This remarkable example of modernist design, a beloved centerpiece of inner Sydney, pays tribute to Australia’s military heritage in elegant fashion.
The El Alamein Fountain commemorates Australia’s wartime past in a beautiful, contemplative style. It lies at the heart of Sydney’s iconic Kings Cross, once a somewhat seedy bohemia but now an in-demand center for food, drink and fashion. Seek out the Fitzroy Gardens, a small park where the fountain is located, to appreciate its innovative design and its prominent position in the neighborhood.
The fountain was opened in 1961 as a memorial to the Australian soldiers of the 9th Division and to their crucial engagement in fighting near El Alamein in northern Egypt. The designer of the fountain, Bob Woodward, a war veteran, studied architecture in Sydney and in Finland under the luminary architect Alvar Aalto. Think back to the 1960s and imagine the rapturous response that catapulted Woodward to international fame and saw his fountain become a recognizable Sydney icon.
Admire the fountain’s unique design. From a spherical bronze center, 211 pipes radiate out and release water from numerous small spray heads, altogether forming the impression of a large, ephemeral dandelion.
Join locals on park benches to watch the spray patterns shift with the wind, creating rainbows in the sunlit mist. Savor the calming sight of water cascading down along four graded pools. At night, the entire structure is tastefully lit up.
Take a moment to reflect on the Battle of El Alamein and on the trials of the Allied troops during World War II. The El Alamein Fountain is unusual not only in its design but also in its commemoration of an individual battle rather than war casualties in general. Pay respects to the soldiers who took part in this famous battle, which played a vital role in turning the North African front against the Axis powers.
The El Alamein Fountain is located in Fitzroy Gardens in inner eastern Sydney. Both Kings Cross and neighboring Darlinghurst are easily navigated on foot. Travel by bus from downtown or get off the train at Kings Cross station. After seeing the fountain, stop for a coffee and snack at one of the area’s many fine bakeries and cafés.
