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Moore Park Toll House - One of Sydney's first toll collection points turns 150
Posted: 13 December 2011
On the 13 December 1861 – 150 years ago today – John Young (then Governor of NSW), proclaimed the Moore Park Toll House to be a place at which a toll shall be demanded. And it was for the next thirty years.
Located in Moore Park on the corner of Anzac Parade and Cleveland Street, the Moore Park Toll House has a wonderful and rich hidden history that reveals a significant snapshot into our city’s colonial past.
“One of the first toll ways in Australia, the Moore Park Toll House illustrates the early administration of roads by state and local governments in NSW. It was originally built in 1860 for the purpose to collect tolls from the travellers – journeying between Sydney and La Perouse, and Randwick Racecourse,” said Kim Ellis, Director and Chief Executive of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust (Trust).
“It is the only surviving metropolitan toll house and the only two-storey toll house among the least five surviving examples in NSW and is considered a rare example of the toll houses built in the 1800s.”
The collection of tolls on Sydney’s early roads was a British concept adopted by the Colony.
Legislation set the amount which could be charged for tolls. At this location, a toll of one farthing was charged for the transportation of sheep, lambs, pigs, and goats, whilst cattle, horses, carts, drays, wagons and coaches attracted a fee of up to one shilling. Double rates were charged on Sundays.
Following the cessation of toll collections at Moore Park in 1890, the toll house was transformed into a club house for golfers at Moore Park Golf course, which opened in 1913. It is not known what the building was used for in the interim. A new golf house was constructed in 1926 relegating the toll house as a depot. Today, the fabric of the building remains intact and it is used as a storage facility.
The future use of the toll house is currently being considered and investigated by the Trust to conserve and interpret the cultural heritage of this unique building.
For more information visit the Moore Park Toll House webpage or read the Moore Park Toll fact sheet.
And the future?
The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust is developing a management plan for the restoration and reuse of this historic building. If you would like to be kept aware of the latest news and developments on the restoration of the Toll House, and any other news from across the Parklands:
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Contact: Amy Jozing
Phone: (02) 9339 6699
