A Glimpse Back in Time: Circular Quay in June 1944

Circular Quay

Circular Quay has long been a central point in Sydney's story—where ferries glide, people gather, and views of the harbour draw in locals and tourists alike. But roll back the clock to June 1944, and the picture looks very different. This was a time before the modern bustle, before the overhead train station, and long before the polished harbourside promenade we know today.

 

A Spacious and Uncluttered Quay

In 1944, Circular Quay was a wide, open space—surprisingly calm considering its importance as a transport and cargo hub. There was no elevated rail cutting across the skyline. Instead, the area opened generously toward the water, a natural meeting point of road, wharf, and the occasional tram. Ferries still came and went, but without the overhead modernity of today, the space breathed with an old-world charm.

The absence of the now-familiar Circular Quay Station, which wouldn't be completed until 1956, meant that the surrounding architecture and the gentle curve of the foreshore were far more prominent. From the steps of nearby Macquarie Street to the laneways behind The Rocks, the views across the harbour stretched uninterrupted.

 

The First & Last Hotel: A Harbour Landmark

On the right-hand side of this historic streetscape stood The First & Last Hotel, a cherished watering hole and landmark for sailors, dock workers, and passersby. The name was fitting—it was often the first stop when coming into port, and the last before setting out to sea.

The hotel stood proudly beside other familiar commercial buildings of the time, including one with the large Penfolds Wines sign emblazoned high on the façade. This building gave the area a distinct Australian flavour, with Penfolds already being a trusted name in the world of wine, and a symbol of local industry and hospitality.

 

Penfolds and the Business of the Quay

Circular Quay in 1944 wasn't just a passenger hub—it was also a centre of trade and warehousing. The Penfolds Wines sign wasn’t just decoration; it was a beacon of an active business presence in the heart of Sydney. This was a time when Penfolds was expanding its reach, and the Quay gave access not just to ships, but to people with good taste in good company.

Nearby, other heritage warehouses operated behind humble façades. Goods were unloaded, transferred by handcart, and recorded on paper ledgers. Much of this activity took place in the open air, beneath a sky unbroken by concrete platforms and commuter foot traffic.

 

A Living Piece of Sydney’s Heritage

Today, it's hard to imagine Circular Quay without the hum of trains and the sleek ferries gliding in and out. But in June 1944, the space was simpler—less modern, perhaps, but more intimate. Buildings like The First & Last Hotel and the Penfolds Wines office were central characters in a daily drama of harbour life that included sailors, merchants, and local residents all going about their business on cobbled streets beside a working waterfront.

Those lucky enough to have seen it remember a quieter Quay, where the Harbour Bridge loomed in the background, but where the present-day rush was still far away.

For historical walking tours or archival insights into Circular Quay's past, visit:
https://www.sydney.com
https://www.nsw.gov.au

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