BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833)
Pic: Nosbüsch&Stucke/BNPS

Exchange and Government Offices, Sydney.

A stunning collection of photographs of Sydney decades before the iconic harbour bridge and opera house were built has been unearthed after 129 years.

The black and white photo album captures the bustling city centre, picturesque main harbour and famous beaches of the future tourist hot-spot.

The photos were taken by celebrated Australian photographer Henry King in 1888 who was born in England but emigrated to Australia at a young age and spent the rest of his life there.

More recently they have fallen into the hands of a German collector who has decided to put them on the market and they are tipped to sell for £1,800.

Many of Sydney's most recognisable landmarks including Manly beach and Coogee bay look very different to what backpackers would encounter today.

King also took various photos of Circular Quay - the city's main harbour - but missing from them are images of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as these landmarks were both not built until well into the 20th century.