University of Sydney – The oldest university in Australia

Founded in 1850, Sydney University is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania. Coming back to visit the place that I had spent for my postgraduate studies is a must in my Australian road trip itinerary.  My eldest brother did his double degree at Sydney University and when I attended his graduation ceremony when I was still a high school student, I told myself that I have to study at Sydney University one day.  Glad that I made it to the University of Sydney years later for my postgraduate studies and graduated at the historic Great Hall.

The University of Sydney is also known as the “Oxford of the Southern Hemisphere” and rank top 3 University in Australia, after Australian National University and Melbourne University.

Location

The University of Sydney is worth a visit when you are visiting Sydney.  Just about 20 mins from Sydney Chinatown or Sydney CBD area or Darling Harbour.

It is centuries old, with very beautiful architecture and the main Quadrangle is the most prominent building that is located at the Camperdown Campus. There is also guided tour if you don’t mind paying the fees AUD 15.00, the one hour tour will take you on a journey through the history of the University with development of the Quadrangle and its surrounding buildings.

New Law School with Brutalism’s design

There are some changes when I walked to the Quadrangle, I notice one of them is the new building which looks like an example Burtalism’s design giant box-like construction, it is the new law school building.  You will see old vs new buildings when you walk toward the Quadrangle.

The new law school has a stunning exterior and giant stainless steel fin designed by FJMT (Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp). The stainless steel fin looks unique and cute.

Copy of Oxford & Cambridge

The neo-gothic sandstone structure at the main quadrangle is the most impressive building of all. It has the Harry Potty movie’s vibe. Inspired by the medieval college of Oxford and Cambridge, it was designed with a traditional English collegiate grassed quadrangle.

The Great Hall

The great hall is located at the most northeastern point of the Quadrangle, a Victorian Gothic architecture building. I had my graduation ceremony there. The Great Hall is not that big at all but it is an iconic symbol of the university. I remembered it has intricate stained glass window and marble floor.

Go spot the gargoyles

When you are here, do pay a little attention and go spot some of the features in the sandstone, such as the gargoyles. It is one of the traditional icon staved off evil spirit at the University of Sydney since the mid-1800s.

The University of Sydney is not a Harry Potter Film location

You might notice some striking similarities between its Quadrangle and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry of Harry Potter fame.

There was a bunch of Chinese tourist from mainland visiting the university when I was here and I overheard the Chinese guide told them this is the filming location of Harry Potter. It is a lie and misleading. No, Sydney University is not the filming location at all.

Graffiti Tunnel

The Graffiti Tunnel is another location to look at if you have extra time, is a legal graffiti wall running between the Holme Building and Manning House. It is the only site in the University where paint may be used. The university and campus security guards only request that the artwork is “clean” and that the door handles are left alone!

Final thoughts:

It is really worth to pay a visit to Sydney University if you are visiting Sydney.  It has one of the most beautiful architectures and manicured lawns.