination of the colonies’ defenses. Britain’s war with Russia escalated fears of an invasion (not sure how Russia was going to send an invasion force all the way to Australia). As a result two Imperial Engineers arrived (Scratchley who also designed Fort Scratchley in Newcastle and Jervois). Between them and with the assistance of colonial architects they devised a series of forts to defend the coastline and major centres. One of these was Bare Island.

With excellent views over the entrance to Botany Bay, Bare Island was perfectly placed to guard against an overland attack of Sydney. Manned by around 70 soldiers it served as a fort from it’s completion in 1886 until the early 1900s. With changing technology, the fort became a war veterans’ home until 1942 when the military again took up residence.

Bare Island Fort Today

Unfortunately during the 1930s all but the two largest guns were sold for scrap. The largest guns remain only because they were too heavy to move. In 1967, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) were given control of the now gazetted historical site. In 1989, the fort opened to the public.

Getting There

We drove to La Perouse and parked in the foreshore parking area. From here we walked over the pedestrian bridge to Bare Island.

The Tour

NPWS conduct guided tours of the island, which can be booked online. Joining a tour at the entrance gate is possible, but only if there is room. Book onlie to avoid disappointment.

Access to the island is via a pedestrian bridge. Your guide will meet you at the far end of the bridge and let you through the gates. From here, the tour takes you through the gun pits, tunnels and rooms of the fort. The guide provides a narration throughout the tour, so you receive the full history of the island.

From the top of the island, you get amazing views of Botany Bay, while being able to appreciate the importance of the fort as it overlooks the bay’s entrance.

What Did We Think of Bare Island?

This was a great tour, full of history and interesting things to see. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, providing us with lots of information on the Island’s history. Especially good was the group size, which was no so large that you missed out on seeing things.

The external walls of the fortified island
The external walls of the fortified island Bare Island
External walls Bare Island
External walls
The connecting bridge Bare Island
The connecting bridge
Rifle slots in the walls
Rifle slots in the walls
Verandah of the Barracks
Verandah of the Barracks
Connecting tunnel between gun pits Bare Island
Connecting tunnel between gun pits
underground gun, firing through a concealed gunport Bare Island
underground gun, firing through a concealed gunport
Connecting tunnel and magazine access
Connecting tunnel and magazine access
One of the gun pits
One of the gun pits
Gun mounted on one of the gun platforms. Not the original gun.
Gun mounted on one of the gun platforms.
Disappearing gun pit Bare Island
Disappearing gun pit
This shows the commanding field of fire the gun had to the entrance to Port Botany.
This shows the commanding field of fire the gun had to the entrance to Port Botany.
Gun pit with a view of the connecting bridge to Bare Island
Gun pit with a view of the connecting bridge to the island
View from Bare Island to the mainland. Aboriginal, Australian and NSW flags.
View from Bare Island to the mainland. Aboriginal, Australian and NSW flags.

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The Strand Arcade Sydney

Strand Arcade Sign

The Strand Arcade Sydney

Located in the centre of the Sydney CBD and running from Pitt to George Street, the Strand Arcade is one of Sydney’s premier shopping destinations. Opened in 1892, The Strand is the only remaining arcade of its type in Sydney. With three levels, to explore and many cafes and restaurants, there’s plenty to see.

A Brief History of The Strand

Over time the arcade became neglected and run-down. However, in 1976, as restoration works were being undertaken a fire broke out causing extensive damage. Fortunately, instead of demolishing the building, the owner decided on an authentic restoration. As a result, the floor, staircases and shopfronts look exactly as they were when first built. Even the hydraulic lifts were restored.

What to Find on the Different Levels

Walking through the arcade, the cedar shopfront, balustrades and tiled floors all remind you of the 18th century. The stairs even have a lead covering to protect the cedar wood. There is three levels to the Strand. The top has high-end shops where you can find wedding dress makers, shoemakers, and old time barbers. Many of these shops have displays of the original tools used in their businesses as well as viewing into their workshops. Also from this level, you get a good view of the Strand Clock, installed by one of the original tenants that came from Germany and had a nut shop. When they decided to close they left this little bit of history for all to see.

The middle level has department brands that we all know and is relatively busy, while the bottom contains eateries, and a variety of everyday shop that we would visit regularly.

The original building had leadlight windows. Unfortunately, adjacent development has covered one from the outside. This has resulted in no light to show off its colours, but another nearby still has natural light to show off its design.

The Strand is very easy to find in the centre of Sydney and is a great place to visit, even if it’s only to browse the shops or have a coffee while admiring the architecture.

Strand Arcade Sign
Strand Arcade Sign
Ground Floor
Ground Floor
Middle Floor The Strand Arcade
Middle Floor
View from the Top Floor The Strand Arcade
View from the Top Floor
Stain Glass Window
Stain Glass Window
Stained Glass Windows
Stained Glass Windows
Original Elevator
Original Elevator
The Strand Arcade's Clock
The Strand Arcade’s Clock

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.