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Category: History

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Australian National Maritime Museum

HMAS Vampire National Maritime Museum

Australian National Maritime Museum

Covering Australia’s maritime history from pre-colonial times to the present, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney has an excellent collection of ships and artefacts on display. The most obvious displays are the ships and boats of the heritage fleet docked on Darling Harbour, but those inside also deserve a lot of attention.

Indigenous Watercraft

As the oldest users of the Australian coast and waterways, a large section is devoted to indigenous watercraft and heritage. Displays of canoes from around Australia and the Torres Strait are on display.

Aboriginal Bark Canoe
Aboriginal Bark Canoe
Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people
Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people

Kay Cottee and Blackmores First Lady

In 1989, Kay Cottee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world alone, without stopping, without assistance, by way of both hemispheres and the five southernmost capes. It took her 189 days in Blackmores First Lady, in a time before Social Media and with poor communications.

Visitors are able to enter the boat and experience how small it is. Getting on board really makes you realise what an incredible achievement it was.

Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
Inside Kay Cottee's Blackmores First Lady Australian National Maritime Museum
Inside Kay Cottee’s Blackmores First Lady

Model Ships

One section of the Museum has beautifully made ship models relevant to Australia. As the museum is based in Sydney most of the Royal Australian Navy’s shops named HMAS Sydney are displayed. The largest and most impressive is the aircraft carrier, which has amazing detail.

Other models range from sailing ships to bulk iron ore carriers. All were important either for exploration or trade.

Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
A model of BHP Pacific Iron
A model of BHP Pacific Iron
Sailing Ship Model Australian National Maritime Museum
Sailing Ship Model

Other Exhibits

Interesting displays located throughout the museum include the ships bell from USS Canberra (AG-2) which was named after HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Second World War. A 40mm cannon from a Royal Australian Navy ship lets you get a close up look at this important anti-aircraft weapon.

The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2 Australian National Maritime Museum
The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2
Spirit of Australia - The World's Fastest Boat 1978 Australian National Maritime Museum
Spirit of Australia – The World’s Fastest Boat 1978
Bofors 40mm cannon Australian National Maritime Museum
Bofors 40mm cannon
Up Close with a Figurehead
Deep Sea Diver Statue Australian National Maritime Museum
Deep Sea Diver Statue

HMAS Vampire

HMAS Vampire (II) D11 was a Daring class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy.  Launched in 1959 and decommissioned in 1986. Entry to Vampire and the other ships is included in the ticket cost of the Maritime Museum (as of March 2024).

HMAS Vampire National Maritime Museum
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vampire 4.5" Guns National Maritime Museum
HMAS Vampire 4.5″ Guns
Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
Senior Ratings' Lounge HMAS Vampire
Senior Ratings’ Lounge HMAS Vampire

HMAS Onslow

HMAS Onslow was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy. Commissioned 1969 in and decommissioned in 1999. Walking through the submarine makes you realise how cramped the conditions are. This isn’t somewhere I would want to live months on end.

HMAS Onslow Warship Submarine
HMAS Onslow
Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
Engine Room HMAS Onslow
Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
Engine Room HMAS Onslow
Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow

Historical Fleet

The historical fleet contains ships that have importance to Australia’s maritime heritage. Possibly the most impressive to still be preserved is the Krait. This ex-Japanese fishing boat was used by Australia Special Forces during the Second World War to sneak into Singapore Harbour where they damaged 37,000 tonnes of Japanese ships.

HMAS Advance
HMAS Advance patrol boat
MV Krait
MV Krait
Lightship Carpentaria
Lightship Carpentaria
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Maitland Gaol NSW Australia

Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower

Maitland Gaol NSW Australia

Although outdated and no longer in use, the Maitland Gaol in NSW Australia is now a tourist attraction. Several options are available when visiting, guided tours, self guided tours or a guard tower tour. We chose the last option, as this takes you up onto the walls of the gaol, providing better views over the buildings. The guide also gives a commentary full of interesting information. Additionally, you can do the self guided tour when you finish on the walls.

Getting There

Located in East Maitland NSW Australia, the gaol has its own car park, so self -drive is usually not a problem.

Watch Towers

Before undertaking the tour, a safety talk ensures that you understand the risks and behaviour expected. The main risks are heights and enclosed spaces. These are all managed with guard rails, but if you suffer from heights and enclosed spaces, the guard tower tour might not be for you.

Climbing to the top of the tower is via a modern metal spiral staircase inside one of the towers. Once at the top, you are safely enclosed by a metal frame and mesh wire. The view from the top is amazing, providing views over the gaol. The hour long tour took us along the walls where guards used to patrol and through several towers.

Guard Tower
Guard Tower
Stairs up to the watch tower
Stairs up to the watch tower
Outer Wall Maitland Gaol
Outer Wall
Walkway on the wall
Walkway on the wall
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire Maitland Gaol
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire

Prison Cells

Originally opening in December 1848, Maitland Gaol did not close until January 1998. By this time it no longer met community standards.

The cells and exercise yards are open for visitors to explore where you get to see the conditions the prisoners were held in. The rooms are small and basic reflecting the times in which they were built.

Gaol Cells
Gaol Cells
Gaol Cell Maitland Gaol
Gaol Cell
B-Wing Cells
B-Wing Cells
Exercise Area
Exercise Area

Buildings

Built of sandstone, the buildings are impressive in size and certainly look substantial and difficult to escape from.

In addition to the cell blocks, there is a chapel with stain glass windows where religious services took place weekly.

As the number of prisoners increased over time, the gaol expanded. This is best seen from the guard towers where the original wall now runs down the centre of the gaol forming a dividing wall.

At this time a building for female prisoners was added. It originally had a balcony and doors facing into the gaol. Later, the women were relocated to another facility and the balcony was removed and the doors filled in. Different coloured sandstone in the walls shows where this happened.

A-Wing and the Chapel
A-Wing and the Chapel
Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower
Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire Maitland Gaol
Dividing Wall and Razor Wire
The old Female Section (rear) and day-cells
The old Female Section (rear) and day-cells. The different sandstone blocks show where the doorways onto the balcony used to be.
Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel
Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel
The Kitchen Workers' Cells Maitland Gaol
The Kitchen Workers’ Cells

Other Buildings Nearby

Opposite the gaol is the East Maitland Courthouse. This building is still operating as a children’s’ court, so access is restricted. However, if the court is closed, you can enter the carpark and see the front facade.

Located next to the gaol on Lindesay Street are the old Mounted Police Barracks. Used by the Maitland and Beyond Family Heritage, it is generally closed to the public. However the outside of the buildings can be viewed from the road.

East Maitland Court House Maitland Gaol
East Maitland Court House
Mounted Police Barracks Maitland Gaol
Mounted Police Barracks
Mounted Police Barracks
Mounted Police Barracks
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Tocal Homestead New South Wales

Tocal Homestead

Tocal Homestead New South Wales

Located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, the Tocal Homestead is a historic house and associated buildings originally established in 1822 by J. P. Webber. In 1834 the property was sold to Caleb and Felix Wilson, who commissioned the homestead as a country retreat from their Sydney business.

Subsequently the farm was leased to the Reynolds family who occupied it for two generations adding many of the wooden buildings to the farm. In 1926, four siblings of the Alexander family purchased the property. The last, C.B. Alexander died in 1947, leaving all of his properties tied in a complex will which stipulated that it was to be used for destitute and homeless children. Eventually this became the Tocal Agricultural College, now run by the NSW Department of Agriculture. The college is located not far from the homestead and is now an important educator in the agricultural industry.

An additional stipulation of the will was the allowance of his two nieces Myrtle and Marguerita Curtiss be allowed to live out their lives at the homestead. This they did until 1985 when they died within five days of each other.

Getting There

Located a 15-minute drive from Maitland, the homestead is well sign posted and easy to find. During our visit, it was only open on Sundays from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, but check their website for updated times and dates.

Tocal Homestead

The tour of the homestead is self-guided, with a map and personal audio player provided at reception. This allows you to self-pace around the property, taking your time at places of interest and moving on from others. The descriptions of each room, their uses and furnishings were excellent.

Tocal Homestead
Tocal Homestead
Main entrance
Main entrance
Book collection
Book collection
Lounge room Tocal Homestead New South Wales
Lounge room
Family room
Family room
Family room
Family room
Family dining room Tocal Homestead New South Wales
Dining room
kitchen
Kitchen
Looking down the staircase
Looking down the staircase
One of he Curtiss sisters' rooms
One of he Curtiss sisters’ rooms

Alexander was keen to use new technology, installing electricity in the homestead. Not only did he purchase a generator, but also sufficient battery storage in case the generator failed.

Lister engine and generator
Lister engine and generator
Battery storage for the generator Tocal Homestead New South Wales
Battery storage for the generator

Internal Lift

Another innovation Alexander adopted was the internal lift so that the upper floor could be accessed as he aged. Unfortunately, on one night while alone in the house, one of the Curtiss sisters was trapped in the lift. She had to wait until the staff arrived in the morning to let her out.

Internal lift Tocal Homestead New South Wales
Internal lift

Farm Buildings and Equipment

Designed by architect James Blackett the largest barn has amazing internal framework for the roof is a work of art. As you walk around, you get to meet some of the animals as you walk past the pig stye and chicken run.

Near the homestead is a garage with a 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom in immaculate condition, along with the first tractor used at Tocal, a Twin City 17-28 imported from Minneapolis USA.

Bull barn Tocal Homestead New South Wales
Bull barn
Barn
The Blackett Barn
Inside the barn
Inside The Blackett Barn
Horse stables
Horse stables
Webber's cottage
Webber’s cottage
Webber's cottage
Webber’s cottage
Garage Tocal Homestead New South Wales
Garage
Pigs Tocal Homestead New South Wales
Pigs
Tocal's first tractor a Twin City 17-28
Tocal’s first tractor a Twin City 17-28
1929 Rolls Royce Phantom Tocal Homestead New South Wales
1929 Rolls Royce Phantom

Wedding Venue

The homestead is a popular wedding venue, with its wonderfully decorated rooms and gardens.

Fig tree in the homestead garden
Fig tree in the homestead garden. A favorite spot for wedding photos.

Visitors’ Centre and Cafe

At the end of the tour, we went back to reception where we ordered a Devonshire Tea. The little cafe overlooks the surrounding farmland and was very relaxing.

Devonshire Tea
Devonshire Tea