Tank Stream Fountain
Tank Stream Fountain
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Central Business District
The Sydney Central Business District is abuzz with energy. Power brokers run to and from high rise buildings and after-work drink places, high-end shoppers tour venues like the QVB, and fine diners frequent the many celebrity chef restaurants. For a dose of culture, walk to the NSW Art Gallery, or visit the Sydney Museum. To escape the hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature at the Sydney Botanical Gardens or picnic lunch at High Park. No matter your interest, be sure to check the full calendar of events hosted by the city, from the Sydney Festival in January to October’s Good Food Month at Hyde Park.
How to get there
- Martin Place • 3 min walk
- St James • 6 min walk
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4.5
10 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,165 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
This drab looking fountain is located at Circular Quay, opposite the train station and and ferry terminals. Don’t expect shooting jets of water. What you have here is a series of small pools running at street level along the pavement.
The fountain is highly decorated with detailed bronze figures but the metal is dark and greying and it’s heavily shaded by a row of trees so the water doesn’t sparkle in the sun or catch the light.
I think that it often goes unnoticed which is a shame because, up close there is a lot of lovely detail to be seen.
Each section is covered in a host of different native animals cast in bronze. Spotting the different Australian animals can be a fun game for kids. We picked out frill-necked lizards and long-necked cormorants, spiky echidna, scuttling crabs, and frogs.
The fountain was installed in 1981 and references the long since vanished Tank Stream, that provided the water supply for the British settlers when they first established themselves at Sydney Cove in 1788.
The fountain is highly decorated with detailed bronze figures but the metal is dark and greying and it’s heavily shaded by a row of trees so the water doesn’t sparkle in the sun or catch the light.
I think that it often goes unnoticed which is a shame because, up close there is a lot of lovely detail to be seen.
Each section is covered in a host of different native animals cast in bronze. Spotting the different Australian animals can be a fun game for kids. We picked out frill-necked lizards and long-necked cormorants, spiky echidna, scuttling crabs, and frogs.
The fountain was installed in 1981 and references the long since vanished Tank Stream, that provided the water supply for the British settlers when they first established themselves at Sydney Cove in 1788.
Written 20 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada81,657 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
This a huge fountain, dedicated to the children who played at the tank stream.
In fact, there are about 8 fountains attached to one another. It is amazing and no one can take a picture of the whole fountain.
It is attractive. It had little fake animals and lots of water.
This is a must see!
In fact, there are about 8 fountains attached to one another. It is amazing and no one can take a picture of the whole fountain.
It is attractive. It had little fake animals and lots of water.
This is a must see!
Written 11 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
7 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
This is a beautiful series of fountains. So much to observe and soak up within the sculptures contained within it. Loved it.
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia21,219 contributions
Oct 2021
Located across from circular quay rail station stand a rather peculiar bronze which is dedicated to the kiddies that use to play around the tank fountain, which was part of sydney towns water supply.fountain,
Written 19 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamsin H
Sydney, Australia678 contributions
July 2019
We recently had family to visit from England and we had a walk around Circular Quay and showed them this fountain. Success - they loved it! Covered in Australian animals - a very interesting feature of Sydney.
Written 17 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
The Tank Stream Fountain is a beautiful connection of modern and ancient, European and Indigenous Australian. The fountain, also called The Children's Fountain and the Herald fountain is only a few steps away from Circular Quay railway station, at the George street end of Alfred street, virtually under the overhead roadway. The fountain was built after a donation was made by the Herald newspaper owners to commemorate its 150 years anniversary. The bronze fountain is made up of several parts and there are several pools of water, also featuring some native plants and animals. The fountain sources its water from the Tank stream. This connection is a symbolic link with the land and the indigenous history. The Tank stream was the original water supply to the early settlers. This is a wonderful attraction and is highly recommended if you visit Sydney city. Additionally, the Rocks area is only a step away, the Harbour Bridge is there too, and a million other attractions are all around.
Written 13 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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