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Category: National Park

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Goat Island Sydney Harbour

Gunpowder Magazine Walls

Getting to Goat Island

Goat Island in Sydney Harbour is administered by National Parks and Wildlife and tours are organised and conducted by Rangers. We met our guide at Circular Quay wharf 6 where we boarded the ferry for a quick trip to the island. Access to the island is prohibited unless you are on an official tour, because of its heritage listed status. This tour takes 2 hours, which is plenty of time to see all of the island’s history.

Original Use

The original use for Goat Island was gunpowder storage and the most impressive building there is the old magazine. Built using convict labour this sandstone building has 2m thick walls, as a precaution to contain any explosions.

It was interesting to see the difference between the convict-built buildings and those built after. The convict buildings are of excellent construction and quality, but hose built afterwards are of a far lesser standard as the government paid for their construction.

Some boat maintenance is still performed on the island at the old shipyards but the facilities are a shadow of what happened there when Sydney was a large boat building harbour. The old crane still standing there is a reminder of the industry that used to be there.

  • View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
    View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
  • View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
    View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
  • Gunpowder Magazine Entrance
    Gunpowder Magazine Entrance
  • Gunpowder Magazine Walls
    Gunpowder Magazine Walls
  • Interior of the Gunpowder Magazine
    Interior of the Gunpowder Magazine
  • Magazine Memorial Plaque
    Magazine Memorial Plaque
  • Convict Built Building on Goat Island
    Convict Built Building on Goat Island
  • Convict Built Building on Goat Island
    Convict Built Building on Goat Island
  • Old Derelict Crane
    Old Derelict Crane

Harbour Master’s Residence

The harbour master’s residence overlooking the harbour is a beautiful old building but is currently unused. Plans to develop it and several surrounding cottages did not materialise leaving it unoccupied.

We also stopped at Boney Anderson’s rock where he was chained for 2 years as punishment for bad behaviour. The small cutting in the rock was where he slept.

Harbour Master's Residence
Harbour Master’s Residence
Boney Anderson's Bed Goat Island
Boney Anderson’s Bed

Water Police

The tour also takes in the old water police and fire tender wharf which are in poor condition. Only the piers of the wharf remain and although they make an interesting photo it would have been   nicer had it been preserved. The building is badly in need of renovating because although the structure appears sound, the interior walls and floors need repair.

Filmed on the island, the Australian TV show Water Rats built a set there. Unfortunately once filming stopped the set was not removed and remains an eye sore on the waterfront because it’s style does not match the historic buildings elsewhere.

  • Old Water Police Wharf Goat Island
    Old Water Police Wharf
  • Cottage Interior
    Cottage Interior

What Did We Think of Goat Island?

We had a fantastic time on Goat Island and learnt a great deal from our guide. This tour is highly recommended to anyone who wants to find out more about Australia’s past.

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

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Amazing Glenrock State Conservation Area

Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down

Glenrock State Conservation Area

Yuelarbah Track

The Glenrock State Conservation Area contains several great walking tracks. The Yuelarbah Track is a nice walking track which follows Flaggy Creek down to Glenrock Lagoon through the coastal forest. The track is downhill most of the way to the lagoon and Burwood Beach, making is a fairly easy walk. It much harder on the return walk as it is uphill. Parts of the track are rough rocks so it is necessary to be careful with your footing. Part way along the track, the pathway splits enabling you to walk on either side of the creek. Both banks of the creek offer interesting spots, so walk down one side and back the other.

Walking along, you will find some great places to look at the creek and enjoy the scenery. Even the stairs and walkways are great to look at.

  • Start of Yuelarbah Track
    Start of Yuelarbah Track
  • Yuelarbah Track Glenrock State Conservation Area
    Yuelarbah Track
  • Flaggy Creek Yuelarbah Track
    Flaggy Creek Yuelarbah Track
  • Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
    Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
  • Rock Cutting
    Rock Cutting
  • Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Up
    Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Up
  • Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
    Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down

Glenrock State Conservation Area Glenrock Lagoon

Halfway to the beach, on the left hand bank of Flaggy Creek, is a lookout which provides great views over the Glenrock State Conservation Area.

Glenrock Lagoon From Lookout Glenrock State Conservation Area
Glenrock Lagoon From Lookout

As you near the beach you will pass Glenrock Lagoon which looks tranquil compared to the ocean nearby. There is also a bench seat where you can sit and admire the views before walking down to the beach.

Glenrock Lagoon and Burwood Beach Glenrock State Conservation Area
Glenrock Lagoon and Burwood Beach

Burwood Beach

Burwood Beach has been quiet both times we were there making it very peaceful and relaxing. As this is not a patrolled beach, so swimming is not recommended.

Burwood Beach Glenrock State Conservation Area
Burwood Beach
Burwood Beach Glenrock State Conservation Area
Burwood Beach

Returning to the carpark is either back the way you came or on the opposite bank of Flaggy Creek. We chose the second option for some variety as the scenery is slightly different.

This is a pleasant walk with a nice little beach at the end to relax on.

Hickson Street Lookout to Burwood Beach Trail

This trail descends from Hickson Street down a hill side to Burwood Beach. The majority of the track is made of mesh metal walkways and with formed steps. However there are small areas where the path is unformed and goes over rocks. These areas are small and easily negotiable but the track is steep, so take care.

Parking is available on Hickson Street, but is limited and may become crowded at peak times. A launch platform for hang gliders is located at the top of the hill, where you will find view over the coastline.

  • Walking Trail Hickson Street Lookout
    Walking Trail Hickson Street Lookout
  • Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
    Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
  • Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
    The Trail Down to Burwood Beach
  • Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
    Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
  • Walking Trail Winding Down to the Beach
    Walking Trail Winding Down to the Beach

Burwood Beach

The track finishes at Burwood Beach, where you will find an information board detailing the area. The northern part of the beach is a rock platform, which has rock pools and some interesting weathering features in the rocks.

  • Burwood Beach
    Burwood Beach
  • Burwood Beach and Rock Platform
    Rock Platform at Burwood Beach
  • Burwood Beach
    Burwood Beach
  • Burwood Beach
    Burwood Beach

Rock Platform

Walking south from the beach, you will find Glenrock Lagoon, where you can walk up Flaggy Creek on the Yuelarbah Track. If you walk north you will get to the Merewether Baths and beach.

We chose to sit on the beach for a while watching the surfers, before taking the track back up the hill.

  • Rock Platform
    Rock Platform
  • Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
    Eroded Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
  • Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
    Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
  • Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
    Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform

To find out about some other great places to go in NSW, please read some o our other stories.

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Fingal Bay and Port Stephens Lighthouse

Sand Spit Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia

Fingal Bay

Located in Port Stephens near Newcastle Fingal Bay is a quiet town catering to the tourists interested in the beach and surroundings. Our reason for visiting was to walk across the sand spit from the mainland to Shark Island. This spit is submerged at high tide, so we chose two hours before low tide for the walk. There are warning signs stating the dangers of crossing if the spit is submerged. We started the morning with a snack at the Longboat Cafe before walking down the beach and across to the island. This was a very relaxing walk, with great scenery.

Sand Spit Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia
Sand Spit
Rock Formations Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia
Rock Formations on Shark Island
Mount Tamaree From Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia
Mount Tamaree From Shark Island

Port Stephens Lighthouse and Shark Island

Once on the island, we followed the marked trail to the Port Stephens Lighthouse, which was an easy walk. Well maintained, the lighthouse is still operational and therefore cannot be entered. The old lighthouse keeper’s cottage is being restored by National Parks and Wildlife, but still looks nice, with its old sandstone walls. Before returning to across the spit, we explored the sand cove on the island. Here, we found some interesting rock formations as well as views out to Tomaree Headland.

Walking Track to Port Stephens Lighthouse Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia
Walking Track to Port Stephens Lighthouse
Port Stephens Lighthouse Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia
Port Stephens Lighthouse
Light House Keeper's Cottage Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia
Light House Keeper’s Cottage

Barry Park Lookout

While in the area, we also visited Barry Park Lookout. There are beautiful views out over Fingal Bay towards Shark Island, making this a great stop while here. The gardens and short walks are well put together and maintained and the seating makes it a great place for a picnic.

Barry Point Lookout Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia
Barry Point Lookout

We have previously walked to the summit of Mount Tomaree and visited Nelson Bay and these are two other great options if you are in the area.

Remember to check the tide times for Fingal Bay before you go as people have drowned in the area, while trying to cross the spit.

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