Cadmans Cottage, Colonial sandstone building in The Rocks, Australia
Cadmans Cottage is a two-story sandstone structure on George Street in The Rocks near Sydney Harbour, built in the early colonial period. The building features thick load-bearing walls, a pitched gable roof, and multiple brick chimneys positioned at either end.
Completed in 1816, this is among the oldest residential buildings still standing from Sydney's early colonial settlement. The structure originally housed water transport administration before being converted to serve the water police force in later years.
The cottage shows how colonists built sturdy structures with local sandstone to withstand the harsh coastal climate. Its simple design and solid construction reflect the practical approach early residents needed to survive in the new settlement.
The cottage sits in a historic precinct near the harbor with easy walking access and nearby cafes and shops throughout the area. Hours and access may change seasonally or due to maintenance work, so checking ahead is helpful before planning a visit.
The cottage now sits well back from the waterfront, yet the original harbor shoreline once reached within just a few meters of its walls. Land reclamation projects pushed the waterline far outward, completely transforming the building's connection to the sea over time.
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