Macquarie Place, Urban park in Sydney Central Business District, Australia
Description
Macquarie Place is a triangular park in Sydney's business district featuring monuments, mature trees, and open green spaces. The site preserves early colonial structures including an Obelisk built in 1818 and provides a green break amid surrounding commercial buildings.
History
Governor Lachlan Macquarie established this location around 1810 as Australia's first formally designed public space, transforming it from swampy mangrove land. This creation marked a turning point in the urban development of the early colonial settlement.
Culture
The Obelisk stands as a historical marker from 1818 that once served as the reference point for measuring distances across New South Wales. Visitors can observe how this early colonial structure reflects the practical methods used to map and navigate the territory.
Practical
The park is easily accessible in the city center with benches for resting and pathways to explore its layout. Visitors find it practical to visit during daytime hours since surrounding buildings provide shade and it serves as a convenient starting point for the Great North Walk.
Did you know?
Two Plane trees in the park were planted in 1954 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their first visit to Australia. These trees remain visible today and mark an important royal visit to the nation.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (City of Sydney).
Salesforce Tower
197 m
1 Bligh Street
196 m
Museum of Sydney
146 m
AMP Centre
214 m
Governor Phillip Tower
114 m
Customs House, Sydney
146 m
1 Macquarie Place
134 m
AMP Building, Sydney
205 m
First Government House, Sydney
186 m
Department of Lands building
67 m
Department of Education Building
114 m
Gold Fields House
214 m
Chief Secretary's Building
186 m
Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Sydney
191 m
Burns Philp Building, Sydney
197 m
Metropolitan Hotel
223 m
Kyle House, Sydney
57 m
Edge of the Trees
127 m
Liner House
171 m
Public Trust Office
211 m
Young Street Terraces
116 m
Phillip Street Terraces
159 m
1 O'Connell Street
135 m
Pyramid Tower
197 m
Gateway Plaza
142 m
Macquarie Obelisk
22 m
Goldsbrough Mort building
214 m
Customs House Library
146 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes