Sydney Off the Beaten Path Tips by ATXtraveler

One of the original detention facilities in Sydney was this building that now houses the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. It is located across from Hyde Park in downtown Sydney. One of the most interesting things about this museum is that the building was left unused for almost a century, and was barely saved from destruction. One of the main reasons it was nearly destroyed, was because rats had completely taken over in this building, and there are several sections that have a tribute to the "ratacombs" or the tunnels that these rats had built.

I was turned off by this museum primarilly because they actually had live rats in the visitor's center, and they had not cleaned the cages in a very long time!!

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Phone: +61 (0)2 9223 8922
Website: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/hs_hb_hyde_park_barracks.asp

On the first ships to arrive in Sydney were several Catholic convicts in 1788. Over the years, there came a need to have a church for these Catholics, especially as they served their terms. In 1820, the first priests of the Catholic Church arrived, and soon after they began building St. Mary's. Soon after the cathedral was erected and stood in place until 1865 when fire ruined alot of it. It was rebuilt over the years, and has hosted many popes since then.

We actually were walking by here the day the new pope was elected, so the bells were really ringing!

Inside are some beautiful altars and stained glass windows, and outside you will see a beautiful Gothic style cathedral.

The photo here is from the Sydney Tower looking down over Hyde Park onto the cathedral.

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Phone: (02) 9220 0400
Website: http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/Cathedral/index.shtml
Other Contact: info@stmaryscathedral.org.au

One of the groups of people under the most turmoil in Australia would have to be the Chinese. As immigrants to this country, they have gone through many years of battles for the right to immigrate to Australia, and still to this day are a bit segregated from the rest of the settlers to the new country. Deep in the heart of downtown Sydney however is a rich heritage of Chinese owned business, especially some delicious restaurants! Sarah and I walked through this part of town in search for some good lunch, and saw the difference between Chinese and British cultures. Definitely worth the walk, and worth the time to stop and have lunch.

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Website: http://www.chinatownsydney.com/overview.cfm
Other Contact: info@chinatownsydney.com

One of the first churches in Sydney was located at the top of the Rocks in a place called Miller's Point. This church is the Garrison Church that is still occupying the space today.

The church was built in 1840, and was originally to be known as the Church of the Holy Trinity, but popularly became known as the Garrison Church based on its proximity to the stockpile of weapons for the Commonwealth.

For many years personnel from the nearby Garrison have been attending this church, and still do today.

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Phone: (02) 9247 1268
Website: http://www.thegarrisonchurch.org.au/