Cruise Ship Destination: Sydney Campbells Bond Stores

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.

 (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.

 

 

Russell Hotel - Most Haunted Hotel in Sydney

Last time we were in Sydney we chose to stay in a hotel in the city. Located in historic buildings in The Rocks area of Sydney, The Russell Boutique Hotel at 143 George Street has boutique rooms across three historic buildings. We had a lot of choices for hotels in Sydney, and all were expensive - even the YHA was expensive for what you got. I think we found the best hotel - perfect location, great room, friendly staff and good amenities. We stayed in room 9 on the top floor of the corner building. It was a double room and we had an extra rollaway for Jonnie.

According to the hotel website, each room is different. Some rooms have en-suites, ours did not and we shared a bathroom with room 10.

The room was spacious, even with the extra bed, and the bed was very comfortable. There was an overhead fan that we used one night (we were there in October). There was only one chair for three of us but that was fine, we had the beds to sit on. We were surprised to have tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits and water provided each day.

A mini fridge with $$ drinks and $$snacks was in the corner of the room, with a kettle (and power-point) - this was the only thing we didn't like - there was nowhere to move the kettle to use it, so we just had to be extra careful when using it. We took the ironing board out of the wardrobe in order to put our suitcases in.

This was the view of Circular Quay from one of our three windows.

The present Russell Hotel was built in 1887. There is a sign on the building that says so. The hotel is built on part of the original site of a convict hospital that opened in 1788, and then a portable hospital. It operated until the 'Rum' Hospital opened on Macquarie Street in 1816. The area was then quarried as the sandstone was used to build many of the early Sydney buildings. In 1823 the land was leased to former convict Samuel Terry, a publican and merchant and businessman. He constructed three buildings on the site in the 1820's that were used as a public house and fostered his brewing interests. After the death of Samuel, the land was owned by his widow and other trustees until her death in 1858. In June 1861 the properties were purchased by William Reilly and he did some rebuilding. 1880 the property was purchased by Thomas Brennan and it was Thomas who built the present corner building, while continuing the licensed premises in the other two buildings. With the death of Brennan the property was sold to Tooth & Co. and remained  the Port Jackson Hotel until 1923 when the Government of the day wanted to reduce the number of licensed premises, it became tea rooms. The upper floors were used for accommodation and became known as the Russell Hotel in 1933. Perhaps the name came from the last publican W. Russell, but the origin of the name is unknown.

Over the years the three buildings have been used as public houses, brewery, taverns and possibly houses of ill repute. At different times it went under the names: Sheer Hulk Tavern, Patent Slip Tavern, Port Jackson Hotel, Whitworth's Cafe, Colonial Cafe, Singapore Cafe, Allens Cafe. Today the Russell Hotel is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register and is a warren of hallways and staircases.

It is a perfect location to explore the early days of Sydney (Port Jackson). It is a short walk to the Cruise Terminal, Circular Quay, Opera House, Harbour Bridge, State Records Office (if doing family tree and convict records) and of course the historic Rocks Area.

Because the hotel rooms run across three buildings on George Street, little court yards appear off some rooms.

Continental breakfast and Wi-Fi is included each day, and although we didn't need to use the wifi, the breakfast was great. Pastries, fresh fruit, boiled eggs, cereal, toast, juice, a variety of teas and percolated coffee.

The dining room - First Fleet Bistro - is at the back of the Fortune of War Hotel, and this is where we had breakfast each morning and one dinner. Dinner can be ordered in either the Push Bar or the Fortune of War and can be eaten in the pubs or in the dining room. We chose the quieter dining room.

.....and it is right next door to Star Bucks!

The hotel also has a beautiful rooftop terrace, that can be a little tricky to find in the rabbit warren of halls and staircases, but that's half the fun.

.... with a view to the Harbour Bridge.

There is also a sitting room with a TV and library of books and games.

It also has a small balcony where one can enjoy an apple from the reception room.

The downstairs bar - The Push Bar, has a variety of beers and cocktails.

I loved my Cosmopolitan

The other on site bar - Fortune of War, is very popular during the day and the evening. It is the oldest pub in Sydney, dating back to 1828.

The three story building is also heritage listed and still has the original wall tiles ceilings and timber features in the main front bar. The rest of bar is believed to be built in 1922, except for the back dining room where we ate, which is newer. The upstairs floors are part of the Russell Hotel. We found a seat and Peter had a beer tasting paddle and I had a moscato.

The Russell Hotel is believed to be the most haunted hotel in Sydney. I didn't look up any of thee ghost stories as I really didn't want to know while we were staying there, other than not wanting to be in room 8 at the back. You can read about the ghosts here, and here.

We loved our stay and would highly recommend this lovely hotel.

Sydney - capital of New South Wales & VIVID

Day 3, we stopped for lunch at Bulladellah and purchased a couple of Opal Cards to use on public transport in Sydney.Travelling in Sydney is easy by public transport. One can get to any destination by either bus, ferry or train. What is difficult is buying a ticket!

Sydney uses a system of Opal Cards, that need to be applied for and mailed prior to visiting Sydney. The card then needs to be topped up. We go to Sydney a lot, and last trip when trying to get an Opal Card, we simply couldn't. All local "Opal Card" vendors were for topping up Opal Cards. We did catch a ferry at Rose Bay, and there was a single ticket machine there, so we could get to Circular Quay.

So, we decided to go to Sydney last minute, and researching Opal Cards online, I found that it would take 5-10 days for card to be mailed. Not enough time, as we were leaving 4 days later to drive down. I continued researching and found a link to Opal for Visitors. This gave me a list of places I could buy an Opal Card once in Sydney. That would be good if you are staying near one of these places. Fortunately for us there were a couple of locations on the way down. One was Bulladellah Post Office, and it was easy to purchase and all our questions were answered. We put $20 on each card, and now we have Opal Cards to use each time we visit Sydney.

Next stop was for fuel and a look at the old Leyland Brother's 'Ayers Rock' - it was less than impressive.

We arrived at Sydney's Lane Cove National Park Caravan Park, a lovely park on the northern end of Sydney. It has been over a year since we stayed here, and this park is the cheapest caravan park in Sydney at a cost of $45 per night for a powered site and the best thing is it is close to all transport.

We were lucky to have visits with family.

Unplanned, but fortunate for us, the Sydney Vivid festival was on while we were there. We drove to Huntley's Point Ferry (we once lived near here) and caught the ferry into Circular Quay. Vivid 2017 – 26 May to 17 June, is a festival of lights, sounds, ideas, and food. It occurs each year around this time. We only spent a few hours walking around from the Quay to the Harbour Bridge. There was so much ore to see, so next year we will be back to see more. Words can't describe how wonderful we thought it was, so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

 

  

Light Waves reflecting as the tides move.

Landscape of the Mind shows how the body reacts to different personal experiences.

Crystallise moves when individuals approach and move.

Portholes shows changing environments as seen through port holes.

Don't Step on the Crack is inspired by childhood memories.

 This one was in a back lane, and we only found it because I downloaded a Vivid App. It is called Tidal and told the story of waves and the beginning of settlement.

Lights of Thought moves according to hand gestures.This would have been interesting to use sign language to see what animations it would produce, but too many in the queue.

Fractual constantly changes colour and moves to create different fractures.

Music Box was illuminated on historic Cadman's Cottage. It is an interactive display where four individuals play a game on special pads on the ground. They use their feet to play and as they play the visual on the cottage changes.

Organic Vibrations on facade of the Museum of Contemporary Art was fascinating to watch. Lines and shapes are constantly evolving to create this ever changing art work.

Connections visualises the movement of radio waves from everyday life - I'm not sure how this works, but the more people around the brighter the colours and the more they moved.

Axiom is also an interactive display that involves music and lights moving as people walk around and through it.