We’ve arrived in Sydney after a stopover in Dubai. I should warn you that if you’re expecting to read about Sydney’s iconic sites, you’re going to be disappointed. If that’s what you’re after, check out my earlier posts from 2010 and 2016. No, this post is about one of Sydney’s many ‘burbs, the wonderfully named Woolloomoolloo, a harbourside town 1.5km east of the Sydney CBD, near to Kings Cross and Potts Point.
Woolloomooloo was originally a working-class district, largely docks, which has undergone significant gentrification, particularly along its waterfront where we were staying. Its name comes from the first homestead in the area, Wolloomooloo House, built by its first landowner John Palmer. There is debate as to how Palmer came up with the name with different Aboriginal words being suggested. Was it Wallamullah, meaning place of plenty or Wallabahmullah, meaning a young black kangaroo?
After the First Fleet’s arrival in Sydney, the area was initially called Garden Cove or Garden Island Cove after the nearby small wooded off-shore Garden Island. The first land grant was given to John Palmer in 1793 to allow him to run cattle for the fledgling colony. In the 1840s the farm land was subdivided into what is now Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst and parts of Surry Hills. Originally affluent residents built grand houses here, many with spectacular gardens, attracted by the bay and close proximity to the city and Government House.
Woolloomooloo has a number of heritage-listed sites, including a couple on Cowper Wharf where we were staying. The town is also home to Finger Wharf built in 1911-15, and at the time the world’s largest wooden structure, to help re-organise Sydney Harbour’s foreshore facilities. The wharf’s influence diminished during the 1970s and it became derelict until the mid-1990s when it was turned into private residential apartments, a boutique hotel and several restaurants and bars. It’s now a thriving and popular area.
Ahhh Sydney. My home town
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I did not know that!
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Yes. I moved to Brisbane in the late 80 ‘s
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It’s beautiful, and I Love reading your posts. Suburbs of Sydney is certainly something that I would love to know about…!
Warm regards! ✨😃💕
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Sydney’s a lovely spot but we were only here for a couple of days.
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I sure would love to visit Australia and love your stories and pictures!
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Thank you Kim
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Have fun! I bet its pretty! ❤ don't meet any spiders or other creepy crawlies though! That's what I'd be afraid of if I was there 😛
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That was a bit of a concern on my first trip but I’ve never seen anything (fortunately) on any of my travels round Australia.
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Thank goodness, that would definitely be a concern for me if I was travelling to Australia 😉
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I love these Australian place names. Woolloomooloo is one of the best.
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Isn’t it just!
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Sounds like a terrific place! I can’t wait to see where you go next–great pictures:)
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Me neither, thanks!
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Wonderful pictures – I love traveling with you!
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Thanks Rosemarie
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What a great spot and nice to have that history about the area too. Looks like it would be beautiful in that area as well. Can’t wait to see where you will be next!😁😸
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Me neither!
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Brilliant post! And thankfully not a hint of the Sydney Opera House 😉
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Thanks !
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Good to see this un-acclaimed area
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Great pics Sheree
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