This amazing Airshow was held at the Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park Rail. Located just south of Wollongong in Shellharbour the setting was beautiful with the amazing Illawarra Escarpment providing a great backdrop to the show. Wings Over Illawarra 2018 had an excellent combination of warbirds, aerobatics and modern RAAF aircraft
We stayed in Wollongong the night before at Sage Hotel. Located near Wollongong Beach. We had a leisurely evening and morning before driving to the Airshow. Parking was well organised with two off site areas and shuttle buses running to the event.
Tickets
Having purchased tickets on-line entry was quick and easy after which we walked around the static displays dotted around the airfield. Unfortunately, many were parked on the far side of the airfield, so it was difficult to get a good view of them.
The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society is based at the airport and had its hangers open and aircraft on display. They have an impressive collection including a Qantas Boeing 747, Super Constellation, Neptune, Orion, DC4 and. Southern Cross replica. There was also a Catalina open for a walk through for a small $5 donation. A great experience having never been in one before. Nearby was an F111, Sabre, Hunter and many other aircraft.
This was an excellent mix of display types and kept everyone entertained for the day. For a better view and good seating next time, we will splash out and buy gold passes. This guarantees front row seats in the grandstand at the centre of the rune way.
Ironfest is an annual event held in Lithgow New South Wales. It showcases many genres of cosplay and historical re-enactment. The venue is the Lithgow Showgrounds which gives the event plenty of scope to place similar themes together. We found that it was easy to find a specific performance or theme, using the timetable and map provided on Ironfest’s website.
Cosplay and Steampunk at Ironfest
As you meander around Ironfest, you will meet the characters and participants that make this kind of event special. People dressed as steampunk and wastelanders predominated, although there were plenty of US Civil war veterans and Vikings.
In the World War Two section, Germans, Russians and American camps were all next to each other and getting on amiably. Even the French Resistance was represented. The detail in the camps was amazing and the historical accuracy is something they were all dedicated to.
US Army GeneralUS SergeantFrench ResistanceThe RussiansGerman Guards
Military Equipment
There was a huge section of military vehicles, from World War Two and later. There were several examples of Ferret and Saracen as well as a huge Abbot 105mm self-propelled artillery piece and an M3 Stuart tank.
Ferret Armored CarSaracen APCAbbot
Vikings
Towards the rear of the show grounds was a Viking camp. Interested people were able to try out Viking chain mail and weapons. The camp was working as a real Viking setting, with cooking and cleaning done historically. Washing was demonstrated using wood ash and lots of physical effort to clean clothes. There was even a minstrel playing a lute.
Clothes Washing Viking styleViking Minstral
US Civil War
Near the Vikings was a US Civil War camp, with both sides present. Again historical accuracy was very important from tents to equipment. The first display in the main arena involved these people demonstrating their muskets and canons in a mass firepower display. In addition to the smoke generated the noise was amazing.
March in For Firepower DisplayCivil War Camp SiteCampCivil War Headquarters
Main Arena – Tourney Ground
Major activities took place in the arena. The MC was the Iron Monk, who did a fantastic job, managing to keep things reasonably on time as well as being very entertaining. After the mass firepower display, the knights demonstrated their skill at arms. This was all done on horseback as it would have been in medieval times. They used lances and swords to hit targets, including rings and cantaloupes thrown into the air.
The view from the grandstand was great with no problems being able to see the events. There was room between the grandstand and the arena, if you wanted to get closer to the action. Neither area was overcrowded and the crowd was very relaxed and enjoying themselves at Ironfest.
The Iron MonkMounted Knight Charging TargetMounted Knight Charging TargetKnight Charging TargetMounted Knight Charging TargetMounted Knight Charging TargetSquire and Mounted Knights
Later in the day the medieval foot soldiers put on a display of sword fighting. Initially as one on one and then as a large melee. They all seemed to be having fun and played the part very well.
If you weren’t keen on the historical food on offer, there was plenty of modern food stalls available. We had a fantastic time at Ironfest and can see why people keep going back each year. A great day out in Lithgow.
For other places to visit in New South Wales, please read some of our other stories.
Hyde Park is in the centre of Sydney and is a fantastic retreat from the hustle and traffic of the city. It is cool and shady and there is plenty of seating set around the park. Park Street divides Hyde Park in two, however there are pedestrian crossings at the lights at either end and the centre.
ANZAC Memorial
The ANZAC Memorial was built to commemorate the Australian Imperial Force of World War I. It is the focal point of the southern section of Hyde Park, along with the Pool of Reflection. On ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day the memorial is the central focus of the ceremonies, so can be extremely busy..
120,000 gold stars covered the domed ceiling, representing all those from New South Wales who served in World War One. The centre piece of the interior is a bronze statue of a deceased youth, representing a soldier, held aloft on his shield.
To the north is the pool of reflection and a long tree-lined pathway. It is very shady and cool in the Australian summer. A great place to sit quietly and relax.
This is one of the must-see places in Sydney.
The ANZAC Memorial
Pathway to ANZAC Memorial
Emden Gun
This gun is a 4″ Gun taken from the German raider “Emden” destroyed by H.M.A.S. Sydney in 1914. A gift from the Commonwealth Government to the citizens of Sydney. Historically important, to Australia as a whole and Sydney in particular.
The Emden Gun
The Munitions Statue
This statue consists of four individual seven-metre tall steel and marble bullets, sitting next to three fallen shells, all on a large boomerang-shaped concrete base. They represent the reality of war. Specifically they depict the sculptor’s (Tony Albert) grandfather and six companions. The three fallen shells represent those who were killed.
The Munitions Statue
The Munitions Statue
Hyde Park Obelisk
The Hyde Park Obelisk is on the intersection of Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets. Built in 1857 the obelisk was a vent for the sewer system. It is now used to ventilate the storm water system. At 22m it’s hard to miss. Interesting for what it is, but not worth taking too much time over.
Hyde Park Obelisk
Statue of Fire, Water and Earth.
Located on the western side of the park, near Elizabeth street, is a three-piece sandstone sculpture representing the three elements, by Gerard Havekes. A creative and interesting piece of art work and worth finding to have a look at it.
Earth Wind and Fire
Captain Cook Statue
This bronze statue commemorates Captain James Cook, the first Englishman to chart the east coast of Australia. It was officially unveiled in 1879. Worth looking at for the historical significance of Cook.
Captain Cook Statue
Archibald Fountain
The focus of the northern park is the Archibald Fountain. Named after the editor of the Bulletin Magazine who donated the funds to have it built. It was designed by a French sculptor, both because of Archibald’s love of French culture and to commemorate the ties between Australia and France from the First World War.
Seats surround the fountain making it a very restful place, right in the middle of Sydney.
The Archibald Fountain
Sandringham Gardens
Near Park Street are the Sandringham Gardens. They surround a circular fountain and commemorate King George V and King George VI. It is an attractive setting and a beautiful place to walk around.
Sandringham Gardens
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Dalley was born to convict parent and rose to be the first Australian appointed to the Privy Council. He was well-respected and this monument was erected to honor him. Located on the northern edge of Hyde Park it is easy to find.
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Cannon
Sitting among the flower beds on College Street is a bronze cannon. It used to form part of Sydney’s defense at Bennelong Point. Dating from 1808 it is worth a look as you pass by.
Cannon
Governor Lachlan Macquarie Statue
The most northerly Statue in the Gardens is that of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. He was Governor from 1810 to 1821 and was responsible for the social, economic and architectural development of the colony. Located looking down the road named after him, it is very easy to find. As a major figure in Australia’s history, the statue is worth looking for.
Major General Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Statues
Although not in the park, there are two statues located just to its northern boundary in Queen’s Square. To the West is Queen Victoria and to the east is her consort, Prince Albert. If you are in Hyde Park, it is worth crossing the road to have a look at them.
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert
St Mary’s Cathedral
Dominating the eastern side of the park is St Mary’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and is the Cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Beautiful inside as well as out, this is one of the great buildings in Sydney. As well as the interior you can visit the crypts. To visit the crypts, buy tickets from the gift shop. We were the only ones there when we went. Many early bishops of Sydney are interred in the crypt, so it is interesting historically. In addition, the architecture is fantastic and well worth spending time down there to admire it.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Pope Statue , Saint Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt
Hyde Park
So if you are in Sydney, you can easily spend most of a day looking around Hyde Park and its surrounding areas. Nearby is the Australian Museum and Macquarie Street with most of central Sydney very close as well. For other places to see in Sydney, please read some of our other stories.
