History Week 2010

04 Sep 2010-12 Sep 2010 ,

Fairs & Festivals

Improved image coming soon!

First published on 31 Aug 2010. Updated on 5 Apr 2011.

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History Week 2010 offers over two hundred activities to transport you back through Sydney's colourful past. Wondering which events you should attend? Here are our top 5 picks.

Explore the Great North Road
The walking trails of the Great North Road, a convict-built Sydney to Newcastle route, showcase parklands and early colonial architecture. Along the way you'll find convict-built wharves, culverts, bridges, buttresses and Sydney's original street art: colonial graffiti. Trails start from Five Dock. Download Track Notes from Convict Trail. Free.

Take a ferry to Pinchgut
Better known as Fort Denison, Pinchgut got its nickname from the meagre rations convicts had to endure while relegated to the harbour island. Explore the Martello tower and hear the fort gun fired at 1pm.
Matilda and Captain Cook Cruises run ferries from Circular Quay every 45 minutes from 9.45am. $17–20 (including Fort Denison park fee).

Hear about Voices from the Street
Historian Bridget Griffen-Foley will examine how the Australian media landscape is shaped by talkback radio dial-ins, letters to the editor, and confessional magazines during the annual History Week lecture.
Government House, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000. Fri 3 Sep, 6–8.30pm. $45–$50.

Check out Faces in the Street
What are the stories behind the carved faces on Sydney’s sandstone buildings? NSW Government Architect Peter Mould will present an illustrated talk focusing on the GPO, Chief Secretary’s Building and Sydney Hospital, followed by an optional walking tour. Museum of Sydney, Cnr Bridge & Phillip Sts, Sydney 2000. (02 8239 2211). Sat 4 Sep, 2–3.30pm. $20–$25.

Discover Henry Lawson's North Sydney
The beloved bush poet lived in North Sydney for many years. Dr Ian Hoskins leads a walk around Lawson's 'Old North Sydney' from the McMahons Point ferry wharf to the regenerated bushland of Balls Head. McMahons Point Ferry Wharf, Henry Lawson Dr, McMahons Point 2060. (02 9936 8400). Sun 5 & Fri 10 Sep, 10am–12.30pm. Free.