Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield and historian Laila Ellmoos explore the history of an iconic Australian tourist destination – Sydney. Together they introduce the Aboriginal peoples; traditional owners and custodians of the land on which the city now stands. Laila also highlights the spectacular natural harbour that attracted the attention of British navigators and colonisers and discusses the settlement’s transformation into a global city. Along the way, they'll also meet key figures who played major roles in the development of Sydney and seek out the city’s lesser-known sites that reveal important insights into the past.

History’s Greatest Cities is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Battles, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast.

For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com.

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This episode was hosted by Paul Bloomfield and produced by Jack Bateman.

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