Hyde Park

Personal Journal Entry: For anyone who is planning on going to Australia I recommend visiting Hyde Park !

Hyde Park, Sydney, New South Wales , Australia

HYDE PARK It's funny how you see something so often ,yet know so little about it so yesterday I decided to undertake a decent exploration of Hyde Park. What I've discovered, is that this is a really worthwhile place to enjoy over a couple of hours. It has some fascinating history that you have to put your imagination hard to work. It's hard to believe that when Governor Lachlan Macquarie developed this park in 1810(named after its counterpart in London) as a part of his grand plan for Sydney it began as an exercise & recreation area for his 73rd regiment & the officers actually laid out a racetrack that ran for just over 2Km. Apparently there was a grandstand that I believe would be pretty well where Bar Quattro & St James Station is.This was so successful that it continued (except for a 5 year break after the 73rd was transferred out) until around March 1825. I found it difficult to conjure up images of any of this, but there is plenty to enjoy without having to relive the history. That's why you can allow yourself a couple of hours. You can use it to relax & recharge the batteries after busy sightseeing &/or shopping. You can take a picnic lunch or a simple couple of sandwiches & a drink (as so many of the city workers do) & just relax if you want. There are many ways to enjoy this lovely place. There are a number of statues with different stories & of course there is the not to be missed ANZAC War Memorial which I will add as a stand alone tip because I believe it to be worthy of such. You can start at Bar Quattro with a coffee & a snack or you could finish there for lunch, but be warned it would be best to book your table that morning as I went the other day for lunch & couldn't get a table.