History of the Parklands

The Aboriginal People who lived in the area encompassed by the present-day Parklands are known as the Cadigal. They were hunter gatherers, living on a diet of marine and land animals, and bush foods.

In 1811, Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaimed 490 acres of land – which encompassed the present-day Parklands – as the Sydney Common. The common land was to be used for grazing.

In 1824, following the polluting of the Tank Stream, colonial Sydney’s first water source, Governor Darling appointed Engineer and Surveyor, John Busby to secure another.

The Sydney Common Improvement Act of 1866 set aside an area of 378 acres in Sydney Common’s west for sporting purposes and active recreation – an area now known as Moore Park.

In 1886, when Lachlan Swamp ceased to be Sydney’s water source due to pollution, Governor Carrington suggested a landscaped park in the European tradition for the people’s recreation and leisure.

Sir Henry Parkes viewed the creation of Centennial Park as meeting two needs: a people’s park for recreational pursuits and a grand setting for the celebrations of the Colony’s Centenary.

On 26 January, 1888, a tree planting and the official opening of Centennial Park were held as part of a week of festivities celebrating the centenary of European settlement in Australia.

After its opening, Joseph Maiden, Charles Moore and William Forsyth were integral to the gradual expansion of Centennial Park, experimenting with a hybrid combination of native plantings and European Park traditions.

On 1 January 1901, the Federal Constitution of Australia was proclaimed in Centennial Park, uniting six independent colonies as one Commonwealth of Australia and sparking a week of celebrations.

The three parks that comprise the Parklands – Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park – have evolved and changed with the times, seeing celebrations, redesigns and even military occupations!

Since the end of WWII, the Parklands has often been contested territory, with developers coveting its open spaces. Famous protestors include Neville Wran, Jack Mundey and Nobel Award-winning author, Patrick White.

In 1980, Centennial Park, Botanic Gardens and Government Domains were placed under the administration of the Premier’s Department, with Centennial Park being given its own administration.

The year 2001 saw the Centenary of Federation celebrations at Centennial Park, with capital works, including landscaping, restoration and regeneration undertaken as part of the festivities.