All tourists face the challenge of wanting the see their destination’s iconic landmarks, while enjoying its local experiences. I often get asked to show visitors around and if you want to find the soul of Sydney you need to go in search of where locals go. We all want to be in the know, at the coalface, having rich real life experiences with those who call it home. It’s a test to see if we can fit into the place we are visiting and become one of it’s natives.
Below is a collection of Sydney’s local landmarks. Places that give Sydney its reputation as easy going, sun soaked and packed full of unique experiences.
Harry’s Café de Wheels is a “quintessential Sydney icon” according to National Trust of Australia (NSW), who classified it for its contribution to cultural experiences in Australia.
Harry’s started in 1938 as a pie cart, before becoming a caravan. It sold pies n’ peas and crumbed sausages outside the entrance to the Woolloomooloo naval dockyards. It was popular with the sailors, soldiers, cabbies, starlets, as well as the police. Sydney City Council would not accept a fixed structure on the site and required the caravan to move, so Harry dutifully moved it 12 inches each day. That’s the typical Australian approach to regulations and authority. According to their website, in 1974 KFC’s Colonel Sanders had 3 pies at Harry’s, whilst leaning on his walking stick outside the caravan. Now that’s an endorsement from your competitor.
My connection – I’ve grown up with Harry’s. I first lived in Potts Point and went to Pre School in Woolloomooloo. My history includes living in Elizabeth Bay and my senior schooling was in College Street, so Harry’s has pretty much been a staple in my life. In 1979 I met its current owner, Michael Hannah and worked for him in real estate for 6 months. I go there when I’m in a hurry and I have a hot dog with hot English mustard and tomato sauce and grab a pie in bag to eat whilst driving.
On extremely short notice I took two good clients there for lunch and within 20 minutes we had had the fastest and most memorable luncheon experience. That’s what Harry’s has always been, a place to satisfy your appetite, rub shoulders with Aussies and travellers alike and enjoy looking at the war ships in Woolloomooloo Bay, whilst standing in the sun.
If you find yourself at Harry, the challenge is to order their signature, ‘Harry’s Tiger’.
KYMBAL DUNNE 