2010
08.25

Sydney accommodation Potts Point represents a high energy option to stay in Sydney, with a lot of history as well. The place is always buzzing. There is always something on in, or within easy reach of, the area. It is close to the city; the gay precinct around Oxford St; gentrified Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Moore Park; and posh Rushcutters Bay, Darling Point and Paddington. Icons such as the Harbor Bridge and Botanical Gardens are all within walking distance.

The area sits on a short, narrow peninsular at the east side Woolloomooloo Bay separating it from Elizabeth Bay. Because it sits on a high elevation, the area used to be called Woolloomooloo Hill. The entire neighbourhood has strong links with ships and the navy still has a significant presence.

There is a huge choice in accommodation styles including bed and breakfast houses, backpacker hostels, boarding houses, serviced flats or apartments, small boutique or large hotels. Modern or heritage; quiet or buzzing; low or high-rise; short or long stay; and budget or luxury price point options all available.

Eateries are endless with a tempting assortment of cuisines. Most are in Macleay Street or Victoria Street, but many also hidden in the side streets and alleyways. Entertainment is on 24×7, including music venues, jazz clubs, discos and massage parlours along colourful Darlinghurst Road.

Public trains, buses and taxis are always plentiful, but the best way to experience the neighbourhood is on foot. A stroll along the tree-lined Victoria Street is a pleasure to enjoy. The street offers magnificent views of the city and harbour. Film crews often work from this spot. Embarkation Park lies adjacent to Victoria Street, creatively positioned on top of a public car park. The name of the park name celebrates the Woolloomooloo Bay Finger Wharf. It was used during both world wars as the main loading point in New South Wales for soldiers leaving on ships for foreign lands.

The navy operates a base at the tip of the peninsular. Known as the Garden Island Dockyard, it includes a Heritage Centre that is open to the public daily from 0930 to 1530 hours. It is accessible by boarding the Circular Quay-Watsons Bay ferry and alighting at Garden Island.

The Royal Australian Navy operates a base at the tip of the peninsular. Over the years, the base has become expanded to connect to a small isle, Garden Island, positioned about a hundred yards off the mainland. The navy base is today known as the Garden Island Dockyard. It includes a dry dock, general maintenance facilities, wharves, administration buildings and a navy heritage museum. The museum is open to the public each day from 0930hrs to 1530hrs. It is only accessible ferry; patrons must board the Circular Quay-Watsons Bay ferry and get off when at Garden Island.

To walk to the city, head to the north end of Victoria Street and skip down the McElhone Steps to the Great Cowper Road. Walk past the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf then up the stairs on the western side of the bay, past the New South Wales Art Gallery and through Domain Park to either the Parliament House or State Library in historic Macquarie Street. A walk to the CBD takes a leisurely 20 minutes. A sizable stream of well-dressed professionals can be seen each morning strolling purposefully up to town for their day of toil.

The entire neighbourhood has a colourful past associated with both the affluent and the down and out. Kings Cross was for many years during the 1900s dominated by prostitution and gangsters. Woolloomooloo has a strong working class heritage dating from the days when commercial shipping was active in the area and the area was home for wharf workers and their families.

The area has always been home for many affluent, prominent personalities. This is visible in the architecture. Perhaps the finest example is Elizabeth Bay House, now listed as a National Trust building. It sits in Onslow Avenue with a view of the bay. It was designed by John Verge, one of the leading architects in Sydney during the 1800s. The house was first owned by Alexander McCleay, after who McCleay Street was named. Elizabeth Bay House is open for viewing by the public.

Historically, the area has had a colourful past associated with both the affluent and not so affluent. Kings Cross has long been a favourite haunt of prostitutes, pimps and gangsters and shady characters of all description. Woolloomooloo has a strong working class heritage from its early days when it housed many dockworkers and their families.

Movie producer and director, Baz Lurhmann, lives nearby in a two storey mansion built around 1880 with Italian influences. Named Iona, it still retains a circular drive and gardens. The property used to be owned by an investment manager, but he fell upon hard times and had to divest. At one stage in its history, the property operated as a hospital.

One of the early landowners in the area was Sir John Wylde (1781-1856). He came to Australia in 1816 from England to serve as deputy judge-advocate. He received at least two land grants from the government. One of them was for 50 acres at Potts Point. He erected a mansion for himself and Wylde Street was named in his honour. He divested much of the land to Joseph Potts, who worked as accountant for the what was then known as the Bank of NSW, now Westpac. The suburb is thought to be named after him. Sydney Accommodation Potts Point has come a long way since then.

Fraser Brown is a experienced blogger that is definitely a Sydney Accommodation authority and is principally well known for focusing on Sydney travel and information campaigns

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