Originally a landfill site and the location of a brickworks, Sydney Park is now a beautiful public space because of its landscaped gardens, meandering paths and wetlands. A total of 40Ha of ugly landfill was transformed into beautiful parkland, making it a wonderful place to relax and let the kids run around. With barbeques, playgrounds and open spaces, it’s a great place for a day out.
Getting To Sydney Park
Located around the park, several car parks which provide easy access. The closest train station is St Peter’s, directly across the road from the old brick kilns.
Old Brick Works and Chimneys
Disused for over 60 years, the now heritage listed brick works, provide a landmark near the St Peter’s train station because of the tall chimneys. During our visit, graffiti had defaced some of the lower kilns and buildings, which was very disappointing, taking away some of the appeal of the area.
The chimneys provide great photo opportunities and we spent some time here while we took pictures from different angles.
Old Brick Kilns
The Old Brick Kilns and Chimney
Old Brick Works Chimneys
Old Machinery Near the Brick Kilns
Wetlands
Several creeks flow through the park, which along with the City of Sydney’s water reuse program creates lovely wetlands. Bridges, viewing platforms and meandering paths allow visitors to admire the wetlands as they walk through the park. Keep an eye out for birds, because the wetlands attracts many of them here.
Wetlands Area
The Old Brick Kilns and Chimneys Behind the Wet Lands
What Did We Think?
We found the park to be a great place to enjoy a walk through the landscaped gardens, which provide great photo opportunities. The heritage listed brickworks were interesting to see. Access from St Peter’s station made getting there easy from central Sydney, which we appreciated.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located in Sydney’s southern suburb of Loftus, the Sydney Tramway Museum, is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Hosting a collection of trams from Sydney, other Australian and some international cities makes this museum a must-see for tram and train lovers.
Control Box Sydney Tramway Museum
Getting to the Sydney Tramway Museum
In addition to its on car park, the museum is conveniently located adjacent to the Loftus Railway Station, making it easy to get to.
Tram Rides
With many of the museum’s trams in operating condition, it is great that they offer tram rides. The cost of the ride is included in the entry fee. Travelling in two directions, initially towards Sutherland and then into Royal National Park, where it stops at an old station. At the station, you disembark the tram for 5 to 10 minutes before the return trip. This was great fun and will appeal to families with children, as well as tram enthusiasts.
Sydney O Class 1111 Waiting to Pick Up Passengers
Gift Shop
Setup in an old tram, the gift shop offers a huge range of souvenirs, mostly tram related. From the usual postcards and fridge magnets to publications dedicated to trams, there should be something to suit everyone.
Gift Shop at the Sydney Tramway Museum
Sydney Tramway Museum’s Collection
Undercover in an old workshop, and well maintained, the collection is accessible for a real hands on look. Most trams have boards near them, explaining the history of the tram, adding to the experience. Importantly, it is possible to board some trams, except when signs prevent it to avoid damage.
Sydney Trams
C Class Trams
Built in 1896 by Bignall & Morrison and acquired in 1955, C 290 has been restored to original passenger condition from 1996-97. Operational for special events, it is the oldest operational electric tramcar in Australia.
Sydney C Class 290
Sydney C Class 290
Tram 290 a Sydney C Class
Sydney C Class 290 Interior
Sydney C Class 290 Interior
Built in 1898 by Hudson Bros and acquired in 1961 Tram C 29 is operational for occasional service.
Sydney C Class 29
Sydney C Class 29
F Class Tram
Built in 1902 by Clyde Engineering acquired in 1953 tram F 393 operates for special events. Owing to its use as a driver training tram, it is the only F class car remaining.
Sydney F Class 393
Sydney F Class 393
N Class Trams
Built in 1906 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company and acquired in 1953 tram N 728 is operated for special events.
Sydney N Class 728
O Class Trams
Built in 1909 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company and on loan from the Powerhouse Museum tram O 805 is operational for special events.
Sydney O Class 805
Built in 1912 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company and acquired in 1958, tram O 1111 is operational in regular service.
Sydney O Class 1111
Sydney O Class 1111
L/P Class Trams
Built in 1900 by Clyde Engineering as an F class car and converted in 1910 to an ‘L’ type tram, and again in 1926 as an ‘L/P’ type, tram L/P 154 was acquired in 1950. It currently representing trams from the Newcastle system. Operational in occasional service, it is known as the oldest preserved tram in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sydney LP Class 154
Brisbane Trams
Built in 1924 by T Gardiner and Son and acquired in 1958, tram 180 ‘Dreadnought’ is in regular service, mainly during the Summer months.
Brisbane Dreadnought 180
Brisbane Dreadnought 180
Tram Stop and Brisbane Dreadnought 180
Brisbane Dreadnought 180
Brisbane Dreadnought 180 Interior
Interior of Brisbane Dreadnought 180
Brisbane Dreadnought 180 Interior
Ballarat Trams
Built in 1908 by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company acquired in 1974, ‘Single-Truck’ tram 12 is operational for special events, but remains in “as is” condition.
Ballarat Single-Truck
Overseas Trams at the Sydney Tramway Museum
San Francisco PCC “Torpedo”
Built in 1948 by St. Louis Car Company San Francisco PCC “Torpedo” tram 1014 was a Bicentenary gift from Sydney’s sister city San Francisco in 1987. It is the last remaining “Torpedo” PCC in original condition. During our visit it was out of service, waiting parts.
Nagasaki 1054
Built in 1952 by Nigata Iron Works Nagasaki 1054 operated on the Sendai and Nagasaki tramway systems. Operational in occasional service it was acquired in 1992..
Nagasaki 1054
Berlin 5133
Built in 1969 by the East German Railways and acquired in 1996 Berlin 5133 operates an occasional service.
Berlin Tram 5133
Inyerior of Berlin Tram 5133
Berlin Tram 5133 Controls
Works Cars
134s Sydney Scrubber Car
Built by Ritchie Bros. in 1899 as D class passenger car 112, it was converted to a scrubber car in 1930. Scrubber cars use carborundum blocks to ‘scrub’ the railhead clear of debris. Acquired by the museum in 1961, it operated in 1978/9 to clean the Eastern Suburbs railway tracks and again in 1983 for a similar purpose along the Cronulla line. With the implementation of the new Light Rail line, it was used in 1997 to ‘scrub’ the tracks around Haymarket. It is still operational when required.
Sydney Scrubber Car 134s
Sydney Scrubber Car 134s
141s Sydney Breakdown Car
Built by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company in 1911 as O 1030 and converted to a Breakdown car in 1955, Breakdown Car 141s is in occasional service.
Sydney Breakdown Car 141s
Buses & Trolley Buses
AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck Trolleybus
Trolleybus No.19 is an AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck trolleybus,built in 1937 by Ritchie Bros Pty Ltd. The museum acquired it in 1978, when it was rebuilt and partly fitted out, by apprentices of the then State Rail in Chullora from 1982-1988. It is Sydney’s last remaining double-deck trolley-bus.
AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck Trolleybus No.19
AEC 3-Axle Double-Deck Trolleybus No.19
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to visit, because of the amazing collection of trams, and the accessibility of the displays. The tram ride was a great bonus, making this museum a great place for families to have fun and enthusiasts to enjoy the trams.
Heathcote railway station is a great place to start the Karloo Pools Track, having ample car parking, or providing easy access from Sydney’s rail network.
We chose to use the train from Central Station, which was a quick and convenient trip taking just under an hour.
From the train station, walk through the car park, past the Sutherland Shire Rural Fire Brigade building to the start of the track.
Information Board at the Start of the Track
The Karloo Pools Walking Track
NSW Parks and Wildlife maintain the track and manage the Royal National Park. They give the track a rating of three, meaning that it is well sign posted, with some steep areas and unformed paths and is moderately challenging.
Compared to other grade 3 and 4 tracks we have walked, this would be at the high end of grade 3. Several steep areas also had steep slopes adjacent to the track, so care was needed not to slip down.
The walk starts with an easy walk through eucalyptus forest, passing the outskirts of Heathcote before descending through the valley. In places you need to climb over rocks, but the scenery is amazing and worth the effort.
Climbing up to opposite valley, you are rewarded with views over the National Park. From here the track descends to the Karloo Pools.
Upper Flat Section of the Track in Eucalypt ForestSteep Section of the TrackBig Rocks on the PathRocky Path Going UphillKarloo Pools Walking Track
Karloo Pools
Surrounded by forest and rock outcrops the pool’s setting is picturesque and rewards your hour’s walk to get there. Whether you want to relax in the shade, swim in the pool or sit on the rocks, it’s a great place to enjoy lunch.
This is a popular swimming hole, it is often crowded particularly in summer, so be prepared to share it with others. Although we only saw a few people on the walking track, several dozen were there when we arrived around 10:30am.
We relaxed there after the walk, had lunch and spent time taking photos before walking back to the train station.
Karloo PoolsKangaroo Creek next to Karloo Pools
What Did We Think?
We thoroughly enjoyed the walk and pools, as it was a little challenging, with a great reward. Remember to wear good walking shoes, because you will need them in some of the more difficult places. There is no lifeguard on duty so take care when swimming and supervise children. It is also important to check the the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s page, because the park may be closed, or warnings in place.
