By Dorothy Davis, Guided Walks Coordinator, updated each month
Upcoming Guided Walks
Detailed descriptions of each Walk can be found further down this page.
| Sunday 10 Sept 2-4pm | Pyrmont's industrial waterfrontLeader: Mark Dunn, a public historian with a background in heritage and archaeologyMeeting place: Forecourt of the National Maritime Museum, opposite Pyrmont Bay light rail station Cost: $20 (members); $25 (non-members) Bookings: Eventbrite |
| Sunday 24 Sept 10.30am-12.30pm | Exploring Forest LodgeLeader: Max Solling, Glebe historianMeeting place: Glebe Town Hall, front entrance Cost: $20 (members); $25 (non-members) Bookings: Eventbrite |
| Sunday 15 Oct 2-4pm | Villas of Glebe pre-1870Leader: Robert HannanMeeting place: Outside 90 Darghan St Cost: $20 (members); $25 (non-members) Bookings: Eventbrite |
More details of upcoming Guided Walks
Pyrmont’s industrial waterfront
In the 19th and for much of the 20th century, Pyrmont, on the western edge of the city and Darling Harbour, was an important industrial waterfront for the port of Sydney. What began as a rural retreat for the city elite and popular picnic spot, was transformed from the mid-19th century into an industrial suburb. Quarries provided stone for the city building booms, while the arrival of large, polluting, industries like the Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR) came to define the suburb’s industrial character. Ship building, wool export and other maritime-based industries also dominated. This walk will explore the rich history of the peninsula and point out some of the surviving hints of this industrial past. Mark Dunn, who will lead the Walk, is a public historian who has worked for over 20 years in heritage and archaeology. He has developed and led many walking tours across Sydney including Pyrmont.
Exploring Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge, once a ward of the Glebe Municipal Council, which was formed in 1859 and merged into the City of Sydney Council in 1948, is named for the 1836 house built by chemist and druggist Ambrose Foss. Forest Lodge is multi-layered and complex, with its character constantly shifting and being remade. Max Solling led the first Glebe Society Walk in 1969 and is still keen to share his great knowledge of Glebe’s and Forest Lodge’s history and heritage. Max will lead us through the suburb, explaining the history of Forest Lodge’s natural environment, civic role, industry, retail and residential development. His encyclopaedic knowledge of our history and his engaging story-telling will make this walk an unforgettable historical exploration of our suburb.
The Villas of Glebe pre-1870
Similar to the large villas with their pleasure grounds that once graced Potts Point and Darlinghurst, a handsome line of marine villas took shape from the late 1820s on the escarpments of Glebe – a position ensuring good drainage, ample grounds for recreation, access to fresh water, cool breezes and pleasant views. Robert and Peter, who own – and have lovingly restored – the c.1847 Rothwell Lodge, will lead us on a tour of the magnificent remaining pre-1870 marine villas. The Walk will begin near Lyndhurst in Darghan Street, from where we’ll wander up St Johns Road into the grounds of St John’s Church and next door to Foley Park. From there, we’ll head down Glebe Point Road through the Toxteth Estate – Glebe’s first and largest estate – then on to the grounds of Margaretta Cottage in Leichhardt Street. Our last stop will be Rothwell Lodge in Ferry Road, where we’ll learn more about this beautiful and historic home during a guided tour led by Robert and Peter. We’ll also have an opportunity to enjoy a drink while viewing an extensive exhibition featuring pre-1870s Glebe and Forest Lodge villas, including some now demolished. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to spend time with Robert and Peter, whose extensive knowledge of Glebe’s 19th-century villas is unsurpassed.
Past walks this year
Toxteth House and the Toxteth Estate
This was a special opportunity to see inside Toxteth House, places of interest in the Toxteth Estate and Jubilee Park and to learn more about the Toxteth Estate from historian, Max Solling, author of ‘Grandeur and Grit: A History of Glebe’. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan welcomed the Glebe Society to their historic villa designed by John Verge in 1831. More about this walk.
Heritage architecture on Glebe’s doorstep
This was a guided walk of the heritage-listed precinct of the University of Sydney’s main Quadrangle and neighbouring buildings. This building group is possibly the most important group of Gothic Revival architecture in NSW. The Quadrangle took over 100 years to complete, and we marvelled at the design of the various buildings that form the Quadrangle, the workmanship involved, and the beauty of the rich decoration on the buildings. We explored some of the more hidden parts of the Quadrangle, including courtyards, gardens and passageways, as well as some of the Quadrangle’s more quirky decoration.
Highlights of the Chau Chak Wing Museum
The Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney is on our doorstep, but have you ever been? Join a special one-hour tour for Glebe Society members and their friends. An expert guide from the Museum will take us through the exhibitions, from visual arts to natural history, Mediterranean antiquities to Indigenous culture and from scientific instruments to historic photography. Come and find the unexpected in one of Australia’s most diverse museum collections. Follow with coffee (at your expense) at the Sounds Café in the Museum.
House visit: Award-winning contemporary private home in Glebe
A visit to an award-winning contemporary home and meeting with the owners and architects. This house, winner of the 2020 Australian Institute of Architects’ Wilkinson Award for residential architecture, was designed by Chenchowlittle. It is a stunning family home built on a small site and featuring a series of curved archways, curved walls and a curved staircase to create the impression of lots of space. Glebe Society members only.
2 comments. Please add yours.
Dear Jane
Thanks for your Comment.
The Society’s primary source of revenue is membership fees. These have not increased for more than a decade and for a number of reasons the Society is reluctant to consider this option. The ongoing maintenance of the Society requires a considerable financial outlay – bookkeeping and audits, insurance policies, bank fees, costs associated with printing and posting the monthly Bulletin, web maintenance and enhancement, PO box charges, the AGM, the Anzac Day wreath etc. The Society also prides itself on being able to offer financial support on a one-off basis for a worthy local cause seeking our financial assistance.
The Society strives to provide opportunities for members to meet other members in a constructive and productive way. Whatever the event, there will inevitably be some associated costs. With the Walks program for example, there are printing costs for the participants’ notes, Eventbrite booking fees and often a small gift for the presenter and/or hosts. The modest charge covers these costs and provides a small income stream to The Society’s ongoing financial viability. The Society’s website also includes a number of self-guided walks which are free of charge. On occasions we offer free walks or tours such as the recent tour of the University of Sydney’s health precinct. The upcoming guided tour of the Chau Chak Wing Museum scheduled for July will only charge participants the Museum’s charge of $10 (concession) or $15.
Our walks have proved to be highly popular by both Society members and members of the public who pay a higher fee.
Dorothy Davis, Walks convenor
Jane Gatwood, Treasurer
Dear Heritage Walk organisers,
Could anyone explain why these walks are so expensive.! The guides are volunteers and there are no operating costs involved.These are rates that commercial companies are charging.Surely there must be some events that the society could organise that doesn’t require it’s members to pay to attend.
Regards
Jane Fissenden