Sydney was founded in 1788 when the first fleet arrived in Australia from England. The city grew at a phenomenal rate through the 19th century even though transportation to New South Wales ended in 1840. By 1861 the population of Sydney was 56,000 and it was a flourishing town. By 1881 the population of Sydney had grown to an amazing 221,000. Here, we present a gallery of amazing vintage photographs (via State Library of New South Wales) show everyday life in Sydney in the late 19th century.
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| King and Elizabeth Street corner from Sydney, 1890 |
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| An aviary from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Children in street from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Group of people from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Children in street from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Advertising hoarding from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| A chimney sweep walking across Pyrmont Bridge Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Woman selling fruit from small barrow Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene. Phillip Street, 1885-90 Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Group of people, Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| People at Circular Quay Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Horsedrawn ambulance outside Civil Ambulance & Transport Brigade headquarters, corner of George & Pitt Sts opposite the Benevolent Asylum, now Central Square, c. 1900 |
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| Small band playing in street from Sydney, 1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Group of people from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Group of people from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Children in street from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Farm scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Girl with pet duck on lead from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Street scene from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Advertising hoarding for McLean, Rigg from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Manly Ferry Wharf from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Railway work shops, Sydney, March 1871 |
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| Governor Bourke Hotel from Sydney, ca. 1885-1890 |
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| Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney, ca. 1870-1875 |
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| National Art Gallery of New South Wales, ca. 1900 |
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| Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, June 1893 |
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| Pechey family, Craigend, Darlinghurst, ca. 1882 |
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| The Gap, Sydney, ca. 1880 |
(via State Library of New South Wales)