Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Sydney in 1888

Sydney in 1888

from the Illustrated Sydney News, 1888

Printed periodical
Sydney: Gibbs Shallard & Co [1881–94]
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
DL X8/3 f29

First published in Sydney in 1853, the Illustrated Sydney News became famous for its large illustrated supplements published alongside regular issues. This detailed ‘birds eye’ view of Sydney was published as a supplement in a Special European edition to promote Sydney to a European audience in the colony’s centenary year.

Darling Harbour

In the foreground are the bustling commercial wharves of Darling Harbour, named after Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling, governor of NSW from 1825 to 1831. Pyrmont Bridge was built in 1857 connecting the city directly to Pyrmont and the southern end of Darling harbour was dredged to accommodate larger vessels. With increased capacity for trade, warehouses, sawmills, cattle yards and hotels spread around the foreshore.

Dawes Point

Dawes Point is featured on the bottom left of the scene and to the right of Dawes Point is the area currently designated for the Barangaroo development.