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Category: Activity

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North Head Sanctuary and Tunnels

North Head Tunnels

North Head


Operated by Sydney Harbour Trust, North Head is an ex-army heritage listed site. Staffed by volunteers, the Visitor Centre is an ideal point to start your exploration of the area as they can provide you with an overview of what’s available. Our visit on a Sunday corresponded to the day that a guided tour was running for the site and underground tunnels. For a small fee a guide shows groups around while explaining the importance of each area. Importantly this is the only way to gain access to the tunnels which form a major part of the site.

Getting to North Head

Public Transport

Ferries to Manly run from Circular Quay, taking around 30 minutes for the trip. Alternately, the Manly Fast Ferry takes 20 minutes, but is more expensive. There is a Fast Ferry service to Q Station Wharf, if you want to start here instead of Manly.

From the Manly Ferry Wharf, bus 135 takes 20 minutes to drive to North Head. This bus runs every hour and connects well with the ferry arriving and departing Manly. Located outside the main entrance, bus stops are easy to find.

Walking

Taking 40 minutes, the shortest walk winds through Manly’s streets, past Q Station and onto North Head. A more scenic track runs along the shore, taking you past fantastic clifftop lookouts and historical gun emplacements, before passing Shelly Beach and ending at Manly Beach. At 4.2 km long, the scenic track takes around an hour one way, but has wonderful scenery to enjoy along the way.

Starting at Q Station, a 1.3 km track passes through bush land, passes the Third Quarantine Cemetery before ending at the North Head Sanctuary Visitors’ Centre. This well paved track is an easy 20-minute walk, with great views over Sydney Harbour.

Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery

Driving

Located outside the Visitor Centre is a pay for use car park, which makes driving yourself a convenient option

North Fort Tour


Starting with a short film on Sydney’s history of fortifications which was informative and gave us an insight into their original appearance.

View of South Head From North Head
View of South Head From North Head
View of Sydney From North Head
View of Sydney From North Head

Memorial Walk


The walking tour started with the Memorial Walk which is a paved pathway winding through Australian bush land. Many of the paving stones have been inscribed with the names of servicemen which gives a personal touch to the area.


Progressing along the path takes you to all the memorials for wars Australia has been involved in. Each of the memorials is made of Sydney sandstone and engraved with an overview of the conflict. The Gallipoli Memorial contains the only non-native species in the area, a cutting from the lone pine.

Memorial Walk
Memorial Walk
World War 1 Memorial
World War 1 Memorial
Lone Pine Gallipoli Memorial
Lone Pine Gallipoli Memorial

Fortifications


Continuing to the above ground fortifications we saw the remains of gun emplacements which now consist of concrete structures without any guns. The only remaining gun is a 9.2 inch (23.37 cm) barrel which is on display next to the forts.

9.2 Inch Gun
9.2 Inch Gun

Underground Tunnels


The highlight of the tour was the underground tunnels. These consist of the rooms and the tunnels needed to service the guns and protect the military personnel manning the forts. Our guide took us through each room, explaining their function and how each was operating when the fort was working.

In the magazine, dummy shells give an idea of the size of the projectiles used and a rack has them set up to show how it would have looked. Even the old diesel generators are in place, giving an idea of the power needed to run the fort.

Well lit with well maintained walkways, the tunnels were easy to walk through with some good photographic opportunities. Stairs in several areas are steep, but not very long, so should not be a problem for most people. Unfortunately, people with mobility issues will not be able to take the underground tour.

Dummy Shells in the Magazine
Dummy Shells in the Magazine
Underground Diesel Generator in the North Head Tunnels
Underground Diesel Generator in the North Head Tunnels
The Tunnels
The Tunnels
North Head Tunnels
North Head Tunnels

Food and Drinks

At the end of the tour, you can also walk down to the restaurant for food and beverages.

What Did We Think

North Head is a great place to visit, as it covers, Sydney’s history, with fantastic views and bush walks. Being easy to get to either by public transport or car makes it a great day out.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Our Town Model Show Newcastle 2019

HMAS Tobruk (L 50)

Our Town Model Show

An annual event held at the Newcastle Jockey Club, Our Town Model Show  caters for a wide range of hobbies from model trains and planes to doll houses and boats. Anyone interested in models making or collecting will enjoy this event, because everyone who attends is passionate about their hobby.

Model Trains

There was a great display of trains running with amazingly well detailed dioramas. The effort that went into constructing them was outstanding, making it just as interesting as the trains were.

  • Railway Model
    Railway Model
  • Railway Model
    Diorama Railway Model
  • Railway Model
    Railway Model

Model Ships

The model boat displays were truly awesome. On static display was a range of 72 scale destroyers and other ships by Task Force 72. At around 2 m long, these huge models are amazingly detailed replicas of the original ship.

There was an indoor pond displaying remote controlled boats, which we found extremely interesting, because of the variety and detail of the ships. Many of them were zooming around, especially the tugboats which were very manoeuvrable. At 1:100 scale, these models show the dedication their owners give to their hobby to produce such great replicas.

  • HMAS Hobart by Task Force 72
    HMAS Hobart by Task Force 72
  • Indoor Pool and Remote Controlled Ships
    Indoor Pool and Remote Controlled Ships
  • HMAS Tobruk (L 50)
    HMAS Tobruk (L 50)
  • A Ship on the Inside Pool
    A Ship on the Inside Pool

Model Aircraft

Model aircraft were present in a huge array covering all eras of flight and different scales. There was a huge display showing the skills of the model builders.

Scale Model Aircraft Display at Our Town Model Fair
Scale Model Aircraft Display
  • Large Remote Controlled Tiger Tank
    Large Remote Controlled Tiger Tank

Science Fiction Models

Science fiction models from Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Gundam were on display, making an interesting alternative to the “real world” models elsewhere at the Our Town Model Show.

  • Gundam Models at the Our Town Model Fair Newcastle
    Gundam Models

Die Cast Models

An extensive display of Corgi and other brands of cars, buses and machinery catered for collectors of die-cast models.

  • Corgi Bus Display at Our Town Model Fair Newcastle
    Corgi Bus Display
  • Cars Models at Town Model Fair Newcastle
    Cars Models

Hobby Supplies For Sale

For anyone interested in adding to their hobby Frontline Hobbies had a huge stall with models for sale, which was great if inspiration struck you to build something as you walked around the displays.

A second had stall selling deceased estates was doing a good trade in model kits for anyone looking for some older models at a cheaper price.

Tools and accessories were available from Tinkering Tools, who had a large
range of high-quality products for sale.

If you got hungry, the NJC has its cafe operating and coffee snacks and meals were available

Parking was excellent on site and free, which was great and the walking distance to the fair was very short.

The entry fee of $10 each was good value for a few hours of entertainment and profits were donated to Benwerrin Rural Fire Service, so a good cause was supported too.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk From the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

The Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk winds its way along Sydney’s coastal cliffs between these two famous beaches.

Getting There

As the walk ends over 5 km from the start, we used public transport to simplify things.

From Central Station we caught the 339 bus to Clovelly (getting off at Clovelly Rd at Keith St Stop ID: 203180) and then walked to Waverley Cemetery. On finishing the walk, we caught the 380 (the 379 or 333 also go this way) to Bondi Junction where we caught the train back to Central Station.

Using public transport also alleviates the problem of parking a car, because car spaces are very limited in the area.

Waverley Cemetery

Starting at Waverley Cemetery we spent time looking and the huge number of grave sites and family vaults some of which are well decorated. The first interment took place in 1877, and graves of famous Australians such as Henry Lawson can be found here. The views from the cemetery over the ocean and a very peaceful location for peoples last resting place.

  • Waverley Cemetery Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Waverley Cemetery
  • Bronte Baths Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Bronte Baths
  • Bronte Beach Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Bronte Beach
  • Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Looking Back to Waverley Cemetery
    Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Looking Back to Waverley Cemetery

Then we followed the coastal trail around the cliffs to Bronte Beach, where we passed the Baths, built by Waverley Council in 1887. We bought coffee at the kiosk and sat and watched the surfers tackling the waves.

While admiring the views, we walked to Tamarama Beach. Well maintained and made of metal grating the track provides excellent walking conditions. In places this is replaced by concrete and once you pass Tamarama it is all concrete. There are several areas with stairs, but they are well-made and there are several places to rest, with bench seats, all with great views.

Art Work

There are several small pieces of artwork along the track, so look out for them, as they explain the importance of regeneration being undertaken and the arrival of the Dharawal people in the area.

At Bondi there is a small Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial, commemorating this event in 1938 when over 250 people were washed into deep water. Surf lifesavers rescued most, with only five losing their lives.

  • Sculpture to Show The Importance of Reviving Coastal Bushland Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Sculpture to Show The Importance of Reviving Coastal Bushland
  • Tribute to the Dharawal People Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Tribute to the Dharawal People
  • Twist Bands by Oushi Zokel Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Twist Bands by Oushi Zokel
  • Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial Bondi Beach Sydney Australia Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial

At Bondi admire the Street Art on the wall on the Beach side of the car park before going to Australia’s most famous beach. There was a kite flying display happening this time we visited making it more interesting

  • Weathered Rock South of Bondi Beach
    Weathered Rock South of Bondi Beach
  • Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk From the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Bondi Beach Looking North
  • Icebergs Swimming Pool at Bondi Beach
    Icebergs Swimming Pool at Bondi Beach
  • Gorilla Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Gorilla Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Cat Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Cat Street Art at Bondi Beach
  • Street Art at Bondi Beach
    Street Art at Bondi Beach

Our walk finished at North Bondi at the lookout where the view along the coast and back towards Bondi is great.

Don’t forget to check out the old pavilion, where the change rooms and showers are located. A life-sized bronze statue of a lifesaver sits outside the pavilion, commemorating surf lifesaving in Australia.

This is also a great place for a meal as there is a huge variety of cafes and restaurants along Bondi Road.

  • The Bronze Lifesaver at Bondi Beach
    The Bronze Lifesaver at Bondi Beach

What Did We Think of the Bondi to Bronte Walk?

The walk took us about 90 minutes, but we stopped a lot to enjoy the views and take photos. Although there are several places with steps, the walk is quite easy.