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Category: Activity

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Sydney Heritage Fleet

Sydney Heritage Fleet

Founded in 1965 as the “The Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum”, the Sydney Heritage Fleet operates 10 large and 55 small heritage vessels. Its 450 active volunteer workers conserve Australia’s maritime past, while preserving traditional technical methods and skills.

Three (as of August 2024) vessels are currently being restored, the 1912 ferry Kanangra, the 1950s wooden speed boat Kookaburra II and the 1927 pilot vessel John Oxley. Possibly the most well known vessel is the 1874 iron barque James Craig, now fully restored and regularly put to sea under full sail and is a beautiful site when sailing Sydney Harbour.

We booked a tour of the Kanangra restoration project, which gave us an opportunity to also see some of the other ships in the fleet. See their website for times and tickets.

Getting There

We took the light rail from Central Station to Rozelle and walked (10 minutes) to Sydney Heritage Fleet from there.

The Tour

A safety briefing started the tour, as we would be entering an active work area. Safety hats and high-visibility jackets (both provided) along with enclosed shoes (wear your own) were a requirement.

The tour started in the workshop where we saw how the parts needed for the restoration were made. Then it was on to the dock to see the boats. Although we only boarded the Kanangra, we were able to see many others very well.

On board the Kanangra we needed to stay alert, as the decking and sides of the ship were under repair. Interestingly, the largest job currently being undertaken was the removal of concrete from the hull. Large quantities had been used to stop leaks in the rusting hull plates. Apparently it’s a quick and easy fix, but difficult to remove.

We were able to see all levels of the ferry, from the engine room to the top deck and restored wheel house. Restoration should finish in 2032 when she will be back in the water. Considering how badly corroded the hull looked and the amount of steel plates requiring replacement, I can see why it will take this long.

This was a fantastic tour and highly recommended for anyone who likes old ships. The tour guides were very informative, friendly and passionate about the restoration. The tour ran two hours and we loved every minute.

Sydney Ferry Kanangra

Launched on the 14th of August 1912, Kanangra is a steel-hulled K-class ferry that operated on Sydney Harbour until 1985. Originally coal fired, she was converted to diesel in 1959.

Kanangra is currently sited on a floating dock at Rozelle Bay as part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Restoration work intends to restore her to the 1960s configuration with diesel power.

Kanangra
Kanangra
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Interior of the upper deck
Interior of the upper deck
Wheelhouse
Wheelhouse
Engine telegraph
Engine telegraph
Inside lower deck of ferry
Lower deck interior
Inside lower deck of ferry
Interior of the Lower Deck
Kanangra's lower deck interior
Lower deck interior
Kanangra's lower deck
Outside lower deck
Engine Room
Engine Room

Steam Ship John Oxley

Built in 1927 in Scotland for the Queensland Harbours and Rivers Board, the John Oxley was a relief pilot vessel in Moreton Bay, a buoy tender and a lighthouse tender that operated along the Queensland coast.

In the Second World War John Oxley was requisitioned for the Royal Australian Navy and a 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun was mounted on the stern. She was returned to her former duties in 1946, and converted from coal to oil fuel that same year.

John Oxley continued in service until 1968 and was officially donated to Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1970. Since 2002 the John Oxley has been under continuous restoration at the Heritage dockyard of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, Rozelle Bay, Sydney. As of August 2024 she is nearing completion and almost ready for her first post-restoration cruise.

John Oxley restored upper works
John Oxley restored upper works
John Oxley officer's quarters
Officer’s quarters
John Oxley pilots' area and stairs to lower deck
John Oxley pilots’ area and stairs to lower deck
John Oxley restored kitchen
Restored kitchen
John Oxley restoration of interior underway
John Oxley restoration of interior underway
John Oxley Steam Ship
John Oxley Steam Ship

Bronzewing-class Tugs

Four Bronzewing-class harbour tugs were constructed for the Royal Australian Navy. The ships in the class were:

Bronzewing (HTS 501)
Currawong (HTS 502)
HTS 503 (to Papua New Guinea in 1974)
Mollymawk (HTS 504)

They were constructed by Stannard Bros, Sydney, except for HTS Mollymawk (504), she was constructed by Perris Engineering, Brisbane.

Bronzewing and Currawong are currently on loan to the Sydney Heritage Fleet, where they are often used in the support of the James Craig and other heritage ships in the Fleet.

HMAS Bronzewing (HTS 501)
HMAS Bronzewing (HTS 501)
HMAS Currawong (HTS 502)
HMAS Currawong (HTS 502)
HMAS Currawong (HTS 502)
Currawong (HTS 502)

Motor Launch Harman

Harman is a Royal Australian Navy motor launch built in 1944 by the firm Storey and Keers. The RAN used her on Sydney Harbour to transfer personnel between ship and shore and the various establishments on the Harbour.

On retirement from the RAN in 1957, she was transferred to Cockatoo Island Dockyard where she worked as a passenger and general duties launch. She was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1992 and has since undergone several refits to keep her seaworthy.

Motor Launch Harman starboard side
Motor Launch Harman starboard side
Motor Launch Harman
Harman
Motor Launch Harman port aft view
Motor Launch Harman port aft view

Motor Launch Berrima

Launched in 1955 as A.O.R.1, Berrima is a motor launch owned by the Sydney Heritage Fleet and used around Sydney Harbour. Originally used by Stannard Bros  on behalf of Australian Oil Refineries on Botany Bay, it ferried workers from La Perouse to the refinery on the other side of Botany Bay. At times it also doubled as the Pilot Cutter.

Berrima was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1990.

Motor Launch Berrima
Motor Launch Berrima
Motor Launch Berrima Sydney Heritage Fleet
Motor Launch Berrima

Lady Hopetoun

Built in 1902 by WM Ford on Sydney Harbour, the Lady Hopetoun was used as a VIP and Vice-Regal steam yacht by the NSW Government through the Sydney Harbour Trust and its successor the Maritime Services Board of NSW until the 1960s.

Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun port side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun port side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun seen from the Kanangra
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun seen from the Kanangra

Motor Launch Protex

Built sometime around 1908, Protex was later purchased in 1934 by the Sydney ferry and tug company, Nicholson Bros. In line with their usual policy of naming their craft using words beginning with ‘Pro’ she was called Protex after a popular brand of soap. Up until 1970, she ferried goods and people from the Palmolive factory at Balmain to various city wharves.

In 1970, she was sold to Mr Terry Hodgson who used her as a ferry operating out of Woy Woy and Toukley, and later between Brooklyn and Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River.

The Protex became part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1981 and is berthed at their Rozelle wharf.

Protex
Protex
Protex
Protex

Steam Tug Waratah

Built in 1902 at Cockatoo Island, Waratah is a coal fired tug and part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Originally named Burunda, her primary role was to tow dredges and barges between the various ports along the NSW coast.

From 1948, her age and condition restricted her to operating within the Newcastle Port and by 1968 she was considered to be beyond economical repair and was set to be scrapped. Saved by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, she is now, once again, fully operational and regularly takes passengers on trips around Sydney Harbour.

Steam Tug Waratah
Steam Tug Waratah bow view
Steam Tug Waratah
Port view
Steam Tug Waratah
Steam Tug Waratah bridge and main deck
Steam Tug Waratah
Waratah looking down from Kanangra
Steam Tug Waratah
Steam Tug Waratah
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Parbury Ruins

Kitchen area Parbury Ruins

Parbury Ruins

Located on the corner of Pottinger and Windmill Streets in Millers Point, Sydney, the Parbury Ruins were uncovered during the construction of an apartment block. Once excavated and recorded by archaeologists, the developers modified their design to retain the ruins, preserving them.

Access to the underground area is by appointment only, or during special open days. We booked tickets through Sydney Open, but they are also available from Museums of History New South Wales . If you are unable to book tickets, there are three windows displays showcasing broken ceramics and other items excavated from the ruins.

The ruins consist of the footings of a two-bedroom cottage from the 1820s, as well as the remains of a stone kitchen with a fireplace and a sink. Outside the dwelling are remnants of a verandah and a well. The well had been filled in, but contained the remains of ceramics and other items, many of which are on display.

Originally a dockworker’s home, the cottage was built of sandstone blocks cut by convicts from a local quarry. The cottage was probably demolished by the late 1860s or early 1870s when new wharves and bond stores were developed in the area.

A guide took us through the ruins, explaining the history and likely uses of the different rooms. Access is by stairs, so is not wheelchair accessible. Once you have descended the stairs, you walk over the original floor and get a very close look at the sandstone structure.

This was a fun visit and it’s great that the ruins have been preserved for the future.

Original outside wall area Parbury Ruins
Original outside wall area looking over the ruins to the entrance at ground level
Kitchen area Parbury Ruins
Kitchen area
Fireplace in the kitchen area
Fireplace in the kitchen area
Holes for floor beams in the wall for the upper story
Holes for floor beams in the wall for the upper story
Filled in well Parbury Ruins
Filled in well
Artifacts on Display
Artifacts on Display
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Maitland Gaol NSW Australia

Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower

Maitland Gaol NSW Australia

Although outdated and no longer in use, the Maitland Gaol in NSW Australia is now a tourist attraction. Several options are available when visiting, guided tours, self guided tours or a guard tower tour. We chose the last option, as this takes you up onto the walls of the gaol, providing better views over the buildings. The guide also gives a commentary full of interesting information. Additionally, you can do the self guided tour when you finish on the walls.

Getting There

Located in East Maitland NSW Australia, the gaol has its own car park, so self -drive is usually not a problem.

Watch Towers

Before undertaking the tour, a safety talk ensures that you understand the risks and behaviour expected. The main risks are heights and enclosed spaces. These are all managed with guard rails, but if you suffer from heights and enclosed spaces, the guard tower tour might not be for you.

Climbing to the top of the tower is via a modern metal spiral staircase inside one of the towers. Once at the top, you are safely enclosed by a metal frame and mesh wire. The view from the top is amazing, providing views over the gaol. The hour long tour took us along the walls where guards used to patrol and through several towers.

Guard Tower
Guard Tower
Stairs up to the watch tower
Stairs up to the watch tower
Outer Wall Maitland Gaol
Outer Wall
Walkway on the wall
Walkway on the wall
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire Maitland Gaol
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire

Prison Cells

Originally opening in December 1848, Maitland Gaol did not close until January 1998. By this time it no longer met community standards.

The cells and exercise yards are open for visitors to explore where you get to see the conditions the prisoners were held in. The rooms are small and basic reflecting the times in which they were built.

Gaol Cells
Gaol Cells
Gaol Cell Maitland Gaol
Gaol Cell
B-Wing Cells
B-Wing Cells
Exercise Area
Exercise Area

Buildings

Built of sandstone, the buildings are impressive in size and certainly look substantial and difficult to escape from.

In addition to the cell blocks, there is a chapel with stain glass windows where religious services took place weekly.

As the number of prisoners increased over time, the gaol expanded. This is best seen from the guard towers where the original wall now runs down the centre of the gaol forming a dividing wall.

At this time a building for female prisoners was added. It originally had a balcony and doors facing into the gaol. Later, the women were relocated to another facility and the balcony was removed and the doors filled in. Different coloured sandstone in the walls shows where this happened.

A-Wing and the Chapel
A-Wing and the Chapel
Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower
Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire Maitland Gaol
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire
The old Female Section (rear) and day-cells
The old Female Section (rear) and day-cells. The different sandstone blocks show where the doorways onto the balcony used to be.
Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel
Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel
The Kitchen Workers' Cells Maitland Gaol
The Kitchen Workers’ Cells

Other Buildings Nearby

Opposite the gaol is the East Maitland Courthouse. This building is still operating as a children’s’ court, so access is restricted. However, if the court is closed, you can enter the carpark and see the front facade.

Located next to the gaol on Lindesay Street are the old Mounted Police Barracks. Used by the Maitland and Beyond Family Heritage, it is generally closed to the public. However the outside of the buildings can be viewed from the road.

East Maitland Court House Maitland Gaol
East Maitland Court House
Mounted Police Barracks Maitland Gaol
Mounted Police Barracks
Mounted Police Barracks
Mounted Police Barracks