Centennial Parklands

Did You Know?

• The Parklands are constructed on lands that were traditionally in the custody of the Gadigal indigenous Australian people.
• The area known as the Kangaroo Ground was recorded on a map engraved by J. Walker in 1791 or 1793.
• From 1882, part of the Parklands housed the Sydney Showground, home of the Royal Agricultural Society's annual Easter Show, attracting up to 1 million people annually.

History

The Centennial Parklands sit on land that was traditionally cared for by the Gadigal people, located about three to six kilometres south-east of Sydney’s centre. Near where Centennial Park and Moore Park now stand, an area once called the Kangaroo Ground appeared on a map from the early 1790s. The rich soil and open, park-like landscape there were likely created by the Gadi people’s regular burning, which cleared undergrowth and drew kangaroos and other large animals for hunting. From 1882, part of the parklands housed the Sydney Showground, home to the Royal Agricultural Society’s annual Easter Show, which drew up to a million visitors each year. In the 1970s, a green ban stopped a sports stadium from being built in the park. In 1988, the showground was moved to land near Homebush Bay, and seven years later, the Moore Park site was redeveloped into a movie production studio. The last Royal Easter Show at Moore Park ended in 1997. During the 2000 Sydney Olympics and Paralympics, the parks hosted road cycling, football, and part of the marathon routes. The parklands contain more than 15,000 trees, 124 species of native birds, and 18 introduced bird species. The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust manages low-lying wetlands, ornamental lakes, pine and native forests, grassy areas, playing fields, a golf course, tennis and netball courts, and the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park. Centennial Parklands—made up of Centennial Park, Moore Park, and Queens Park—are part of the Second Sydney Common.

Centennial Park

Centennial Park is home to a number of wild animals including bird life, rabbits, and foxes. It is also home to a number of equestrian schools and other domestic animal endeavours such as the Centennial Park Rabbit Retreat, a boarding facility for rabbits.

Moore Park

Moore Park was named after Charles Moore JP, Mayor of Sydney City Council 1867–1869. Moore Park became the focus for major sporting events and entertainment facilities with the establishment of the Zoological Gardens in 1879, the Royal Agricultural Society Showground (which would later become the venue for Sydney's annual 'Royal Easter Show') and the first course of the [golf course].