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I love a puzzle! Firstly, the image needs horizontal flipping - see the number plate of the motorcycle bottom right - "34995". 1920s? Winter? People coming and going? ...

great shot

beachcomber australia Indeed you can see the number plate! It would be great if this image was clearer so we could see the destination printed on the tram. I don't know how you were able to spot 'Street' or 'Beach', great eyesight! :)

Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons My eyesight is shocking from looking at these wonderful old photos, but I think I have an answer . . . Crowds near South Head (due to trams) going to watch the arrival of the American Fleet early morning (long shadows) on Thursday 23 July (winter coats) 1925. trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16233521 trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16233546 Or not?

OR ... The departure of the US Fleet on Thursday 6 August 1925. See SMH from the following day - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16213029. The Fleet began leaving at 11am. Remarkably there are no children around - a school day? And maybe the traffic jam is caused as everyone is leaving?

That is not Erskine Street, Sydney. I think it is New South Head Road, Double Bay, looking SE from near Gladswood Gardens. Google street view - maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&... I am wondering if the tram was going to Erskine Street (hence the confusion). It is on the old King Street line which was extended to a new terminus in Erskine St. See 1903 map with tram routes marked - www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.map-rm1635-sd&rgn=0... . So "Erskine Street Tram, Double Bay 1949" might be a better title? 3 February 1949 was a THURSDAY ! And from the lack of shadows I'd say it is about noon. Can anyone identify the cars?!

Yep, spot on beachcomberaustralia.

Hi beachomberaustralia, thanks for clearly identifying the image. We will amend our caption.

The car in the foreground is a an "R1" class, rated at 56 seated passengers on upholstered seats, the car in the distance also appears to be an "R1" class. Both cars were designed about 1935

125, 121 (not 131).

Intersection of New South Head Road / Glenmore Road / Reddy Street, Paddington. Google Maps Street View: goo.gl/maps/5687h

See also:
GPO original locations or series - St10949. From NSW Govt Printer series - Main Roads Board: Resumptions by V.G.

Shop, 125 New South Rd, & Reddy St, Paddington (July 1926) [Digital order no. d1_02910]

Rear view of 125 New South Head Rd (July 1926) [Digital order no. d1_02902]

? Same building as ..

beachcomber australia Yes! Nice work making the connection. The change in street numbers is not surprising.

The Sydney metropolitan detail series (Google Satellite View equivalent of late 1880s) - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_zoomify/2008/D00663/a1367322.html - gives a clearer understanding of the former layout of the buildings at the intersection.

Re the date - from the GoogleMapsStreetView above, the buildings which replaced this corner shop (Bob Janes and the blocks of units) look to be c.1930, which would make this photo late 1920s. Also the 1920s car in Reddy Street behind.