A one-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the Central Coast Highway exit, then:
Take the first left onto Wisemans Ferry Road
Then take the first left onto Old Pacific Highway
Take the first left onto Quarry Road
The picnic area, where the trail begins, is through the tunnel and straight ahead.
Be aware of the carpark’s closing time, as rangers lock the gates after hours.
Fungi Growing near the TrackEucalypt on the Track
Aboriginal Rock Engravings
One of the first stops on the track is a collection of Aboriginal rock engravings, which give an insight into indigenous settlement of the area. Signs warn visitors not to walk on them, while also explaining their significance.
Warning Sign Next to Aboriginal Rock EngravingsAboriginal Rock Engravings
Wildlife and Native Flowers
Wild flowers bloom in spring, so we missed them, however, we came across a bush turkey, which was the only wildlife we saw.
Bush Turkey on its NestGirrakool Loop Track
Waterfalls on the Girrakool Loop Track
Apart from the native forest and views, the waterfalls are the major drawcard for this walk. We though the one at Andamira Lookout was the nicest, as it was shady and quiet.
Waterfall at Andamira LookoutShady Waterfall at Andamira LookoutWaterfall at Andamira LookoutWaterfall at Andamira Lookout
What Did We Think
A great little walk taking about 45 minutes, passing forest and nice waterfalls. We had a great time.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
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 TheatreMechanics’ Institute and School of ArtsSaint 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 NowraQuest Street ArtStreet ArtStreet ArtCar on Garage Door Street ArtCar on Garage Door Street ArtStreet ArtStreet ArtCar on Garage Door Street ArtStreet ArtStreet ArtCockatoo Street ArtStreet ArtStreet 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 RockShoalhaven River From Hanging Rock LookoutShoalhaven River From Hanging Rock LookoutStairs to Ben’s WalkSuspension 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 MemorialNowra 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
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.
Information from the Singleton Historical & Museum Guide. The museum is undergoing renovations.
Located in Burdekin Park, the Singleton Museum houses an amazing collection of local artefacts, making it a great place to stop and look around. Staffed by volunteers from the local Historical Society, the museum’s displays are well curated and professionally laid out. The information displayed at each exhibit is interesting, but if you need a more in depth explanation, the staff are willing to help.
Museum Building’s History
The building was originally Singleton’s first “lock up” built on the site in 1840. By 1841 a detached Court House was built 50 ft to the west and donated by Benjamin Singleton to the government in return for Minimbah buildings. In April 1862 two stone cells were built on the western side of the slab cells being 8ft x 11ft with wooden floors, to hold five prisoners each having a centre corridor between.
Two stone cells built in 1874 replaced the slab cells had concrete floors and a hallway built along the west side of the cell block. All were of stone with walls extending 4 ft below the floor level. Built onto the west side of the hallway, is a brick gaoler’s residence & guard room consisting of a room at each end with a guard room in the centre.
With the construction of a new town lockup and residence in 1899, the Municipal Council obtained the buildings . The removal of the old gaoler’s residence and the southern partition made a Council Chamber 36ft x 14ft with a 16ft x 14ft room retained at the northern end for the Town Clerk’s Office.
In 1963 the Singleton Historical Society gained use of the building, enabling displays featuring Aboriginal, convict, pioneer and rural articles of local heritage to be available to the public. These exhibits have been mostly collected locally and donated by the residents of Singleton Shire.
Mayor Munro Monument Fountain Outside the Museum’s EntranceSingleton MuseumTractors at Singleton Museum
Singleton Museum’s Displays
Rural Section
Filled with carts, buggies, farm tools and more, this room contains an image of farm life when Singleton was first settled. The bell from St Clair Station makes an interesting exhibit, as it has been engulfed by a growing tree.
Located in this room is a suitcase that belonged to Henry Dangar, who was a government surveyor and important pastoralist in the early 1800s.
Horse CartHorse BuggyOld Farm ToolsSt Clair Station BellDangar’s Suitcase
Displays
Throughout the building’s other rooms containing well maintained displays covering Singleton’s past. From typewriters and surveying equipment, to aboriginal artefacts and fine china, there is a huge quantity of items to inspect..
Hand Powered WheelchairOld Railway ClockMonarch Typewriter
OldKitchen
Furnished as an old kitchen, one of the old gaol cells, contains everything a pre electric kitchen needs. Beautifully laid out, this room is fun to look around and admire the old furniture and artefacts.
The KitchenThe Kitchen
GaolCells
Originally holding-cells for the court house, the barred doors, manacles, leg irons and bedding on display show how spartan conditions were for prisoners.
Gaol Cell 1861Manacles
Records Room
The library is the custodian of an immense amount of records from numerous local companies, clubs and residents. Many records are on microfilm, however some are still only in paper form and are becoming fragile. Available for use at a modest fee, this is a treasure trove of local history.
Hand Written LedgerOld Record BooksOld Books in the Records Room
What Did We Think of the Singleton Museum?
We had a great time looking through the rooms and displays. Although small, the museum makes the best use of the available space with well curated displays which are all well maintained.
A great place to visit if you are passing through town, and a place all locals should visit to understand the town’s history.
