Located in Murramarang National Park on the New South Wales south coast, the Acheron Ledge Walking Track is a 1.5km round trip through spotted gum forest with beautiful views over the ocean.
Getting There
There are several ways to start this walk, depending on how much you want to do. The full loop can starts at the Maloneys Drive, Archeron Track intersection, or you can shorten the walk by starting at Maloneys Beach. Although shorter, the second option means climbing stairs from the beach to the track.
We chose to park at Maloneys Beach, which is a great destination itself, with a wide stretch of sand and views across to Batemans Bay. The adjacent Hibiscus Close Reserve also had a large group of kangaroos in residence who were becoming active as we were there near sunset. Leaving the carpark was a slow drive as they were bouncing along the road and in front of the car.
The Track
Once the stairs were conquered, the rest of the track was relatively flat. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service rate the track at level 3 (Some bushwalking experience recommended, Clearly sign posted, Short steep hills, Occasional steps). We found that the track was well maintained, but strong wind the previous week had caused some trees to fall although they did not completely block the track.
Walking the track to Reef Point, we went though the spotted gum forest which was very relaxing. Along the way, gaps in the trees provide excellent views over Batemans Bay and out to the Tollgate Islands.
Ending at Reef Point, the track descends to Quirriga Beach, a small beach with more great views over Batemans Bay.
What Did We Think?
This was a short easy walk (unless you don’t like stairs – there were approximately 130 of them). We took about an hour and a half in the area, but this including looking at the beach and taking photos. You could probably do it in half this time if you didn’t stop. As it was sunset, the kangaroos were an added bonus.
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Entrance sign at the carparkMaloneys BeachMaloneys BeachStairs up to the start of the trackLittoral eucalypt forestThe cliff top walking trackMaloneys Beach from the cliff topThe Tollgate Islands in Batemans BayTrees fallen over the trackQuirriga Beach at Reef PointLooking down the stairs from the cliff topKangaroos at sunset near Maloneys Beach
Located in Narooma, (a five-hours drive from Sydney or 3 hours from Canberra), Australia Rock is an interesting geological feature bearing a resemblance to the shape of the Australian continent (without Tasmania). The shape is the result of thousands of years of erosion of the ancient chert and shale headland.
We parked at the Bar Rock Lookout carpark, which gives spectacular ocean views over the breakwalls and out to Montague Island. You also get a lovely outlook over to Bar Beach and the Wagonga Inlet.
Near the carpark is a memorial plaque to the Lady Darling, an 895-ton iron steamer that sank in thirty metres of water off Mystery Bay on 10 November 1880. It was on a voyage from Newcastle to Melbourne with a cargo of coal, and struck rocks about four miles south of Montague Island. Attempts were made to reach the shore but the Lady Darling filled rapidly and the crew abandoned ship. All made the safety of the Island.
From the lookout, stairs lead down to the break wall and Australia Rock. If you don’t want to take the stairs, you can drive down as there is a carpark.
An interesting place with some great views. Worth the visit is you are in the area.
Lady Darling Memorial on Bar Rock LookoutSeal Rocks from Bar Rock LookoutAustralia RockLove Locks on Bar Rock Lookout
Founded in 1965 as the “The Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum”, the Sydney Heritage Fleet operates 10 large and 55 small heritage vessels. Its 450 active volunteer workers conserve Australia’s maritime past, while preserving traditional technical methods and skills.
Three (as of August 2024) vessels are currently being restored, the 1912 ferry Kanangra, the 1950s wooden speed boat Kookaburra II and the 1927 pilot vessel John Oxley. Possibly the most well known vessel is the 1874 iron barque James Craig, now fully restored and regularly put to sea under full sail and is a beautiful site when sailing Sydney Harbour.
We booked a tour of the Kanangra restoration project, which gave us an opportunity to also see some of the other ships in the fleet. See their website for times and tickets.
Getting There
We took the light rail from Central Station to Rozelle and walked (10 minutes) to Sydney Heritage Fleet from there.
The Tour
A safety briefing started the tour, as we would be entering an active work area. Safety hats and high-visibility jackets (both provided) along with enclosed shoes (wear your own) were a requirement.
The tour started in the workshop where we saw how the parts needed for the restoration were made. Then it was on to the dock to see the boats. Although we only boarded the Kanangra, we were able to see many others very well.
On board the Kanangra we needed to stay alert, as the decking and sides of the ship were under repair. Interestingly, the largest job currently being undertaken was the removal of concrete from the hull. Large quantities had been used to stop leaks in the rusting hull plates. Apparently it’s a quick and easy fix, but difficult to remove.
We were able to see all levels of the ferry, from the engine room to the top deck and restored wheel house. Restoration should finish in 2032 when she will be back in the water. Considering how badly corroded the hull looked and the amount of steel plates requiring replacement, I can see why it will take this long.
This was a fantastic tour and highly recommended for anyone who likes old ships. The tour guides were very informative, friendly and passionate about the restoration. The tour ran two hours and we loved every minute.
Sydney Ferry Kanangra
Launched on the 14th of August 1912, Kanangra is a steel-hulled K-class ferry that operated on Sydney Harbour until 1985. Originally coal fired, she was converted to diesel in 1959.
Kanangra is currently sited on a floating dock at Rozelle Bay as part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Restoration work intends to restore her to the 1960s configuration with diesel power.
KanangraExterior showing corrosion of hullExterior showing corrosion of hullInterior of the upper deckWheelhouseEngine telegraphLower deck interiorInterior of the Lower DeckLower deck interiorOutside lower deckEngine Room
Steam Ship John Oxley
Built in 1927 in Scotland for the Queensland Harbours and Rivers Board, the John Oxley was a relief pilot vessel in Moreton Bay, a buoy tender and a lighthouse tender that operated along the Queensland coast.
In the Second World War John Oxley was requisitioned for the Royal Australian Navy and a 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun was mounted on the stern. She was returned to her former duties in 1946, and converted from coal to oil fuel that same year.
John Oxley continued in service until 1968 and was officially donated to Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1970. Since 2002 the John Oxley has been under continuous restoration at the Heritage dockyard of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, Rozelle Bay, Sydney. As of August 2024 she is nearing completion and almost ready for her first post-restoration cruise.
John Oxley restored upper worksOfficer’s quartersJohn Oxley pilots’ area and stairs to lower deckRestored kitchenJohn Oxley restoration of interior underwayJohn Oxley Steam Ship
Bronzewing-class Tugs
Four Bronzewing-class harbour tugs were constructed for the Royal Australian Navy. The ships in the class were:
Bronzewing (HTS 501) Currawong (HTS 502) HTS 503 (to Papua New Guinea in 1974) Mollymawk (HTS 504)
They were constructed by Stannard Bros, Sydney, except for HTS Mollymawk (504), she was constructed by Perris Engineering, Brisbane.
Bronzewing and Currawong are currently on loan to the Sydney Heritage Fleet, where they are often used in the support of the James Craig and other heritage ships in the Fleet.
Harman is a Royal Australian Navy motor launch built in 1944 by the firm Storey and Keers. The RAN used her on Sydney Harbour to transfer personnel between ship and shore and the various establishments on the Harbour.
On retirement from the RAN in 1957, she was transferred to Cockatoo Island Dockyard where she worked as a passenger and general duties launch. She was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1992 and has since undergone several refits to keep her seaworthy.
Motor Launch Harman starboard sideHarmanMotor Launch Harman port aft view
Motor Launch Berrima
Launched in 1955 as A.O.R.1, Berrima is a motor launch owned by the Sydney Heritage Fleet and used around Sydney Harbour. Originally used by Stannard Bros on behalf of Australian Oil Refineries on Botany Bay, it ferried workers from La Perouse to the refinery on the other side of Botany Bay. At times it also doubled as the Pilot Cutter.
Berrima was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1990.
Motor Launch BerrimaMotor Launch Berrima
Lady Hopetoun
Built in 1902 by WM Ford on Sydney Harbour, the Lady Hopetoun was used as a VIP and Vice-Regal steam yacht by the NSW Government through the Sydney Harbour Trust and its successor the Maritime Services Board of NSW until the 1960s.
Steam Launch Lady Hopetoun starboard sideLady Hopetoun starboard sideSteam Launch Lady Hopetoun port sideSteam Launch Lady Hopetoun seen from the Kanangra
Motor Launch Protex
Built sometime around 1908, Protex was later purchased in 1934 by the Sydney ferry and tug company, Nicholson Bros. In line with their usual policy of naming their craft using words beginning with ‘Pro’ she was called Protex after a popular brand of soap. Up until 1970, she ferried goods and people from the Palmolive factory at Balmain to various city wharves.
In 1970, she was sold to Mr Terry Hodgson who used her as a ferry operating out of Woy Woy and Toukley, and later between Brooklyn and Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River.
The Protex became part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1981 and is berthed at their Rozelle wharf.
ProtexProtex
Steam Tug Waratah
Built in 1902 at Cockatoo Island, Waratah is a coal fired tug and part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Originally named Burunda, her primary role was to tow dredges and barges between the various ports along the NSW coast.
From 1948, her age and condition restricted her to operating within the Newcastle Port and by 1968 she was considered to be beyond economical repair and was set to be scrapped. Saved by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, she is now, once again, fully operational and regularly takes passengers on trips around Sydney Harbour.
Steam Tug Waratah bow viewPort viewSteam Tug Waratah bridge and main deckWaratah looking down from KanangraSteam Tug Waratah
