courthouse Archives - Destination's Journey

King Street Courts Sydney

Designed as Australia’s first law courts by Francis Greenway for Governor Macquarie, what became the King Street Courts were originally intended as a school. The original law courts were redesigned as St James Church and subsequently the adjoining school was repurposed as courts.

Completed in 1828, the final building differed significantly from Greenway’s original plan and suffered from damp, overcrowding and insufficient roof support. Over several decades these defects were addressed and the courts still operate today.

We visited as part of Sydney is Open and were able to see each courtroom. Volunteers stationed throughout the building, let us gain an insight into the building and its operation.

One courtroom still has a bullet hole when someone on trial wrested a gun from a guard. The gun discharged and the man made a getaway. Not surprisingly gun security was improved and egress from the courtrooms tightened.

The room where prospective jurors waited still has the wooden barrel from which numbers were drawn to select jurors.

Restoration of the courthouse, has resulted in a modern courthouse while maintaining its historical significance.

Memorial to those in the legal profession who served in World War One King Street Courts — Memorial to those in the legal profession who served in World War One

King Street Courts — Memorial to those in the legal profession who served in World War One

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

Berrima Courthouse

Designed by Colonial Architect, Mortimer Lewis in the Greek Revival style, Berrima Courthouse is one of the must see buildings in Berrima New South Wales. Completed in 1839, it only operated for seven years. Subsequently the courthouse operated only occasionally as a courthouse. However, as the centre of public administration it was from here that licenses were issued to publicans and hawkers and convicts were assigned as farm workers. It was also a venue for meetings, dances, concerts and church services.

Now a museum, the courthouse contains displays illustrating its past. One room is set up as the judge’s chambers, with portraits of judges. The main attraction though is a re-enactment of a murder trial. Set in the courtroom, with manikins dressed as the judge, jurors and the accused, it details how the trial was run. Running on a 15 minute loop, the multi-media presentation was fun to sit through.

This was a quick fun visit and worth seeing if you are in Berrima. We had only intended on seeing the outside of the building, but as it was open so we saw the interior as well.