Timeline

Before 1800: Arrivals

philip gidley king aborigines eating fish around a campfire c 1790 SLNSW CY3011:109

When Britain’s First Fleet of 11 ships sailed into Port Jackson, Sydney, in January 1788, the mariners noted angry shouting from spear-carrying natives along the harbour’s

1801–1825: Settlement

plan of the town and suburbs of sydney aug 1822 DoS NLA MAP F 107 CROP

In the early years of the 19th century, the west headland of Sydney Cove was distinguished by several crucial landmarks on the slopes of Windmill Hill

1826–1850: Dockland

john rae millers point from flagstaff hill 1842

As the colony at Port Jackson prospered, its cargo shipping facilities expanded west from Sydney Cove to the much larger deepwater zone that was first named

1851–1875: Clippers

Argyle Place and Lower Fort Street from Observatory Hill 1860s stereoscope SLNSW CROP 2

Several new phenomona affected Sydney’s shipping industry after 1850: the advent of fast clipper ships (slicing freight times), a series of gold rushes in rural areas

1876–1900: Heyday

city of syd 089896 LR postcard millers pt-balmain c.1899 copy 2

In the late 1800s, Sydney’s economy and culture was surging—and the northern waterfront of Millers Point was one of the city’s busiest shipping precincts. Fast clipper

1901–1925: Renewal

harold cazneaux two boys on a raft syd hbr 1905 ANMM grab copy

After two men from Ferry Lane in Millers Point died of bubonic fever in 1900, the state Government proclaimed a rat plague across the entire headland.

1926–1950: Divisions

From the late 1920s, the freshly built Walsh Bay was disrupted by another major infrastructure project: the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This project had been first discussed

1951–1980: Modernity

frank hurley WB, millers pt to sth syd (aerial) c1950s nla.obj-158890479-1

As Australia began a modern development boom following the Second World War, Walsh Bay’s wharves became gradually obsolete. They could still host some passenger ships but

1981–2005: Creativity

pier one marketplace 1982 11150662_913219195407727_2796887841255099738_n

Walsh Bay began to be transformed as a cultural precinct in the early 1980s, when Pier One was redeveloped as a harbourside ‘festival marketplace’ and Wharf

Since 2005: Networks

Walsh Bay promenade east to Pier 4:5 2002-2017 low-res from nsw.gov.au site copy

Since the latest redevelopment of the Walsh Bay precinct, the precinct and its surrounding neighbourhoods have been gentrifying. The area’s waterside apartments and townhouses have