HMAS Newcastle FFG 06 arrived in Newcastle Harbour today for what will probably be its final visit before decommissioning.
We arrived early and spent a relaxing afternoon walking on the foreshore. We had a very nice steak pie at Harry’s Cafe De-Wheels and an ice cream from across the road. The foreshore was a very pleasant backdrop to sit and eat lunch next to.
While eating we watched the coal ships coming and going and had a great view of Nobby’s Headland. Then we walked up to Nobby’s Surfhouse and had a nice coffee until the ship was due.
HMAS Newcastle arrived around 3:30PM, to a large crowd all along the break water and foreshore.
We went to the Avalon Airshow, just out of Melbourne on Saturday 4th of March. Getting there was very easy. We bought tickets from VLine online which covered the train from Southern Cross Station and a shuttle bus from Lara Station to Avalon. The trains were running every 20 minutes to cater for the demand. At Lara, there was a queue of buses ready to take people. All very well organised and it ran smoothly.
There was an easy to follow map provided at the gate when we arrived at 8:30AM. There were also several large bill boards around the airfield with maps on them. The ground displays were very well set out, usually with defence force personnel around to talk and answer questions. The weather could not have been better. A top of 28oC. A little cloudy in the morning, but this was mostly gone by midday. We remembered the sunscreen, and were very pleased we did. Some people didn’t bother and by mid-afternoon, a few very red a sore people were standing around.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Most of the current RAAF aircraft were present. The main draw card was the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. We headed there first to avoid the crowds later in the day. The barriers let people get quite close, so you could see a lot of detail and take some great pictures. At one of the two on display, you could reach up and touch the wing if you were tall enough.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Avalon Airshow March 2017
F/A-18
All three types of F-18s operated by the RAAF were on display, the classic F/A-18A Hornet, the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the new F/A-18G Growler. The Super Hornet also put on a fantastic flying display showing off its abilities. Watching it climb vertically to 10,000m was spectacular. Having never seen one fly before, its maneuverability was surprising and watching it fly down the runway with a 50-degree angle of attack very impressive.
F/A-18A Hornet Avalon Airshow March 2017
F/A-18F Super Hornet Avalon Airshow March 2017
F/A-18G Growler Avalon Airshow March 2017
Royal Australian Air Force
The old P-3 Orion anti-submarine and patrol aircraft was there, along with its new replacement the P-8 Poseidon. The other Boeing 737 derived aircraft operated by the RAAF the E-7AWedgetail was sitting nearby.
The RAAF’s lead-in jet trainer the BAE Hawk put on a flying display. Although impressive, it showed the huge gap between trainers and a real combat aircraft like the Super Hornet which had flown earlier.
BAE Hawk Trainer Avalon Airshow March 2017
Singapore and New Zealand sent Hercules transports. The RNZAF put on a very nice flying display with theirs. Singapore also sent F-15s which looked very impressive on the ground.
United States Air Force
The US had some of the best aircraft there. Three F-22s were the highlight, along with a B-1 bomber. The F-22 looks a lot sharper than the F-35 and its pilots were very proud of their machines, willing to talk and answer endless questions from spectators. Several older F-16 jets were parked up near the F-22s giving a stark contrast to the old and new technology.
F-22 Raptor Avalon Airshow March 2017
F-16 Avalon Airshow March 2017
B-1 Bomber Avalon Airshow March 2017
Antonov An-124
What looked to be the biggest aircraft there was the Ukrainian Antonov AN 124. A very impressive looking transport.
Antonov An124 at Avalon Airshow Melbourne March 2017
Antonov An124 at Avalon Airshow Melbourne March 2017
Helicopters
Many helicopters were also on the ground display. The Tiger battlefield helicopter looked very lethal, despite the problems that the Army has had with its implementation. The nearby NH-90, which has also had its fair share of issues was also open for a close look by the public. The US contribution to this section was the Apache attack helicopter, always a great sight in its dark grey camouflage.
Tiger Helicopter Avalon Airshow March 2017
NH-90 Helicopter Avalon Airshow March 2017
Apache Helicopter Avalon Airshow March 2017
Historical Aircraft
Many historical aircraft were on display from many Australian collections. Airworthy examples from RAAF Point Cook, Temora and HARS put on some very nice displays. The Super Constellation, looked huge (and it is a big aircraft), as it circles the runway. On static display were a Harrier jump jet, Canberra bomber and what looked like half of the Temora Aviation Museum’s collection, including the Boomerang, Meteor and Hudson.
C-47 Dakota Avalon Airshow March 2017
BAE Harrier Avalon Airshow March 2017
Canberra Bomber Avalon Airshow March 2017
BAE Harrier Avalon Airshow Melbourne March 2017
Training Aircraft Flyby Avalon Airshow March 2017
Australian Army
The army had an M-1 Abrams tank on display, along with the types of shells it could fire. They had many other types of vehicles on display, but most people were interested in the tank.
M-1A Abrams Tank Avalon Airshow March 2017
Getting Back To Melbourne
When we left at 2:00PM, there were still hundreds of people streaming in from cars and buses and the car park was almost full. Some had decided to watch from the boundary fence, and along the roadside. They would have seen the flying displays, but not well, and missed all the ground static displays.
The trip home by train was as easy as the journey in. Arriving back in Melbourne, we had a quick freshen up at our hotel, a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant, and got ready to see a show at night. Overall a very satisfying day.
There was nothing to do last Sunday afternoon, so we decided on a two and a half hour drive down to Sydney to visit Taronga Zoo. The only tricky bit with driving was making sure you were in the right hand of three lanes when exiting the Warringah Freeway, so as to be able to get onto Military Road towards the zoo. If you are using Google Maps, it takes you to the staff entrance for the car park. Just turn left, and you will see the undercover multistory public car park. Take your ticket with you as you will need it to pay for parking before returning to your car. There is not an option to use a credit card at the gate.
If you are in Sydney, the best way to get there is by ferry. There is one that goes direct from Circular Quay to the zoo and return with no other stops, so you will not get lost.
Zoo Entry
Entry From the Car Park
Entry is through the beautiful old building in the photo below. You can go through the ground level entrance to the right of the steps.
Taronga Zoo Main Entrance
Inside the entrance to the right is a ticketing office, toilets and information booth. You can wander around a large area here without buying a ticket, including the cafe and gift shop.
The staff at the ticket office took our money ($46.00 each) and handed us a receipt. Keep this handy as it is your entry ticket and you will need it later. The information booth can provide you with a map of the zoo’s layout. Quite good maps, with the suggested trail to follow marked on. Even better, the trail is marked on the walking paths as big green circles.
Just down from the entrance is a series of manned gateways which is the entry to the zoo proper. The friendly staff will ask for you ticket and stamp your hand. Then it’s off to explore.
Entry From the Ferry
The ferry wharf is near the lower entry gates, where you can either take the chair lift, or enter through the gift shop. If you choose the chair lift, it will take you to the upper section of the zoo and you can walk back down. There is an option to take the chair lift from the upper level to the start if you don’t want to walk back.
Lower Entrance
The Animals at Taronga Zoo
The zoo is built on quite a steep piece of land near Sydney Harbor. Some of the pathways can be a bit of a climb, but there are plenty of rest areas and things to look at, so no need to rush and tire yourself out.
The first animal we saw was this gorgeous tree kangaroo up in its tree. It was not very active and looked like it had either just woken up or was about to go to sleep.
Tree Kangaroo
Reptile House
Not far from the tree kangaroo was the reptile house. Basking outside was a Komodo Dragon. A very impressive representative of the world’s largest species of lizard. The rest of the reptile house has many cages and cases with numerous snakes, lizards and turtles.
Komodo Dragon
Iguana in the Reptile House
Giraffes
Not far from here were the giraffes. They were very active, eating and walking around their enclosure.
Giraffes
Giraffe
Squirrel Monkeys
The squirrel monkeys are in a large open cage, where small groups of visitors can walk through on a board walk. The monkeys wander around, climbing and eating and generally ignore the people. It was excellent to be able to get close to them without bars or perspex in the way. A guide accompanies you into the cage, answers any questions you might have and makes sure you all exit before the next group is admitted.
Squirrel Monkeys
On a detour from the main path of green circles, we went to see the Barbary Sheep, Bongo, Zebras and Himalayan Tahr.
Himalayan Tahr
Meerkats
Taronga Zoo has a nice little meerkat display. It was still early and they were all out scratching around the cage. The front of the enclosure is perspex, so you get a really good view of them. Many of them come right to the perspex.
Taronga Zoo Merekat
Walking towards the elephant display, we by-passed the Australian section, as we have seen many kangaroos and wallabies over the years. Next stop was for a snack at the View Restaurant.
After a coffee and cake we headed for the seal show. The presenter was overly enthusiastic, and we soon realized the show was tailored for kids. Nothing wrong with this and the kids there were certainly enjoying themselves. However, we decided to give it a miss and went to see the Condor, deer and seals (those not at the show). From the pathways, there are some spectacular views of Sydney Harbor.
View of Sydney Harbor
Gorilla
Gorilla
Elephants
From the seals we took the rain forest trail back up. This is a nice leafy area, and would be very nice on a hot day. This trail exits near the elephants. Two of them were having their morning baths and checkups with staff. This was an excellent opportunity to get quite close to them, and talk to staff. Even better, the young male trumpeted as he was leaving. This was one of the highlights of the day, as we had never heard an elephant before,
Taronga Zoo Elephant
Baby Elephant
Taronga Zoo Tigers
Part of the redevelopment of the zoo, the tiger enclosure is well laid out and spacious. To ensure that visitor numbers are controlled, a line outside, only permits a limited number of people in at once. This is great and the viewing areas were not crowded and everyone there as able to see. Large perspex windows allow you to get up close to the tigers as they wander around.
Tiger
Looking Through the Perspex Window at a Tiger
Tiger
Chimpanzees
Home to a large group of chimpanzees, this enclosure is a fun pace to stand and watch as the chimps play and wander around the area.
Chimpanzee
Leaving the Zoo and Heading Home
After four hours, we decided it was time to leave for the car trip home. Car parking fees were $18.00. Getting home was straight forward. The only tricky part being (if you are heading north) is to make sure you are in one of the two right hand lanes when leaving Military Road for Falcon Street, as they turn right onto the freeway. If you get stuck in the left two lanes, keep going until you reach the Pacific Highway and turn right.
What Did We Think?
What did we think? Not too bad. Entry price was what you expect to pay. Parking is expensive as is the food. We loved the new tiger enclosure and International tourists will be going to see the Australian section, which looks extensive. Locals will want Australian and international animals. Overall a fun day out.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
