Destination's Journey

Category: Travel

  • Queen Victoria Building Sydney

    Queen Victoria Building Sydney

    Queen Victoria Building Sydney

    Built between 1893 and 1898, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is an iconic shopping destination in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Originally designed to replace the Sydney markets, the QVB housed a concert hall, coffee shops, showrooms, warehouses and a wide variety of tradespeople. Over time things changed, the concert hall became the city library, tenants left and others moved in. In the 1930’s the original Romanesque architecture was remodelled into the Art Deco style, while shop fronts were modified and internal galleries are floored over.

    As the building aged it deteriorated until there were constant calls for its demolition from 1959 to 1971. Fortunately this did not occur and the building underwent a refurbishment and restoration from 1982. Original plans, drawings and photographs were not available, so this was an envisaged refurbishment, done to the best abilities of the architects.

    Today with it’s floors and galleries restored it is a wonderful place to wander through, either browsing, shopping or eating.

    Tour

    We organised a tour through the building which takes visitors behind the scenes into places where the general public is not able to go. The guide gave a detailed history of the building explaining many of the design features.

    One of the major features of the building is the copper clad domes on the roof. Dominated by the large central dome, there are also 20 smaller cupolas on the roof. We were able to go through a service door and see the interior of several domes, being able to view their timber structure. We were also able to walk on the roof, getting a close up look at the dome’s exterior.

    The true beauty of the building though is the internal design, where the stained glass of the dome, ceiling and windows provide an amazing sight. Even the floor tiles are works of art and they are best viewed from one of the upper galleries. From here you not only get a get view of the interior, but a birds eye view of the tiles’ design.

    Unfortunately we didn’t get to climb the spiral staircase that is a feature of the upper floor. Apparently it is unsafe to take a group of tourists up it. Instead, this old staircase that used to be for maintenance access is now just a decoration.

    What Did We Think?

    This was a great tour, where we got to go behind the scenes. Being able to see inside the domes and onto the roof was great. The knowledge of the guide was amazing, not only could they talk about the building and answer questions but were also able to keep a group of tourists all heading the same way so that we stayed on time.

    Queen Victoria Statue
    Queen Victoria Statue
    The Queen Victoria Building and its domes
    The Queen Victoria Building and its domes
    Entrance staircase and stained glass window
    Entrance staircase and stained glass window
    Stained glass window over the entrance Queen Victoria Building
    Stained glass window over the entrance
    Spiral Staircase to the dome
    Spiral Staircase to the dome
    Spiral Staircase to the dome
    Spiral Staircase to the dome
    The dome from inside the building
    The dome from inside the building
    The Queen Victoria Building clock from the upper level
    The QVB clock from the upper level
    Looking down from the top level
    Looking down from the top level
    Three levels of the Queen Victoria Building
    Three levels of the QVB
    Three levels of the Queen Victoria Building and the dome
    Three levels of the QVB and the dome
    Wooden structure of one of the smaller domes
    Wooden structure of one of the smaller domes
    Internal structure of one of the smaller domes Queen Victoria Building
    Internal structure of one of the smaller domes
    The main dome from the roof Queen Victoria Building
    The main dome from the roof

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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

  • Dangar Island and Brooklyn Ferry

    Dangar Island and Brooklyn Ferry

    Dangar Island

    The first European to visit the area was Governor Arthur Phillip, who explored the lower river by small boat in March 1788 within weeks of the First Fleet’s arrival. He named it Mullet Island, for the abundance of fish in the local Hawkesbury River. The island was purchased in 1864 and renamed by Henry Cary Dangar, the son of Henry Dangar, a surveyor, pastoralist and parliamentarian.

    Subdivided into residential plots in the 1920s while it still retains some areas for recreational use. Around 330 permanent residents call the island home.

    Getting There

    Dangar Island can only be accessed by water, either by ferry, private boat or water taxi. We used the ferry, which operates seven days per week. The ferry “Sun” is itself a historic boat, making the trip that little bit more interesting.

    The ferry leaves from Brooklyn north of Sydney, where parking is available near the wharf. The Brooklyn train station is only a short walk from the wharf, making this a great option if you don’t want to drive. The ferry arrival and departure times coincide with the train’s timetable.

    On the Island

    The only vehicles on the island are the fire truck and council ute, with all other vehicles banned. Residents use wheel barrows to haul items from the wharf to their homes. As you leave the ferry, you will see a line up of wheel barrows on the side of the path. On the opposite side is a metal sculpture of a Stegosaurus.

    Our first stop was the coffee shop next to the wharf. This also serves as the island’s only shop, because of the small population. Sitting outside was very relaxing, and a great way to start our visit before setting off to explore.

    Walking Around

    With only around 3km of roads, walking around the island does not take too long. You can download a map, to show various things to see on the island. However, we spent a lot of time at the beach, which had driftwood from recent storms washed up. Also near the beach the rocks are covered in oysters, although most have been removed by fishermen.

    One small relic here dates from the Second World War when the Australian Army garrisoned the island and manned a cable boom across the river to protect the railway bridge. A small section of rusted steel embedded in the rocks is all that remains.

    We visited at low tide and much of the beach was exposed. The exposed sand was covered in small mounds of sand from crabs that had burrowed down until the tide returned. From the amount of burrows, there must be a huge crab population here.

    From the upper road, you get great views of the Hawkesbury and the railway bridge. A rock shelter previously used the local Guringai people before European settlement sits just off the upper road.

    Returning to Brooklyn

    After around three hours, we returned to the wharf where we had a cold drink while we waited for the ferry. Make sure you don’t miss the last ferry, or you will need to call the water taxi, which is much more expensive.

    This was a fun relaxing morning out to somewhere that’s a little different. The locals and the atmosphere of the island is great and we had a great time, well worth a visit.

    Historic Ferry the Sun
    Historic Ferry the Sun
    Fishing boats tied up at Brooklyn Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Fishing boats tied up at Brooklyn
    Houses and private jetties on Dangar Island
    Houses and private jetties on Dangar Island
    Bikes left at the ferry wharf
    Bikes left at the ferry wharf
    Wheel barrows to carry your things home in Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Metal stegosaurus
    Metal stegosaurus
    typical Dangar Island road
    typical Dangar Island road
    The Pavilion and Beware of the Rabbit sign Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    The Pavilion and Beware of the Rabbit sign
    Fence made of old surf boards
    Fence made of old surf boards
    driftwood on a beach Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    driftwood on a beach
    One of Dangar Island's beaches
    One of Dangar Island’s beaches
    Private jetties at low tide
    Private jetties at low tide
    Rusting remains of the barrage from World War Two Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Rusting remains of the barrage from World War Two
    Crab metropolis. The piles of sand are from crab burrows Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Crab metropolis. The piles of sand are from crab burrows
    Rocks and trees on a beach Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Rocks and trees on a beach
    The Cave
    The Cave
    Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge
    Cold Bundaberg Ginger Beer Brooklyn Ferry to Dangar Island
    Cold Bundaberg Ginger Beer
    Historic Ferry the Sun

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

    Our photos are available for purchase on

  • Everglades House and Gardens Leura

    Everglades House and Gardens Leura

    Everglades House and Gardens Leura

    Located in Leura in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Everglades House and Gardens is a 1930s house surrounded by 5.2 Hectares of gardens. Designed by the Danish horticulturalist and landscape designer, Paul Sorensen, the gardens incorporate winding paths and European Terraces.

    Parking is available outside the entrance, and we had no problems finding a spot. Managed by the National Trust, there is an entrance fee of $16.59 per adult (in October 2022) or free for National Trust members.

    Views over the Jamison Valley provide a magnificent backdrop to the gardens. On the lowest level, a small hidden grotto contains a pool and waterfall.

    We spent time walking through the gardens, which contain some interesting statues. On one level, brickwork frames the mountain views, making it a favourite spot to have photos taken.

    This was an interesting garden to visit, being situated on a steep ridge. The terraces and winding path make great use of the sloping land, allowing you to move from garden setting to another. We found lots to see here, well worth the entrance fee.

    Brickwork used to frame the surrounding landscape Everglades House and Gardens Leura
    Brickwork used to frame the surrounding landscape
    Backdrop to the Garden Theatre
    Backdrop to the Garden Theatre
    Bacchus Fountain
    Bacchus Fountain
    Owl Sculpture in the Gardens
    Owl Sculpture in the Gardens
    Bronze Sculpture in the Everglades House and Gardens Leura
    The Wrestler Bronze Sculpture in the Gardens
    Boy Removing Thorn
    Boy Removing Thorn
    Flowers in Bloom
    Flowers in Bloom
    Grotto Pool and Waterfall
    Grotto Pool and Waterfall

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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