Located near the North Turramurra Gate and the Lady Davidson Private Hospital, the Sphinx Memorial commemorates the fallen soldiers of World War One. Restored and rededicated in 1995, the memorial now has had a new lease of life.
Made from local sandstone by 5756 Private W. T. Shirley as a memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades, the Sphinx is approximately 1/8th the size of the Great Sphinx, located on Egypt’s Giza Plateau. William Shirley was a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital for returned World War One Australian veterans. Not only suffering from gassing, he had the complication of tuberculosis.
Only able to work one to two hours a day due to his condition, the Sphinx took one and a half years to complete. William Shirley laboured at creating his personal memorial to his fallen A.I.F comrades from 1926 to 1928.
The Sphinx Memorial
Side View of The Sphinx Memorial
The Sphinx Memorial
Carvings on the Memorial
Carvings on the Memorial
The Sphinx Explanation Plaque
What did We Think?
This was a very interesting monument to visit, because it is a personal tribute to fallen comrades. The subject of the sphinx is also unusual but relevant to all the servicemen who fought in the desert.
Sydney Morning Herald Tribute To the Sphinx Memorial
Mr. William T. Shirley, creator of the rock carving, “The Sphinx,” in Kuring-gai Chase, died at the Prince of Wales Hospital on Tuesday. The carving stands as a permanent memorial to the skill and patience of a brave sufferer, who contracted tuberculosis, following on war service.
Mr. Shirley was a stonemason before he left for the war. At the Lady Davidson Home, Turramurra, which he entered for treatment, the ordinary hospital occupations did not seem to appeal to him. As he was not strong enough to return to his trade, it was suggested that he should carve a rock in Kuring-gai Chase on the model of the Great Sphinx of Giza, which guards the entrance to the Nile Valley. He had seen the Great Sphinx before he went to France, and eagerly set about carving one of much smaller dimensions. On account of his health, Mr. Shirley was not allowed to work more than a couple of hours a day, sometimes less, but he made excellent, progress in cutting down the great rock, and within several months the form of The Sphinx took shape.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), 29 August 1929
The Gosford Petroglyphs or Hieroglyphs
For another story about Australia’s connection to Egypt, read about the Gosford Glyphs. Located an hour’s drive from the sphinx the glyphs are interesting, along with the many other attractions around Gosford.
Mainmast of HMAS Adelaide
Sitting next to the Sphinx Memorial is the mainmast of HMAS Adelaide. It is dedicated to World War Two soldiers, sailors, and airmen who died as a result of tuberculosis. The nearby Lady Davidson Repatriation Hospital treated returned servicemen with this condition.
A dedicatory plaque and a plaque explaining the role played by HMAS Adelaide accompany the mast. The plaque makes the presence of the mast clearer as it provides interesting information.
HMAS Adelaide (I) Mast
Dedicatory Plaque For HMAS Adelaide Mainmast
HMAS Adelaide Mainmast Plaque
The Ship’s plaque reads:
The IMPROVED TOWN Class light cruiser HMAS ADELAIDE was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 5th August 1922. Built at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney, HMAS ADELAIDE was active with the Australian Fleet until paid off into reserve in 1928. During the ship’s first commission, HMAS ADELAIDE participated in the 1924/25 world cruise as part of the Royal Navy’s Special Service Squadron and in 1927 proceeded to the Solomon Islands on a peacekeeping cruise.
During 1938/39 the cruiser was modernised to meet the threat from more capable aircraft and recommissioned for service on 13 March 1939.
In the Second World War, HMAS ADELAIDE operated along the Australian eastern and western coasts. During September 1940 she proceeded to the French colony of New Caledonia to help in the transfer of formal control from Vichy to Free French forces and on 28 November 1942, the cruiser sank the German ‘blockade runner’ Ramses.
HMAS ADELAIDE provided gunfire support to landings in Ambon in 1944, before returning to Sydney for duties as a submarine depot ship. On 26 February 1946 HMAS ADELAIDE paid off from naval service and on 21 March 1947 was sold to be broken up in Port Kembla.
The ship’s mainmast was erected adjacent to the Sphinx Memorial in Ku-ring-gai National Park in about 1950.
To commemorate the end of the Second World war as part of the ‘Australia Remembers’ year, the mast was restored and on 9 November 1995, rededicated at an official ceremony.
Only 160 km north of Sydney is Newcastle, Australia’s seventh largest city. Located in the heart of the Hunter Region it i has beautiful beaches and a stunning coastline.
There are some amazing beaches within an hour’s drive of Newcastle and Port Stephens as well as some world-class wineries in the Hunter Valley.
A rail service links Newcastle to Sydney and the rest of New South Wales for easy travel. There is also a local airport with several daily flights. Driving from Sydney using the M1 Pacific Freeway is an easy drive in under two hours.
Nobby’s Headland
Nobbys Headland runs behind Nobbys beach and is a popular place to walk. From the carpark a path leads out to the headland and then along the breakwall. There is a shared track for walkers and bikes, so use care while walking.
At the start of the walk you will find the surf club and a kiosk selling a variety of food and drinks making it a good stop after the walk to the breakwater.
Nobby’s Headland NewcastleA Different View of Nobbys Headland
Nobby’s Lighthouse
Nobby’s Lighthouse is once again open to the public on weekends. If you are walking along the breakwall, this is a steep sidetrack to take to the top of the Headland. There are great views over the harbour and city.
While walking up to the lighthouse, there is a sculpture on the right hand side. This commemorates the Newcastle Lifeboat Service.
Newcastle Lifeboat Service Memorial Sculpture
Newcastle Lifeboat Service Memorial Sculpture
Sculpture Grounded
This sculpture marks the anniversary of the grounding of the ship ‘Pasha Bulker” in fierce storms on 8 June 2007. Grounded is an abstract representation of the ship’s bow. The shape and colour of the sculpture, and its physical placement at Nobbys, will be an important memory marker for the community and a powerful stand-alone work of art. Incorporated into the work is an original section of 22mm plate steel from the rudder of the Pasha Bulker.
The Sculpture Grounded at Nobbys Beach
Newcastle Railway Station
The Newcastle railway station is a heritage-listed railway station. Formerly the main railway station for services to the city, it closed in December 2014. In September 2018, the Newcastle station precinct was reopened as a multipurpose community space branded as The Station.
Newcastle Railway Station
Earp Gillam Bond Store
Now refurbished as an office building, this heritage-listed former bond store at 16 Telford Street was built in 1888. It was the first warehouse of Newcastle merchant firm Earp Gillam & Co., founded in 1883, then-importers of groceries, flour, wine and timber. The warehouse was for the storage and handling of imported goods
Earp Gillam Bond Store
Newcastle Post Office
Built from 1900 to 1903 and added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2000, the Newcastle Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office at 96 Hunter Street . The building has recently changed owners and will now be restored, but is currently disused and access inside is not possible.
Newcastle Post Office
Newcastle War Memorial (Gardner Memorial)
Erected as a fountain in memory of those servicemen killed, or who died in service during World War One, this war memorial is Australia`s first memorial to World War One that incorporated a soldier-statue. Located outside the Old Post Office, it is easy to find.
Newcastle War Memorial (Gardner Memorial)
Newcastle Courthouse
Located at 90 Church Street this beautiful old Art Deco Building is worth visiting even though it no longer in use as a courthouse. The well-maintained facade adds to its architectural appeal. Certainly worth a look.
Newcastle Court House
Former Wickham Infants’ Public School
Located at 64 Hannell Street, Wickham, NSW 2293, the former Wickham Infants School is a significant local landmark in close proximity to the western edge of the Newcastle Harbour. This historically significant building is in the Romanesque style with Gothic influences and was constructed in 1892 . Since the 1980s the building has been associated with the Awabakal community, who recently converted the building for use as office and administration.
Former Wickham Infants’ Public School
Wickham Public School
Built in 1904 and based on the Edwardian style of building Wickham Public School is located at 54 Hannell Street, Wickham NSW 2293. The Public School closed following the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake. In response to the community’s determination to preserve the public school building and find a future purpose, in 1993 the Honeysuckle Development Corporation directed the restoration of the building, adapting its lofty rooms for studio and one bedroom apartments for University of Newcastle students. The grand building was re-occupied in 1995.
Old Wickham Public School
Street Art
There are several places to find street art and sculptures in Newcastle. The full story along with photographs can be found here.
14 Thorn St NewcastleMosaic Laing Street NewcastleStreet Art Laing Street NewcastleThe Painter Street Art Union Lane NewcastleWolf Street Art 424 King St NewcastleSkull Street Art 402 King St NewcastleWaitress Pillar People Street Art
One of the great landmarks in Newcastle, the full story of our visit to the Cathedral can be read here.
Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle
Newcastle Beaches
Great beaches surround Newcastle, from Stockton Beach in the north to Redhead in the south and even the great beaches of the central coast a little further afield. Several of the beaches have ocean baths or pools for a safer swimming experience. Our impressions of the beaches can be found here.
Merewether Beach
Darby Street
Newcastle’s premier eating district, Darby Street offers a large range of coffee shops and eateries from fast food to full table service. This is a very popular area giving variety for everyone. The parking, however, can be a problem in busy times so plan to walk from your parking spot.
Memorial Walk
Located near Bar Beach, Memorial Walk is a tribute to Newcastle’s service personnel. Raised above the cliffs, the walkway gives great views over the coastline.
Placed along the walk are silhouettes of service personnel with the names of the fallen engraved on them. This is a popular walk, there is also wheelchair access at the northern end.
Newcastle Memorial Walk
Civic Park
Situated in the centre of the Newcastle CBD, Civic Park is bordered by council and university buildings on one side and the art gallery and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on the other.
Newcastle Town Hall From Civic Park
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain
Located as the centrepiece of Civic Park is the James Cook Memorial Fountain, built for the bicentenary of Cook’s voyage to the east coast of Australia. This large water feature is a great place in summer, with seats located around it, and impressive at night when illuminated.
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain
War Memorial
The war memorial was originally dedicated to World War Two service personnel, but has since been re-dedicated to all wars Australia has been involved in. Ceremonies are held here throughout the year on relevant anniversaries.
Newcastle War Memorial
Vietnam and National Service Memorial
The Vietnam and National Service Memorial commemorates the soldiers killed during the Vietnam War. A brass plaque on the memorial provides a brief description of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The rear section of the memorial has a separate memorial to Australia’s National Service and Combined Forces personnel.
Baptist Tabernacle
Located above Civic Park the Baptist Tabernacle is an interesting building but is only open to the public during services.
Baptist Tabernacle
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Situated across the road from the Baptist Tabernacle, St Andrews is not always open, so you may have to appreciate this building from the outside.
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Shortland Centenary Fountain
Erected in 1897 by the Mayor David Miller and originally located at Newcastle Beach, this fountain commemorates the centenary (1797-1897) of the European discovery of the area by Lieutenant Shortland. Removed from its original location, it is now located at Christie Park.
Shortland Centenary Fountain
Convict Lumber Yard
The old Convict Lumber Yard sits next to Customs House , which is not far from the old Newcastle Railway Station. Very little of the old site remains, but signs and displays demonstrate what used to happen here
Interesting from a historical perspective its worth a quick view if in the area.
Convict Lumber Yard
Customs House
No longer in use by Australian Border Force, Customs House is now leased as a pub and restaurant. This is a very nice setting with a relaxed atmosphere not far from the CBD and beaches.
While there, admire the beautiful clock tower and the building’s exterior. The pub uses the rooms on the upper floors for events, so if you are lucky to have access you may be available to see inside the tower.
Customs House Newcastle
Foreshore Park
Foreshore Park is a nice grassed are to relax in near the harbour. Originally the site of a power station and train maintenance sheds, there is little to indicate that this now quiet place was once a bustling industrial area.
The power station is completely gone, its location marked by a plaque and while the train sheds still stand, they are used for family gatherings and picnics.
A small lake in the park is the location for the sculpture Resilience, a monument to mental health wellbeing. Not far from here is a small playground where the kids can have fun.
Resilience SculptureTrain Sheds
The Obelisk
Built in 1850 in King Edward Park, the obelisk was used as a marker for ships entering Newcastle Harbour. The area provides great views over the city, with plenty of parking nearby and is close to the Shepherds Hill Complex.
The Obelisk King Edward Park
Shepherds Hill Complex
A relic from World War Two, when the threat of invasion was real, the Shepherd’s Hill Complex was built to defend Newcastle. Consisting of a radar station and gun emplacements, this was an important part of the defence of Australia’s east coast.
These concrete structures can be viewed from outside, but access to the interiors is blocked off with no access. It is an interesting part of the city’s history and worth visiting if you are in the area.
Shepherds Hill Complex
Leading Light Tower
Located on the corner of Brown and Terrell Streets, the lead light was designed to assist shipping navigating Newcastle Harbour. Unfortunately, as the city grew it became obscured from view and has been replaced by new navigation markers.
Designed to look like a medieval tower with battlements it is an interesting and unusual sight not far from Christchurch Cathedral.
Lead Light Tower 34 Brown St.
Stockton Ferry
The Stockton Ferry runs from Queens Wharf in the Newcastle CBD across the harbour to the Stockton Wharf. Running hourly, this ferry service only takes five minutes and is an easy way to travel and quicker than driving. From either side it is easy to see either the inner city and Newcastle beaches or at Stockton the township or breakwater.
Glebe is a beautiful old suburb in Sydney. From foreshore parks, old tram sheds and Federation buildings to a Taoist Temple, there is lots to see and do here. The vibe of the suburb from the main street to the water front is laid back and relaxed. It is a great place to chill out on a day off.
Getting There
Getting there was easy using the light rail from Central Station. From the light rail station, we went into the Tram Sheds for a coffee and to look around the food stalls, which were amazing for the freshness of the produce they were selling.
Tramsheds
The old tram sheds have been repurposed into a remarkable food hall selling fresh produce and containing several eateries. We had a coffee and ate some delicious fresh muffins here, before continuing outside to the parks.
Tram Sheds
Jubilee and Federation Parks
Two parks sit between the Tram Sheds and Rozelle Bay, divided by Johnstone Creek. A bridge crosses this creek, making getting between the two very easy.
Jubilee Park at Glebe Point offers a relaxed place to unwind in a once disused industrial site. Rehabilitated for the Jubilee this grassed area has paved walking tracks and play areas for children. Sections of the park are also dog friendly and while we were there many people took advantage of this with dogs running around and swimming on the foreshore. Being dog friendly, there are many dog drinking fountains spread throughout the park. From what we saw the owners were all very responsible with no dog droppings seen with only friendly dogs running around.
Archways at Glebe Federal Park
Rozelle Bay Waterfront
As an acknowledgement to its industrial past an old crane and winder sit on the waterfront, which are both interesting to look around. Sitting in the bay, is the old Glebe Island Bridge, which is a unique opportunity for a photo. Preserved for its heritage value, this old rotating bridge and can only be viewed from the shore.
The new ANZAC Bridge dominates Rozelle Bay and from the shore, you can glimpse the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the same time, which makes an interesting photo.
Old Winder
Old Wharf CraneGlebe Island Rotating Bridge Rozelle BayANZAC Bridge with Sydney Harbour Bridge
Jetty Jubilee Park
Sze Yup Taoist Temple
Not far from the park is the Sze Yup Taoist temple, which is only one of four pre-World War One Chinese temples still active in Australia. Built from 1898 to 1904 the temple is now listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register.
Sze Yup Taoist Temple
The main road and side streets have a fantastic number of old federation houses and buildings. Walking from the Sze Yup Temple to Glebe Road, we passed several interesting buildings and Federation Style cottages.
Federation Houses
St John’s Church
Located on Glebe Road, this lovely old church is a relaxing stop to walk around and admire. The stone work and doorways are great and even the surrounding stone wall is a work of art.
St John’s ChurchSt John’s Church
World War 1 War Memorial
The World War One Memorial sits next to St John’s Church.
World War 1 War Memorial
Street Art
Walking along the back streets we came across some street art in Mitchel Street There were a few of these art works scattered along the street and some adjacent roads. A great surprise as we walked along.
Street Art Mitchel StreetStreet Art Mitchel StreetOld Glebe Fire Station Mitchell Street
What Did We Think?
Glebe is a wonderfully relaxed place to visit, whether just visiting the foreshore, or venturing into the back streets, there is a huge variety of sites to take in. We had a great morning there.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
