We love Sydney. We don't get to go there as much as we use to, mainly because we now go on cruises from Brisbane. However, when we get the chance to cruise to Sydney we do. So much to see in Sydney, and so much to see walking distance just around the cruise port. The Rocks area is the oldest part of Sydney and much of the old colonial settlement still remains there.
From the ship, looking towards the Harbour Bridge, on the left, one can see beautiful sandstone buildings known as Campbells Bond Stores.
Once of the ship, turn right and walk along the water front to a large open pedestrian area on Campbells Cove.
On the left are the restored Campbells Bond Stores.
Campbells Cove was originally called Meeliyahwool by the local Aboriginal people. Robert Campbell, a Scottish merchant, started trading in the colony in 1798, and purchased this land in 1799.
Regarded as one of the founders of commerce in the colony, Robert Campbell was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1769. Robert joined his brother in India as a merchant and sent the first shipment to the colony in 1798. A very interesting life, did Robert Campbell have. Read more about his life and many achievements here.
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| (1910). Copy of a portrait of Robert Campbell. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. |
The first use of this land in the colony was for grazing, mostly sheep. The land was leased to Henry Waterhouse, the commander of the Reliance in 1794 and was used to graze the first merino sheep in the colony from Spain. Robert Campbell purchased the land in 1799 and constructed a private wharf and two warehouses to store his goods - sugar, tea, coffee, spirits and cloth from India. Robert married and built his home, Wharf House, near the wharves in 1801. In 1807, Robert Campbell built Australia's first ship building yards at what is now Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at Kirribilli. By 1810 he had added another wharf near his own garden and elegant house. About 1838 the construction of 5 more sandstone warehouses that we see today had began, originally 2 storeys, they were built by his sons and completed in 1861, after his death in 1846. The top level was added in 1890.
Attached to the first warehouse is the remains of an hydraulic whip that was fitted in the 1890's to allow goods to be lifted to the upper levels.
Campbells Bond Stores are heritage listed.
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