[Oriolus]

I scanned all these photos from a book "Capital Cities of Australia" (Golden Press, 1976). It's a great collection of photos on the character of all capital cities (except Darwin), and I'll post a few for each city. First up:

Sydney






Town Hall - whats that UC on right?




Fishing at Rushcutters Bay

 

[Oriolus]

Melbourne

Excuse the seam




Bourke St


Exhibition Building


Flinders St Station

 

[Muse]

OMG That's the only shot on the net (I'm sure) of Sydney's CAGA building - 4th pic down. I loved it!! Very New York international style. CULS has one, but only of the crown.

It was yoinked down for Gov. Macquarie Tower.

LOL @ Town Hall House u/c.

...and when that black beauty, 140 William St dominated the skyline around Bourke St.

Great stuff Ori

 

[tayser]

that bourke street shot is now my new wallpaper.

is CAGA the NZI/Maq bank building??

 

[Muse]

CAGA House was pulled down for Governor Macquarie Tower. It was completed in 1977 and only lasted just over 20 years. However Sydney got a taller building, by 20m.

The ex-NZI/now Macquarie Bank building is on Pitt/Bond Sts.

 

[tayser]

ah, I didn't recognise the area correctly.

ta.

 

[Malt]

very interesting shots.

Look forward to your Brisbane one.


(ANd ive never seen that Caga building in the 4th pic, as muse mentioned)

 

[Muse]

^ OMG Brisbane's!! It will be bizarre lookin'.

BTW You can actually see CAGA u/c in the first 2 pics, 1976. Also, everyobdy's favourite, 201 Elizabeth St, in the first pic in the background u/c.

...

 

[AG]

Oriolus, the building under construction behind the Town Hall in the 3rd pic is Town Hall House.

 

[rickster2k]

Wow Oriolus some awesome finds there, i love seeing old images of citys and those buildings that were eventually torn down (like GAGA and Consolidated Zinc).

Can anyone pinpoint exactly when these photos were taken? The 1st and 2nd show GAGA under construction and AMP tower almost topped out. Also what is the solid looking building near St Martins (town hall building?).

Also love that shot up the Yarra in Melbourne with CZ still there. Has Narau topped out? I'm guessing its still got a way to go. Also whats the building to the far left of the image (quite large 70's style office block)? I presume that one must have been pulled down as well.

Imazing seeing how far Sydney and Melbourne have come!

 

[skiesthelimit]

Whats that tallish building next to the UC Nauru house in the 2nd Melb pic? Is it still standing? I don't think I've ever noticed it, either it's been long demolished or so 'hidden' amongst the Collins St tallies that I've never noticed it... oh wait, is it the CZ building rickster is refering to? If it is I assume it's been demolished to make way for one of the Collins St big'uns.

 

[CULWULLA]

^ its the CRA House which was melbournes tallest skyscraper from 1961-69.Its also the tallest bldg pulled down in Melbourne. It stood 26storeys/95m. replaced with 101 colins st.
It was also the first bldg in melbourne set back from street with ground plaza.

 

[skiesthelimit]

Thanks Cul, you are always a wealth of knowledge.

Not often a citys tallest has only 30 years before it's demolished, watch out Rialto, you've turned 20 already! They might wanna pull you down and build a 500m monster there in the next decade!

 

[Aussie Bhoy]

Fantastic, hope you have some Brisbane ones to add

 

[Oriolus]

Brisbane





King George Square

 

[SuperWario]

Nice Pictures.I like the 70s.

Especially Wa Wa music.

Wa Wa music and mediocre looking skylines

How

Wa Wa

 

[CULWULLA]

1970;s was the decade of flat top box scrapers!!!

 

[Oriolus]

Here's another one for Brisbane - a huge aerial. It's from a book "Australia 1901-1976" which has great aerials of all the cities. I've scanned each of them as well, except for Sydney (it was very similiar to the aerial I've already posted) & Melbourne (didn't have an aerial - it was just a view down the Yarra similar to photo I posted).

So here it is. Check out Turbot St - it looks like a dirt track - what's with that?

 

[tayser]

how long's Bris Central had covered tracks to the North and South west? (could that have anything to do with it?)

 

[JayT]

Here's another one for Brisbane - a huge aerial. It's from a book "Australia 1901-1976" which has great aerials of all the cities. I've scanned each of them as well, except for Sydney (it was very similiar to the aerial I've already posted) & Melbourne (didn't have an aerial - it was just a view down the Yarra similar to photo I posted).

So here it is. Check out Turbot St - it looks like a dirt track - what's with that?

That was when Turbot street was being elevated, as you know for much of its length now it runs above ground. Its a great aerial! I think Turbot was designed as an early city bypass.

@ Tayser, Not sure what you mean about the covered tracks, do you mean cut and cover?

From what I know they were were tunneled through very early on, the two older ones were bored through years ago. The two new ones are only about 5 years old.

jt