Centennial Parklands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Centennial Park |
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Centennial Park
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Gadigal land, Eora country, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Area | 360 hectares (890 acres) |
| Created | 1816 |
| Founder | Governor Lachlan Macquarie |
| Operated by | Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust trading as the Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands |
| Open | Dawn to dusk |
| Status | Open all year |
| Designation | New South Wales Heritage Register |
| Public transit access |  :  : Bondi Junction; : Routes #333, 340, 352, 355, 389 and 440; : Moore Park and Royal Randwick |
| Official name | Centennial Park, Moore Park, Queens Park; Centennial Parklands; Sydney Common; Lachlan Swamps Water Reserve |
| Type | State heritage (landscape) |
| Criteria | a., c., d., e. |
| Designated | 27 March 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1384 |
| Type | Urban Park |
| Category | Parks, Gardens and Trees |
Centennial Parklands is a huge group of three urban parks in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. These parks are built on Gadigal land, which is part of Eora country. The whole area is about 360 hectares (890 acres) and includes Centennial Park, Moore Park, and Queen's Park.
The Parklands are very important historically and naturally. They are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means they are protected because of their special history and beauty. The parks are managed by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust. They are open all year, from dawn until dusk, for everyone to enjoy.
Centennial Park is home to many wild animals. You can spot birds, rabbits, and even foxes. It also has places for horse riding and even a special boarding facility for rabbits!
Contents
History of the Parklands
The land where Centennial Parklands stands today has a long history. It was originally cared for by the Gadigal Indigenous Australian people. This area was known for its rich soil and open spaces, which the Gadigal people likely managed by burning to attract kangaroos for hunting.
The Parklands show 190 years of history since European settlers arrived. The Gadigal people's land stretched from what is now Darling Harbour to South Head, including these parks.
From 1882, a part of the Parklands was used for the Sydney Showground. This was where the popular Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales' annual Easter Show took place. Millions of people visited each year! In 1997, the Showground moved to Homebush Bay. The old site was then turned into a movie production studio.
During the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympics, the parks were busy. They hosted parts of the road cycling and marathon events. Some football games were also held here.
The Parklands are home to over 15,000 trees and many different kinds of birds. There are 124 native bird species and 18 introduced ones. The area includes wetlands, lakes, forests, and grassy fields. You can also find playing fields, a golf course, tennis courts, and netball courts here.
Sydney's Early Water Supply
Centennial Parklands is part of what was called the Second Sydney Common. In 1811, Governor Macquarie set aside this land for public use. It was important because it had a constant supply of fresh water from natural underground sources.
In 1820, a water reserve was created here. From 1827 to 1838, a tunnel called the Lachlan Water Tunnel was built. This tunnel, also known as Busby's Bore, carried fresh water to Hyde Park in the city. It was Sydney's main water source until 1858.
Busby's Bore: Sydney's First Water Pipe
Busby's Bore was Sydney's first piped water supply. It was a tunnel about 1.7 metres (5.5 ft) high and 1.4 metres (4.5 ft) wide. It stretched for 3.7 kilometres (12,000 ft) and could hold a lot of water.
The Sydney Council took control of the water supply in 1842. In 1861, it was decided that the Sydney Common belonged to the people of Sydney. This led to the creation of Moore Park.
Creating a Public Park
In the late 1800s, parts of the Sydney Common were turned into parks. Lord Carrington, the Governor of NSW, wanted Sydney to have a big park for recreation. Sir Henry Parkes, the premier, helped make this happen.
Charles Moore, who was the Mayor of Sydney, worked to create a public park. He oversaw the building of roads and the creation of a park around them. Charles Moore, a botanist, helped choose the trees for the park. He was inspired by large public parks in Britain and America.
Moore Park's Development
In 1866, 153 hectares (380 acres) of the Sydney Common became a recreation ground. It was named Moore Park in 1867, after Mayor Charles Moore. This park became a hub for sports and entertainment.
Sydney's second zoo opened here in 1879. It later moved to Taronga Park in 1916. The land then became home to Sydney Girls High School and Sydney Boys High School.
The Sydney Cricket Ground and the Royal Agricultural Society Showground were also established in Moore Park in 1882. The Showground hosted the Royal Easter Show until 1997. As Sydney grew, more sports facilities were added, like the Sydney Sports Ground in 1899 and the E. S. Marks Athletics Field in 1906.
In 2016, Moore Park celebrated its 150th birthday!
Queens Park: A Sporting Hub
Queens Park is a smaller park located next to Centennial Park. It was also created in 1888. It has a natural amphitheatre shape with great views of the city.
This park has been used for sports fields since the 1930s. Today, many schools and local sports groups use its playing fields daily. In 2009, the park's playing fields and children's playground were updated. A cycleway was also built to connect it to other bike paths.
Centennial Park: The People's Park
Centennial Park was created in 1887 to celebrate Australia's 100th anniversary. It was opened on January 26, 1888, by Sir Henry Parkes. He called it "emphatically the people's park."
The park was designed by Charles Moore, the Director of the Botanic Gardens. He used unemployed workers to turn the sandy land into a grand park. James Jones, the head gardener, also played a big part in its construction. They worked hard to clear land, shape hills, and build roads like the Grand Drive.
On January 1, 1901, Centennial Park was the site of a very important event. It was where Australia officially became a nation, uniting all the colonies. Lord Hopetoun became the first Governor-General, and Edmund Barton became the first Prime Minister. A special pavilion was built for this ceremony.
After the opening, more work was done. Ornamental ponds and islands were added. Statues and monuments were placed around the park. Over the years, different types of trees were planted, including palms and native Australian plants.
In 1984, the Centennial Park & Moore Park Trust was created to manage Centennial Park and Queens Park. Later, they also took over Moore Park.
Special Events and Community Support
Centennial Parklands has always been a place for big events. Military parades, concerts, and exhibitions have been held here. It's also famous for hosting parts of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In recent years, the park has hosted many events, from concerts to international show jumping. In 2013, the park celebrated its 125th anniversary with special events like a light garden and tree planting.
Many people and groups help support the park. Donations from foundations and companies help fund improvements, like a new children's play garden and better access for people with disabilities.
Centennial Park Features
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Centennial Park is the biggest of the three parks, covering 189 hectares (470 acres). It's one of Australia's most famous parks. It has beautiful gardens, ponds, grand roads, statues, and sports fields.
Centennial Park Labyrinth
Sydney's first public stone labyrinth opened in Centennial Park on September 15, 2014. It's a large, eleven-circuit labyrinth made of sandstone. Its design is based on a famous medieval labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral, France. It's a peaceful place for walking and reflection.
Park History Highlights
Centennial Park was first set aside by Governor Macquarie in 1811 for grazing animals and as a water reserve. The ponds in the south, called Lachlan Swamps, were Sydney's main water source from 1830 to 1880.
In 1851, the park was even the scene of a duel between two important figures: the first Premier of New South Wales, Stuart Donaldson, and the Surveyor-General, Thomas Mitchell. Luckily, both survived!
Near Oxford Street, you can find Cannon Triangle. It has a statue and two cannons. These cannons were made in Russia and used in the Crimean War. They were captured by British forces and given to Sydney in 1920.
Federation Pavilion
The Federation Pavilion is a very important monument in Centennial Park. It stands over the 'Commonwealth Stone'. This is the exact spot where Australia became a nation on January 1, 1901.
The pavilion you see today was built in 1988 to mark 200 years since European settlement. It has a dome with art inside and a sandstone frieze with words from a poem. The original pavilion was removed, but its base, the Commonwealth Stone, remains.
Grand Drive: The Main Road
Grand Drive is the main circular road that goes through Centennial Park. It's 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi) long. This road was part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games marathon course.
The drive has different lanes for different activities. The outer track is for cycling or rollerblading. There's a lane for cars, a paved path for walking and running, and even a dirt track for horse riding.
McKay Oval: A Sports Field
McKay Oval is located in the western part of the park. It's used by Sydney Boys High School for rugby union, soccer, and cricket games. Spectators can sit very close to the field during games.
Next to the oval is the Fairland Pavilion. This building has a canteen, changing rooms, and storage for sports equipment.
Wildlife in Centennial Park
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Centennial Park is full of amazing wildlife! You can see many types of birds, like pelicans, black swans, and different kinds of ducks. There are also turtles and eels in the ponds.
A large group of flying foxes (also known as fruit bats) lives in the Lachlan Swamp. They started roosting there in 2010. These include the grey-headed flying fox, which is a protected species.
Moore Park
| Moore Park | |
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The rotunda at Moore Park (west)
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Area | 115 hectares (280 acres) |
| Created | 1869 |
| Status | Open all year |
| Designation | New South Wales Heritage Register |
Moore Park is a large urban park with 115 hectares (280 acres) of open spaces and playing fields. It includes the ES Marks Athletics Field, an 18-hole public golf course, a golf driving range, tennis courts, and netball courts. It's also used for circuses and other outdoor events. The nearby Sydney Football and Sydney Cricket stadia are managed separately.
A pedestrian bridge called the Albert 'Tibby' Cotter Bridge connects different parts of Moore Park. A section of the historic Busby's Bore water tunnel runs underneath parts of Moore Park.
Moore Park's Past
Moore Park was named after Charles Moore, who was the Mayor of Sydney from 1867 to 1869. He worked hard to make sure this land became a leisure area for the people of Sydney.
Sydney's first zoo was set up here in 1879. It started on a small area known as Billygoat Swamp. By 1906, the zoo had grown, but it moved to Taronga in 1917. The land then became the site of Sydney Girls High School and Sydney Boys High School.
On a hill called Mount Rennie, you'll find the Moore Park Golf House. It opened in 1926 and has a restaurant and bar with views of the golf course. There's also a historic rotunda built in 1909 in the park's northwest corner. It was restored in 2004.
An old sandstone building from 1860 still stands at the corner of Anzac Parade and Alison Road. This was once a road toll house, where people paid to travel between Sydney and La Perouse or Randwick Racecourse. It's the only two-storey toll house still standing in the city.
Queen's Park
| Queen's Park | |
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Area | 26 hectares (64 acres) |
| Created | 1888 |
| Status | Open all year |
Queen's Park is a 26-hectare (64-acre) urban park that is part of the Centennial Parklands. It's located in a natural bowl with amazing views, surrounded by sandstone cliffs. It was created in 1888 as part of the celebrations for 100 years of European settlement in Australia.
The park was once part of the Sydney Common and a water reserve. Today, it's mainly used for sports. Many playing fields are located on the flatter southern and western parts of the park. Schools like Moriah College and other local groups use the park for sports and outdoor lessons. In 2009, the playing fields and the popular children's playground were renovated. A shared cycleway was also built to connect the park to other bike paths in the eastern suburbs.
Why the Parklands are Special
Centennial Parklands is a truly unique and important place. It has special significance for its history, nature, and culture. It's a large, beautiful open space with a design that mostly dates back to the 1800s.
The Parklands are located in an area that was originally part of the Gadigal people's land. It still has signs of its original natural features and helps keep nature alive in the city.
Nature's Importance
The Parklands show what the natural environment of Sydney's eastern suburbs used to be like. The lakes and plants provide a home for many different native animals and plants, which is rare in a busy city.
The Parklands are home to rare and endangered species. They also contain parts of a special plant community called Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. This type of scrub used to cover much of the area before European settlement. Protecting this natural environment is very important for future generations.
Indigenous Connections
The Parklands are part of a complex of Indigenous places. The Gadigal people used this land for social gatherings, ceremonies, and finding food. They had a deep knowledge of the land and its resources, which helped them care for it. In return, the land provided for them.
The springs, wetlands, and remaining native plants in the Parklands are still important natural resources. They would have provided fresh water, plants, and animals for many generations. Indigenous Australians continue to feel a strong connection to this land and wish to care for it as a cultural landscape.
Cultural Significance
Centennial Parklands is highly valued for its large open spaces, beauty, and historical importance. For many people and groups, it's a special place that plays a vital role in their personal and shared histories.
The park is linked to the early days of the NSW colony and the creation of public parks for everyone to enjoy. It has hosted major events like the 100th and 200th anniversaries of the colony, the creation of Australia as a nation in 1901, and the 2000 Olympic Games.
The Parklands are also very important for sports and recreation. They were specifically created for public enjoyment and have been a key place for social and fun activities for over a century. Millions of people visit the Parklands every year, enjoying its unique open spaces and many activities in the middle of the city.
Images for kids
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Centennial Park.
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Russian cannon from the Crimean War.
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