Destination's Journey

Category: Art

  • Newcastle Art Gallery New South Wales Australia

    Newcastle Art Gallery New South Wales Australia

    Newcastle Art Gallery

    Located in Laman Street Cooks Hill above Civic Park, the Newcastle Art Gallery contains an impressive art collection, primarily Australian artists. Limited display area restricts the number of art works on display, but a rotation ensures new works every few months.

    The large sculpture of a nest and giant egg mark the entrance to the gallery, making it easy to find.

    The gallery often displays special exhibits, which adds another reason to visit. During our last visit, the exhibit was Between Two Worlds, which featured works of art produced by Australian artists of Chinese heritage.

    Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance
    Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance

    Permanent Collection

    The gallery’s collection consists of over 6,500 items, covering areas of ceramics, painting, photography, prints & drawings, sculpture and video & new media. Works from colonial to the present are represented, from local, Australian and several international artists.

    • Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
      Foyer Ceiling
    • Painting From the Permanent Collection
      Painting From the Permanent Collection
    • Painting From the Permanent Collection
      Painting From the Permanent Collection

    Between Two Worlds

    This was a great exhibit to walk around, because of the variety and quality of the works. Unfortunately, it has now finished, but a new one by George Gittoes is on display until mid-April 2020.

    • Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
      Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    • Untitled by Guo Jian
      Untitled by Guo Jian
    • Bronze Power Dragon by Guan Wei
      Bronze Power Dragon by Guan Wei
    • The Open and Spacious Second Floor
      The Open and Spacious Second Floor
    • Samurai Painting Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
      Samurai Painting Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
    • Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
      Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
    • Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
      Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    • Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
      Between Two Worlds Exhibit

    Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden

    Don’t forget to look at the sculpture garden while at the art gallery. Access is via a door near the toilets, to the left of the main entrance. With under a dozen sculptures, it is small, but still interesting and worth walking around to enjoy the displays.

    • Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden
      Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden
    • Sculpture by Margel Hinder
      Sculpture by Margel Hinder
    • Submarine 1993 by Edward Milan
      Submarine 1993 by Edward Milan
    • Two Forms 1958 by Kathleen Shillam
      Two Forms 1958 by Kathleen Shillam
    • Skyscraper by Vlase Nikoleski
      Skyscraper by Vlase Nikoleski
    • Beacon 1992 by Akio Makigawa
      Beacon 1992 by Akio Makigawa
    • Mary Magdalene 1978 by George Bladessin
      Mary Magdalene 1978 by George Bladessin

    New Displays in September 2020

    When we re-visited in September 2020, there were new exhibits on display from the Gallery’s collection, along with this year’s Kilgour Prize entrants. We had an enjoyable time looking at the artwork.

    • Newcastle Art Gallery
      Newcastle Art Gallery
    • Marion Borgelt - Liquid Light Horizontal Triptych No. 1
      Marion Borgelt – Liquid Light Horizontal Triptych No. 1

    Kilgour Prize 2020 – On Display Until November 2020

    In 1987, artist Jack Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity at Newcastle Art Gallery. Today, the Kilgour Prize is one of Australia’s major art prizes, and awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art as determined by a panel of three judges, and $5,000 for the People’s Choice Award, as determined by votes from the public.

    For figurative and Portrait Painting

    • The Kilgour Prize 2020
      The Kilgour Prize 2020
    • Kenneth Lambert - I See Myself Reflected in You
      Kenneth Lambert – I See Myself Reflected in You
    • Jordan Richardson - The Dunce
      Jordan Richardson – The Dunce
    • Oliver Shepherd - The Proposal (Portrait of the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CGM)
      Oliver Shepherd – The Proposal (Portrait of the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CGM)
    • Daniel Butterworth - Self Waiting For Life To Happen Number Two
      Daniel Butterworth – Self Waiting For Life To Happen Number Two

    What Did We Think?

    A great place to visit and because the exhibits change regularly, a great place to go back to. Well laid out, it offers ample opportunities for photographs.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    As we do not have copyright permission for any of the artworks shown here, none of these photos are for sale. However, photos from many of our other stories can be found on Shutterstock.

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

  • Crookhaven Heads Shoalhaven New South Wales

    Crookhaven Heads Shoalhaven New South Wales

    Crookhaven Heads

    While travelling to Jervis Bay, we decided to stop at Crookhaven Heads, as it would be a good break and let us see an old lighthouse. A small car park near the Marine Rescue Station is the start of a 5 minute walk to the lighthouse.

    Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse

    The walk to the headland with the lighthouse passes a rock platform and through some coastal scrub. A short but interesting walk and worth stopping along the way to admire the coastline.

    Unfortunately the lighthouse is in disrepair and the target of vandals, making it a disappointing destination. A local heritage group lobbies for its repair, so hopefully they will be successful. The walk to the lighthouse was a good one, with much to see.

    Indigenous Totem Poles

    Nowra Indigenous artist Noel Wellington carved a series of totems with help from members of the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council. Carved from blackbutt, woolybutt or ironbark logs the totems are beautiful works of art. They represent the stories, elders and culture of the local Aboriginal people who have long had a strong connection with the sea.

    Positioned near the mouth of the Crookhaven River, the totems have views of landscapes sacred to the local Aboriginal people.

    After the disappointment of the lighthouse, these totems were a great find and are worth stopping to see.

    • Rock Platform on Walking Track Crookhaven Heads
      Rock Platform on Walking Track
    • Walking Track to Crookhaven Lighthouse
      Walking Track to Crookhaven Lighthouse
    • Crookhaven Lighthouse
      Crookhaven Lighthouse
    • Sculptured Indigenous Totem Poles by Jerrinja Artist Noel Wellington
      Sculptured Indigenous Totem Poles by Jerrinja Artist Noel Wellington

    What Did We Think?

    Although the lighthouse was not what we expected, the totems made up for it. Hopefully the lighthouse will be restored, but in the meantime, the indigenous totem poles are a great attraction.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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

  • Nowra New South Wales Australia

    Nowra New South Wales Australia

    How to Get There

    Only two and a half hours drive south of Sydney, Nowra is a great place to explore the nearby Kangaroo Valley and Shoalhaven District. Public transport by train and bus goes to Nowra, but you will then need to organise personal transport to explore outside of the town.

    Where Did We Stay

    While in Nowra, we stayed at Springs Shoalhaven, because it was in a quiet location and had an on-site restaurant at the adjoining club. The clean rooms and great views over the golf course we a nice place to relax before going out for dinner. The meals at the club were great and the staff friendly.

    Nowra’s Buildings

    Wandering through Nowra’s business district, we found several nice old buildings, which were worth stopping to look at.

    Roxy Theatre
    Roxy Theatre
    Mechanics' Institute and School of Arts
    Mechanics’ Institute and School of Arts
    Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church
    Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

    Nowra Street Art

    Walking through the central shopping district of Nowra, you will come across many pieces of excellent street art decorated buildings. Mostly located around the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, others can be found in side streets, which makes them fun to track down while exploring.

    Aboriginal Child - Street Art Nowra
    Aboriginal Child – Street Art Nowra
    Quest Street Art in Nowra
    Quest Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
    Car on Garage Door Street Art
    Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
    Car on Garage Door Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
    Car on Garage Door Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Cockatoo Street Art in Nowra
    Cockatoo Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art
    Street Art in Nowra
    Street Art

    Ben’s Walk

    The walk loops around the Shoalhaven River, through its gorges and forests. The walk begins at the Nowra Showground, where you can enjoy a barbecue, and superb views of the river and mountains from Hanging Rock. The complete track provides a return walk of about 5.5 kilometres taking around two hours. A short return walk from the footbridge to the Showground and Hanging Rock takes around 10 minutes. A suspension bridge provides a fun crossing of the river.

    Hanging Rock
    Hanging Rock
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
    Stairs to Ben's Walk
    Stairs to Ben’s Walk
    Suspension Bridge Across Nowra Creek
    Suspension Bridge Across Nowra Creek

    Soldiers’ Monument

    Opened in 1931, this memorial commemorates all those who served in conflicts that involved Australia. The bronze statue represents an Australian soldier, his helmet and rifle discarded now that has won and returned home, but remains forever vigil.

    Nowra Soldiers Memorial
    Nowra Soldiers Memorial
    Nowra Soldiers Memorial
    Nowra Soldiers Memorial

    Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum

    The museum has an almost complete collection of the aircraft operated by the RAN.  This ranges from the early 1950s when HMAS Sydney and Melbourne were acquired to a recently retired Seahawk helicopter.  A purpose-built air-conditioned building houses all the displays. Inside a raised mezzanine floor provides an excellent overhead perspective of the displays.  This is something that many aviation museums are lacking.  There is also plenty of space between each display so that they can be seen easily without the crowding that some museums use.

    To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

    RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5 Fleet Air Arm Museum Nowra HMAS Albatross www.destinationsjourney.com
    RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5

    What Did We Think of Nowra?

    A great place to stay with a range of activities to do and things to see. We used it as a base for exploring Kangaroo Valley and further afield to Kiama and the Illawarra.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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