The story of this place
Since 1800, 'tide waiters' boarded ships to tally cargoes while 'landing waiters' patrolled the wharves—both trying to intercept smuggling and contraband. A notorious smuggling incident in Pittwater in 1824 became the 'final straw' that led to construction of this customs station in 1842. Every incoming ship had to correctly describe its cargo—or face the diligent Customs officials whose job was to outsmart smugglers who grew increasingly clever at hiding their illicit goods. Today, you can stand on the glass floor and see a 1:500 model of Sydney beneath your feet.