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The life of Miles Franklin is a vital chapter in the story of Australian literature.  While always a girl from the bush, for much of her life she called Sydney home.

Scottish sailor whose autobiography published in 1822 recorded his circumnavigation of the globe, involvement in the American War of Independence, his life on a whaling vessel and that on a convict transport. On the voyage aboard Lady Juliana he partnered with Sarah Whitlam…

Older woman who arrived in Sydney as a convict on the Lady Penrhyn with the First Fleet in 1788 after being found of guilty of perjury in 1785. Bowes-Smyth estimated her age at about 82, but it is more likely that she was about 60. She spent seven years in Sydney before…

Farm granted to Lieutenant Governor Francis Grose in 1792, which gave its name to the larger area set aside for the University of Sydney in the 1850s.

Volunteer navy unit formed with the construction of 2 torpedo-boats, Acheron and Avernus in 1878 to defend Sydney against the perceived threat of Russian warships off the coast.

Considered one of Sydney's 'lesser theatres', the Royal Standard was a popular venue for vaudeville and melodrama before renovation and reinvention, briefly, as a playhouse.

Public building on Alfred Street at Circular Quay where shipping was cleared and goods passing through the port of Sydney were taxed and cleared for sale or export. A number of Customs House buildings have stood on the site since since 1845 and it was designed and redesigned…

Commemorative plaque that was installed on the site of the Ultimo Power Station between 1984 and 1988 as part of the Sydney Green Plaques Bicentennial project.

Bishopscourt, which has served as the residence of the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney since 1911, is one of the finest houses in Darling Point, and one of the best Gothic picturesque houses in Australia.

Constructed as accomodation and cable station that connected Sydney with the world, it also served as a women's refuge from 1944 until converted to exhibition space in 1988.

Nineteenth-century Sydney's 'finest private residence' in Macquarie Street. Built by merchant Thomas Burdekin in 1842, its demolition in 1933 was an early catalyst for the heritage movement.

Building housing the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, built as the northern wing of Sydney Hospital, and much added to over nearly 200 years.

Spectacular festival organised by the Sydney Chinese community as part of the sesquicentenary celebrations to publicise China's plight following the Japanese invasion of Nanking the previous year.

Sheltered bay on Sydney's north shore, named for Archibald Mosman, whaler. Earlier known as Great Sirius Cove after the HMS Sirius that was careened there in 1789.

Kate Leigh, the 'Sly Grog Queen', was a leading figure in Sydney's criminal milieu in the early decades of the twentieth century and a protagonist in the razor gang wars. Famous for her feud with the brothel-keeper Tilly Devine, Leigh was seen by some as the worst woman in…

Commemorative plaque that was installed on the site of Barnett Levey's Theatre Royal between 1984 and 1988 as part of the Sydney Green Plaques Bicentennial project.

Russians have a long and complex history in Sydney, with great diversity in ethnicity, religion and history within the community, and enormous influence from developments in politics in the wider world.

Described as 'the most remarkable woman in the Empire', Florence Taylor was one of Sydney's first women architects, a publisher, writer, town planner and socialite.

When The Wharf opened its doors in January 1985, Vivian Fraser's sensitive renovation, with its respect for the past and embrace of the modern, won universal acclaim. As a venue, The Wharf epitomises the big, bold, adventurous creativity and distinctive Sydney glamour of the…

Journal published in 1838 by Thomas Walker which recorded his journey from Sydney to Port Philip and discussed the state of farming and society at that time.