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Category: Royal Australian Navy

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Woolwich Dock on Sydney Harbour

Harbour end of Woolwich Dock

Woolwich Dock

Originally the largest dry dock in Australia when completed in 1910, Woolwich Dock is now a reminder of the past. Owned by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the dock is well maintained and access is free.

Getting There

Only a ten-minute walk from Woolwich Wharf, Woolwich Dock was once a bustling shipyard, but is now a quiet reminder of the past. Boat maintenance still takes place, but not on the huge scale in the first half of last century.

One of the best ways to get around Sydney is the ferry and train system, especially if you want to visit places close to the harbour. Ferries run regularly from convenient points all over the harbour.

The Goat Paddock

Access to the dock is through the Goat Paddock, with nicely maintained gardens. There are also great views of Sydney Harbour, along with bench seats to relax on and admire the scenery. Not sure why it’s called the goat paddock, maybe some used to be kept there in the past.

  • The Goat Paddock
    The Goat Paddock
  • Sydney Harbour and Bridge From Woolwich Dock
    Sydney Harbour and Bridge From Woolwich Dock

Woolwich Dock

Located at the base of the Goat Paddock, Woolwich Dock is accessible on both sides. A walkway runs around the dock, with handrails for protection. The rail track used for the 100 ton crane is still in place, which is great.

At the end of the dock is what looks like an old ship. It’s actually the caisson, which was used to block the open end of the dock, before pumping it dry. Several very handy information boards explain the dock’s operation, which were very useful.

Along with the dock, the caisson was very interesting to see.

Several expensive yachts were moored here, possibly for maintenance, as the Harbour Trust leases workshops to several companies.

The end of the dock ends in a cliff overhang, where ferns have grown into the sandstone, making it look beautiful. For a great perspective view, walk to the Woolwich Lookout, where a bird’s eye view lets you appreciate the dock and the harbour.

  • Information Board
    Information Board Explaining the Dock’s Use
  • Information Board
    Information Board
  • The Caisson
    The Caisson
  • Woolwich Dock
    Woolwich Dock
  • Woolwich Dock From Viewing Platform
    The View From Woolwich Lookout
  • Harbour end of Woolwich Dock
    Harbour end of the Dock
  • End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
    End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
  • End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
    End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
  • Yacht Docked in Woolwich
    Yacht Docked in Woolwich

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

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Nowra New South Wales Australia

Hanging Rock

How to Get There

Only two and a half hours drive south of Sydney, Nowra is a great place to explore the nearby Kangaroo Valley and Shoalhaven District. Public transport by train and bus goes to Nowra, but you will then need to organise personal transport to explore outside of the town.

Where Did We Stay

While in Nowra, we stayed at Springs Shoalhaven, because it was in a quiet location and had an on-site restaurant at the adjoining club. The clean rooms and great views over the golf course we a nice place to relax before going out for dinner. The meals at the club were great and the staff friendly.

Nowra’s Buildings

Wandering through Nowra’s business district, we found several nice old buildings, which were worth stopping to look at.

Roxy Theatre
Roxy Theatre
Mechanics' Institute and School of Arts
Mechanics’ Institute and School of Arts
Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church
Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

Nowra Street Art

Walking through the central shopping district of Nowra, you will come across many pieces of excellent street art decorated buildings. Mostly located around the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, others can be found in side streets, which makes them fun to track down while exploring.

Aboriginal Child - Street Art Nowra
Aboriginal Child – Street Art Nowra
Quest Street Art in Nowra
Quest Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art
Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
Car on Garage Door Street Art
Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
Car on Garage Door Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art
Car on Garage Door Street Art in Nowra
Car on Garage Door Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art
Cockatoo Street Art in Nowra
Cockatoo Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art
Street Art in Nowra
Street Art

Ben’s Walk

The walk loops around the Shoalhaven River, through its gorges and forests. The walk begins at the Nowra Showground, where you can enjoy a barbecue, and superb views of the river and mountains from Hanging Rock. The complete track provides a return walk of about 5.5 kilometres taking around two hours. A short return walk from the footbridge to the Showground and Hanging Rock takes around 10 minutes. A suspension bridge provides a fun crossing of the river.

Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock
Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
Shoalhaven River From Hanging Rock Lookout
Stairs to Ben's Walk
Stairs to Ben’s Walk
Suspension Bridge Across Nowra Creek
Suspension Bridge Across Nowra Creek

Soldiers’ Monument

Opened in 1931, this memorial commemorates all those who served in conflicts that involved Australia. The bronze statue represents an Australian soldier, his helmet and rifle discarded now that has won and returned home, but remains forever vigil.

Nowra Soldiers Memorial
Nowra Soldiers Memorial
Nowra Soldiers Memorial
Nowra Soldiers Memorial

Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum

The museum has an almost complete collection of the aircraft operated by the RAN.  This ranges from the early 1950s when HMAS Sydney and Melbourne were acquired to a recently retired Seahawk helicopter.  A purpose-built air-conditioned building houses all the displays. Inside a raised mezzanine floor provides an excellent overhead perspective of the displays.  This is something that many aviation museums are lacking.  There is also plenty of space between each display so that they can be seen easily without the crowding that some museums use.

To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5 Fleet Air Arm Museum Nowra HMAS Albatross www.destinationsjourney.com
RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5

What Did We Think of Nowra?

A great place to stay with a range of activities to do and things to see. We used it as a base for exploring Kangaroo Valley and further afield to Kiama and the Illawarra.

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

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Middle Head Sydney Harbour

View to South Head Across the Harbour Middle Head Sydney Harbour

Middle Head

Middle Head on Sydney Harbour houses the remains of Sydney’s original fortifications. Designed to repel an invasion from the sea, these huge concrete structures no longer have their guns, but remain as a reminder of times when Australia thought it was going to be invaded.

The Royal Australian Navy still has a presence in the area with HMAS Penguin still an active naval base. The car park for Middle Head is near the base. There is a fee for parking here and ticket machines are located in the car park.

Several of the old administration buildings are still in use and you walk past them on your way to the gun emplacements. The concrete structures are extensive, and you are free to walk around, through and over them. We explored them for a while and then admired the views over the harbour and towards North Head and South Head with Hornby Lighthouse.

  • Fortifications Middle Head Sydney Harbour
    Fortifications
  • Fortifications Middle Head Sydney Harbour
    Fortifications
  • View to North Head Across the Harbour Middle Head Sydney Harbour
    View to North Head Across the Harbour
  • View to South Head Across the Harbour Middle Head Sydney Harbour
    View to South Head Across the Harbour

There is a small display of cannon carriages, but this is in need of signage and maintenance to give context to the display. Likewise, the tiger cages constructed in the area require an explanation to make them relevant.

  • Tiger Cage Middle Head Sydney Harbour
    Tiger Cage

There are no food and drink outlets on the site, but we took our own and had a great view over the harbour while we ate.

Beehive Casements

Situated on Middle Head and maintained by National Parks and Wildlife, this old fortress can only be accessed by a guided tour. Details of the dates and costs can be found on NPWS website.

To get there, you drive through leafy Mossman and pass many lovely houses. Parking in the area is limited, so either arrive early, or walk from one of the larger car parks. Warning signs along the road show that parking in a non designated area will incur a $300 fine.

Beehive Casements Tour

The guide met us at the beehive casements where he gave an overview of their history and significance to Sydney. We then walked down stairs to the interior of the fort. The stairs can be slippery so take care. Once inside, you can see the extent of the excavations needed to build them. The passageways are often wet, because the sandstone they were built with is porous and water constantly sleeps through.

Embrasures facing Sydney Harbour provide a magnificent view and show why the forts were built here as they have a commanding view of any ships attempting to enter the harbour.

The shape of the interior provides the name of the casements, as they look like a conical beehives. The remains of several old cannons lie on the rock floors, but have unfortunately been burnt by vandals in the past. Some other remnants like racks for tools and coat racks still line the walls but have become rotted or rusty, providing some interesting photographic opportunities.

  • Beehive Casements Upper Works

    Upper Works of the Beehive Casements
  • Beehive Casements Tunnel
    Beehive Casements Tunnel
  • Beehive Casements Interior
    Beehive Casements Interior
  • Stairs Down to Lower Level
    Stairs Down to Lower Level
  • Burnt Cannon Carriage
    Burnt Cannon Carriage
  • Burnt Cannon Carriage
    Burnt Cannon Carriage

For another perspective of the beehive casements, look for them when taking the Manly ferry. They can be found low down on the waterline of the cliffs. Looking carefully the three gun embrasures are visible.

Beehive Casements From Sydney Harbour
Beehive Casements From Sydney Harbour

A great place to visit and see Sydney’s early history as well as fantastic views over the harbour. For more early fortifications and military history, visit nearby Bradleys Head and the HMAS Sydney (I) mast and Royal Australian Navy memorials.

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