The Domain

Administered by the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Domain is a large grassy tract east of Macquarie St, set aside by Governor Phillip in 1788 for public recreation. Phillip’s intent rings true: today’s lunchtime workers use the space to work up a sweat or eat their lunch. Large-scale public events are also held here, including Tropfest film festival. Sculptures dot the park, including a reclining Henry Moore figure and Brett Whiteley’s Almost Once (1991) − two giant matches, one burnt − rising from the ground near the Art Gallery of NSW. The by turns entertaining and enraging Speakers’ Corner happens on the lawns in front of the gallery.