The Observatory - The Rocks - Sydney, NSW
Posted by: BruceS
S 33° 51.285 E 151° 12.525
56H E 334290 N 6252505
Marker giving history of early observatory located on Dawes Point in Sydney.
Waymark Code: WMFRV4
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 11/24/2012
Views: 14
From historical marker:
The Observatory
In April 1788, shortly after Lieut. Wiliam Draws arrived at Sydney Cove with the First
Fleet,he established an observatory on the peninsula to the west of Circular Quay to record astronomical observations and meteorological patterns in the new colony. Dawes, also lived at the observatory, more than one kilometre from the main part of the&nbp;settlement
It was here that he befriended the Cadigal woman. Patyegarang and recorded her people's language. After Dawes left Augtralia 1979, the observatory fell into disuse and later, when the entire peninsula was given over to military functions, it was used as a sentry post.</div