Victoria Barracks was established as an army base in Sydney between the years of 1841 and 1846. This building is one of the best examples of militaristic development in Australia, and is also a historic icon for the city and the nation.
As were many of the early Sydney constructions, Victoria Barracks was built by the labour of convicts who used sandstone rock transported from nearby the Hawkesbury River. The length of distance, to carry these rocks would have been immense in those early days, and the working conditions of the convicts were very poor and reserved of basic human rights. When exploring buildings, like Victoria Barracks, part of the historic appeal is gaining an understanding into early life. If you run your hands over the bricks, and pass by the walls of Victoria Barracks, it is easy to transport yourself back in time to when it was first constructed.
Originally, Victoria Barracks was designed to house 650 soldiers, including space for them to eat, sleep and train. There was also a clock and a bell. The barracks were used by British troops until 1870 when they were then transferred in use to the New South Wales colonial forces.Between the years of 1931 and 1936, Victoria Barracks was used by the Royal Military College of Australia and later also housed the Command and Staff School. Victoria Barracks remains in use today for military purposes and is currently used for the Headquarters of the Land Command and the Headquarters of the Training Command.
Any person interested in militaristic history, or the history of Sydney would surely miss taking a walk past Victoria Barracks. It is conveniently located in the inner-city suburb of Paddington and public buses run nearby. While you are in the area, you can also visit the modern constructions of the
Sydney Cricket Ground and the Sydney Football Stadium.
Centennial Park is also nearby and a fantastic choice for long walks, duck feeding, picnics and bicycle rides.
