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Category: Building

Building

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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.

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Coonabarabran New South Wales Australia

Coonabarabran Clock Tower

Coonabarabran

We used Coonabarabran as a base for exploring the local area.  You will need to be aware that on the way there, you will have to slow down in several sections of the road due to cattle grazing on the sides.  There are also lots of kangaroos.  We stayed one night in town and the days either side in the surrounding countryside.

Coonabarabran Location
Coonabarabran Location

On the drive there, we stopped for lunch at Coolah which is a great little town with very friendly residents. There are several cafes and pubs to choose from for lunch or quick snacks.

Coolah Valley Hotel
Coolah Valley Hotel

Once in Coonabarabran we visited the places listed below.  To read the full story for each, please click on the link.

Visitor Information Centre

In town  we looked at the visitor information centre. The staff there were very friendly and suggested some of the places we ended up visiting. In the centre there is a display of local aboriginal artifacts as well as a skeleton of a diprotodon; a type of giant extinct marsupial, and some great history of the fires that went through the town.  The town is busy with a lot of traffic going through it.

Diprotodon Skull at the Visitors' Centre Coonabarabran
Diprotodon Skull at the Visitors’ Centre

Coonabarabran

In town had a look at the town clock in the centre of the main street.

Coonabarabran Clock Tower
Coonabarabran Clock Tower

Nearby is a sundial, which is easy to get to, as parking is good.  The sundial was presented to the shire for the 35th anniversary of the Anglo Australian Telescope.

Sphere Sundial Coonabarabran
Sphere Sundial Coonabarabran

The scenery around the town is great, ranging from forests to grazing properties and mountains.

Scenic View Coonabarabran
Scenic View
Scenic View Near Coonabarabran
Scenic View

As you drive around, take a look at the post boxes on the side of the road.  They are very interesting, varying from astronomical themes to Science fiction.

Mailbox Coonabarabran
Mailbox

Baradine and the Pilliga Forest

Baradine in the Pilliga has the Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre where you can learn about the forest that surrounds the town. The staff were very helpful and gave us directions to the Sculptures in the Scrub, which are nearby. The road into Baradine and to the Sculptures was all dirt road and in places was very rough. When you travel be aware of this and travel to conditions and check the road condition beforehand.

Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre Baradine
Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre Baradine

We noticed this great building driving through Baradine. It is a memorial hall to the Servicemen of World War One. The inscription is latin – faithful unto death.

Baradine & District Soldiers Memorial Hall near Coonabarabran
Baradine & District Soldiers Memorial Hall

Drought

On the trip home, we were reminded of the impact from the drought when we came across cattle grazing on the side of the road, as this is the only feed left for them.

Cattle Grazing on the Road Coonabarabran
Cattle Grazing on the Road

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