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
Located just over an hour’s drive north of Sydney on the NSW Central Coast, the Australian Wildlife Park is an excellent place to see some of Australia’s deadly wildlife. If you want to get up close with deadly snakes, spiders and crocodiles, this is the place for you.
Getting There
Located not far from Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast it’s a one hour drive up the M1 from Sydney or about one and a quarter hours south of Newcastle. A large carpark is available on site with an overflow carpark located adjacent to the entrance.
Tickets
Tickets ca be purchased on the day at the entrance, but purchasing them online is cheaper. If you have a family, tickets are available for this too. You can even add food for the animals for children to feed the kangaroos.
The Exhibits
We arrived just on opening time when many of the animals had just been fed, so many of them were active.
Spiders
Possibly one of the most important aspects of the wildlife park is their work with Sydney Funnel Web Spiders. A single bite will kill an adult and the production of anti venom is very important. The Reptile Park has a large number on site and milk the spiders daily to collect their venom.
We were lucky enough to see one of the keepers let a spider out into a larger container while she collected its venom. It was a very angry and aggressive spider but she wasn’t worried and calmly used a pipette to suck the venom off its fangs.
Sydney funnel web spider venom milkingMexican redknee tarantula
Snakes and Lizards
Of course the main reason for the visit is to see some of the most dangerous snakes in the world. All nicely viewed safely through glass. All of Australia’s venomous snakes are represented along with others such as the North American rattlesnake.
Many school children have excursions here at various times, where they are taught how to respect snakes and what to do if you see one in the wild. Most snakes will avoid confrontation unless it’s unavoidable.
Many lizards are on display from blue tongue and shingle back lizards to Komodo dragons. Although not Australian the Komodo’s are a big attraction with their own large enclosure.
Eastern brown snake. This species is very aggressive and common making it responsible for more snake deaths than any other speciesCorn snake, a native of the south-east USATwo lined dragonsA Perentie, the males grow up to 2m, being Australia’s largest monitor species Komodo Dragon
Frogs
The Reptile Park has a breeding programme for endangered frogs which has been a great success with numerous tadpoles and small frogs produced. The breeding area is at the back of the park and although there are a lot of ponds and aquariums present only some of the frogs can be seen.
This is associated with Aussie Ark which is responsible for the Tasmanian Devil breeding programme saving them from the facial cancer that is decimating them in the wild.
There is also a large area set aside for breeding some of the endangered turtle species. These programs are very important and really compliments the funnel web venom collection and education that the park undertakes.
Green and golden bell frog
Wild life
A large area near the entrance allows visitors to interact with kangaroos which are roaming around. Nearby enclosures contained dingoes, koalas and Tasmanian devils. A huge saltwater crocodile has its own pool not far away. The park also has a lake filled with alligators.
Saltwater crocodileYellow-footed rock wallabyYellow-footed rock wallabyKangaroo Island kangarooEastern grey kangarooFlying foxes asleepBlack winged stiltBush stone-curlew KoalaAlligator pond
Food and Refreshments
The park has a kiosk that sells a variety of food and drinks, or you can bring your own and sit and the undercover tables provided.
If the kids or kids at want to see really big reptiles a number of dinosaur statues are located near the picnic facilities (we know they’re not really reptiles).
Parasaurolophus statue
What Did We Think?
This was a great day out and we spent several hours here. You could easily spend longer with children or if you took part in the special activities available.
Only intended as a temporary home for the Australian Parliament, Old Parliament House in Canberra actually operated as the seat of government from 1928 until 1988. At this time the government move to the new Parliament House on Capital Hill.
It now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy as well as other temporary exhibitions.
Getting There
Car parking is available on King George Terrace as well as in its own car park.
History
Once the independent Australian colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory was established for the development of the new Capital Canberra. With Federation occurring in 1901, it took until 1928 for the Provisional Parliament House to be built. Until this time, Parliament met in Melbourne.
Outside the building are statues of two women: Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons. Dorothy Tagney was the first female Australian senator, while Enid Lyons was the first female in the House of Representatives. Both were elected in 1943.
At the front of the building is a large statue of King George V, the reigning monarch when Australia achieved independence. Another statue of the King is located in the main entrance hall.
The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid LyonsKing George V MemorialKing George V Statue
The House of Representatives
To reflect the inheritance of the Westminster System, the House of Representatives is predominantly green, with the carpet and chairs this colour. The Speaker Seat is a copy of the one in The House of Commons presented to Australia by Empire Parliamentary Association in 1926. Interestingly, the original seat in London was destroyed in an air raid during the Second World War. The one used now is a copy of the Australian copy, gifted to the House of Commons by the Australian Parliament.
Visitors are free to walk around the chamber and view the area as the politicians used to.
Entrance to the House of RepresentativesThe House of RepresentativesChamber of the House of Representatives, with the Mace of the Speaker on display
Prime Ministers Office
Considering the importance of the office, it is remarkably small with small desk and meeting area.
The Prime Minister’s OfficeGovernment Party Room
Speaker of the House Office
Being almost as large as the Prime Minister’s office shows the importance of the Speaker in the running of Parliament.
The Speakers’ Office
The Senate
Predominantly red in colour to reflect its association with the British House of Lords, the Senate Chamber is far less crowded than the House of Representatives. Each senator had their own desk. This was because there were only half the number of senators in the same sized room.
Entrance to the Senate ChamberThe Senate Chamber
President of the Senate
Suite of the President of the SenateSenators’ Meeting Room
Special Exhibitions
A replica set of the British Crown Jewels are on display during our visit. Excellent copies of the originals, great to see and certainly easier to visit than going to London.
Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)Replicas of the Imperial State Crown (left). Queen Victoria’s crown (centre) and the Imperial Crown of India (right)Replica Crown Jewels
What Did We Think?
A great place to learn about how Australian democracy works. Not only an interesting old building with its own importance, but a showcase of how the Westminster style of government operates.
