Destination's Journey

Category: Sydney

  • Goat Island Sydney Harbour

    Goat Island Sydney Harbour

    Getting to Goat Island

    Goat Island in Sydney Harbour is administered by National Parks and Wildlife and tours are organised and conducted by Rangers. We met our guide at Circular Quay wharf 6 where we boarded the ferry for a quick trip to the island. Access to the island is prohibited unless you are on an official tour, because of its heritage listed status. This tour takes 2 hours, which is plenty of time to see all of the island’s history.

    Original Use

    The original use for Goat Island was gunpowder storage and the most impressive building there is the old magazine. Built using convict labour this sandstone building has 2m thick walls, as a precaution to contain any explosions.

    It was interesting to see the difference between the convict-built buildings and those built after. The convict buildings are of excellent construction and quality, but hose built afterwards are of a far lesser standard as the government paid for their construction.

    Some boat maintenance is still performed on the island at the old shipyards but the facilities are a shadow of what happened there when Sydney was a large boat building harbour. The old crane still standing there is a reminder of the industry that used to be there.

    • View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
      View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
    • View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
      View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
    • Gunpowder Magazine Entrance
      Gunpowder Magazine Entrance
    • Gunpowder Magazine Walls
      Gunpowder Magazine Walls
    • Interior of the Gunpowder Magazine
      Interior of the Gunpowder Magazine
    • Magazine Memorial Plaque
      Magazine Memorial Plaque
    • Convict Built Building on Goat Island
      Convict Built Building on Goat Island
    • Convict Built Building on Goat Island
      Convict Built Building on Goat Island
    • Old Derelict Crane
      Old Derelict Crane

    Harbour Master’s Residence

    The harbour master’s residence overlooking the harbour is a beautiful old building but is currently unused. Plans to develop it and several surrounding cottages did not materialise leaving it unoccupied.

    We also stopped at Boney Anderson’s rock where he was chained for 2 years as punishment for bad behaviour. The small cutting in the rock was where he slept.

    Harbour Master's Residence
    Harbour Master’s Residence
    Boney Anderson's Bed Goat Island
    Boney Anderson’s Bed

    Water Police

    The tour also takes in the old water police and fire tender wharf which are in poor condition. Only the piers of the wharf remain and although they make an interesting photo it would have been   nicer had it been preserved. The building is badly in need of renovating because although the structure appears sound, the interior walls and floors need repair.

    Filmed on the island, the Australian TV show Water Rats built a set there. Unfortunately once filming stopped the set was not removed and remains an eye sore on the waterfront because it’s style does not match the historic buildings elsewhere.

    • Old Water Police Wharf Goat Island
      Old Water Police Wharf
    • Cottage Interior
      Cottage Interior

    What Did We Think of Goat Island?

    We had a fantastic time on Goat Island and learnt a great deal from our guide. This tour is highly recommended to anyone who wants to find out more about Australia’s past.

    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

  • Kirribilli and Milsons Point in North Sydney

    Kirribilli and Milsons Point in North Sydney

    Getting to Kirribilli and Milsons Point

    We used the train to get to Milsons Point Train Station because it is an easy walk to Lady Gowrie Lookout in Kirribilli and Milsons Point. From here we walked along the harbour foreshore to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, taking in the sights along the way.

    Lady Gowrie Lookout in Kirribilli

    Lady Gowrie Lookout has excellent views over Sydney Harbour and is a relaxing place as a first stop on your walk. The path down to the harbour is steep and the steps are uneven in places, so be careful of your footing. At the bottom, you can see the water entrance into Kirribilli House.

    Next to the lookout are Kirribilli (home to Australia’s Prime Minister) and Admiralty (home to Australia’s Governor General )Houses. These are not usually open to the public, but can be seen through the security gates as you pass by.

    Water Entrance to Kirribilli House Sydney Australia Kirribilli and Milsons Point
    Water Entrance to Kirribilli House
    Lady Gowrie Lookout Sydney Australia Kirribilli and Milsons Point
    Lady Gowrie Lookout

    Bradfield Park

    Bradfield Park is a beautiful location to view the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the city of Sydney. On your walk from Lady Gowrie Lookout, there are several good places to stop and admire the views. Beulah Street Wharf was the first we came across, followed by the Sydney Harbour Bridge Sunset Lookout and Copes Lookout. Of course almost anywhere along the harbour foreshore will give amazing views.

    At Bradfield park, there are several brick shelters, which are great for framing the city and Opera House a little differently. Bradfield Park extends under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, making it possible to photograph its underside.

    The bow section of the first Australian warship called HMAS Sydney is preserved under the shadow of the bridge, in honour to those who served aboard her.

    • Sydney Opera House From Milsons Point
      Sydney Opera House From Milsons Point
    • Sydney Opera House From Milsons Point
      Sydney Opera House From Milsons Point
    • The Bow of HMAS Sydney (I)
      The Bow of HMAS Sydney (I)

    North Sydney Olympic Pool

    Next to Bradfield Park is the North Sydney Olympic Pool. A heritage listed building there are some wonderful decorations on the wall near the harbour. From inside, the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is amazing along with the view of the harbour. We sat in the stands watching the boat traffic on the water before enjoying a quick swim in this beautiful pool.

    The pool is due for renovation works sometime in 2020 so check to see if it is open before visiting.

    • North Sydney Olympic Pool North Sydney Australia
      North Sydney Olympic Pool
    • North Sydney Olympic Pool and Bridge North Sydney Australia
      North Sydney Olympic Pool and Bridge

    Peter Kingston Walkway

    Walking on From the Olympic Pool, you walk along Peter Kingston Walkway.. This goes along the Harbour, past Luna Park and towards the Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. There are some great views here, of the harbour and city because it looks over the water at all times. There are boats in the marinas and several small snady coves to look at.

    Once past Luna Park, there are around a dozen statues and artworks, mostly of May Gibbs characters hidden in the gardens and bushes. This makes the walk interesting because you are trying to see where the next one is hidden.

    Kookaburra Statue Peter Kingston Walkway North Sydney Australia
    Kookaburra Statue Peter Kingston Walkway

    Luna Park

    We didn’t go into Luna Park, but if you have children, this would be a great place to keep them entertained for a few hours.

    Luna Park Entrance North Sydney Australia Kirribilli and Milsons Point
    Luna Park Entrance

    Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

    Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden is a fantastic oasis in North Sydney next to Luna Park. Paths wind through the garden allowing hours of exploring as you discover new areas. There are many places to stop and relax on park benches or picnic tables. Most of the paths are narrow adding to the enclosed feeling of being far away from the surrounding city and in tranquil place. This is really a great place to visit, as it offers so much more than just looking at pretty scenery.

    • Steps up to the Gardens Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden North Sydney Australia
      Steps up to the Gardens
    • Pathway Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden North Sydney Australia
      Pathway Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
    • Pathway Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden North Sydney Australia
      Pathway Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
    • Walkway in the Gardens Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden North Sydney Australia
      Walkway in the Gardens
    • Rusty Wheelbarrow Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden North Sydney Australia
      Rusty Wheel Barrow

    Getting back to Sydney

    We chose to take the ferry back to Circular Quay because the wharf was closer than the train station for the return journey. The Milsons Point Wharf is outside the Olympic Pool, making it easy to find.

    What Did We Think?

    We really enjoyed our walk along the harbour from Kirribilli to Milsons Point as the view is amazing. The Wendy Whiteley Secret Gardens were beautiful giving us a relaxing end to the walk. The Olympic Pool was unusual with its setting by the bridge and harbour and we enjoyed a snack there at the kiosk which was refreshing.

    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.

  • Sydney Bus Museum

    Sydney Bus Museum

    Sydney Bus Museum

    About The Museum

    The Sydney Bus Museum is a not-for-profit organisation first established in 1986 at Tempe, and now permanently based within the Old Tramshed at Leichhardt in Sydney’s inner-west.

    It is a working museum made up of over 250 members who together help to preserve a rare, and invaluable collection of historic buses dating from the 1920s to 1980s.

    How to Get to the Sydney Bus Museum

    We caught the light rail from Central Station getting off at North Leichhardt. From here it’s a short walk to the Museum. As you walk along City West Link Road you will see gaps in the noise reduction barriers. Take the second of these into the roads behind and you will find the museum 100m up the road

    The Museum’s Collection

    The Sydney Bus Museum’s collection consists of over 70 vehicles ranging from primitive 1920s type buses, through to 1940s and 50s Leyland’s and AEC’s as well as the more modern 1980s Mercedes-Benz city buses. The Museum also houses Australia’s largest collection of historic double deckers, including those from Sydney, Adelaide and London.

    The museum’s collection is impressive and they are well laid out in the old workshop building. Many are open for inspection and you are able to enter them although usually only in the passenger areas not the driver’s position . This is great as you get to experience what it was like to ride inside the busses.

    • Canberra AEC Regal III 60160 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Canberra AEC Regal III 60160
    • AEC Roadmaster 1708 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      AEC Roadmaster 1708
    • Albion Venturer CX19W 1892 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Albion Venturer CX19W 1892
    • Bedford 100 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Bedford 100
    • Dennis Lancet II 1492 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Dennis Lancet II 1492
    • Leyland OPS2 2599 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Leyland OPS2 2599
    • AEC REGENT- 1694 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      AEC REGENT- 1694
    • Albion Venturer Type 80 1187 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Albion Venturer Type 80 1187
    • Leyland OPS2 2599 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Leyland OPS2 2599
    • Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Pioneer Coaches AEC Reliance 634

    There is an excellent gift shop selling bus related souvenirs as well as cold drinks.

    Bus Trips

    On open days the museum runs one of its busses into Sydney. The price of the trip is included with the entrance ticket. An excellent experience for anyone interested in old busses or wants to try something different.

    For a photo gallery showing more of the museum’s collection, click here.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    For other interesting places to visit in Sydney, please read some of our other stories.