Just last month we were in Sydney visiting friends and relatives. We had a day out in the city and visited the iconic Queen Victoria Building. It was a win-win for both of us, shops for Anthony and amazing photo opportunities for me. The architecture is stunning and the stained glass windows beautiful. There are many cafes and patisseries to have coffee or lunch, all with excellent service and delicious menus.
The QVB opened in 1898, and was designed by George McRae, it replaced the original Sydney Markets and was named to honour the monarch’s Diamond Jubilee. Its architecture is Romanesque and once housed a concert hall and warehouses. In the 1930s it was remodelled using Art Deco style. In the 60s it faced near demolition but was rescued in time and put back to her former glory.
It’s feels like stepping back in time for a few hours, and it makes a change from the modern malls that are now common place.
The Great Australian Clock
The Great Australian Clock, designed and made by Chris Cook, weighs four tonnes and stands ten metres tall. It features 33 scenes from Australian history. Below are just a few of the ones that I managed to take good shots at.
The scenes depict actual events and are quite distressing. They are quite thought provoking and some of the issues are still being addressed. The Aboriginal hunter above circles the exterior of the clock continuously.
“The hours of folly are measured by the clock; but of wisdom, no clock can measure.” William Blake
The Royal Clock by Neil Glasser
Unfortunately I missed the scenes from English history from the above clock. The clock activates on the hour from 9 am until 9 pm. Each performance begins with the music of the trumpet, and each scene is viewed one at a time. An excuse to revisit next time I am in Sydney.
Looking up at the glassed turrets
The beautiful stained glass arched windows overlooking the street below.
Sydney’s oldest steel spiral staircase, which is 119 years old.
After lunch we took the new Sydney Metro which wasn’t around the last time we were here. It runs through the city centre and to other regions of Sydney. We found it extremely easy to use and so convenient.
Just a few more shots of Sydney City Centre that I found on our walk back to Circular Quay.
I loved the two paintings of Sydney scenes above. They are some of the paintings that have been put on the side of hoarding boards, surrounding another skyscraper about to be built.
The Tank Stream Fountain above shows Australian plants and animals, including frogs, snakes, goannas, echidnas, crabs, birds and tortoises. I spent a while looking and walking around these sculptures as Anthony walked further and further away!
Just a quick glimpse into some of the things Sydney has to offer, amongst an abundance of other delights.
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