Experience and learn more about wonderful Sydney
Who doesn't want a free walking tour of Sydney. Thanks to Justine and Ross from I'm Free Tours, all you need to do is rock up to Sydney Town Hall for a great history lesson on any day at either 10:30am or 2:30pm, and you will be treated to a three-hour walking tour of the top sights of Sydney.
Even though the tours are free, donations/tips are advised. At the end of the tour you simply pay what you feel the experience was worth. Many people usually pay $20. After experiencing this tour with Justine, the experience is definitely worth this much, unlike some similar tours in Sydney that charge $35 for half the time.
Below, I have compiled this article as a list to give you a thorough preview of what to expect on this tour (I'm Free Sydney Sights Tour) where some useful historical facts about Sydney were discovered. I want to keep some things as a surprise so to not ruin the surprise and the experience for you.
1. Her Majesty provides some magic...
The first stop is Sydney's Queen Victoria Building. Before we arrived there though, it was interesting to learn that Sydney Town Hall was built between 1869 to 1889. In 2011, $40 million was spent on the re-development of this pristine building. Nearby St Andrew's Cathedral was also presented to us. Construction commenced in the 1820's and finished in the 1860's.
2. Eternity, oh eternity...
You will find out the name of the person who kept writing 'eternity' in chalk on prominent Sydney spaces. This very same name landed on our Harbour Bridge for the New Year's Eve celebrations in 1999 to bring in the new millennium. Something also happened at the GPO in Martin Place with this word that has shaped Sydney, something of which you will also discover on this amazing tour. Speaking of New Year's Eve, Justine then mentioned that a staggering $6.5 million was spent on the Sydney New Years' Eve fireworks in 2011.
3. Our Talking Dog...
I initially didn't know I have now been living in a city that has a talking dog for just over three months now. Outside the Queen Victoria Building (Druitt Street entrance) you will find a talking dog, Isley. What is crazier is that I learnt from Justine that John Laws is the voice of this talking dog. You might have heard this dog many times while in this area of the city.
4. Back to the opulent shopping space...
It was amazing to learn that inside the Queen Victoria Building, on the third floor, there is a letter addressed to us by the Queen that was written in 1995. We are not allowed to open it until 2085. In 1986, Sydneysiders wanted to knock down this beautiful shopping space. We have a Malaysian development company to thank for keeping this building alive.
5. Sydney Tower...you're ever so tall...
In fact a mere 305 metres tall. Justine then mentioned that the building cannot be any taller than that due to legislation.
6. A beautiful, historical park...
The David Jones public Christmas display was great to look at and admire. On the way to Hyde Park, I then learnt that Justine met Ross while she was studying architecture at Sydney University. Upon graduating they then spent eight months in Europe, and then saw a golden opportunity to set up I'm Free Tours in Sydney (now in Melbourne too), and the rest is history (no pun intended) three and a half years later.
Apparently the fountain in Hyde Park represents the ties that Australia and France had in the first world war. Then Justine explained how Canberra became the capital of Australia.
7. The top three historical buildings...
Yes, the best things in life come for free. When you come on this walking tour, you will be given the names of these three buildings on the Street named by an important Governor. He was that important that even a University and a bank was named in his honour.
8. A rum hospital and an Italian pig, seriously?
Yes seriously. You will learn more at the Sydney Hospital site. It is amazing to find out (geez Sydney is a weird city) that our Parliament House was funded by alcohol. Outside Sydney Hospital, I also learnt more about the pig statue. His name is the Italian word for little pig. Our state Parliament House used to be the North Wing of the old rum hospital in the colony/convict times.
9. The Matrix and a Private Hotel, are you for real?
Yes, there is a private hotel neat the MLC centre in Martin Place, and the Matrix film was filmed around here. The GPO at Martin Place was targeted in the second world war. There are more surprises to come.
10. Sydney's creativity
Although not quite as great as Melbourne's legendary lane ways, some amazing art was discovered in Angel Place in the form of bird cages. Some quirky facts about Sydney were explained. Sydney Fish Markets is the second largest fish market in the world - with the largest being the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan for instance.
11. Heading to Circular Quay...
On the way we visited Australia Square, and this is where we all enjoyed a 10-minute break. You will learn more about an interesting office man figure here. The next stop is Customs House, and there was an architecture exhibition on recently. This is where Justine shows us by foot where we started from and where we are now. It was weird walking on top of my new city on glass. A surreal experience indeed.
12. Oprah Winfrey's visit to Sydney
She did not like the Bridgeclimb that much, yet she went on it. Our Opera House at the time was named Oprah House. The Opera House was built over budget. Before finishing up at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, a mini tour of The Rocks was also enjoyed.
Although slightly more tourists were on this tour than fellow locals, the locals still learnt a lot about amazing and weird Sydney, including yours truly. A fantastic tour, jam packed with information and makes way for a great form of exercise simultaneously. Highly recommended.
This tour will run on a daily basis at 10:30am and 2:30m respectively. Rain, hail or shine. If in a group of 10 or more people, bookings must be made 24 hours in advance by e-mailing info@imfree.com.au
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