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Category: Science

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Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

Located in the Sydney CBD, the Nightingale Wing, Sydney Hospital, is a historical building of both medical and architectural significance. Completed in 1869, this sandstone and polychrome-brick Gothic Revival structure is the site of the first nursing school in Australia.

History

The Nightingale Wing owes its name to the iconic pioneer of nursing, Florence Nightingale. In 1868, under the request of colonial politician Henry Parkes, Nightingale sent six nurses, led by Lucy Osburn, to New South Wales to establish a nursing school. This marked a turning point in Australian healthcare, ushering in a new era of professional nursing education.

Designed by architect Thomas Rowe with input from Nightingale, the building embodied her vision for a modern and hygienic hospital environment. Featuring large windows for ample natural light, high ceilings for ventilation, and separate wards for different types of patients, the Nightingale Wing was a revolutionary design for its time.

Current Use

The Nightingale Wing is not just a historical landmark; it’s a living testament to the dedication and compassion of generations of nurses. Today, the wing houses the Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum, consisting of medical equipment, records, and artifacts that tell the story of nursing in Australia.

The museum’s collection includes everything from vintage uniforms and surgical instruments to patient records and photographs, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of healthcare practices. Visitors can also explore the historic wards and classrooms where generations of nurses learned their skills.

While no longer serving as an active hospital wing, the Nightingale Wing remains an integral part of Sydney Hospital. The collection of medical specimens is significant and are an important teaching tool. The museum itself is a popular tourist attraction, celebrating the history of nursing in Australia.

Getting There

Only a three-minute walk from Martin Place Railway Station, it’s easy to get to. Bus stops on Macquarie Street are even closer although car parks are further away and being Sydney, very expensive.

Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
View over the courtyard
View over the courtyard and Robert Brough Memorial Fountain
Matron's Office Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
Matron’s Office
Nurses' Lounge Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
Nurses’ Lounge
Old record books
Old patient record books
Old nurse uniforms
Old nurse uniforms

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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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Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum

Sennedjem's outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum

Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum

Running until May 19, 2024, The Australian Museum is currently hosting an exhibition centred on the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses II. This was a great opportunity to see some of the most important artifacts from ancient Egypt, without having to leave Australia.

Featuring over 180 artifacts, this is a large exhibition that we found fascinating from beginning to end. Starting with a short video presentation covering Ramses II’s life, it then proceeds through a series of display rooms containing the exhibits. Each section also has videos playing describing the artefacts in more detail.

Additional displays covered other aspects of Ancient Egypt, with one of the most striking being Sennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti while working on his own coffin on his days off.

Amazing jewelry, mummies of cats and crocodiles, masks and weapons gave diversity to what was displayed. As usual, the last room was a gift shop, where books and souvenirs could be purchased.

Head of a Colossal Statue of Ramses II Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum
Head of a Colossal Statue of Ramses II
Upper part of an obelisk
Upper part of an obelisk
Statue of Ramses II as a sphynx Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum
Statue of Ramses II as a sphynx
Ramses II Massacring his enemies.
Ramses II  showing him capturing enemies: a Nubian, a Libyan and a Syrian.
Queen Tuya Ramses mother
Queen Tuya, Ramses mother
Sennedjem's outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum
Sennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti
Gilded wooden mask from the tomb of Amenemope
Gilded wooden mask from the tomb of Amenemope a scribe and sage
Girdle of Princess Merit (bottom) and collar of Princess Neferuptah (top)
Girdle of Princess Merit (bottom) and collar of Princess Neferuptah (top)
Mummified cat Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum
Mummified cat
Coffin of a cat mummy
Coffin of a cat mummy
Coffin and coffinettes of Sheshonq II
Coffin and coffinettes of Sheshonq II
Gold funerary mask of General Wendjebauendjed Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum
Gold funerary mask of General Wendjebauendjed
Bust of Merenptah, Ramses successor
Bust of Merenptah, Ramses successor
Outer coffin lid of Pinudjem II's wife Princess Nesikhonsu (left) and inner coffin lid of Pinudjem I
Outer coffin lid of Pinudjem II’s wife Princess Nesikhonsu (left) and inner coffin lid of Pinudjem I
Coffin of Ramses II Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum
Coffin of Ramses II
Ramses II Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum
Ramses II
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Bennetts Head Lookout

View from the Lookout

Bennetts Head Lookout

Located on the Bicentenial Way in Forster New South Wales, Bennetts Head Lookout is a popular place for whale watching during migration season. We were lucky and saw a few swimming south, but they were too far out to get a good look. Several tour operators provide whale watching trips locally, with one of the operators using the lookout to spot whales and direct the boats.

Getting There

Parking is available next to the main lookout on Bennetts Head Road. Alternately, the lookout would make a great rest stop if you were walking the Bicentennial Track.

The Lookout

As well as whales the lookout gives great views down the coast and over the ocean. As well as the main viewing platform near the road, several others are located a little further along the Bicentennial Track only a few minutes walk away. Some whale watchers had been there for several hours and mentioned that whales had swum in closer to the shore earlier. Unfortunately during our visit, they decided to stay out at sea.

This is a great lookout, especially during the whale migration when newly born calves swim south with the adults to the Antarctic.

View from the Lookout
View from the Lookout
View from Bennetts Head Lookout
View of the cliffs from the lookout
Memorial to those who lost their lives off Cape Hawke
Memorial to those who lost their lives off Cape Hawke