Destination's Journey

Category: Vehicles

  • Woolwich Dock on Sydney Harbour

    Woolwich Dock on Sydney Harbour

    Woolwich Dock

    Originally the largest dry dock in Australia when completed in 1910, Woolwich Dock is now a reminder of the past. Owned by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the dock is well maintained and access is free.

    Getting There

    Only a ten-minute walk from Woolwich Wharf, Woolwich Dock was once a bustling shipyard, but is now a quiet reminder of the past. Boat maintenance still takes place, but not on the huge scale in the first half of last century.

    One of the best ways to get around Sydney is the ferry and train system, especially if you want to visit places close to the harbour. Ferries run regularly from convenient points all over the harbour.

    The Goat Paddock

    Access to the dock is through the Goat Paddock, with nicely maintained gardens. There are also great views of Sydney Harbour, along with bench seats to relax on and admire the scenery. Not sure why it’s called the goat paddock, maybe some used to be kept there in the past.

    • The Goat Paddock
      The Goat Paddock
    • Sydney Harbour and Bridge From Woolwich Dock
      Sydney Harbour and Bridge From Woolwich Dock

    Woolwich Dock

    Located at the base of the Goat Paddock, Woolwich Dock is accessible on both sides. A walkway runs around the dock, with handrails for protection. The rail track used for the 100 ton crane is still in place, which is great.

    At the end of the dock is what looks like an old ship. It’s actually the caisson, which was used to block the open end of the dock, before pumping it dry. Several very handy information boards explain the dock’s operation, which were very useful.

    Along with the dock, the caisson was very interesting to see.

    Several expensive yachts were moored here, possibly for maintenance, as the Harbour Trust leases workshops to several companies.

    The end of the dock ends in a cliff overhang, where ferns have grown into the sandstone, making it look beautiful. For a great perspective view, walk to the Woolwich Lookout, where a bird’s eye view lets you appreciate the dock and the harbour.

    • Information Board
      Information Board Explaining the Dock’s Use
    • Information Board
      Information Board
    • The Caisson
      The Caisson
    • Woolwich Dock
      Woolwich Dock
    • Woolwich Dock From Viewing Platform
      The View From Woolwich Lookout
    • Harbour end of Woolwich Dock
      Harbour end of the Dock
    • End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
      End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
    • End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
      End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
    • Yacht Docked in Woolwich
      Yacht Docked in Woolwich

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

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  • Cape Banks Botany Bay National Park

    Cape Banks Botany Bay National Park

    Cape Banks

    Getting There

    We drove to Cape Banks and parked near the pistol club and helicopter base. This large car park has plenty of space, so parking shouldn’t be a problem.

    Cape Banks Walking Track

    The Cape Banks Walking track runs past the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Base towards the coast. On the way you pass an old fortress before reaching the ocean. At this point you turn right, if you turn left, you will arrive back at the car park.

    The track continues along the coast to the New South Wales Golf Club, where a small bridge leads out to the cape. From here you are able to explore the rock platform and the higher ground of the cape.

    • Bridge to reach the rock platform
      Bridge to reach the rock platform

    Cape Banks Fortifications

    Used to protect the approaches to Botany Bay, Fort Banks is an old World War II bunker and fortification complex. During World War Two, it was armed with two 9.2 inch guns, but these are long gone. Sand dunes and vegetation are overtaking the fortifications. Graffiti also covers most of the site, which detracts from the importance of the site.

    Despite this, it is still an interesting spot to walk around, with some of the building accessible through rusty doors.

    Several old tombstones are stored here, removed from the nearby Hospital Cemetery.

    • Fort Banks
      Fort Banks
    • Fort Banks
      Fort Banks
    • Roof of Fort Banks
      Roof of Fort Banks
    • Fort Banks
      Fort Banks
    • Rusty Steel Doors at Fort Banks
      Rusty Steel Doors at Fort Banks
    • Old Headstones at Fort Banks
      Old Headstones at Fort Banks

    Rock Platform

    Exposed at low tide, the rock platform provides great views over the ocean. Be careful because you need to climb over rocks to get there. Check the tides before going, to make sure the tide will be low. Rock pools and slippery surfaces on the platform mean you need to walk carefully to avoid slipping.

    The small cliff face displays some great erosion patterns from wind and waves. The colours of the rocks are also interesting.

    To visit the shipwreck at the end of the cape, make your way to the rocks, where the SS Minmi can be seen up close.

    • Rock Platform and the Wreck of the SS Minmi
      Rock Platform and the Wreck of the SS Minmi
    • Waves Breaking Over the Rock Platform
      Waves Breaking Over the Rock Platform
    • Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
      Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
    • Undercut Cliff on Cape Banks
      Undercut Cliff
    • Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
      Eroded Cliff on Cape Banks
    • Looking Along Cape Banks From the SS Minmi
      Looking Along the Cape From the SS Minmi
    • Overhanging Eroded Rock on the Cliff Face
      Overhanging Eroded Rock on the Cliff Face

    Wreck of the SS Minmi

    Located at the far end of the rock platform, the remains of the wreck of the SS Minmi are easily accessible at low tide. Salvage work in the 1930s removed the forward part of the ship, so only the rear portion now remaining.

    The SS Minmi was a 75m long, 1,455 ton collier built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1927. It was named after either the lower Hunter Valley town of Minmi, or the nearby Minmi Colliery.

    The Minmi’s captain for all of her ten-year service was Captain McPhall, who had brought the ship to Australia. Captain McPhall commenced two weeks’ leave in the first week of May, leaving Chief Officer Callum to take over as Captain. On 8 May 1937 at 10 pm while returning to Newcastle after delivering coal to Melbourne, the ship struck the outside of Cape Banks. Frederick Boulton, the ship’s cook, collapsed and died of a heart attack soon after the ship struck the rocks.

    The Minmi split in two at about 12:45 am, with crew members stranded on both the front and back sections. Those at the front were rescued without incident, but it was more perilous for those in the rear. During the rescue, one life was lost because of the heavy seas.

    • SS Minmi on the Rock Platform
      SS Minmi on the Rock Platform
    • SS Minmi on the Rocks
      Wreck of the SS Minmi on the Rocks
    • SS Minmi Wreckage Strewn Over the Rocks
      SS Minmi Wreckage Strewn Over the Rocks

    What Did We Think?

    This was a great little walk, because we saw an old fort, a shipwreck, and enjoyed some nice views. The walk is short, but does require some climbing over rocks and a visit at low tide is a must.

  • Burwood Beach Mining Heritage

    Burwood Beach Mining Heritage

    Burwood Beach Mining Heritage

    Located south of Merewether Ocean Baths, Burwood Beach is not only a great surfing beach, but has relics from the areas mining heritage.

    There are several ways to get to the beach, each with its own benefits.

    1. The Yuelarbah Track, which winds down a Flaggy Creek, is a great hike in coastal eucalyptus forest.
    2. Hickson Street Lookout, which provides excellent views as you walk down to the beach
    3. From Merewether Baths for a walk along the beach without much up and down hill hiking.

    We have walked all three and the Yuelarbah Track is the more interesting, because it winds through some beautiful bushland. However, it is also the most difficult, due to the track and need to walk back uphill when returning.

    On our most recent trip we walked in from Merewether Baths, mainly because we hadn’t gone this way before. We found it to be a straightforward walk along the beach.

    Several of the relics are located on the rock platforms, so the best time to visit is low tide. This ensures that you can see everything while remaining safe.

    Railway Wheel on the Rock Platform

    When walking from Merewether Baths at low tide, a railway wheel is visible on the rock platform. This relic is now covered in seaweed and shellfish, which have made it their home on.

    • Rusty Rail Wheel on the Rock Platform at Burwood Beach
      Rusty Rail Wheel on the Rock Platform at Burwood Beach
    • Marine Growth on a Railway Wheel Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
      Marine Growth on a Railway Wheel
    • Railway Wheel Covered in Marine Growth
      Railway Wheel Covered in Marine Growth
    • Railway Wheel Covered in Marine Growth
      Marine Growth Covered Railway Wheel at Low Tide

    Railway Wheels in the Sand

    Further along the beach are three rusty wheels buried in the sand, but partially exposed.

    • Rusting Rail Wheels Buried in the Sand at Burwood Beach
      Rusting Rail Wheels Buried in the Sand at Burwood Beach

    Remains of the Burwood Beach Mining Heritage Rail Line

    A rail line once ran along the dunes hauling coal to the copper smelter but is now decaying as nature reclaims it. Rusting rail lines and sleepers, now exposed in places where wind and rain have revealed them poke through the sand.

    • Rusted Railway Tracks Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
      Rusted Railway Tracks
    • Old Rusting Railway Tracks
      Old Rusting Railway Tracks

    Rail Wheels in the Sand Dunes

    Near the exposed rail lines are several railway wheels, which are abandoned and rusting in the dunes.

    • Rusty Rail Wheel in the Sand Dunes at Burwood Beach
      Rusty Rail Wheel in the Sand Dunes at Burwood Beach
    • Rusty Rail Wheel at Burwood Beach Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
      Rusty Rail Wheel at Burwood Beach

    The Coal Seam

    A reminder of the coal mined here exists in the cliff face, where the exposed coal seam contrasts with the lighter coloured rocks around it.

    • Exposed Coal Seam at Burwood Beach Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
      Exposed Coal Seam at Burwood Beach

    What Did We Think?

    We thought Burwood Beach was a relaxed place to visit, because of the few people there. The relics from the mining past were a great addition to the day, as they lie exposed and readily visible.