Sydney was settled around a freshwater stream that formed the back boundary of properties fronting the earliest main streets, and a series of informal paths provided rear access to gardens, stables and storage areas.

In time these laneways became formalised, oblivious to any planner’s grid. Other laneways developed to provide access to the rear of commercial buildings that came to dominate the area. Charming walkways or grungy service lanes, today they contribute complexity to the tapestry of the city.