History retro sydney melbourne photos book 20250305 p5roiv.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Nostalgic photos show life in Sydney and Melbourne in days gone by

Sarah Swain
Sarah Swain

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Two new books show off yesteryear images of Australia's biggest cities.

Retro Sydney and Retro Melbourne celebrate all things of days gone by in Australia.

They include shots from the 1950s and 60s such the Opera House under construction, Queen Elizabeth II on her Royal Tour of Australia in 1954; The Royal Easter Show and Sydneysiders on the beaches.

Melbourne street scenes, people heading to work, trams and traffic and businesses and buildings now long gone are displayed in colour shots of Melbourne.

Click through to see the images.

Attribution: Supplied
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Here patrons attending the Sydney Royal Easter Show, 1955, pictured by Bill Tomsett, courtesy of Janette Asche.

Attribution: Bill Tomsett, courtesy of Janette Asche
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The Karrabee River Cruise, 1960, passing through the old Gladesville Bridge in Sydney.

Attribution: Courtesy Claude Potterton
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A march-past at a NSW Surf Life Saving Carnival at Sydney's Coogee Beach in 1965.

Beaches represented include Cronulla, Avalon, Wanda and Port Macquarie.

Attribution: National Archives of Australia, Canberra
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The Kanangra passes through the Spit Bridge, circa 1958.

Attribution: courtesy Bill Allen
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The Lady Denman leaves the Valentia Street wharf, Woolwich in Sydney, packed with punters.

Attribution: Courtesy Bill Allen
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A view over the rooftops of Paddington and Moore Park in Sydney's east in the mid-1950s.

Attribution: Bill Tomsett, courtesy of Janette Asche
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Sydney's Circular Quay in 1955 when sheds lined what is now the cruise ship port.

Attribution: Bill Tomsett, courtesy of Janette Asche
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A 1955 view from leafy Neutral Bay across the North Shore, towards the Harbour Bridge.

The top of the AWA Building (to the right of the bridge) was the tallest in the city.

Attribution: Photo by Bill Tomsett, courtesy of Janette Asche
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An O class tram at St Leonards Station on Sydney's north shore in 1957.

Attribution: Supplied
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