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 HeadsLighthouse
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
Walking Track to Crookhaven Lighthouse
Crookhaven Lighthouse
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.
There are several places to find street art in Newcastle, although it is not as widespread as in other cities. In the city centre there is a collection in Morgan and Newcomen streets.
Civic Lane near the old Civic Railway Station also has some interesting art works on the backs of some buildings.
Further afield, you can find some great pieces at Hamilton and Wallsend.
In addition to the street art, Newcastle has some amazing sculptures scattered around the city, so keep an eye out for them.
New Street Art March 2021
Street Art in Darby Street
Street Art on Steel St
Street Art on Steel St Newcastle
City Centre Street Art
Street Art Morgan St
Motorbike Street Art 3 Morgan St
Sushi Street Art Morgan St
Bird Street Art 3 Morgan St Newcastle
14 Thorn St Newcastle
Old Masonic Lodge 14 Thorn St Newcastle
Street Art Thorn St Newcastle
Mosaic Laing Street Newcastle
Mosaic Laing Street Newcastle
Street Art Laing Street Newcastle
The Painter Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
The Cleaner Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
Old Post Office Sculpture Cnr Hunter and Bolton Streets Newcastle
Street Art 525 Hunter St
Raging Bull Street Art TAFE NSW Hunter St
David Bowie Street Art Hunter St.
Wolf Street Art 424 King St Newcastle
Skull Street Art 402 King St Newcastle
Rear of Rydges Newcastle, Workshop Way
Carpark Art 291 King St
Newcastle’s Pillar People
One of Newcastle’s initiatives to brighten up the city centre, is the Pillar People. These telecommunications pillars have been cleverly painted to represent local identities, or reflect the businesses they are located near.
There are over a dozen of them, see if you can find them all.
Pillar People Postman
Pillar People Judge
Groom in Penguin Suit
Pillar People
Pillar People Double Bass
Super G
Pillar People The Bride
Pillar People The Bride
Policeman and Dog Pillar People
The Pillar People Chef
The Pillar People Cnr Hunter and Watt Streets
Waitress Pillar People
Lord Mayor Joy Cumming Pillar People
Pillar People Ice Skater
Pillar People Ice Skater
Painted Power Boxes
In a similar initiative to the Pillar People, electrical boxes around the city have been decorated with nautical themes. They brighten up an otherwise dull box. Look for the amusing mice, painted on some.
Angelfish Power Box
Angelfish Power Box
Seal Power Box
Power Box
Penguin Power Box
Penguin Power Box
Deep Sea Power Box
Angel Fish Power Box
Hammerhead Shark Power Box
Dolphin Power Box
Octopus Power Box
Yellow Roses Power Box
White Roses Power Box
White Roses Power Box
Purple Roses Power Box
BNB Powerbox
Library Power Box
Chinese Dragon Power Box
Telephone Power Box
Apartment Power Box
Apartment Power Box
Telephone Power Box
Wally Wombat Power Box
Newcastle Sculptures
Climbers Sculptures 434 King St Newcastle
Sculpture Evolution 1 Scott St Newcastle
Paparazzi Sculpture 364 Hunter St Newcastle
Joy Cummins Statue Lord Mayor of Newcastle 1974-84, and Australia’s first female Lord Mayor Civic Station
Destiny Monument
Located on Newcastle Harbour on Dyke Point, Carrington, the Destiny Monument is difficult to reach because of its location. Dyke Point is part of the Newcastle Port Authority’s operating area with no public access permitted. The closest viewpoint from land is the Honeysuckle Footpath at Honeysuckle, where you can look across the harbour to the statue.
This nine metre tall bronze statue commemorates the 200th anniversary of Newcastle Port operations and was inspired by the figureheads of early sailing ships.
Destiny Statue on Newcastle Harbour
Hamilton and Wallsend Street Art
Located further from the city centre, these art works a more difficult to get to, as you will need a car. If driving past them, they are worth a stop to admire, as they brighten up and add interest to otherwise dull buildings.
Elephant Street Art 8 Donald St, Hamilton
Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
Located near the North Turramurra Gate and the Lady Davidson Private Hospital, the Sphinx Memorial commemorates the fallen soldiers of World War One. Restored and rededicated in 1995, the memorial now has had a new lease of life.
Made from local sandstone by 5756 Private W. T. Shirley as a memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades, the Sphinx is approximately 1/8th the size of the Great Sphinx, located on Egypt’s Giza Plateau. William Shirley was a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital for returned World War One Australian veterans. Not only suffering from gassing, he had the complication of tuberculosis.
Only able to work one to two hours a day due to his condition, the Sphinx took one and a half years to complete. William Shirley laboured at creating his personal memorial to his fallen A.I.F comrades from 1926 to 1928.
The Sphinx Memorial
Side View of The Sphinx Memorial
The Sphinx Memorial
Carvings on the Memorial
Carvings on the Memorial
The Sphinx Explanation Plaque
What did We Think?
This was a very interesting monument to visit, because it is a personal tribute to fallen comrades. The subject of the sphinx is also unusual but relevant to all the servicemen who fought in the desert.
Sydney Morning Herald Tribute To the Sphinx Memorial
Mr. William T. Shirley, creator of the rock carving, “The Sphinx,” in Kuring-gai Chase, died at the Prince of Wales Hospital on Tuesday. The carving stands as a permanent memorial to the skill and patience of a brave sufferer, who contracted tuberculosis, following on war service.
Mr. Shirley was a stonemason before he left for the war. At the Lady Davidson Home, Turramurra, which he entered for treatment, the ordinary hospital occupations did not seem to appeal to him. As he was not strong enough to return to his trade, it was suggested that he should carve a rock in Kuring-gai Chase on the model of the Great Sphinx of Giza, which guards the entrance to the Nile Valley. He had seen the Great Sphinx before he went to France, and eagerly set about carving one of much smaller dimensions. On account of his health, Mr. Shirley was not allowed to work more than a couple of hours a day, sometimes less, but he made excellent, progress in cutting down the great rock, and within several months the form of The Sphinx took shape.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), 29 August 1929
The Gosford Petroglyphs or Hieroglyphs
For another story about Australia’s connection to Egypt, read about the Gosford Glyphs. Located an hour’s drive from the sphinx the glyphs are interesting, along with the many other attractions around Gosford.
Mainmast of HMAS Adelaide
Sitting next to the Sphinx Memorial is the mainmast of HMAS Adelaide. It is dedicated to World War Two soldiers, sailors, and airmen who died as a result of tuberculosis. The nearby Lady Davidson Repatriation Hospital treated returned servicemen with this condition.
A dedicatory plaque and a plaque explaining the role played by HMAS Adelaide accompany the mast. The plaque makes the presence of the mast clearer as it provides interesting information.
HMAS Adelaide (I) Mast
Dedicatory Plaque For HMAS Adelaide Mainmast
HMAS Adelaide Mainmast Plaque
The Ship’s plaque reads:
The IMPROVED TOWN Class light cruiser HMAS ADELAIDE was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 5th August 1922. Built at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney, HMAS ADELAIDE was active with the Australian Fleet until paid off into reserve in 1928. During the ship’s first commission, HMAS ADELAIDE participated in the 1924/25 world cruise as part of the Royal Navy’s Special Service Squadron and in 1927 proceeded to the Solomon Islands on a peacekeeping cruise.
During 1938/39 the cruiser was modernised to meet the threat from more capable aircraft and recommissioned for service on 13 March 1939.
In the Second World War, HMAS ADELAIDE operated along the Australian eastern and western coasts. During September 1940 she proceeded to the French colony of New Caledonia to help in the transfer of formal control from Vichy to Free French forces and on 28 November 1942, the cruiser sank the German ‘blockade runner’ Ramses.
HMAS ADELAIDE provided gunfire support to landings in Ambon in 1944, before returning to Sydney for duties as a submarine depot ship. On 26 February 1946 HMAS ADELAIDE paid off from naval service and on 21 March 1947 was sold to be broken up in Port Kembla.
The ship’s mainmast was erected adjacent to the Sphinx Memorial in Ku-ring-gai National Park in about 1950.
To commemorate the end of the Second World war as part of the ‘Australia Remembers’ year, the mast was restored and on 9 November 1995, rededicated at an official ceremony.
