The Terrace

Beginning with the speculative developments in Lower Fort Street in the Rocks area in Sydney and later moving to Melbourne's neatly organised squares, we trace the earliest development of the terrace from those that landed in the First Fleet and initiated the tradition of European-style building. Of course, terrace housing was not limited to the distinctions between Sydney sandstone and Melbourne bluestone, there were humble workers cottages linked in the same way. We note these in the inner cities but also in the once important mining town of Burra, in South Australia, where terrace housing began with dugouts along the banks of the creek. We learn about the expedience and economy of terrace building that contradicts the status the inner city terrace enjoys today as well as the reasons behind the side entrances and rear laneways that gave essential access to so-called utilities prior to mains plumbing. And we discover the unique characteristics of the Australian terrace such as the wrought iron that remains, to this day, the terrace's most conspicuous decorative element. The series will explore how Australia has shaped the Australian house - and in turn, how the Australian house has shaped the lives and cultures of Australians. Throughout the series, John Doyle will chart the journey of the Australian house so far, through observations and conversations with a range of experts, enthusiasts and home owners around the country.