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Category: National Park

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Boarding House Dam Walk

Moss Wall Boarding House Dam Walk Watagans

Getting There

The Boarding House Dam Walk is in the Watagans National Park west of Newcastle. We drove in via Cessnock and found most of the drive to be easy. However, the last section of road into the Watagans is dirt and very rough in places. Take care because of the corrugations and holes in the road.

Apart from the road the scenery as you drive into the National Park is very nice with beautiful trees along the road. There are several lookouts that provide views over the surrounding countryside and the forrest.

Road into the Watagans Boarding House Dam Walk
Road into the Watagans

Boarding House Dam Walk 

The walk starts at the Boarding House Dam picnic area which is nicely set up with covered picnic areas and bar-b-q sites. There are seats near the creek, so you can sit and relax by the water while in the shade.

Creek Near Boarding House Dam Picnic Area Boarding House Dam Walk
Creek Near Boarding House Dam Picnic Area

The Boarding House Dam Walk is very easy and only takes about 15 minutes. The walk forms a loop so that you leave on one side of the creek and return on the other. The scenery along the way is nice and the walk culminates at the moss wall which is the highlight.

Moss Wall Boarding House Dam Walk Watagans
Moss Wall

When we went there had been little rainfall resulting in only a small flow in the creek. This was a pity as there is a weir that would have looked amazing with water spilling over it.

Creek on the Walk Boarding House Dam Walk Watagans
Creek on the Walk

Even with the poor road condition we were very pleased that we did this walk. It was quiet and shady with A very nice moss wall at the end.

Kitchener

On our way home we stopped at Kitchener to look at the preserved
poppet head structure from the Aberdare Central Colliery. Coal mining is still important for the Hunter Valley but historically was located around Cessnock. As these mines were exhausted, mining operations moved further up the valley. To maintain a link with their past a residents’ group organised the preservation of this structure. If you are passing through it is a great place to stop for a break, let kids run around and read about the poppet head preservation on the signs placed there.

Aberdare Poppet Head Kitchener New South Wales
Aberdare Poppet Head Kitchener

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

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La Perouse Sydney Australia

La Perouse Memorial and Museum

La Perouse

La Perouse is a Sydney suburb on the shores of Botany Bay and home to some historic locations and scenic views. The suburb takes its name from the French explorer La Perouse who arrived here in 1788 eight days after the first fleet arrived from England. Never seen again after sailing into the Pacific his disappearance remained a mystery for decades. It was not until 1828 that a French expedition determined that the La Pérouse expedition was wrecked at Vanikoro, Santa Cruz, north of the New Hebrides   Several memorials to him and his crew are near the museum.

We parked on ANZAC Parade as there was plenty of available spaces. From here we walked around the area taking in the views as we went.  There are beautiful views of the coast, Conwong Beach and Bare Island from Anzac Parade.

Congwong Beach La Perouse Sydney
Congwong Beach

Bare Island

Bare Island was our first stop but was closed to the public when we visited. The foot bridge was open which gave us a good look at one side of the fort as well as back to the headland and beaches.  The old fort gives Bare Island a unique appearance making is worth going to. The fort was part of Sydney’s original defences but is now disused. You will need to find opening days and times before visiting if you want to go onto the actual island.

Walkway to Bare Island La Perouse Sydney
Walkway to Bare Island
Walkway to Bare Island La Perouse Sydney
Walkway to Bare Island

Memorials and Graves

Walking back to the mainland we stopped to look at Macquarie Watchtower before having a walk around the foreshore and Frenchman’s Beach.  A memorial erected by the French to honour La Perouse overlooks Botany Bay, near the Museum.  The second European buried in Australia, Father Louis Receveur has his gave not far from the Memorial. The first European buried in Australia was one of Captain Cook’s crew in 1770. His grave is located across the water in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, which we had visited that morning.

Grave of Father Louis Receveur La Perouse Sydney
Grave of Father Louis Receveur
Macquarie Watch Tower La Perouse Sydney
Macquarie Watch Tower

La Perouse Museum

The museum has items from French explorers which are very interesting. It has a nice little café with nice seating outside looking over the coast and Frenchman’s Beach.

La Perouse Memorial and Museum
La Perouse Memorial and Museum
La Perouse Memorial
La Perouse Memorial

A great place to visit with a range of things to see and do, from early European history to nice walks and scenery.

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

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Kamay Botany Bay National Park Sydney

Entrance to Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Kamay Botany Bay National Park

Kamay Botany Bay National Park is the home to significant historical events as well as beautiful coastal scenery. It is the place in which Captain James Cook first landed in Australia and claimed the whole continent for England. The sight of the first flag raising now has several very large flags flying there including the Aboriginal flag to acknowledge their prior habitation of the country. The first European buried in Australia is also located here.

Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Kamay Botany Bay National Park

The Monument Precinct

First stop here is the Kurnell visitors centre. The area has Cook’s landing spot, where Europeans and aboriginal people first met and the flags.

The Meeting Place Kamay Botany Bay National Park
The Meeting Place
Flags at Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Flags at Kamay Botany Bay National Park

In the same area is a monument to Daniel Carl Solander, the first Swede to arrive in Australia.  He was on the Endeavour Expedition with Cook, assisting Banks with the collection of botanical specimens.

Solander Memorial Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Solander Memorial

The first European grave is well marked, belonging to Forby Sutherland who died of tuberculosis.

First European Grave Kamay Botany Bay National Park
First European Grave

The Leap

Only a short drive around the coast is The Leap with a small roadside carpark and stairs down to a rock platform.  The short walk down is worthwhile for the interesting rock formations in the area. Be careful of the tide and slippery rocks when you are walking around.

  • Stairs at the Leap Kamay Botany Bay National Park
    Stairs at the Leap
  • Rock Formation at The Leap Kamay Botany Bay National Park
    Rock Formation at The Leap
  • Rock Formation at The Leap Kamay Botany Bay National Park
    Rock Formation at The Leap

Cape Solander

Our final stop was at the Cape Solander Lookout for some spectacular coastal views. 

Cape Solander Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Cape Solander

So, if you are interested in Australian colonial history, want to see some great coastal scenery, or just want to have a relaxing day out, this is a great place to visit.

From here we headed over to La Perouse and some more Australian History.

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