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Category: Building

Building

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Australian Army Infantry Museum

Matilda Tank Outside the Australian Army Infantry Museum

Australian Army Infantry Museum

Only a ten-minute drive south of Singleton in the Hunter Valley, the Australian Army Infantry Museum showcases the history of Australia’s infantry men and women from colonial times to the present.

Entry is free for Australian Defence Force members, with a modest $8.00 fee for adults (2020) and discounts for children and pensioners.

Located adjacent to the Lone Pine Barracks, the museum has a new car park with plenty of parking spaces.

The Museum

Housed in a new, state of the art, purpose-built building, the museum is a huge improvement on the previous building. The display hall is large, spacious and has sombre lighting. Professionally curated, the displays tell the story of Australian Infantry, their equipment, training and deployments.

The museum also houses a cafe, where you can purchase drinks snacks and light meals.

Outside Displays

In the outside courtyard a Matilda Tank and a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle an Australian-built four-wheel drive armoured vehicle.

Matilda Tank Outside the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Matilda Tank Outside the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Bushmaster
Bushmaster

Entrance

The entrance has a beautiful wall of remembrance, covered in poppies and listing the names of those fallen in battle.

The first exhibit that greets visitors is a huge bronze sculpture of an infantryman, which makes a great first impression.

Wall of Remembrance
Wall of Remembrance
Infantryman Statue Australian Army Infantry Museum
Infantryman Statue

Ground Floor Displays

The ground floor contains exhibits that cover heavy equipment the infantry used, from field-guns and personnel carriers to a helicopter. The walls contain display cases showing operational deployments, from Sudan in 1885 through to current commitments.

Universal Carrier
Universal Carrier
Pak 38 German Anti-Tank Gun
Pak 38 German Anti-Tank Gun
Equipment Display
Equipment Display
M113A1 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle Australian Army Infantry Museum
M113A1 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle
Bell UH-1 Iroquois
Bell UH-1 Iroquois

Upper Floor

Exhibits on the upper floor range from personal weapons such as rifles and grenades to uniforms and mortars. All of the exhibits are accompanied by explanations, which give excellent context to the displays. The displays show how they have developed and influenced the tactics, techniques and procedures of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.

Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Uniform Display
Uniform Display
Uniform Display

What did We Think?

If you are travelling through the area, this is an excellent museum to visit. It provides a history of Australian Infantry, without glorifying war. It shows how the army has evolved from colonial times to the present, illustrating it with very professional displays.

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

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Federation Cliffs Walk Sydney Australia

Sea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk

Federation Cliffs Walk

The five-kilometer Federation Cliffs Walk offers spectacular coastal views, with sandstone cliffs, a lighthouse and a shipwreck memorial.

Getting There

We chose to use public transport to the Federation Cliffs Walk, as this meant we could start at one end of the Walk and finish at the other, without having to return to the starting point. A ferry from Circular Quay took us to Watson’s Bay Wharf, where we started the walk, while the return trip was by bus to Central Station, from Diamond Bay Reserve.

The Gap Lookout and Walking Track

From Watsons Bay Wharf, we made the short walk to the Gap Lookout, where we started our walk. From the lookout, views of the cliffs and out to sea are amazing. Well-made and maintained walkways make the track easy to walk and from here heads south to Bondi and beyond.

Wreck of the Dunbar

Launched on 30 November 1854, the Dunbar was a first-class passenger and cargo carrier. On the night of 20 August 1857, the ship approached the entrance to Port Jackson from the south, but heavy rain and a strong gale winds made navigating difficult. Possibly mistaking The Gap as the port’s entrance, the captain ran the ship onto the rocks. Of the 122 people on board, only one survived.

As a result of this tragedy and the loss of the Catherine Adamson at North Head nine weeks later, the Government built Hornby Lighthouse.

Containing one of Dunbar’s anchors, a memorial stands on the cliffs above the wreck site.

Dunbar Memorial
Dunbar Memorial
Sea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk
Sea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk

Signal Hill

Constructed in 1892-1893, Signal Hill Battery was one of many defensive forts built around Sydney. Originally armed with a BL 9.2-inch (234 mm) Mk VI breech-loading counter bombardment British Armstrong disappearing gun, the fort operated until just after World War Two. By this stage the original gun had been replace by two six-inch guns. Fortunately, the 9.2-inch is on display at North Head, near the Memorial Walk.

Memorial plaques give tribute to those who served here as well as providing historical context for the structures.

This is a great place to stop on your walk to understand some of Sydney’s history and admire the fantastic views.

Cliff Top Fortifications
Cliff Top Fortifications

Memorials

Walking along the Federation Cliffs Walk, you will come across many memorials, it is worth stopping to view them. Some are for loved ones lost overseas, while others commemorate the locations of fortifications or the service of military regiments.

Lieutenant Grieve's Memorial
Lieutenant Grieve’s Memorial

Macquarie Lighthouse

Designed by James Barnet and built from 1881 to 1883, Macquarie Lighthouse is 26m tall. Heritage listed, it is still fully operational and under the control of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The white tower makes an outstanding photo when set against a deep blue summer sky.

Macquarie Lighthouse on the Federation Cliffs Walk
Macquarie Lighthouse

The Grave Of Edmund Barton

Sir Edmund Barton, GCMG, PC, KC (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920) was an Australian politician and judge who served as the first Prime Minister of Australia, in office from 1901 to 1903. Located in South Head General Cemetery and marked by a cross headstone, Barton’s grave is difficult to find amongst all of the others found there.

An interesting place to visit because of the historical importance of Barton.

Edmund Barton's Grave
Edmund Barton’s Grave

Diamond Bay Reserve

Federation Cliffs Walk offers many superb views of the ocean and cliffs. One of the best is at Diamond Bay, where walkways and a viewing platform provide excellent views. Fishermen have constructed stairs and a gateway on the cliff face. The walkway provides a safe place for photographers

Waverley Council encourages visitors to Diamond Bay Reserve to stay away from the cliff’s edge. A 27 year-old woman past away recently after slipping when taking a photo on the cliff’s edge. Fencing and signs are there for your safety.

Sea Cliffs at Diamond Bay
Sea Cliffs at Diamond Bay
Stairs on the Diamond Bay Cliffs
Stairs on the Diamond Bay Cliffs
Sea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk
Sea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk
Sea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk
Sea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk

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

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Sydney Park and Old Brick Works

Sydney Park Brick Kilns

Sydney Park

Originally a landfill site and the location of a brickworks, Sydney Park is now a beautiful public space because of its landscaped gardens, meandering paths and wetlands. A total of 40Ha of ugly landfill was transformed into beautiful parkland, making it a wonderful place to relax and let the kids run around. With barbeques, playgrounds and open spaces, it’s a great place for a day out.

Getting To Sydney Park

Located around the park, several car parks which provide easy access. The closest train station is St Peter’s, directly across the road from the old brick kilns.

Old Brick Works and Chimneys

Disused for over 60 years, the now heritage listed brick works, provide a landmark near the St Peter’s train station because of the tall chimneys. During our visit, graffiti had defaced some of the lower kilns and buildings, which was very disappointing, taking away some of the appeal of the area.

The chimneys provide great photo opportunities and we spent some time here while we took pictures from different angles.

Sydney Park Brick Kilns
Old Brick Kilns
Sydney Park Brick Kilns and Chimney
The Old Brick Kilns and Chimney
Sydney Park Brick Kilns Chimneys
Old Brick Works Chimneys
Old Machinery Near the Brick Kilns
Old Machinery Near the Brick Kilns

Wetlands

Several creeks flow through the park, which along with the City of Sydney’s water reuse program creates lovely wetlands. Bridges, viewing platforms and meandering paths allow visitors to admire the wetlands as they walk through the park. Keep an eye out for birds, because the wetlands attracts many of them here.

Wetlands
Wetlands Area
Sydney Park Brick Kilns and Chimneys
The Old Brick Kilns and Chimneys Behind the Wet Lands

What Did We Think?

We found the park to be a great place to enjoy a walk through the landscaped gardens, which provide great photo opportunities. The heritage listed brickworks were interesting to see. Access from St Peter’s station made getting there easy from central Sydney, which we appreciated.

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