Located in Denman a small town in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, the Denman and District Heritage Village has an extensive and unique exhibition made up of objects and artefacts. Donated primarily by local Jeff Wolfgang, the exhibits are housed in a beautiful, new building that opened in November 2023.
Run by a staff of volunteers, the museum is bright and spacious with lots of room around the displays. Unlike many local museums, this one is not over-crowded with exhibits getting in each others way. It was easy to move around and view all of the items on display.
With its location in a farming district, it’s not surprising that there is a lot of farm equipment, from the first Caterpillar dozer to old cheese making presses and butter churns. A significant portion of the items on display are cars. For a small museum, it’s an impressive collection and worth the visit in itself.
Obviously passionate about the museum, the volunteer staff were great to talk to, with stories about the displays and their history.
Farm Equipment
1929 2 Ton Caterpillar1929 2 Ton Caterpillar1911 International Auto WagonCheese PressButter ChurnsTorpedo WasherHorse Buggy
Cars
1906 Darracq 7hp
1906 Darracq 7hpFront view of the 1906 Darracq 7hp1906 Darracq 7hpEngine of the 1906 Darracq 7hp
1910 Brush Penny Car
1910 Brush Penny CarFront view of the 1910 Brush Penny Car1910 Brush Penny CarRadiator and name plate 1910 Brush Penny CarLight and horn 1910 Brush Penny Car
1927 Whippet
1927 WhippetFront view of the1927 Whippet1927 WhippetFront seat 1927 Whippet
Buick
Buick
1938 Standard
1938 StandardFront view of the 1938 Standard1938 Standard
1934 Austin 7
Front right view of the 1934 Austin 71934 Austin 71934 Austin 7
1958 Gogomobil
Front view of the 1958 Gogomobil1958 Gogomobil1958 Gogomobil
1900 Locomobile Steam Car
Locomobile 1908 Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam CarA 1900 Locomobile Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam Car1900 Locomobile Steam Car
1913 Sunbeam
Front view1913 Sunbeam1913 SunbeamFront seats of the 1913 Sunbeam1913 Sunbeam1913 SunbeamBack seats of the 1913 Sunbeam1913 Sunbeam Front Seats1913 Sunbeam Front Seats
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
Covering Australia’s maritime history from pre-colonial times to the present, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney has an excellent collection of ships and artefacts on display. The most obvious displays are the ships and boats of the heritage fleet docked on Darling Harbour, but those inside also deserve a lot of attention.
Indigenous Watercraft
As the oldest users of the Australian coast and waterways, a large section is devoted to indigenous watercraft and heritage. Displays of canoes from around Australia and the Torres Strait are on display.
Aboriginal Bark CanoeIlma from the Bardi Jawi people
Kay Cottee and Blackmores First Lady
In 1989, Kay Cottee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world alone, without stopping, without assistance, by way of both hemispheres and the five southernmost capes. It took her 189 days in Blackmores First Lady, in a time before Social Media and with poor communications.
Visitors are able to enter the boat and experience how small it is. Getting on board really makes you realise what an incredible achievement it was.
Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the worldInside Kay Cottee’s Blackmores First Lady
Model Ships
One section of the Museum has beautifully made ship models relevant to Australia. As the museum is based in Sydney most of the Royal Australian Navy’s shops named HMAS Sydney are displayed. The largest and most impressive is the aircraft carrier, which has amazing detail.
Other models range from sailing ships to bulk iron ore carriers. All were important either for exploration or trade.
Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)A model of BHP Pacific IronSailing Ship Model
Other Exhibits
Interesting displays located throughout the museum include the ships bell from USS Canberra (AG-2) which was named after HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Second World War. A 40mm cannon from a Royal Australian Navy ship lets you get a close up look at this important anti-aircraft weapon.
The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2Spirit of Australia – The World’s Fastest Boat 1978Bofors 40mm cannonDeep Sea Diver Statue
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vampire (II) D11 was a Daring class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy. Launched in 1959 and decommissioned in 1986. Entry to Vampire and the other ships is included in the ticket cost of the Maritime Museum (as of March 2024).
HMAS VampireHMAS Vampire 4.5″ Guns Sick Bay of HMAS VampireSenior Ratings’ Lounge HMAS Vampire
HMAS Onslow
HMAS Onslow was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy. Commissioned 1969 in and decommissioned in 1999. Walking through the submarine makes you realise how cramped the conditions are. This isn’t somewhere I would want to live months on end.
The historical fleet contains ships that have importance to Australia’s maritime heritage. Possibly the most impressive to still be preserved is the Krait. This ex-Japanese fishing boat was used by Australia Special Forces during the Second World War to sneak into Singapore Harbour where they damaged 37,000 tonnes of Japanese ships.
