Lovers of architecture, science and history will appreciate the main attractions of Ultimo. Australia's first Frank Gehry building is a real highlight here, but there is much more to discover in this often overlooked suburb in inner Sydney.
Ultimo is framed by Sydney’s more famous Darling Quarter, Pyrmont, Haymarket and Chippendale districts. Dr. John Harris, an early settler, was granted a license for a large agricultural estate here in 1803. When he died, his descendants subdivided the farm and built the first residences of the new neighborhood.
By the 1920s Ultimo had become a warehouse district. To see a glimpse of that era, head to Wattle and Jones streets. See the former woolstore façades and other warehouses in “Federation Style.”
The huge Technical and Further Education (TAFE) college that faces Mary Ann Street dates back to 1891. It used to house the Sydney Technical College.
The present-day University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is housed in the nearby Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building. The world-famous architect Frank Gehry visited this site with the dean of the business school in 2009 and sketched the idea for a treehouse-like building on the spot. The resulting jumble of glass and brick represents a tree of knowledge and encourages students to reflect and “think outside the box.” The UTS bar and café is a good place for a break before you explore more of Ultimo.
Visit the corporate headquarters and Sydney studios of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and browse the ABC Shop. Groups of 6 people (minimum) can prebook studio tours between Mondays and Wednesdays. The ABC HQ is part of the Ultimo Centre on Harris Street, which also has a restaurant.
While in this street, don’t miss the entertaining Powerhouse Museum, a huge science museum. It is part of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences (MAS) and the building alone is worth seeing.
Ultimo is just 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) southwest of the Sydney Central Business District (CBD). Central Station sits at the district’s southern border, just minutes from the iconic Gehry building. You can also hop on the light rail and walk to Ultimo’s main attractions from stops in the Darling Harbour and Haymarket districts.
