Sydney Garden Palace Part 6

Sydney Garden Palace Part 6

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Farm Cove - Next To The Royal Botanical Gardens - Sydney - New South Wales

Farm Cove - Westrn Side 

Farm Cove Is A Wide Crescent Bay Between Sydney Cove & Woolloomooloo Bay. Sloping Down To The Roomy Foreshores Are Government House Grounds, The Botanical Gardens (An Arboreal Sanctuary of 66 Acres, & The Domain 125 Acres. 

A. Tree Shaded Creek Flow Through the Gardens Where A Memorial Plaque States "In These Gardens Began The Agriculture & Horticulture Of A Continant. The First Farm In Australia Was Established On This Site With Seeds &Plants Brought By The First Fleet in 1788." Here, Where Kangaroos & Emus Had Browsed On The Tough Grass Since Time Began, convicts With Axes Destroyed Trees Or hoed &Harrowed The Fertile Soil. 

In 1813 A Road Three Miles And 367 Yards Long Was Built Through The Farm To The Eastern Portion Of The Cove (Native Name Yourong) Where On The 13th June 1816 An Inscription was Etched On A Huge Sandstone Rock Known As Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Here The Governor's Wife Could Rest After Her Long Walk from Government House In Bridge Street, Or Watch The Panorama Of Pinchgut Rock.,, Where Unruly Convicts Were Banished For Their Sins And Fed ON Bread And Water Until Their "Pinched Guts" Made Them More Reasonable To Discipline. 

Governor Phillip Lived On The Warship "Sirius" Until The 18th Of February 1788..... 

"When He Left The "Sirius" And Took Up His Residence In Shore"

Before Leaving London The Governor Had Ordered, At A Cost Of £125, Frpm Smith Of St George's Fields, A Canvas House To Be Erected On Numbered Frames And Used As A Temporary Residence. 

David Collons - Judge Advocate, Wrote In His Account Of The English Colony

"A Portable Canvas House, Brought Over For The Governor, Was Erected On The East Side Of The Cove.... Where Also A Small Body Of Convicts Was Out Under Tent The Detachment Of Marines Was Emcamped At The Head Of The Cove, Near The Stream, And On The West Side  Was Placed The Main Body Of Convicts." 

This Government House Was Built Where Governor Phillip Wrote - "Ships Can Anchor Close To The Shore. At A Very Small Expense Quays May Be Constructed At Which The Largest Vessels May Unload. The Cove Is About A Half Mile In Length, And A Quarter Of A Mile Across The Entrance." 

Farm Cove is a small, picturesque bay located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbor, adjacent to the Sydney Central Business District (CBD). It has a rich history that dates back to the early colonial period of Australia. Here's an overview of the history of Farm Cove:

1. Indigenous Land: Prior to European settlement, the land around Farm Cove was inhabited by the Gadigal people, an indigenous group of the Eora nation. They had lived in the Sydney area for thousands of years, and the cove would have been a part of their traditional lands.

2. Colonial Settlement: When the British First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788 and established the first European settlement, Farm Cove was included within the boundaries of what became Sydney. Governor Arthur Phillip, the first governor of New South Wales, selected the area around Farm Cove for the government garden and farm.

3. Government Garden: Governor Phillip established a garden in the Farm Cove area in 1788 to grow food crops to supplement the colony's limited food supply. This garden, known as the Government Garden, was one of the earliest European-style gardens in Australia.

4. Botanic Gardens: In 1816, Governor Lachlan Macquarie expanded and formalized the Government Garden, transforming it into the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. This marked the beginning of the garden's role as a center for the study and cultivation of plants. The Botanic Garden is now one of the oldest scientific institutions in Australia.

5. Cultural Significance: Farm Cove and the Royal Botanic Garden have played a significant role in Sydney's cultural and scientific life. The garden houses a diverse collection of plants, including many rare and exotic species. It is also home to scientific research and educational programs.

6. Landmarks: Farm Cove is home to several notable landmarks, including the iconic Sydney Opera House, which was completed in 1973. The Opera House's unique design has made it one of the most recognizable and celebrated buildings in the world.

7. Recreational Use: Today, Farm Cove and the surrounding area are used for various recreational purposes. People can stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, enjoy picnics, or simply take in the stunning views of Sydney Harbor. The cove's location also makes it a popular spot for events, including the annual New Year's Eve fireworks display.

8. Preservation: Efforts have been made to preserve and protect the natural beauty and historical significance of Farm Cove and the Royal Botanic Garden. Conservation initiatives aim to protect the native flora and fauna in the area and maintain the cultural heritage associated with the garden.

Farm Cove, with its historical importance and scenic beauty, continues to be a cherished part of Sydney's landscape. It reflects the city's colonial past and its ongoing commitment to horticulture, botany, and the natural environment.