Hyde Park, garden

The remnants of a heritage listed underground public toilet is located at Hyde Park, along Park Street close to the corner of Elizabeth Street. Built in 1909, it has now been dicommissioned and filled with sand, which preserves it and allows for reuse in the future. The features above ground such as the the lamp post on a sandstone plinth and wrought iron stairway fences have been incorporated into the garden beds.

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Hyde Park, Sandringham Gardens, gates

These decorative gates are part of Sandringham Gardens in  Hyde Park North. Sandringham Gardens were developed to commemorate the intended visit of King George VI in 1952, which was cancelled due to his sudden death. In 1953, it was decided to dedicate the gardens as a joint memorial to the late King George V and the late King George VI. The memorial gates were unlocked on 5 February 1954 by the late King George VI's daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.

Hyde Park, Festival of Sydney

These light reflections have created decorative displays on the canopies of the trees in Hyde Park, during the Festival of Sydney.

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Hyde Park Obelisk

The Hyde Park Obelisk is an obelisk located on the western edge of Hyde Park. This monument, which was unveiled in 1857 by the Lord Mayor, George Thornton. It was originally used as a sewerage vent, so was jokingly referred to as Thorton's Scent Bottle. It was built at the junction of Elizabeth Street and Bathurst Street because the sewage system was at its highest point here, although it is no longer used as a vent to avoid the risks of contamination. The monument is 22 metres high, including the 6.5 metre high square sandstone base and a filigreed bronze pyramid vent at the top. This obelisk was modelled on Cleopatra's Needle, on the banks of London's Thames River.

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Hyde Park, Sydney Life Gallery

Sydney Life is a photographic exhibition, which is part of the Art & About Sydney festival. There were 500 entries in Sydney Life, which show the many sides of the city of Sydney. These large scale images of the 22 finalists are currently being displayed on canvas in the leafy central walkway in Hyde Park.

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William Bede Dalley, Sydney Statues: Project!

This bronze statue of William Bede Dalley, a politician and barrister, stands in Hyde Park. A number of the city's statues have been dressed up and decorated for the Sydney Statues: Project! as part of the Art & About Sydney festival which is running from 23 September to 24 October 2010. Several emerging and established artists, textile artists, fashion and costume designers have been involved to creatively enhance these historical statues. A photo of the statue at other times can be seen here.

Hyde Park, Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney is a festival of light, music and ideas which ran from 27th May to 21st June. This is the second year that the city has held the festival that features large-scale light installations and projections, music performances and creative ideas summits. This year in Hyde Park, the Archibald Fountain and trees were bathed in a blue light. A daytime photo of the Archibald Fountain can be seen here.

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Hyde Park, Sydney Festival

The Sydney Festival is Australia's largest annual cultural event. Held every January since 1977, the program features theatre, music, dance, visual arts and lectures. Many events on the program are free. The Famous Spiegeltent is a regular performance venue, which is part of Festival Gardens, set up in Hyde Park, on the corner of College Street and Park Street. Spiegeltents were created in the early 20th century as travelling pavilions used as concert venues, dance halls, bars and entertainment salons. It's desserted during the day but it comes alive at night.

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Hyde Park, William Bede Dalley statue

A lifesize bronze statue of lawyer and member of Parliament, William Bede Dalley sits on the north east corner of Hyde Park, near St James Road. I must admit I'd never heard of him before I discovered this statue and was surprised to see it in such a prominent position in the city.

Hyde Park, Frederic Joseph Walker memorial fountain

On the western side of Hyde Park, this fountain is a focal point for people and birds. It features mosaic tiles and sits close to the sandstone statues that I showed yesterday. The plaque nearby reads as follows: This fountain was presented to the City of Sydney by the family of Frederic Joseph Walker as a tribute to his memory and all who pioneered primary industry in Australia. 15th February 1961.
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Hyde Park, sculpture

This sandstone sculpture in Hyde Park by Gerard Havekes depicts Water, Fire and Earth. The inscription on a plaque nearby reads as follows: The labours and beauty of pioneering mankind are depicted by three figures Water, Fire and Earth and a flanking font.

Water - A fisherman looking to the seas and new horizons.

Fire - A woman depicting womanhood and intuition protecting the fire of initiative and progress.

Earth - A farmer depicting the pioneering efforts upon which the country has developed.

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Hyde Park, Captain Cook statue

This statue of Captain James Cook in Hyde Park was sculpted by Thomas Woolner. It was unveiled by Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, on Tuesday 25th February 1879. The statue was erected to commemorate Captain Cook's discovery of the east coast of Australia in 1770.

Hyde Park, cannon

This historic cannon sits among the flower beds along College Street, on the north-eastern corner of Hyde Park. It was cast at Carron Works in Scotland in 1808 and bears the royal cypher of George III. It was originally part of the fortifications at Bennelong Point but when Fort Macquarie was replaced by a tram terminus in 1905 it was moved to this new location opposite St Mary's Cathedral.

Sydney Tower

Viewed from Hyde Park, this palm tree soars into the sky but is actually dwarfed by Sydney Tower, which is Sydney's tallest building.

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Hyde Park, Frazer Fountain

This magnificent monument is Frazer fountain, a drinking fountain located up the stairs from College Street, opposite Sydney Boys Grammar and the Australian Museum. It was originally located at the entrance to Hyde Park at Oxford Street around 1908. It was later moved to the centre of the park and then moved again to this location in 1935, to make way for the Anzac Memorial and Pool of Rememberance.

Sandringham Gardens, Hyde Park

This decorative fountain is in the middle of Sandringham Gardens, which are located on the eastern side of Hyde Park, on the corner of Park Street and College Street. Sandringham Gardens were developed to commemorate the intended visit in 1952 of King George VI, which was cancelled due to the sudden death of the King. The gardens were then created as a memorial to King George VI and King George V.

Hyde Park kick

Sydney was sweltering through another scorching hot day but that didn't stop these two blokes from kicking the ball around in Hyde Park in the midday sun.

Hyde Park, Australia Day 2009

Australia Day is Australia's national day which is celebrated on the 26th January. This date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788. The city is often decorated with flags for various celebrations and events. For Austalia Day this year, eye-catching red, blue and white flags have been displayed throughout the city. These are located on Elizabeth Street at Hyde Park, beside the war memorial.

Hyde Park, Sydney Festival

The Festival of Sydney is in full swing and runs for most of the month of January. The Bosco Theatre is a spiegeltent that has been set up in Hyde Park, on the corner of College Street and Park Street. Spiegeltents were created in the early 20th century and are travelling pavilions that have been used for concert venues, dance halls, bars and entertainment salons.

Hyde Park, Christmas

 A Christmas tree surrounded by flower boxes in the middle of Hyde Park.