If you get tired of shopping, want a break or are waiting for someone, while at the Greenhills Shopping Centre in Maitland NSW Australia, the area outside the food hall is a great option. Not only are there places for the kids to play, and tables and chairs to sit and eat at but there are some great sculptures located there. Spread throughout the area Animal March Sculptures, represents local wildlife. Made by Gillie and Marc you can find them either in the garden beds or around the tables.
The largest ones are of wombats, koalas and kangaroos, but if you look closely, you will find birds, turtles and possums. A great addition to the centre, it certainly adds interest to the area while showing the native animals that we need to care for.
A Family of WombatsMother and Baby KoalaKoala FamilyKangaroos with a Joey in the Mother’s PouchWombat and KangarooPossumsTurtlesLost WombatKookaburras
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 at Corlette in Port Stephens NSW Australia the Anchorage Marina and its associated luxury hotel overlook the beautiful Karuah River while only being a short walk or drive to Nelson Bay.
We stopped here to look at the sculptures on display and see the views over the river.
Public parking is available next to the hotel and adjacent to a playground. If you have young children this is a great place to let them burn off some energy after a car ride.
Although access to the hotel is restricted to guests, the water front and break walls are open to the public.
The first sculpture is an amazing sail fish, which is next to the playground. Scattered along the marina five sculptures by Gillie and Marc, featuring their Rabbit Woman and Dog Man can be found. Two are interactive, allowing you to sit on the bike or bench for a photo.
People were fishing on both break walls during our visit and seemed to be doing well. Several young families were enjoying themselves on Corlette Beach which is next to the marina.
This was a quick stop for us to see the artwork, but families could make a day of it fishing and relaxing on the beach.
Boats in the marinaLooking over the Karuah RiverSailfish sculptureTandem Lovers by Gillie and MarcThe Friendship Bench by Gillie and MarcCoffee Friends by Gillie and MarcPaparazzi Pack by Gillie and MarcThey would swim until they couldn’t stop by Gillie and MarcChildren’s playground
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
