James Waugh’s discerning descriptions provide a glimpse of Sydney life in 1861. Here are our favourite must-see sites from the city’s past.
More than 150 years ago, James Waugh wrote a travel guide for visitors to our city.
The Stranger’s Guide to Sydney is filled with insightful and sometimes funny descriptions of local life: “In order for those who have but a short time to spend in town, may have any opportunity of seeing as much of it as possible.”
Experience the complete walk in the free Sydney Culture Walks app.
In this point of interest he said: “There is a delivery three times a day, viz at 9am, 1 and 4pm; but on extraordinary occasions such as the arrival of an English Mail, a delivery takes place as soon after as possible.”
“When finished St Andrew’s Cathedral will be an imposing structure. The patience of many has been wearied out from the length of time it has been in building. Of late, however, it has gradually been verging towards completion.”
“It is now the resort of the youthful inhabitants for the favourite and healthy game of cricket, and the number who may be seen engaged in this sport, on a pleasant day, is truly astounding.”
“This valuable and instantaneous mode of communication has now become a necessary thing in the onward march of improvement.”
“It was built at a time when there were so many unemployed in Sydney and very much, for the sole purpose of keeping them from a state of starvation, the pecuniary condition of the colony at that time being very deplorable.”
“A court is held daily, and were it not for drunkenness, the parent of every vice, we venture to affirm there would be little to be brought before its jurisdiction.”
“To view the markets aright, the stranger should visit them on a Saturday night; when the whole being brilliantly lighted … the business that is carried on and the succession of customers, form a fund of interest, to one visiting Sydney for the first time...”
The Stranger’s Guide: Sydney 1861 has won a National Trust Heritage Award in the Heritage Events, Exhibitions and Tours category for 2020.
The judges said, “This tour takes the Sydney Culture Walks app to the next level, resulting in an absorbing and thought-provoking experience.”
Published 7 November 2019, updated 3 February 2022
