Just a few steps from the busy ferries of Circular Quay and the breath-taking Sydney Harbour lies a pocket of history that many visitors walk right past. Macquarie Place Park is a small, enchanting greenspace and home to one of Sydney’s oldest and most fascinating landmarks; the Obelisk of Distances.
Once considered the centre of the colony, this sandstone monument tells a story of early exploration, ambition and the expansion of what would become modern day Australia.
The Story Behind the Obelisk
The Story Behind the Obelisk
In 1818, one of the most influential figures in Australia’s colonial history Governor Lachlan Macquarie, commissioned the Obelisk to help organise the growing settlement. Designed by Francis Greenway, a convict-turned-architect known for shaping early Sydney. The Obelisk marked the exact point from which all main roads in New South Wales were measured.
Back then, vast bushland stretched beyond the city and accurate distances were essential for expansion. The Obelisk displays the mileage to key colonial destinations of the time, including Parramatta, Bathurst, Windsor, Liverpool and Sydney Heads.
At just over six metres tall and crafted from local sandstone, the monument may seem modest by today’s standards but in its time, it represented the colony’s progress and the start of a connected New South Wales.
Macquarie Place Park
This green triangle in the middle of Sydney’s CBD is full of history:
- HMS Sirius Relics– You’ll spot the anchor and cannon from the HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet.
- The Great North Walk– A long-distance trail beginning at Macquarie Place and stretching all the way to Newcastle.
- Heritage Trees and Memorials– The park features historic plane trees, statues and even an old Edwardian underground lavatory.
Despite being surrounded by modern office towers, Macquarie Place Park offers a peaceful space to sit, reflect and explore the roots of Australia’s first major city.
How to Get There
Location: Corner of Bridge Street and Loftus Street, Sydney CBD
Walking Distance: Just 5 minutes from Circular Quay
Public Transport: Close to Circular Quay or Wynyard train stations
On your next stroll through the city, stop by, snap a photo and imagine the roads once stretching from this very point into what was Australia’s vast unknown.
The best part? You’ll find it within easy walking distance of major attractions like Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Garden.
