Kings Cross

The first customs officers, who belonged to First Fleet that arrived at Sydney Cove, operated from The Rocks around which most of their activities centred. In the 1840s, they shifted to their present location at the Quay. This building attained its present U form only in the 1880s. It was in the 1890s, that the coat of arms was put up at the entrance. The bronze sculpture in the shape of a knot was put up in 1930. The knot corresponded in appearance to the one in Portsmouth from where the First Fleet had sailed. There has also been erected near the north-western corner of the Customs House a replica of the mast and the Union Jack that was raised by Captain Phillip when he and his fleet first landed on the shores of Sydney Cove onKings Cross used to be at one time called the drug capital or the red light capital of Sydney, Australia . Known for its night life, it also used to be a center of crime and prostitution. Though regarded a shady territory with its adult shows and exciting night entertainment, Kings Cross has always attracted tourists and visitors albeit out of curiosity to have a peek at the exciting lifestyle and abundant glamour that sets it apart from the rest of Sydney. Over the years, Kings Cross has evolved some to attract all kinds of visitors so that on the one hand there are swanky cafes and restaurants and trendy shops while on the other there are sleazy strip clubs and seedy nightclubs with their topless waitresses and adult shops.
Whereas Kings Cross presents a very pleasant and charming atmosphere in the light of the day, it can turn very exciting and titillating when the lights come on. Things hot up during the night and the new or occasional visitor who gets carried away should be careful about his or her own safety so as not to get assaulted or robbed and also not to land a raw deal and be cheated of money. Also one should be careful not to stare though one could come upon some strange sights and not to make insinuating comments. If one does not wish to get too involved in the naughty activities of Kings Cross, Potts Point is the place to be in from where one can still enjoy the splendour and charm of Kings Cross.
Most of the seedy nightclubs and sleazy joints of adult entertainment are situated on the main street of Kings Cross, the Darlinghurst Road. Compared to other places in Sydney, Kings Cross has a much larger share of drunks, drug addicts, drug dealers and prostitutes. Darlinghurst Road, which is just a small strip that stretches from Bayswater Road to Barncleuth Square, offers the most of the adult action and entertainment that Kings Cross, Sydney, is famous for.
For the visitor who seeks adult entertainment, Kings Cross is the place, as striptease, adult cabaret and such entertainment are within immediate reach as he walks out of the Kings Cross train station. The adult shows and entertainment places may be different one from the other in that some may be more hard-core than the rest.
One of the oldest areas of Sydney, Wooloomooloo, is in Kings Cross. The Artspace Gallery and Harry's Café de Wheels started in 1945 are two never-miss attractions of Kings Cross. Elizabeth House and Sydney Jewish Museum are two places of interest near Kings Cross. Elizabeth House is famous for its magnificent Greek Revival style architecture. The visitor is treated to a superb view from atop this building. Sydney Jewish Museum is a showcase of the history and lifestyle of the Jews in Australia .
January 26, 1788.














