suburb info

A rural estate When land-holders John Macarthur and Surgeon John Harris (identified as Surgeon John Harris to distinguish him from other members of his family also called John Harris) settled on the peninsula in 1804–06, it was a beautiful location with sandstone cliffs, Moreton Bay fig trees, fresh water and bush. Although no account survives of Aboriginal occupation, their presence is evident in the middens that exist along the foreshore. In 1836, John Macarthur's son, Edward, began to subdivide the land and by 1891 Pyrmont and Ultimo had become the most densely populated areas in NSW. Like many of his fellow officers, Surgeon John Harris (1754–1838) was granted land, first at Parramatta and, in 1803, 34 acres at what became Ultimo. On one side of Harris's grant was Glebe, belonging to the Anglican church, and on the other the brick pits. The naming of Ultimo In 1803, the New South Wales Corps (better known as the 'Rum Corps' because of their illicit trade in rum) was a powerful force in the colony. Surgeon Harris aided Governor King in trying to stop this trade. Harris' fellow officers court martialled him twice on trumped up charges in attempts to discredit him. In the second case, the charge against him was badly drafted. The claim stated Harris committed the crime on '19th ultimo' (last month) when it should have been '19th instant' (this month). Harris was acquitted on this technicality. Governor King rewarded Harris for his stand against the rum trade with an initial grant of 34 acres of land which Harris then named Ultimo as a snub to his accusers.

The new Ultimo

There is now a new and wealthier population living in Ultimo than ever before in its history, living in new apartments or in converted woolstores. Old workers cottages and terrace homes have been restored to its former glory with prices fetching over $1 million dollars in recent times. Old pubs have been turned into boutique establishments, and dining out is now a possibility where once it would have been unthinkable. Proximity to the city makes Ultimo an attractive location for city workers and for students attending Ultimo's education institutions including Tafe and UTS university, while employment in communications and computer industries offers a new kind of work. Ultimo is a fast growing pocket of the city fringe area consiting of new and well established apartment complexes and historical terrace houses. There is a sizable Chinese population in Ultimo, but whereas it was the work of the city markets that supported this population in earlier times, much of the investment now is from overseas Chinese, looking for a good investment or providing for student family members. There also remains a core of long-time residents with older memories. Part of the fascination of Ultimo is its edgy mix of old industrial streetscapes and institutions with long attachments to the place, competing with the newest of urban developments. The convenience of walking to Chinatown, Sydney entertainment centre, Central Station, Haymarket (Paddy's) and the CBD has played a large role in Ultimo's growth and popularity.