Sydney Cove railings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sydney Cove Railings |
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![]() The railings under the southern arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge near their western boundary, at Dawes Point
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Location | Circular Quay Concourse, Circular Quay East and West, from Dawes Point, The Rocks to the Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Built | 1900– |
Owner | Property NSW |
Official name: Railings, Sydney Cove; Part of Sydney Cove | |
Type | State heritage (built) |
Designated | 10 May 2002 |
Reference no. | 1572 |
Type | Streetscape |
Category | Urban Area |
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The Sydney Cove Railings are special fences found along Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia. They are important because they are very old and have been officially listed as a heritage item. This means they are protected due to their historical value.
These railings are located in areas like Dawes Point, The Rocks, and the central part of Sydney. They started being built around 1900 and are owned by Property NSW, a government agency. They were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 10, 2002.
History of the Railings
These railings and their sandstone gate posts are like old treasures. They show us how Circular Quay looked in the past. They are some of the last fences left from the 1800s.
Pictures from 1894-1898 show these railings already in place. They stretched all around Circular Quay. Over the years, the area changed a lot. This meant some parts of the railings had to be moved.
More railings that looked the same were made for Australia's 1988 Bicentennial celebration. This was a big event marking 200 years since European settlement. It is still a bit of a mystery exactly where the original railings were placed.
You might notice different railing styles along Circular Quay. Some have a seahorse design. This design is also seen near the Circular Quay railway station. The railings were put in place as part of city improvements. This happened at different times, including by the Sydney Harbour Trust around 1900. Later, the Maritime Services Board added more when the ferry wharves were updated in the 1950s and 60s.
What They Look Like

Most of the sea wall at Sydney Cove has these special fences. They are made of cast iron posts with steel rails. The posts have two different patterns that switch back and forth. They are connected by horizontal rails at the top and bottom. There are also diagonal braces and a round decoration in the middle.
These fences stretch from Dawes Point all the way to the Portobello Cafe. There are some breaks in the fence where buildings or other areas are. For example, they stop in front of the Park Hyatt Hotel and Campbell's Stores.
The posts are made of cast iron, and the rails are made of steel. When parts of the fence get damaged, they are replaced with new sections that look the same. This has been happening since around 1900.
You can also see a similar railing style at Pyrmont Point Park. This park was finished in 1997. The Circular Quay Concourse has a different style of fence. It has smaller posts and vertical railings. The top two horizontal rails have a seahorse in a circle design. This seahorse design is also part of the decorations at the Circular Quay railway station.
Why They Are Important
The Sydney Cove railings are very important to the history and look of New South Wales. They are part of the "State Heritage Register." This means they are recognized for their cultural value.
They show us how Sydney Cove was improved over time. The Sydney Harbour Trust added them around 1900 to make the city better. Later, the Maritime Services Board added more when the ferry wharves were updated in the 1950s.
These railings are also important because they are beautiful. They make the area around Sydney Cove look attractive. They are a key part of the city's appearance.