The QVB in Sydney

I don’t know about you, but in most of my destinations, I find a happy place where I love hanging out. In Sydney, it’s the QVB, the Queen Victoria Building. This massive building right in the center of Sydney (Australia) is actually a commercial center. If you’re disappointed, let me just tell you a little bit more about what I like in this building.

The QVB Is Useful

First, it’s practical: there is the metro, it’s in the city center, it has free toilets, and many restaurants and cafés. It’s a good place to eat delicious sushi and drink a latte while enjoying free Wi-Fi. Waiting for a friend in the city center and it starts to rain? QVB. In urgent need of a toilet? QVB. You’re in a foreign country and don’t have Internet on your phone? QVB.

The QVB Is Beautiful

But, it’s more than just practical. The QVB is a stunning building, and it looks like those huge commercial centers that you see in Christmas American movies. Its Victorian Romanesque style is incredible, with domes, arches and a whole lot of details. There are even stained-glass windows!

But my favorite feature is the Royal Clock, on the upper level. It is wonderful, full of decorations and… it is working! Every day, every hour from 9am until 9pm, a performance starts. It’s not just a cuckoo clock, no. You can see marvellous characters mechanically animated retracing the English royal history. Watching these always free my inner child.

The QVB Is Historical

In the QVB, it’s not only the clock that tells you about History. The building itself is a monument. It opened in 1898 and is today a heritage-listed building. Are you impressed now?

In front of the Southern entrance, there is a statue of Queen Victoria and another of her favourite dog “Islay” (with a recorded message that asks you to give a donation and make a wish). It certainly attracted my attention and made me feel like I should look for some more information about the British and Australian History.

Also, in case you’re interested, it so happens that Islay was a famous fellow and also appeared in two works by Edwin Landseer, a painter and sculptor.

The QVB Is Magical

The second time I visited Sydney was just before Christmas and, Oh my God, the building was wonderfully decorated! A massive Christmas tree stood in the center, its head nearly reaching the stunning green, yellow and blue dome. It was full of lights and decorations, and under it, were more lights, more decorations and mirrors. Talk about Christmas spirit! Australians sure know how to celebrate the holidays.

So here I am, declaring my love for a commercial center. I hope you enjoyed it and that one day, you will have the pleasure to visit it and see the clock.

To see more photos of Australia, you can visit the gallery Australia.