Haymarket, Sydney Entertainment Centre, sign

The Sydney Entertainment Centre is located on Harbour Street, in the inner city suburb of Haymarket. It was opened in 1983 on the former site of the former Fruit and Vegetable Markets, which were part of Paddy’s Markets. It is one of Sydney's larger concert venues, which can accommodate over 13,000 people. Although this entertainment centre is less than thirty years old, there are plans to demolish it and replace it with a new convention centre. 

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Haymarket, Golden Water Mouth

Golden Water Mouth is a sculpture and fountain located at the entrance of Chinatown, in the inner city suburb of Haymarket. The artwork was created by Lin Li in 1999. The Australian and Chinese cultures are signified by the combination of materials creating a Yin-Yang harmony.

The five natural elements of gold, wood, water, fire and earth have been incorporated in the design, to encourage positive energy and good fortune. The artist found this dead two centuries old Yellow Box Eucalyptus in Condoblin, New South Wales, near the Lachlan River. This is where many Chinese went during the Gold Rush and later settled alongside the river and grew vegetables for trade.

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Railway Square (Theme Day: Waiting)

 These rising glass bus shelters and four sculpture light towers in Railway Square at Haymarket were installed in 1999 along George Street. Located close to Central railway station, this is a place where people are always waiting for buses. The old Railway Square post office (top) which is now a boutique hotel and new office blocks (bottom) including those for railway administration, can be seen in the background.

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Haymarket, Railway Square

This building at Railway Square, Haymarket was one of the old Marcus Clark Department store buildings. These days it has become a youth hostel. The contemporary sculpture light tower is one of four installed at Railway Square in 1999.

Haymarket, Market City

Market City at Haymarket, is located just south of the Sydney central business district. The complex (left) contains a produce and flea market known as Paddy's Markets, the shopping centre Market City on three levels including cinemas and restaurants and a skyscraper apartment complex above called The Peak. Sydney's produce markets were originally located here until 1980 when they moved to the western suburb of Flemington. The Edwardian architecture of the outer walls of the vegetable market (right), built in 1909, was preserved and restored.

Central Railway Station

Central railway station is Sydney's largest railway station, located at the southern end of the Central Business District. Central is a terminal for country trains and the largest junction for city trains.This view of the clocktower and administration building is from Railway Square at Haymarket. The clocktower once dominated the Sydney skyline and is still a significant landmark in Sydney.

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Chinatown

Sydney's Chinatown is located in the southern part of the city at Haymarket. Chinese gates are located on both ends of the Dixon Street pedestrian mall along with a decorative pergola and decorative street lights. Many Chinese restaurants and businesses can be found in this area. Continuing the Harmony Day theme, most Chinese immigrants to Australia arrived in the last couple of decades but many Australians have traced some Chinese ancestry, dating all the way back to the Australian Gold Rush days in the 1800s. Most Chinese immigrants came from either mainland China or the former British colony of Hong Kong but many have also come via a third country such as Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines or Vietnam. In the 2006 Census, 3.4% of Australians reported having Chinese ancestry.

Railway Square post office

Continuing the theme of converted buildings is this boutique hotel. This heritage building at Railway Square was the old Parcels Post Office. Railway Square was once a major commercial hub featuring major retailers including the Marcus Clark department stores, banks and hotels. These hotels were often occupied by visitors from the country, who arrived in the city on trains that terminated at nearby Central railway station.

Market City, Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year coincided with Australa Day this year, which meant there was a fusion of culture and celebrations at some events. Market City is a shopping centre above Paddy's Markets at Haymarket, near Chinatown. It was decorated with lots of red and gold decorations, inluding a Wishing Tree in the centre court and lanterns hung above.

Central, Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year celebrations are held around Chinatown.

A new lantern float has been created every year for the animal that represents that year of the Chinese zodiac. The lanterns are used in the Chinese New Year parade and then displayed at Belmore Park, opposite Central railway station, for a week of celebrations.