2001: Top of the Town Restaurant Closes

Before conversion to apartments in 2003, the Top of the Town Motel (Originally Top of the Cross Motel) at Darlinghurst operated between 1966 and 2001. 

It was famous for its restaurant on the 14th floor with expansive views into central Sydney, Sydney Harbour and the eastern suburbs. 

In July 2001, the famous restaurant closed. In its final years (1998-2001), it had evolved into a "Manhattan-style nightspot" and was trading as a restaurant bar. Businesswise, the venue had done well, but the motel itself had fallen victim, like its nearby competitors, to competition from central Sydney CBD hotels and a post-Olympics oversupply of hotel rooms. 

Source: McCabe, K. 2001. "Nightspot to close". The Sunday Telegraph, June 10:20. 

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2001 (Part II)

This is part two in our Royal Easter Show Flashback, focusing on 2001. Last week, I posted admission prices, transport arrangement and showbag advertisements.

This week, I share several newspaper clippings focusing on the Easter Show itself. 

Opening Day - Friday April 6

Source: Banham, C. 2001. "Show's opening brings out all creatures small and great". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 7: 1. 

By 5 pm, 25,886 had attended the first day of the show, which was just over half of the previous year's opening-day attendance. In 2001, the Easter Show began one week before the start of the school holidays, whereas the previous year, the first day of the show coincided with the last day of Term 1 for school students. 

In the main arena, crowds were entertained by Bluey, "the helicopter who thinks he's a sheep dog". There would be lunchtime and evening performances.

25 years later, we have Bluey the sheep dog who has his own TV show and is loved by kids around the world, and yes, you can even get a Bluey Showbag.

The Sun Herald captured the first day of the opening weekend in a full-page feature on April 8 2001.

Source: Smyth, T. 2001."Hardly a no-Show". The Sun Herald, April 8: 9.

Official Opening - Wednesday April 11

The 2001 Royal Easter Show was officially opened by Governor General Sir William Deane and was followed by the first Grand Parade, where 1000 of the finest livestock were paraded in the Main Arena

Good Friday - April 13

Traditionally, it's the busiest day of the show. 140,000 made the trek on the first day of the Easter Long Weekend, and it was the busiest day for Sydney Olympic Park since the Olympic Games held several months earlier.

Ticket limits are in place for each day of the show in 2026, so we will not see crowds like this again on Good Friday. That is why tickets must be bought for a specific day. 

Source: Jackson, A. 2001. "Show stopper: 140,000 drop in to say howdy". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 14: 1.

Easter Saturday - April 14

Another bumper crowd through the turnstiles

Source: Smyth, T. 2001. "A once a year, 'only at the Show' time". The Sun Herald, April 15: 9. 

On April 20, The Sydney Morning Herald posted a photospread in its main news section, along with a summary of the show

Source: Dennis, A. 2001. "Thanks a million for coming folks, and it'll be even bigger next year". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 20: 8. 

• Around 1.05 million attended the Royal Easter Show in 2001
• 16500 animals were exhibited
• 149 000 Dagwood Dogs were sold
• 400 cups of coffee were sold
• 500 children were lost, then found

Planning had already begun for 2002. There were plans to expand it onto Olympic Boulevard (they followed through) and to improve parking accessibility for those who elected to drive. Concerns about pre-booked parking may have deterred some.

Related Entry

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2001 (Part I)

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2001 (Part I)

Next week marks the start of the annual Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park. The year of focus is 2000 and will be presented in two entries.

This week, I will focus on key facts and the showbags.

Date:         April 6-19, 2001

The Easter Show ran for 14 days (Down from 16 days in 2000) and it will run for 12 days in 2026. 

Theme: The Great Australian Muster

Admission

Show Only entry ticket prices increased by $3 for adults and $2 for children. This was also the first show where the GST (10%) had been charged, being introduced on July 1, 2000, and would have attributed for much of the increase.

Adults: - $20
Concesions (Tertiary Students and Pensioners) - $15.50

Children: - $11.50

Showlink tickets were also available and could be pre-purchased at train stations for use on any one day of the show, including show buses. Prices below were for the Sydney Suburban Area with higher prices for those in the outer metropolitan area.

Adults: - $25.50
Tertiary Students - $18.50

Children: - $14.50

In 2026, ticket options are broader, but at the time of preparing this entry general prices were not listed:

Only early bird prices are listed

Adults - $ 48.00 

Concession - $36 

Child - $29.50 

PWD - $29.50 

Tickets in 2026 include free return travel on public transport on the day of the visit, and the date of the visit must be pre-booked. In 2026, it has broken down ticket purchases further where you have to locate the date and the type of ticket you want given each day has multiple options.

Source: NSW Department of Transport. 2001. "The only way to go to the Royal Easter Show" (Advertisement). The Sun Herald Official Sydney Royal Easter Show Magazine, April 1: 8. 

Showbags

All showbag advertisements were sourced from "The Sun Herald Official Sydney Royal Easter Show Magazine" published on April 1, 2001.

In 2001, Showbags ranged from $2 to $18.50. A total of 260 showboats were on offer. In 2026, 418 showbags are on offer.

Coca Cola

A constant best seller at the time. The backpack also kept up with the trends.

Pepsi

Like Coca Cola, they offered the sling bag or body bag as they called it but for just $12.00.

2Day FM

Followed Coca Cola and Pepsi with their own bodybag or slingbag. It included two mugs, one for each of the Morning Crew members, Wendy Harmer and Peter Moon.

Triple M

They offered an "Extra Large" backpack for those who wanted a traditional backpack as opposed to the slingbag or bodybag on offer from its competitors. 

Nestle

Bertie Beetle Showbags were just $2. 2001 also marked the debut of the Wonka Showbag.

 

Bensons

The traditional (and best-selling) Cadbury Showbag was just $6. In 2026, still the same price but a victim of shrinkflation, i.e. focus on bite-sized bars as opposed to full-size.

Gag Magic

The showbag retailed for $8 in 2001. In 2026 it is $20 but you get $89.90 worth of goodies.

Extended Sampling

A Little Luxury was a bestseller in its time and sadly no longer is sold at the show. In 2026, Girlfriend and Men's Health Magazines are still in print, but no showbags on offer. 

Mega Showbags

New Concept

They sold Mars-branded showbags plus themed showbags from television shows and films.

Next week, I will post a selection of newspaper clippings from the 2001 Royal Easter Show.

2001: When Queenscliff lost its suburb status

In 2001, residents of Queenscliff were outraged when their suburb (which had been a locality since 1984) was assigned as an urban place within Harbord, meaning that those who resided there were officially residents of Harbord.

Source: Connolly, F. 2001. "Queenscliff: beautiful one day, gone the next". The Daily Telegraph, June 18: 7.

It was formally regazetted as a suburb on July 12, 2002, by the NSW Geographical Names Board, which was welcomed by residents.

Source: Skelsey, M. 2002. "Suburb recovers its lost identity". The Daily Telegraph, July 17: 4. 

Property Advert of the Week: AVJennings Cashback Offer (2001)

Below is a 2001 newspaper advertisement by AVJennings in conjunction with Long Homes. Those who purchased a model home or a house-and-land package would receive $7000 cashback, and first-home buyers would receive an additional $7000, bringing the total to $14000. The offer was available at their new estates in Beaumont Hills (then part of Kellyville), Kellyville, Glenwood, Plumpton, Prestons and Quakers Hill. Merrivale Estate (Kellyville) would later be incorporated into Kellyville Ridge in 2007.

Source: AvJennings. 2001."$7,000 cash back for ALL home buyers" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, February 17: page unknown (Homes Liftout).

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Bondi Junction Piazza (2001)

Full Citation Below

This is the last entry in our current series of Visions of Sydney. In 2001, Waverley Council had plans to build a Piazza in Bondi Junction to revitalise the Oxford Street mall. Retailers were struggling to attract customers into the mall following the opening of the undercover Bus/Rail Interchange, along with the redevelopment of Westfield Bondi Junction (completed 2004). 

Piazza-style malls were a trend at the time in Sydney, as reflected with The Forum at Leichhardt (1998) and Kogarah Town Square (2003). Apart from retail, the malls were surrounded by a residential population residing in apartment buildings (low to mid-rise). 

The piazza was to be centred on the site of Bronka Arcade and buildings adjacent to it. Low-rise apartment buildings would surround the Piazza along its western and eastern ends, while the podium of Eastgate Plaza would be moved forward into Spring Street to connect the complex with the piazza. This would have required the closure of Spring Street between Bronte Road and Newland Street.

   

Source: Harley, R. 2001. "Council is thinking outside the square". The Australian Financial Review, September 4: page unknown. 

Property Advert of the Week: Altair (2001)

Below is a 2001 newspaper advertisement to promote apartments for sale in the Altair complex at Rushcutters Bay.

Source: Australand. 2001. "Altair Rushcutters Bay" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, April 7: 26A (SMH Domain Liftout).

Property Advert of the Week: Allam Homes Ad (2001)

Below is a 2001 newspaper advertisement from Allam Homepac promoting their "No Deposit" house and land packages. The packages start from $259 000 if opting for a package in the Central Coast and Illawarra regions and from $279 000 in the Sydney metropolitan area, with the cheapest packages in the Penrith region.

Source: Allam Homepac. 2001. "Huge Opportunity No Deposit Home & Land Packages." (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, November 17: 13 (Homes Liftout).

Property Advert of the Week: The Gazebo (2001)

The Gazebo at Kings Cross operated as a hotel between 1969 and closed in "the 1990s", though I tend to believe that it closed in 2001 when apartments went on sale in the former hotel. The conversion to apartments was completed in 2005. 

Why the decision to convert to apartments? Following the Sydney Olympics in 2000, there was an oversupply of hotel rooms in Sydney. There was also an increased preference for travellers to stay in Central Sydney, and for hotel operators in Kings Cross, it was more economical to convert hotels into apartment blocks. 

In the newspaper advertisement below from 2001, large studios were on sale from $375 000, 1 bedroom apartments from $495 000, 2 bedrooms from $635 000. Three-bedroom apartments were on sale, but prices were not advertised.

 

Source: City Project Marketing. 2001 "gazebo... good design comes full circle" (advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, November 17: 25A (Domain Liftout).

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Welcome to Sydney sign (2001)

This is the last entry in our current series. Balmain Artist Michael Snape created a sign in 1999 using a 30-metre prototype electricity cable carrier imported from Germany which the word "Sydney" running down its sign. South Sydney Council rejected a proposal to erect it at Sydney Park in St Peters, but Campbelltown Council voted to investigate buying and erecting the sign on a hill near the Mt Annan Botanic Garden. 

It was never built and represents a lost opportunity to have an artwork or structure to greet those driving into Sydney from the Hume Motorway. Do you think it should have been built?

Source: Skelsey, M. "Towering icon will show the way to Sydney". The Daily Telegraph, March 27:11.

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Sydney, 2001 as envisioned by Jeremy Bingham (1989)

For the next five weeks, I will run another Visions of Sydney series,  posting entries our planners or leaders had in mind for our city, whether it involved widespread redevelopment within the Sydney CBD and surrounds or new developments in our suburbs.

The first entry focuses on a vision by Lord Mayor Jeremy Bingham (1988-1991). In 1989 he revealed to The Daily Mirror what he wanted to see in Sydney by 2001.

 

Firstly, he envisioned what has become the Cross City Tunnel. His plan was featured in a blog entry last year. It was not until 2005 that the tunnel became reality. It has not necessarily seen the removal of traffic from Bathurst Street and Park Street or William Street.

The Capitol Theatre was restored during the 1990's and his vision for wider footpaths has been fulfilled.in recent decades along with more garden settings i.e. plant boxes, though not all of it was undertaken by 2001.

Another vision was the tram revival. Unfortuantely, there was no tram service between Central and Circular Quay until 2019, but it was possible to travel from Darling Harbour to Central from 1997 which used most of the former goods line running along the rear of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont. 

However the electric bus loop and fast inner-city loop services were not fulfilled. 

2003: NSW Police HQ is marched off to Parramatta

Above: Curtis Cheng Centre (NSW Police Headquarters) in 2007. Photograph taken by the Author. 

NSW Police traditionally had its headquarters in central Sydney. In 2001, the NSW Government announced that the NSW Police Headquarters would relocate to Parramatta from their existing location in the Avery Building in College Street.

This reflected the policy of the NSW Government to decentralise public servants from the Sydney CBD.  

Source: Jamal, N. 2001. "Officers given their marching orders - they're heading west to Parramatta". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 19: 7. 

It was reported at the time that it was the biggest shift in workers in fifteen years involving around 1350 workers.

As reported in The Sydney Morning Herald  in 2001, the following reasons shaped the decision

• Decentralisation of public servants to suburban and regional centres.
• Reduce office leasing costs
• Develop local economies

Relocation to Parramatta was in 2003 following completion of the building.

In 2016, the building was renamed the Curtis Cheng Centre to honour the service of Police Accountant Curtis Cheng, who was shot dead in the foyer in September 2015 by Farhad Jabar in an act of terrorism.

The former Avery Building was converted into an apartment complex with residents moving into the tower in 2011. It is known as The Residence Hyde Park. 

Above: The Residences, Hyde Park. Photo taken by the Author (2012). 

MILESTONE: Opening of the Woronora Bridge (2001) - Part 2

This week is my second and concluding entry on the opening of the Woronora Bridge in 2001. Thursday (February 11), will mark twenty years since the bridge opened to the public.

Last week's entry focused on planning and construction of the bridge. As promised, this entry will focus on opening day.

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reported on February 6, 2001 that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) had yet to announce who would officially open the bridge.  

The bridge was officially opened by NSW Premier Bob Carr. Before the road was opened to traffic, the public were invited to walk across the bridge for the cost of a gold coin donation. Activities and entertainment were provided on both sides of the bridge at Akuna Oval, Bangor and Sutherland Oval. 

Motorists were allowed to access the bridge the following day (February 12, 2001).

Below are newspaper reports associated with the opening.

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader

February 13 2001

This article (below) was published on Page 2. 

The Daily Telegraph

February 12, 2001, Page 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

February 12, 2001, Page 3. 

Below are assorted news clippings relating to the opening uploaded to Youtube by "TheTVGuru3". 

Finally, while the bridge provided improved road connections to Menai, Menai Road continued to remain congested. This led to the construction of the Bangor Bypass from the bridge to Old Illawarra Road in 2005. The North-South section connecting the bypass Old Illawarra Road Menai to Alfords Point Road was completed in 2011. 

MILESTONE: Opening of the Woronora Bridge (2001) - Part 1

On February 11, it will be twenty years since the Woronora Bridge at Woronora was opened to motorists. the bridge linking Sutherland with Menai. replaced a two lane, low level bridge

In the first of this two part series, this entry will focus on the conception of the design and newspaper clippings relating to its planning and construction. Next week, news clippings will be posted.

Why a new bridge?

In 1981, a two lane bridge was completed across the Woronora River to replace a bridge that had been built in 1912. This bridge is still used today to carry local traffic in the suburb. 

However, Menai (and surrounding suburbs) was opened up to urban development. It had begun in the 1980's and therefore road links to and from Menai had to be provided.

The Alfords Point Bridge provided a major road link from Menai to Bankstown, but at that time was only three lanes.

Menai and River Roads which linked Menai with Sutherland provided challenging conditions for drivers in the Woronora Valley with its "S" Bends. This can still be experienced when you take the turnoffs for Woronora in any direction.

Above: This article from The Sydney Morning Herald in 1992 highlighted the difficulties of navigating through the Woronora Valley.

Source: Simpson, L. 1992. "The Coward of Granny's Elbow may be too slick". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 11:3. 

The Greiner Government when elected in 1988 promised to fund roadworks in the "Menai Area".

Planning and Construction

In 1990, plans were released. The design inspired by the curved Roseville Bridge called for a two decked bridges, each with two lanes. The first deck would be completed by 1994, while the second deck would not be needed until around "2000". 

The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader (November 20, 1990) reported that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identified two concerns - Visual Impacts and Increased noise. The bridge was 32 metres high at its lowest point and construction was projected to cost $46 million. 

Construction commenced in 1994 with the State Government providing $6 million towards the construction of pylons.

When the Labor party formed Government in NSW in 1995, Premier Bob Carr provided no further funding citing environmental concerns, siding with Sutherland Council. Construction was stopped. 

Source: Morris, L. 1995. "Clash over $1bn 'shelved' roads". The Sydney Morning Herald, November 1:5.  

Bushfires at Menai in 1997 along with traffic studies highlighted the need for a new bridge and it led to the State Government to provide funding to complete the bridge. $47 million was allocated in mid 1998 to complete the bridge but with four lanes. 

Source: Bernoth, A. 1998. "Planned Woronora bridge gains two more lanes". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 24:4.

Finally, NSW Roads (successor of the Roads and Traffic Authority) uploaded a short film to Youtube documenting construction.

 

Part II next week. 

Remember this? Sydney Transport Fare Rises Ad (2001)

Fares recently went up on public transport across Sydney. Below is an advertisement published by the State Transit Authority in 2001 announcing the new fare schedule for Travelpasses (Train/Bus/Ferry), bus and ferry fares.

Source: State Transit Authority. 2001. "New fares from July 1st." (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, July 1: 31.

2001: The QVB as Sydney's favourite building

In 2000, The State Chamber of Commerce surveyed Sydneysiders to identify Sydney's favourite building.

The winner was the Queen Victoria Building which received 33% of the vote.

This was followed by Sydney Tower in second place.

Rounding off the top five were:

3. The Sydney Opera House
4. The GPO
5. The Sydney Town Hall.

Results were released in early 2001.

Below is an article from The Daily Telegraph from January 2001.

Source: Skelsey, M. 2001. "Victoria's secret: QVB vote Sydney's favourite building." The Daily Telegraph, January 6: 7.

This is in stark contrast to the thoughts and minds of people in the 1960's when there were calls for the building to be demolished for a Civic Square and car park or even build a skyscraper.

We are blessed to have this building in our city. It adds grandeur and elegance to our city, but also provides our shoppers with a wonderful experience as they access the best shopping that a city can offer.

2001: Meriton Apartments failed attempt to redraw the boundaries of Moore Park

Moore Park is not just a park. It even has its own suburb and postcode (2021). Moore Park also includes the former Sydney Showgrounds Site/Entertainment Quarter, Sydney Cricket Ground and the Sydney Football Stadium.

In 2001, Meriton Apartments was in the early stages of its redevelopment of the ACI Factory Site at Waterloo and asked South Sydney Council to alter the boundary of Moore Park to include the development. South Sydney council refused.

Source: Skelsey, M. 2001. "Estate meets its Waterloo". The Daily Telegraph, March 14: 26.

2001: Sydney's Motorway Revolution

A map of freeway projects (approved, under construction or proposed) in Sydney in 2001. Full citation below.

In early 2001, Federal Transport Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister) John Anderson announced that the Federal Government would provide $350 million to cover the $1.25 billion cost of the construction of the Western Sydney Orbital.

Across Sydney, it was estimated that over six years (2001-2007) $3 billion would be spent on the construction of new freeways which promised travel savings, increased productivity, lower running costs for trucks and jobs.

Source: Wainwright, R. 2001. "Sydney's motorway revolution". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 5:1. 

The Western Sydney Orbital (Westlink M7) was completed in 2005 ahead of schedule, however the Lane Cove Tunnel was opened in 2007 and the Cross City Tunnel in 2005. The M5 East was opened in December 2001.

In 2013, plans were unveiled for the  F3 extension to the M2 Motorway (NorthConnex). Approval was given in 2015 by the NSW Government. Opening is slated for mid year.

While NorthConnex will run under Pennant Hills Road, a proposed route in 2001 saw the road running from Macquarie Park to Wahroonga.

Source: Wainwright, R. 2001. "Pressure on to complete the city's traffic puzzle". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 5:4. 

Below is additional coverage from the January 5, 2001 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald.