Joanna James
The cultural scene in Sydney is burgeoning lately. This is largely due to the myriad of museums and cultural landmarks dotted around the city. For someone planning to explore Adelaide, these sites are among the best attractions in the city, and here's 5 that you can't afford to miss.
The Museum of Sydney was once the first government house of Australia – a structure that was left abandoned in 1788. However, close to two centuries late in 1983, its foundations were discovered by a team of archaeologists. Following this, a new museum was commissioned to be built on the site as part of Governor Phillip Tower's development plans for the city. Nowadays, the Museum of Sydney houses an impressive collection of historical artefacts that it has on display for all its visitors to see. Being located at the very heart of the city, you can easily access the museum if you're staying at a Sydney city Hyde Park hotel, such as the Oaks Sydney Hyde Park Suites.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world and is perhaps the most famous image associated with Australia. Named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as an Australian Cultural Heritage Site, the opera house is one of the most must-visit locations in Sydney – and in the whole of Australia for that matter. The venue hosts over 15000 performances annually and is visited by over a million people each year. From observing its impressive and unique architectural work to enjoying all the festivities held within, there are a plethora of reasons to visit this marvel if you're ever in the city.
This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that you can find in the fair city of Sydney. It's found at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove River in Sydney Harbour of New South Wales. Cockatoo Island is actually the largest of a series of islands and was inhabited by the traditional Aboriginal people of Australia prior to the arrival of European settlers. Since then, it has served as a shipyard, the site for a girls' reformation school, and as a gruesome prison. Remnants of all these past chapters are still present on the island and you can see these for yourself once you visit.
The Hyde Park Barracks has served as a barracks, hospital, convict accommodation, mint, and courthouse prior to becoming the museum it is today. Originally built in the early 19th century to house dissidents and convicts, the structure was itself designed by a convicted architect by the name of Francis Greenway. As its use varied over the course of decades, the barracks adapted and each iteration has left its mark on the building. All of this makes for a fantastic cultural site that tells a unique story you won't soon forget.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales – terms AGNSW for short – houses one of the most expansive collections of art and décor in the whole of Australia. All in all, the total number of exhibits is an astronomical 19,000, and these range from classic paintings to abstract sculptures and even modern photography. Simply put, there's something for everyone to appreciate here at the gallery.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
