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Category: Sydney

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Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks

SS Ayrfield


Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks

Hidden in plain sight are some fantastic shipwrecks on the Parramatta River right in Sydney not far from Olympic Park. We walked to the Homebush Bay ship wrecks from the Newington Armory, but driving or using public transport would also work fine. We left the area using the ferry to circular quay, which took an hour.  From the water you get an amazing view of both sides of the river, good picture opportunities!

Access

There is a walk and bike track that leads to the shipwreck lookout. This side track is a dirt path and very easily overlooked. If you are not sure, there is s a large metal plaque at the start of the track. We also found that  google maps was very accurate in this area.

The Wrecks

The lookout track has a small side path about half way along on the right hand side. This takes you to a small lookout platform over the river to a shipwreck (the tug Heroic) in the mangroves.

  • Tug Heroic Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks
    Tug Heroic
  • SS Heroic in Mangroves
    SS Heroic in Mangroves
  • SS Heroic in Mangroves
    SS Heroic in Mangroves

At the end of the track there is a well constructed viewing area with a telescope where you can see the wrecks of the SS Mortlake Bank and SS Ayrfield. Two wrecked wooden barges are also located at the end of the viewing platform, so look out for them too.

  • SS Mortlake Bank Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks
    SS Mortlake Bank
  • SS Ayrfield Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks
    SS Ayrfield
  • SS Ayrfield
    Now Overgrown with Trees SS Ayrfield
  • SS Ayrfield
    SS Ayrfield
  • Wrecked Barges Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks
    Wrecked Barges
  • Wrecked Barges Homebush Bay
    Wrecked Barges Homebush Bay

Returning back to the main walkway and continuing on it for about 20 minutes, you will find a sign board for the HMAS Karangi. It is visible through the mangroves and looks amazing, being overgrown with trees. Unfortunately trying to get a clear photo from the shore proved too difficult with the trees in the way

  • HMAS Karangi Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks
    HMAS Karangi

As the SS Mortlake Bank and SS Ayrfield are clearly visible, we walked around to the far side of Wentworth Point to take photos from a different perspective.

Getting Back To Sydney CBD

From here we walked to the ferry wharf, where there is a small shopping centre with several eateries and a supermarket, which was  convenient to grab some snacks for the ride . The ferry trip takes an hour to get to Circular Quay.

The Homebush Bay ship wrecks are great to visit for something a bit different to see. Make a day of it and go to the Newington Armory as well.

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

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La Perouse Sydney Australia

La Perouse Memorial and Museum

La Perouse

La Perouse is a Sydney suburb on the shores of Botany Bay and home to some historic locations and scenic views. The suburb takes its name from the French explorer La Perouse who arrived here in 1788 eight days after the first fleet arrived from England. Never seen again after sailing into the Pacific his disappearance remained a mystery for decades. It was not until 1828 that a French expedition determined that the La Pérouse expedition was wrecked at Vanikoro, Santa Cruz, north of the New Hebrides   Several memorials to him and his crew are near the museum.

We parked on ANZAC Parade as there was plenty of available spaces. From here we walked around the area taking in the views as we went.  There are beautiful views of the coast, Conwong Beach and Bare Island from Anzac Parade.

Congwong Beach La Perouse Sydney
Congwong Beach

Bare Island

Bare Island was our first stop but was closed to the public when we visited. The foot bridge was open which gave us a good look at one side of the fort as well as back to the headland and beaches.  The old fort gives Bare Island a unique appearance making is worth going to. The fort was part of Sydney’s original defences but is now disused. You will need to find opening days and times before visiting if you want to go onto the actual island.

Walkway to Bare Island La Perouse Sydney
Walkway to Bare Island
Walkway to Bare Island La Perouse Sydney
Walkway to Bare Island

Memorials and Graves

Walking back to the mainland we stopped to look at Macquarie Watchtower before having a walk around the foreshore and Frenchman’s Beach.  A memorial erected by the French to honour La Perouse overlooks Botany Bay, near the Museum.  The second European buried in Australia, Father Louis Receveur has his gave not far from the Memorial. The first European buried in Australia was one of Captain Cook’s crew in 1770. His grave is located across the water in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, which we had visited that morning.

Grave of Father Louis Receveur La Perouse Sydney
Grave of Father Louis Receveur
Macquarie Watch Tower La Perouse Sydney
Macquarie Watch Tower

La Perouse Museum

The museum has items from French explorers which are very interesting. It has a nice little café with nice seating outside looking over the coast and Frenchman’s Beach.

La Perouse Memorial and Museum
La Perouse Memorial and Museum
La Perouse Memorial
La Perouse Memorial

A great place to visit with a range of things to see and do, from early European history to nice walks and scenery.

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

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Kamay Botany Bay National Park Sydney

Entrance to Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Kamay Botany Bay National Park is the home to significant historical events as well as beautiful coastal scenery. It is the place in which Captain James Cook first landed in Australia and claimed the whole continent for England. The sight of the first flag raising now has several very large flags flying there including the Aboriginal flag to acknowledge their prior habitation of the country. The first European buried in Australia is also located here.

Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Kamay Botany Bay National Park

The Monument Precinct

First stop here is the Kurnell visitors centre. The area has Cook’s landing spot, where Europeans and aboriginal people first met and the flags.

The Meeting Place Kamay Botany Bay National Park
The Meeting Place
Flags at Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Flags at Kamay Botany Bay National Park

In the same area is a monument to Daniel Carl Solander, the first Swede to arrive in Australia.  He was on the Endeavour Expedition with Cook, assisting Banks with the collection of botanical specimens.

Solander Memorial Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Solander Memorial

The first European grave is well marked, belonging to Forby Sutherland who died of tuberculosis.

First European Grave Kamay Botany Bay National Park
First European Grave

The Leap

Only a short drive around the coast is The Leap with a small roadside carpark and stairs down to a rock platform.  The short walk down is worthwhile for the interesting rock formations in the area. Be careful of the tide and slippery rocks when you are walking around.

  • Stairs at the Leap Kamay Botany Bay National Park
    Stairs at the Leap
  • Rock Formation at The Leap Kamay Botany Bay National Park
    Rock Formation at The Leap
  • Rock Formation at The Leap Kamay Botany Bay National Park
    Rock Formation at The Leap

Cape Solander

Our final stop was at the Cape Solander Lookout for some spectacular coastal views. 

Cape Solander Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Cape Solander

So, if you are interested in Australian colonial history, want to see some great coastal scenery, or just want to have a relaxing day out, this is a great place to visit.

From here we headed over to La Perouse and some more Australian History.

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