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Category: Building

Building

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Cape Baily Track Kamay Botany Bay

Sea Cliffs and Waves Cape Baily Track

Cape Baily Track Kamay Bay National Park

Getting There

Located in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, the Cape Baily Track winds along coastal cliffs with amazing ocean views. The track starts at the end of the park’s road, past Cape Solander. A car park next to a helicopter landing pad provides easy access to the start of the walk.

The Cliff Under the Car Park
The Cliff Under the Car Park

Cape Baily Track

The track is well maintained and in many places is a formed board walk, which makes the hike easier than walking over rough terrain. As we walked, the surroundings changed from coastal scrub to bare sandstone rock. Several areas had steps, but these were in excellent condition and easy to climb and descend.

At 4 km each way and often exposed to strong winds and heat in summer, remember to take plenty of water and sunscreen. There are no facilities on the track, so take what you need for the walk, which takes around 2.5 hours.

  • Board Walk Through Coastal Scrub Cape Baily Track
    Board Walk Through Coastal Scrub

Ocean Views

The amazing sandstone cliffs which line the ocean side of the walk are beautiful. Lookouts along the walk provide great vantage points to see them, but obey the signs and don’t go near the edge.

We might be biased, because we’re local, but in our opinion they are far better than the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Not only are they high with vertical drops to the ocean, but they are not as crowded and more scenic.

  • Sea Cliffs and Waves Cape Baily Track
    Sea Cliffs and Waves
  • Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs
    Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs
  • Cape Baily Track Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs
    Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs

Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers

Fishermen built dwellings on some of the cliffs and lived there from 1920 until the 1960s. As can be seen in the photo from that time they were precariously perched on the cliffs, although some were quite extensive. We had not heard of these buildings before the walk and found out about them from the information boards on the trail.

The Department Of Lands ordered their eviction and removal of structures in the 1960s.

  • The Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers
    The Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers
  • Gully Where the Cliff Dwellers Lived
    Gully Where the Cliff Dwellers Lived

Cape Baily Lighthouse

At the end of the track the Cape Bailey Lighthouse sits high on the cliff, warning ships of the rocks. It isn’t a particularly interesting building, being plain and functional. There are many more lighthouses of note around Sydney, such as Macquarie and Hornby Lighthouses. We didn’t do the hike for the lighthouse but for the scenery, so we’re not disappointed.

  • Cape Baily Lighthouse
    Cape Baily Lighthouse
  • Cape Baily Lighthouse
    Cape Baily Lighthouse
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Old Dubbo Gaol

Infirmary Building

Old Dubbo Gaol

Located in the centre of the Dubbo CBD, Old Dubbo Gaol which operated from 1847 to 1966 is now a tourist attraction. As it is heritage listed , it is one of the more popular places to visit in Dubbo.

Not only are the buildings preserved in excellent condition, but displays and information boards give an insight into the gaols operations and how prisoners were treated.

  • Entrance to Dubbo Gaol
    Entrance to Old Dubbo Gaol
  • Controller General's Office Plaque
    Controller General’s Office Plaque
  • Buildings inside the Prison Complex
    Buildings inside the Prison Complex

Male Prison

The section of the gaol used to house male prisoners is the first building you see on entering. A long dark corridor with heavy metal doors along the walls greets you as you walk through the main door.

Looking through the doors reveals how spartan the cells were, containing only a basic bed and little else. Several cells contain displays of manacles restraints used on the prisoners. Others display manikins dressed as inmates, with explanations of their crimes.

  • Male Prison Building at Old Dubbo Gaol
    Male Prison Building
  • Gaol Cell
    Gaol Cell
  • Male Prison Building Interior at Old Dubbo Gaol
    Male Prison Building Interior

Female Prison

A section used for female prisoners located at the rear of the gaol, shows that their conditions were no better than the men. Concrete floors and wooden beds were all that furnished the rooms.

  • Women's' Cell
    Women’s’ Cell
  • Women's Exercise Yard at
    Women’s Exercise Yard at

Watchtower Overlooking Old Dubbo Gaol

The watch tower, located near the female prisoners’ cells, can be accessed via a modern stairway. The short climb is worth it because you get great views over this part of the gaol. An audio recording plays inside the tower explaining its use to visitors.

  • View From the Watchtower
    View From the Watchtower
  • Watchtower
    Watchtower

Washing Area

The area where prisoners washed and did laundry now contains an exhibit of prisoner information forms. Printed on bed sheets and laid out as drying laundry they give a great insight into the people imprisoned here.

  • Prisoner Information Sheets
    Prisoner Information Sheets

Infirmary

Condon’s at the infirmary were better than the general prison, with wooden floors and better beds, but still primitive. Built from sandstone blocks like several other buildings at the prison, the infirmary is a very solid building.

  • Infirmary Building
    Infirmary Building
  • The Infirmary at Old Dubbo Gaol
    The Infirmary

Gallows

Standing near the exercise yard, the gallows remind you that prisoners were executed here. Interesting to look at but a grisly reminder of the past.

  • The Gallows
    The Gallows

What Did We Think of Old Dubbo Gaol?

As one of Dubbo’s main tourist attractions, this is a must see for visitors. We found it a fun place to visit, mainly for the history. Situated in the middle of town it is easy to get to, making it an easy place to see. Whilst we were there maintenance going on at the end of the female prison, so this little part was out of bounds.

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

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Western Plains Cultural Centre

Wool Wagon at Western Plains Cultural Centre

Western Plains Cultural Centre

Located on Wingewarra Street Dubbo the Western Plains Cultural Centre has an excellent collection of local historical displays and art. During our visit the local final year students had their artwork on display, which was great to see. The museum section displayed a large range of items, which provided a feeling for the rich history of the region.

2020 HSC Works From the Dubbo Region

Exhibited as “Meet the Mark”, this display featured artists from the Wellington and Dubbo senior students. Produced for their HSC, these works highlighted the young talent in the area.

  • Pride Power Ambush by Rashmi Perera 2020 St John's College
    Pride Power Ambush by Rashmi Perera 2020 St John’s College
  • Tethered by Jailyn Webb 2020 Dubbo Campus Senior Campus
    Tethered by Jailyn Webb 2020 St John’s College
  • Still Life With Assimilation by Felicity Jeresano 2020 St John's College
    Still Life With Assimilation by Felicity Jeresano 2020 St John’s College

Dubbo History

The centre’s permanent exhibition is titled “People, Places, Possessions” because it focuses on the agricultural landscape and people of the area. The original inhabitants of the region, the Thubbagah people commence the story, followed by pastoral settlement.

A large section was devoted to agricultural history, including the introduction of the first portable steam engine. Face goggles from World War Two and a uniform from the 1885 Sudan war illustrated Dubbo’s link to the military.

A classroom from the time before digital electronics was great, because it brought back memories for us. How classrooms used to operate would amaze current students.

  • Artefacts of the Thubbagah People of the Dubbo Area
    Artefacts of the Thubbagah People of the Dubbo Area
  • Wool Wagon at Western Plains Cultural Centre
    Wool Wagon at Western Plains Cultural Centre
  • Davey Paxman 16943 Portable Steam Engine from the Dubbo Sawmill
    Davey Paxman 16943 Portable Steam Engine from the Dubbo Sawmill
  • Wilkins Kennedy and Spence Coach Builders Buggy
    Wilkins Kennedy and Spence Coach Builders Buggy
  • Farm Tools
    Farm Tools
  • Sudan Volunteer's Uniform From the 1885 Conflict
    Sudan Volunteer’s Uniform From the 1885 Conflict
  • A Camera in the Western Plains Cultural Centre
    A Camera in the Western Plains Cultural Centre
  • Old Classroom Western Plains Cultural Centre
    Old Classroom

What Did We Think

This was a fun place to visit, especially the local museum displays. These gave a greater understanding of the history of the area, going back to aboriginal times. The display of high school students’ works was a great added bonus but we enjoyed all of the art on display.

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