Sydney Past & Present

Sydney Past & Present Exploring Sydney’s history through past and present photography. Then-and-now comparisons, lost streets, iconic landmarks, and forgotten moments of Sydney.

THE HORDERN PAVILION (1960 and 2023)(Vic Solomons / Stephen Thomas )
18/06/2026

THE HORDERN PAVILION (1960 and 2023)

(Vic Solomons / Stephen Thomas )

Greenwich Wharf, Sydney skyline view (1976 and 2023)Photo (State Library)/ (photo Les de Belin)
18/06/2026

Greenwich Wharf, Sydney skyline view (1976 and 2023)

Photo (State Library)/ (photo Les de Belin)

7 Arcadia Road, Glebe (1970 and 2023)[1970-Sydney City Council>2023-Belle Property Glebe]
17/06/2026

7 Arcadia Road, Glebe (1970 and 2023)

[1970-Sydney City Council>2023-Belle Property Glebe]

the corner of Campbell Parade & Notts Ave, Bondi (1939 and 2024)
17/06/2026

the corner of Campbell Parade & Notts Ave, Bondi (1939 and 2024)

Rookwood Mortuary Station (c.1870s and 2023)Photo credit: c.1870s Historical source | 2023 Les de BelinRookwood Mortua...
16/06/2026

Rookwood Mortuary Station (c.1870s and 2023)

Photo credit: c.1870s Historical source | 2023 Les de Belin

Rookwood Mortuary Station is one of Australia’s most unusual and historically significant railway buildings. Constructed during the nineteenth century, it served funeral trains carrying mourners and coffins to Rookwood Cemetery, reflecting a unique chapter in Sydney’s transport and social history. The station’s ornate Victorian architecture demonstrated the importance placed on ceremonial travel during the era. Although funeral train services ceased many decades ago, the building survived as an important heritage landmark. The comparison between the 1870s and 2023 highlights the remarkable preservation of this distinctive structure. It remains one of the finest examples of railway architecture in New South Wales. The station continues to fascinate historians, railway enthusiasts, and visitors alike.

Construction of the Cahill Expressway with Palmer Street and the Merryfield Hotel to the left (1962 and 2023)Photo credi...
16/06/2026

Construction of the Cahill Expressway with Palmer Street and the Merryfield Hotel to the left (1962 and 2023)

Photo credit: 1962 City of Sydney Archives | 2023 K. Sundgren

The construction of the Cahill Expressway dramatically reshaped Sydney’s city centre and harbour approaches during the mid-twentieth century. This 1962 view captures a major infrastructure project that reflected changing priorities as motor vehicle use increased across the city. The expressway required significant redevelopment and altered several historic streetscapes in the process. Palmer Street and the Merryfield Hotel provide valuable reference points within a landscape undergoing rapid transformation. The comparison between 1962 and 2023 highlights the long-term impact of large-scale transport planning on Sydney’s urban environment. While opinions about the expressway have varied over the years, its influence on the city remains undeniable. The image offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal period of Sydney’s development.

Darling Street, Balmain East ferry approach (1950s and 2023)Photo credit: 1950s J. Ward c/- City of Sydney Archives | 2...
16/06/2026

Darling Street, Balmain East ferry approach (1950s and 2023)

Photo credit: 1950s J. Ward c/- City of Sydney Archives | 2023 K. Sundgren

The ferry approach at Balmain East has connected residents with Sydney Harbour transport services for generations. In the 1950s, ferries remained an important means of travel, particularly for communities located along the harbour’s many peninsulas and coves. The historic image captures a time when waterfront transport played a larger role in everyday commuting and local life. Over the decades, road infrastructure expanded and travel patterns changed, yet ferries continued to serve as a valued part of Sydney’s transport network. The comparison between the 1950s and 2023 highlights both continuity and transformation along Darling Street. The harbour remains central to the identity of Balmain East, just as it was decades ago. This scene beautifully reflects Sydney’s enduring connection to its waterways.

The Eastern Suburbs Railway (ESR) Line (1979 and 2023)Photo credit: 1979 National Archives of Australia | 2023 D. Smit...
16/06/2026

The Eastern Suburbs Railway (ESR) Line (1979 and 2023)

Photo credit: 1979 National Archives of Australia | 2023 D. Smith

The opening of the Eastern Suburbs Railway represented one of the most significant public transport projects undertaken in Sydney during the twentieth century. Completed in 1979, the line improved rail access to the eastern suburbs and helped shape future urban development across the region. The historic image reflects a period of optimism surrounding major infrastructure investment and modern transport planning. Over the following decades, the railway became an essential part of Sydney’s commuter network. The comparison between 1979 and 2023 highlights both technological progress and the enduring importance of rail transport. The ESR continues to carry thousands of passengers every day. It remains a vital link between the city centre and Sydney’s eastern communities.

The corner of King & George Streets (1981 and 2023)Photo credit: 1981 City of Sydney Archives | 2023 K. SundgrenThe in...
16/06/2026

The corner of King & George Streets (1981 and 2023)

Photo credit: 1981 City of Sydney Archives | 2023 K. Sundgren

The intersection of King and George Streets sits at the very heart of Sydney’s CBD and has long been one of the city's busiest pedestrian crossings. In 1981, the area was already a focal point for business, shopping, and public transport activity. The historic image captures a period before major pedestrianisation projects and modern light rail transformed George Street. Over the decades, changing transport priorities reshaped the surrounding streetscape while maintaining the area's role as a central gathering point. The comparison between 1981 and 2023 highlights Sydney’s efforts to create a more pedestrian-friendly city centre. Despite the changes, the intersection remains one of the most recognisable locations in Sydney. It continues to reflect the city's energy and growth.

Bronte Beach, Last Tram & The Bronte Cutting (1960 and 2023)Photo credit: 1960 Trams Downunder | 2023 Stephen ThomasTh...
16/06/2026

Bronte Beach, Last Tram & The Bronte Cutting (1960 and 2023)

Photo credit: 1960 Trams Downunder | 2023 Stephen Thomas

This image captures the final chapter of Sydney’s historic tram network at Bronte Beach in 1960. For decades, trams carried beachgoers, residents, and workers through the famous Bronte Cutting on their journey to one of Sydney’s most beloved coastal destinations. The closure of the tram system marked the end of an era and significantly changed public transport throughout the city. While the trams disappeared, Bronte Beach remained one of Sydney’s most popular seaside locations. The comparison between 1960 and 2023 highlights both transport history and the enduring appeal of Sydney’s eastern beaches. The cutting remains a recognisable feature of the landscape. Historic images like this preserve memories of a transport system that once shaped daily life across Sydney.

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