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Category: History

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Sydney Heritage Fleet

Sydney Heritage Fleet

Founded in 1965 as the “The Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum”, the Sydney Heritage Fleet operates 10 large and 55 small heritage vessels. Its 450 active volunteer workers conserve Australia’s maritime past, while preserving traditional technical methods and skills.

Three (as of August 2024) vessels are currently being restored, the 1912 ferry Kanangra, the 1950s wooden speed boat Kookaburra II and the 1927 pilot vessel John Oxley. Possibly the most well known vessel is the 1874 iron barque James Craig, now fully restored and regularly put to sea under full sail and is a beautiful site when sailing Sydney Harbour.

We booked a tour of the Kanangra restoration project, which gave us an opportunity to also see some of the other ships in the fleet. See their website for times and tickets.

Getting There

We took the light rail from Central Station to Rozelle and walked (10 minutes) to Sydney Heritage Fleet from there.

The Tour

A safety briefing started the tour, as we would be entering an active work area. Safety hats and high-visibility jackets (both provided) along with enclosed shoes (wear your own) were a requirement.

The tour started in the workshop where we saw how the parts needed for the restoration were made. Then it was on to the dock to see the boats. Although we only boarded the Kanangra, we were able to see many others very well.

On board the Kanangra we needed to stay alert, as the decking and sides of the ship were under repair. Interestingly, the largest job currently being undertaken was the removal of concrete from the hull. Large quantities had been used to stop leaks in the rusting hull plates. Apparently it’s a quick and easy fix, but difficult to remove.

We were able to see all levels of the ferry, from the engine room to the top deck and restored wheel house. Restoration should finish in 2032 when she will be back in the water. Considering how badly corroded the hull looked and the amount of steel plates requiring replacement, I can see why it will take this long.

This was a fantastic tour and highly recommended for anyone who likes old ships. The tour guides were very informative, friendly and passionate about the restoration. The tour ran two hours and we loved every minute.

Sydney Ferry Kanangra

Launched on the 14th of August 1912, Kanangra is a steel-hulled K-class ferry that operated on Sydney Harbour until 1985. Originally coal fired, she was converted to diesel in 1959.

Kanangra is currently sited on a floating dock at Rozelle Bay as part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Restoration work intends to restore her to the 1960s configuration with diesel power.

Kanangra
Kanangra
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Exterior showing corrosion of hull
Interior of the upper deck
Interior of the upper deck
Wheelhouse
Wheelhouse
Engine telegraph
Engine telegraph
Inside lower deck of ferry
Lower deck interior
Inside lower deck of ferry
Interior of the Lower Deck
Kanangra's lower deck interior
Lower deck interior
Kanangra's lower deck
Outside lower deck
Engine Room
Engine Room

Steam Ship John Oxley

Built in 1927 in Scotland for the Queensland Harbours and Rivers Board, the John Oxley was a relief pilot vessel in Moreton Bay, a buoy tender and a lighthouse tender that operated along the Queensland coast.

In the Second World War John Oxley was requisitioned for the Royal Australian Navy and a 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun was mounted on the stern. She was returned to her former duties in 1946, and converted from coal to oil fuel that same year.

John Oxley continued in service until 1968 and was officially donated to Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1970. Since 2002 the John Oxley has been under continuous restoration at the Heritage dockyard of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, Rozelle Bay, Sydney. As of August 2024 she is nearing completion and almost ready for her first post-restoration cruise.

John Oxley restored upper works
John Oxley restored upper works
John Oxley officer's quarters
Officer’s quarters
John Oxley pilots' area and stairs to lower deck
John Oxley pilots’ area and stairs to lower deck
John Oxley restored kitchen
Restored kitchen
John Oxley restoration of interior underway
John Oxley restoration of interior underway
John Oxley Steam Ship
John Oxley Steam Ship

Bronzewing-class Tugs

Four Bronzewing-class harbour tugs were constructed for the Royal Australian Navy. The ships in the class were:

Bronzewing (HTS 501)
Currawong (HTS 502)
HTS 503 (to Papua New Guinea in 1974)
Mollymawk (HTS 504)

They were constructed by Stannard Bros, Sydney, except for HTS Mollymawk (504), she was constructed by Perris Engineering, Brisbane.

Bronzewing and Currawong are currently on loan to the Sydney Heritage Fleet, where they are often used in the support of the James Craig and other heritage ships in the Fleet.

HMAS Bronzewing (HTS 501)
HMAS Bronzewing (HTS 501)
HMAS Currawong (HTS 502)
HMAS Currawong (HTS 502)
HMAS Currawong (HTS 502)
Currawong (HTS 502)

Motor Launch Harman

Harman is a Royal Australian Navy motor launch built in 1944 by the firm Storey and Keers. The RAN used her on Sydney Harbour to transfer personnel between ship and shore and the various establishments on the Harbour.

On retirement from the RAN in 1957, she was transferred to Cockatoo Island Dockyard where she worked as a passenger and general duties launch. She was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1992 and has since undergone several refits to keep her seaworthy.

Motor Launch Harman starboard side
Motor Launch Harman starboard side
Motor Launch Harman
Harman
Motor Launch Harman port aft view
Motor Launch Harman port aft view

Motor Launch Berrima

Launched in 1955 as A.O.R.1, Berrima is a motor launch owned by the Sydney Heritage Fleet and used around Sydney Harbour. Originally used by Stannard Bros  on behalf of Australian Oil Refineries on Botany Bay, it ferried workers from La Perouse to the refinery on the other side of Botany Bay. At times it also doubled as the Pilot Cutter.

Berrima was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1990.

Motor Launch Berrima
Motor Launch Berrima
Motor Launch Berrima Sydney Heritage Fleet
Motor Launch Berrima

Lady Hopetoun

Built in 1902 by WM Ford on Sydney Harbour, the Lady Hopetoun was used as a VIP and Vice-Regal steam yacht by the NSW Government through the Sydney Harbour Trust and its successor the Maritime Services Board of NSW until the 1960s.

Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Lady Hopetoun starboard side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun port side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun port side
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun seen from the Kanangra
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun seen from the Kanangra

Motor Launch Protex

Built sometime around 1908, Protex was later purchased in 1934 by the Sydney ferry and tug company, Nicholson Bros. In line with their usual policy of naming their craft using words beginning with ‘Pro’ she was called Protex after a popular brand of soap. Up until 1970, she ferried goods and people from the Palmolive factory at Balmain to various city wharves.

In 1970, she was sold to Mr Terry Hodgson who used her as a ferry operating out of Woy Woy and Toukley, and later between Brooklyn and Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River.

The Protex became part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1981 and is berthed at their Rozelle wharf.

Protex
Protex
Protex
Protex

Steam Tug Waratah

Built in 1902 at Cockatoo Island, Waratah is a coal fired tug and part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Originally named Burunda, her primary role was to tow dredges and barges between the various ports along the NSW coast.

From 1948, her age and condition restricted her to operating within the Newcastle Port and by 1968 she was considered to be beyond economical repair and was set to be scrapped. Saved by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, she is now, once again, fully operational and regularly takes passengers on trips around Sydney Harbour.

Steam Tug Waratah
Steam Tug Waratah bow view
Steam Tug Waratah
Port view
Steam Tug Waratah
Steam Tug Waratah bridge and main deck
Steam Tug Waratah
Waratah looking down from Kanangra
Steam Tug Waratah
Steam Tug Waratah
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Parbury Ruins

Kitchen area Parbury Ruins

Parbury Ruins

Located on the corner of Pottinger and Windmill Streets in Millers Point, Sydney, the Parbury Ruins were uncovered during the construction of an apartment block. Once excavated and recorded by archaeologists, the developers modified their design to retain the ruins, preserving them.

Access to the underground area is by appointment only, or during special open days. We booked tickets through Sydney Open, but they are also available from Museums of History New South Wales . If you are unable to book tickets, there are three windows displays showcasing broken ceramics and other items excavated from the ruins.

The ruins consist of the footings of a two-bedroom cottage from the 1820s, as well as the remains of a stone kitchen with a fireplace and a sink. Outside the dwelling are remnants of a verandah and a well. The well had been filled in, but contained the remains of ceramics and other items, many of which are on display.

Originally a dockworker’s home, the cottage was built of sandstone blocks cut by convicts from a local quarry. The cottage was probably demolished by the late 1860s or early 1870s when new wharves and bond stores were developed in the area.

A guide took us through the ruins, explaining the history and likely uses of the different rooms. Access is by stairs, so is not wheelchair accessible. Once you have descended the stairs, you walk over the original floor and get a very close look at the sandstone structure.

This was a fun visit and it’s great that the ruins have been preserved for the future.

Original outside wall area Parbury Ruins
Original outside wall area looking over the ruins to the entrance at ground level
Kitchen area Parbury Ruins
Kitchen area
Fireplace in the kitchen area
Fireplace in the kitchen area
Holes for floor beams in the wall for the upper story
Holes for floor beams in the wall for the upper story
Filled in well Parbury Ruins
Filled in well
Artifacts on Display
Artifacts on Display
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Old Parliament House Canberra

Old Parliament House Canberra

Old Parliament House Canberra

Only intended as a temporary home for the Australian Parliament, Old Parliament House in Canberra actually operated as the seat of government from 1928 until 1988. At this time the government move to the new Parliament House on Capital Hill.

It now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy as well as other temporary exhibitions.

Getting There

Car parking is available on King George Terrace as well as in its own car park.

History

Once the independent Australian colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory was established for the development of the new Capital Canberra. With Federation occurring in 1901, it took until 1928 for the Provisional Parliament House to be built. Until this time, Parliament met in Melbourne.

Outside the building are statues of two women: Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons. Dorothy Tagney was the first female Australian senator, while Enid Lyons was the first female in the House of Representatives. Both were elected in 1943.

At the front of the building is a large statue of King George V, the reigning monarch when Australia achieved independence. Another statue of the King is located in the main entrance hall.

The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons
The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons
King George V Memorial
King George V Memorial
King George V Statue
King George V Statue

The House of Representatives

To reflect the inheritance of the Westminster System, the House of Representatives is predominantly green, with the carpet and chairs this colour. The Speaker Seat is a copy of the one in The House of Commons presented to Australia by Empire Parliamentary Association in 1926. Interestingly, the original seat in London was destroyed in an air raid during the Second World War. The one used now is a copy of the Australian copy, gifted to the House of Commons by the Australian Parliament.

Visitors are free to walk around the chamber and view the area as the politicians used to.

Entrance to the House of Representatives
Entrance to the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives Old Parliament House Canberra
The House of Representatives
Chamber of the House of Representatives, with the Mace of the Speaker on display
Chamber of the House of Representatives, with the Mace of the Speaker on display

Prime Ministers Office

Considering the importance of the office, it is remarkably small with small desk and meeting area.

The Prime Minister's Office
The Prime Minister’s Office
Government Party Room Old Parliament House Canberra
Government Party Room

Speaker of the House Office

Being almost as large as the Prime Minister’s office shows the importance of the Speaker in the running of Parliament.

The Speakers' Office Old Parliament House Canberra
The Speakers’ Office

The Senate

Predominantly red in colour to reflect its association with the British House of Lords, the Senate Chamber is far less crowded than the House of Representatives. Each senator had their own desk. This was because there were only half the number of senators in the same sized room.

Entrance to the Senate Chamber
Entrance to the Senate Chamber
The Senate Chamber
The Senate Chamber

President of the Senate

Suite of the President of the Senate Old Parliament House Canberra
Suite of the President of the Senate
Senators' Meeting Room Old Parliament House Canberra
Senators’ Meeting Room

Special Exhibitions

A replica set of the British Crown Jewels are on display during our visit. Excellent copies of the originals, great to see and certainly easier to visit than going to London.

Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)
Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)
Replicas of the Imperial State Crown (left). Queen Victoria's crown (centre) and the Imperial Crown of India (right)
Replicas of the Imperial State Crown (left). Queen Victoria’s crown (centre) and the Imperial Crown of India (right)
Replica Crown Jewels
Replica Crown Jewels

What Did We Think?

A great place to learn about how Australian democracy works. Not only an interesting old building with its own importance, but a showcase of how the Westminster style of government operates.

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