El Alamein Memorial Fountain
El Alamein Memorial Fountain
4.1
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- Kings Cross • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.1
52 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
29
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mairwen1
United Kingdom12,370 contributions
Jan 2022
This very lovely and much-loved fountain is a Kings Cross landmark.
The design captures the giant airy seed ball effect of a dandelion and on a sunny day, the light glistens off the water making it look look almost fragile and delicate. At night it is illuminated and is especially lovely.
The fountain was placed here in 1961 to honour the sacrifices of the 9th Division of the AIF in WWII at the Battles of El Alamein.
It’s a poignant design.
One can’t think of dandelions without thinking of blowing upon the seeds and making future wishes, yet so many young lives were lost in WWII and their futures were cut short. At the same time, it also suggests hope for a new world after the war.
The El Alamein Battles were a critical point in WWII and the AIF’s sacrifices stopped the German army from advancing through North Africa. They played a critical role, successfully repelling Rommel, ’the Desert Fox’ and helping to secure an Allied victory. It had been a turning point in the war and the struggle for Northern Africa came down to the wire.
The fountain is made largely of bronze and brass. A central metal globe sits atop a 3 metre tall brass, stem-like pipe. 211 small, thin brass pipes or ‘stalks’ extend outwards from the globe and small-nozzled heads spray very fine jets of misty water.
You can see 2 plaques. The inscriptions read:
“The El Alamein Memorial Fountain. This Fountain was erected in commemoration of the deeds of the Ninth Division of the Australian Imperial Forces in World War II by the Council of the City of Sydney and placed in operation by the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor of Sydney Alderman H.F. Jensen on 18.11.61 E.W. Adams Town Clerk"
The second plaque acknowledges the architects: “This fountain was designed and constructed under the supervision of Woodward and Taranto Architects”.
The design captures the giant airy seed ball effect of a dandelion and on a sunny day, the light glistens off the water making it look look almost fragile and delicate. At night it is illuminated and is especially lovely.
The fountain was placed here in 1961 to honour the sacrifices of the 9th Division of the AIF in WWII at the Battles of El Alamein.
It’s a poignant design.
One can’t think of dandelions without thinking of blowing upon the seeds and making future wishes, yet so many young lives were lost in WWII and their futures were cut short. At the same time, it also suggests hope for a new world after the war.
The El Alamein Battles were a critical point in WWII and the AIF’s sacrifices stopped the German army from advancing through North Africa. They played a critical role, successfully repelling Rommel, ’the Desert Fox’ and helping to secure an Allied victory. It had been a turning point in the war and the struggle for Northern Africa came down to the wire.
The fountain is made largely of bronze and brass. A central metal globe sits atop a 3 metre tall brass, stem-like pipe. 211 small, thin brass pipes or ‘stalks’ extend outwards from the globe and small-nozzled heads spray very fine jets of misty water.
You can see 2 plaques. The inscriptions read:
“The El Alamein Memorial Fountain. This Fountain was erected in commemoration of the deeds of the Ninth Division of the Australian Imperial Forces in World War II by the Council of the City of Sydney and placed in operation by the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor of Sydney Alderman H.F. Jensen on 18.11.61 E.W. Adams Town Clerk"
The second plaque acknowledges the architects: “This fountain was designed and constructed under the supervision of Woodward and Taranto Architects”.
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K72
Melbourne, Australia3,085 contributions
Apr 2021 • Solo
Stumbled across this fountain in Fitzroy Gardens in Potts Point. The fountain is quite impressive and the ibis loved it. Nice place to sit and watch the world go by.
Written April 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia26,844 contributions
Dec 2020
Created in 1961, this beautiful fountain, commemorates the battle of El Alamein, it adds to the beauty of the area, (especially at night), we love when there is a breeze, and the cool spray washers over the area.
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,291 contributions
Nov 2022
It is in Macleay Street in Kings Cross Sydney and is heritage listed built from 1959-1961 It was commissioned as a memorial to soldiers who died in 1942 during World War II in two battles at El Alamein, Egypt.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,775 contributions
Jun 2022
The rather modern fountain built between 1959 and 1961 to commemorate those who died at El Alamein Egypt in 1942 is one of the nicer objects in Kings Cross which might generally be regarded as tacky. The small Fitzroy Park, where it stands provides some open space and green in contrast to some of the seedier shops along Darlinghurst Road.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Uhuru6948
Wellington, New Zealand184 contributions
Dec 2019
Certainly worth a visit and a few photos. A shady restful area just off the busy main road. Nice to take a break from the nearby hustle and bustle of Kings Cross, to admire the fountain, and remember that it serves as a lovely memorial to those Australians who lost their lives at El Alamein in WW2.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia54,497 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
El Alamein Memorial Fountain was built to commemorate those Australians who participated in battles in North Africa, during World War II, and in particular those who took part in the battles of El Alamein. It is quite a nice fountain and we we visited the area a number of times. However the fountain is not always in operation and it is a pity, because it is really stunning when the water runs. The location is a central point in Sydney's well known Kings Cross entertainment precinct. The fountain naturally has a different look during the night but it is always a sparkling affair. There are lots of bars, cafes, restaurants and countaless entertainment venues in this part of Sydney.
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudetteth
Cornwall, Canada2,162 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
this lovely fountain is within an easy walking distance of the Kings Cross station. It is a war memorial and is heritage listed opened in 1961 to honour the 9th Australian Imperial forces who fought the battle of El Alamein in Egypt during WWII
The design of the fountain is very modern and looks like a huge dandelion where water sprouts out of 211 little seed pods - very neat to see especially in the wind.
The design of the fountain is very modern and looks like a huge dandelion where water sprouts out of 211 little seed pods - very neat to see especially in the wind.
Written December 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lovetrav_9
Old Colwyn, UK1,248 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
It is situated at the entrance of Fitzroy Gardens in the Kings Cross area of Sydney to commemorate the decisive 1942 North African conflict which changed the course of WW2.
The width of the water fountain is well over ten feet and the hundreds of outlets eject water to form a sphere in the shape of a dandelion “flower”.
The sphere changes shape when it’s windy and it’s also very impressive when lit up after dark.
The width of the water fountain is well over ten feet and the hundreds of outlets eject water to form a sphere in the shape of a dandelion “flower”.
The sphere changes shape when it’s windy and it’s also very impressive when lit up after dark.
Written July 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael M
Sydney, Australia324 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
This fountain is synonymous with all that is Kings Cross. A beautiful monument to those who fought and made the ultimate sacrafice in WWII in Egypt.
Kings Cross is now alot different place than what is was about 5 years ago. It is a much safer place than what it used to be. Although it still holds a certain seedyness that gave Kings Cross its reputation.
Kings Cross is now alot different place than what is was about 5 years ago. It is a much safer place than what it used to be. Although it still holds a certain seedyness that gave Kings Cross its reputation.
Written December 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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