Located on the corner of Pottinger and Windmill Streets in Millers Point, Sydney, the Parbury Ruins were uncovered during the construction of an apartment block. Once excavated and recorded by archaeologists, the developers modified their design to retain the ruins, preserving them.
Access to the underground area is by appointment only, or during special open days. We booked tickets through Sydney Open, but they are also available from Museums of History New South Wales . If you are unable to book tickets, there are three windows displays showcasing broken ceramics and other items excavated from the ruins.
The ruins consist of the footings of a two-bedroom cottage from the 1820s, as well as the remains of a stone kitchen with a fireplace and a sink. Outside the dwelling are remnants of a verandah and a well. The well had been filled in, but contained the remains of ceramics and other items, many of which are on display.
Originally a dockworker’s home, the cottage was built of sandstone blocks cut by convicts from a local quarry. The cottage was probably demolished by the late 1860s or early 1870s when new wharves and bond stores were developed in the area.
A guide took us through the ruins, explaining the history and likely uses of the different rooms. Access is by stairs, so is not wheelchair accessible. Once you have descended the stairs, you walk over the original floor and get a very close look at the sandstone structure.
This was a fun visit and it’s great that the ruins have been preserved for the future.
Original outside wall area looking over the ruins to the entrance at ground levelKitchen areaFireplace in the kitchen areaHoles for floor beams in the wall for the upper storyFilled in wellArtifacts on Display
Devastated by a severe bushfire in 2003, the Mount Stromlo Observatory no longer undertakes active astronomical observations. Instead, it has become the headquarters of the ANU (Australian National University) Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Despite the destruction caused by the bushfire, the ruins of the observatory domes are worth visiting.
History
The first telescope installed at Mount Stromlo was the 9-inch Oddie Telescope (so-called because it was gifted to the Commonwealth by James Oddie, a wealthy Victorian businessman and philanthropist.). Following the Oddie’s findings that this was a suitable location for an observatory, the Commonwealth Solar Observatory was established in 1924. Up until the Second World War, its primary focus was solar and atmospheric physics.
During the Second World War, the observatories’ workshops manufactured gun sights and other optical equipment.
Post war, the observatory commenced the study of stellar and galactic astronomy. Renamed The Commonwealth Observatory it continued these studies until 2003.
2003 Bushfire
On 18 January 2003, the devastating Canberra firestorm hit Mount Stromlo (which was surrounded by a plantation pine forest), destroying five telescopes, workshops, seven homes, and the heritage-listed administration building. The only telescope to escape the fires was the 1886 15-centimetre Farnham telescope.
The fire was so intense it melted the optical glass of some telescopes. It was decided that the observation domes and telescopes would not be rebuilt and all observations are now undertaken at the Siding Springs Observatory. However, the workshops were replaced and now produce state of the art astronomical instrumentation.
Getting There
Driving to Mount Stromlo takes around 20 minutes from Canberra, with a carpark located next to one of the burnt-out domes. The last section of road is two-lane but narrow and winding. Cyclists use this section so be careful if you need to pass them on either the uphill or downhill section.
What to See
Unfortunately, both the Visitor Centre and Cafe were closed during our visit (January 2024). However a self-guided Heritage Trail loops through the area, enabling you to see experience the area. Walking the trail takes you past all of the domes, several of which are accessible. Information boards placed throughout the observatories’ ground detail the history of the area and the devastation of the 2003 fires.
The damaged caused to the area is very sad, considering the amount of scientific work that was undertaken here. Preserving the ruins however was a great idea, as you still get a feel for what was achieved as well as the loss.
Small outreach telescopes are available for hire with a private star gazing session. Public star gazing is available from April to September each year.
Dome of the 74 inch reflectorLaser range finding facilityOutreach telescopes used for public outreach and education including public stargazing nightsThe repaired dome of the Reynolds Telescope 30″Commonwealth Solar Observatory and observation domeRuins of the 50″ Great Melbourne TelescopeInside the ruins of the Yale Colombia TelescopeLooking out of the window in the Yale Colombia TelescopeInside the ruins of the Yale Colombia TelescopeStorm Trooper mural at Mount StromloMan on the Moon sculpture
Located a 40-minute drive from the centre of Canberra, ACT Australia, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is an important part of NASA’s tracking network. Construction at the site in the Tidbinbilla Valley commenced in June 1963 and operations started in December 1964. Chosen due to it’s proximity to Canberra Tidbinbilla’s surrounding valley walls also shield it from stray radio signals.
Since it’s early beginnings, CDSCC has been integral to the success of the moon landings and space probes sent to the outer planets. As these probes travelled further from Earth, antennae have been upgraded and additional ones of greater diameter and therefore able to receive weaker signals added.
How to Get There
Driving is the only real option to get here, as there is no public transport. The complex has a large car park outside the front gate.
What to See
During our visit (February 2024) the visitor centre was closed so access into the site was unavailable. Despite this, the information board around the car park gave a great history of the CDSCC. Relocated near the entrance, several decommissioned tracking dishes are impressive because of their size. These dished are visible from the access road as you drive in.
Deep Space Station 43 (DSS-43)Deep Space Station 46 (DSS-46)Information BoardsDeep Space Stations 43 and 46
What Did We Think?
The setting of the huge dishes in the Australian bush is impressive and a great sight to see. Had the Visitor Centre been open the visit would have been better, but was interesting and education nonetheless. A great place to drop into, especially if you have visited Mount Stromlo or are on your way to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
