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Category: Building

Building

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Norah Head Lighthouse and Beaches

Looking Towards Soldiers Point and Pebbly Beach

Norah Head

Norah Head is home to beautiful beaches and a historic lighthouse, as well as the Merchant Mariners’ Memorial, making it a great place to visit.

Merchant Mariners’ Memorial

The memorial commemorates merchant mariners who have died in service or have been killed in action in times of conflict. Located in a beautiful setting overlooking the ocean, the main memorial is surrounded by plaques commemorating ships lost locally.

  • Merchant Mariners' Memorial
    Merchant Mariners’ Memorial
  • The Nimbin Memorial Plaque
    The Nimbin Memorial Plaque
  • The Age Memorial Plaque
    The Age Memorial Plaque
  • Iron Chieftain Memorial Plaque
    Iron Chieftain Memorial Plaque

Norah Head Lighthouse

Norah Head Light is an active lighthouse located at Norah Head, a headland on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia, close to Toukley. It is the last lighthouse of the James Barnet style to be built, and the last staffed lighthouse constructed in New South Wales.

Officially displayed for the first time in 1903, the original vaporized kerosene burner was upgraded in 1923, electrified in 1961 and automated and de-manned in 1994, after more than 90 years of being staffed. It celebrated its centenary in 2003.

The concrete block tower is 27.5 metres (90 ft) high, topped by a bluestone gallery. On top of the gallery is the original Chance Bros. lantern. This lantern holds the original housing of the Chance Bros. 1st order bivalve dioptric Fresnel lens.

Tours of the lighthouse are not currently available, however these may resume in the future, so you should check to see if they are running.

Norah Head Lighthouse
Norah Head Lighthouse

Norah Head Beaches

From the lighthouse, steps lead down to the rock platform and beach, making access easy. However, because of the uneven rock surface, the area is not suitable for prams and wheelchairs. Popular for fishing, the rock platform also offers some interesting geological formations to look at. Weathering has left some interesting patterns on rocks and the waves have cut channels in the platform.

Following the shoreline south, you will find a nice sandy beach. However, to get there means climbing over some rocks, which we enjoyed, but others may not, as they are slippery, high and uneven. If the tide is fully out you maybe able to access the beach to get around them. At the edge of the beach are several small caves which were fun to sit in and watch the surf crashing on the beach.

Further along the coast is Pebbly Beach, which has another rock platform and great views over the ocean.

  • Wooden Steps Down to Norah Head Rock Platform
    Wooden Steps Down to Norah Head Rock Platform
  • Caves on the Beach
    Caves on the Beach
  • Looking Towards Soldiers Point and Pebbly Beach
    Looking Towards Soldiers Point and Pebbly Beach
  • Fallen Boulders
    Fallen Boulders Below the Lighthouse

Soldiers Beach

Located south of Pebbly Beach and the lighthouse, Soldiers Beach is a popular swimming spot. Easy access from the carpark means that more people visit here than the beaches to the north of Soldiers Point.

In addition to the excellent beach, walk over the point itself at low tide, there are some great rock pools to explore. A kiosk at the carpark serves snacks and drinks, which is great on a hot day.

The amenities block has a beautiful whale painting on it, turning an otherwise boring building into something beautiful.

  • Soldiers Point Norah Head
    Soldiers Point Norah Head
  • Soldiers Beach Norah Head
    Soldiers Beach Norah Head
  • Whale Artwork at Soldiers Beach
    Whale Artwork at Soldiers Beach
  • Norah Head Lighthouse
    Norah Head Lighthouse

Food and Drinks

If the cafe at the lighthouse is not open, another great option is the General Store on Bush street. It has plenty of parking nearby and seating available outside, so that you can enjoy the relaxed surroundings.

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Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

The First Gallery Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

The Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, was established in 1980. First housed in Lake Macquarie’s former council chambers on Main Road at Speers Point, the gallery relocated to First Street, Booragul in 1996.

The gallery originally occupied Awaba House on this site from 1996 to 2000 when a decision was made to construct the new state-of-the-art facility. At the time we visited there had been a fire and Awaba House had been extensively damaged. Launched in May 2001 the new art gallery building saw the addition of an art seminar room in 2008. In 2019, a further expansion provided additional gallery space.

Entrance to MAC
Entrance to Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

How to Get There

Located at First Street, Booragul, the gallery overlooks Lake Macquarie, providing great views in a relaxing setting. A small car park next to the gallery is convenient, however, if this is full more is available on-street nearby.

Sculpture Park

Located on 5 hectares between the gallery and lakeshore, the Sculpture Park includes work by local and national artists. Launched in 1996, the sculpture park has continued to develop and currently comprises 16 sculptures by 11 artists.

We spent some time walking around the sculptures before entering the gallery.

  • Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
    Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
  • Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
    Sculpture Outside the Main Gallery
  • Mosaic Outside the Main Gallery
    Mosaic Outside the Main Gallery
  • Entrance Walkway
    Entrance Walkway
  • Fish Sculpture on the Entrance Walkway
    Fish Sculpture on the Entrance Walkway

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie Collection

Comprised of four focus areas, the Visual Arts Collection includes works by highly-regarded national, international and Hunter-based artists.

The collection has a core group of works by established contemporary Australian artists. This includes a number of works by Sir William Dobell, large-scale contemporary sculptures and Indigenous works.

We loved walking around the gallery, because it has great diversity for such a small venue. We found it had a lot to offer and enjoyed our time there. With works ranging from Sir William Dobell to contemporary artists, the collection is worth the visit.

  • Gallery at the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Gallery at the Museum
  • The First Gallery Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    The First Gallery
  • Deanne Newland - Rejuvenating 2
    Deanne Newland – Rejuvenating 2
  • Saretta Fielding - Malang Kateya Part 2
    Saretta Fielding – Malang Kateya Part 2
  • Helen McLachlan - Rejuvenate 2020
    Helen McLachlan – Rejuvenate 2020
  • Susan Ryman - Whispering Pillars
    Susan Ryman – Whispering Pillars
  • Karen Murray - Sentinel Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Karen Murray – Sentinel
  • Bronze Sculpture Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Bronze Sculpture
  • Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
    Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie
  • Thelma Wawrzonek - Wangi Power Station Ruins
    Thelma Wawrzonek – Wangi Power Station Ruins
  • Maureen Boyle - The Fisherman
    Maureen Boyle – The Fisherman

Coffee Shop

Sculpture Cafe is a licensed venue and offers morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Seating is both inside and on the deck overlooking the Sculpture Park and the lake. We enjoyed morning tea on the deck because of the wonderful views.

View From the Cafe
View From the Cafe

What Did We Think?

We enjoyed our visit because of the diverse range of art on display. The outdoor park was fun to walk around, while the quality works inside were amazing. To add to this was the wonderful location of the coffee shop with its great views.

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Sydney University

University of Sydney

Large enough to have its own postcode, Sydney University contains buildings dating from the mid-1800s. Built from Sydney sandstone, these wonderful buildings are Neo-Gothic designs and look magnificent.

Walking through the grounds is relaxing and the atmosphere is casual, with many places to stop, sit down and relax. The Quadrangle and Clock Tower, next to the Great Hall are particularly impressive and we spent an hour walking around.

How to Get There

We walked there from Carriageworks, another great place to visit in the area. We took the train from Central Station to Redfern, after which we walked. There was a ten-minutes to Carriageworks and a further fifteen to Sydney University.

If you are not travelling from Carriageworks, buses run from Central on a regular basis.

The Great Hall and Clock Tower

The most impressive building on campus, the Great Hall and clock tower date to the founding on the university. Built from Sydney Sandstone in a Neo-Gothic style, it is one of the draw cards for visitors.

University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Great Hall
Great Hall
The Great Hall and Clock Tower
Clock Tower and Great Hall

Sydney University Quadrangle

University of Sydney Quadrangle
Quadrangle
University of Sydney Quadrangle
The Quadrangle

Sydney University Cloisters

Surrounding the Quadrangle, the cloisters, have beautiful sandstone arches which look amazing. The wide, paved walkways also provide a shade if you want to get out of the sun.

University of Sydney Quadrangle
The Quadrangle
Cloisters
CCloisters
University of Sydney Cloisters
Cloisters

Anderson Stuart Building

Designed by James Barnet and completed in 1889, the Anderson Stuart Building has many gargoyles, stained glass windows and carvings. Located next to the main quadrangle, this sandstone building is an example of neo-gothic architecture.

Named after Thomas Peter Anderson Stuart who took up office of Professor of Anatomy & Physiology in 1883, the building houses the School of Medicine.

Anderson Stuart Building
Anderson Stuart Building

What Did We Think?

We thought this was a great place to visit, because of the beautiful buildings. The atmosphere was very relaxed with plenty of places to stop and sit down.

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

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