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Our Town Model Show Newcastle 2019

HMAS Tobruk (L 50)

Our Town Model Show

An annual event held at the Newcastle Jockey Club, Our Town Model Show  caters for a wide range of hobbies from model trains and planes to doll houses and boats. Anyone interested in models making or collecting will enjoy this event, because everyone who attends is passionate about their hobby.

Model Trains

There was a great display of trains running with amazingly well detailed dioramas. The effort that went into constructing them was outstanding, making it just as interesting as the trains were.

Model Ships

The model boat displays were truly awesome. On static display was a range of 72 scale destroyers and other ships by Task Force 72. At around 2 m long, these huge models are amazingly detailed replicas of the original ship.

There was an indoor pond displaying remote controlled boats, which we found extremely interesting, because of the variety and detail of the ships. Many of them were zooming around, especially the tugboats which were very manoeuvrable. At 1:100 scale, these models show the dedication their owners give to their hobby to produce such great replicas.

Model Aircraft

Model aircraft were present in a huge array covering all eras of flight and different scales. There was a huge display showing the skills of the model builders.

Scale Model Aircraft Display at Our Town Model Fair
Scale Model Aircraft Display

Science Fiction Models

Science fiction models from Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Gundam were on display, making an interesting alternative to the “real world” models elsewhere at the Our Town Model Show.

Die Cast Models

An extensive display of Corgi and other brands of cars, buses and machinery catered for collectors of die-cast models.

Hobby Supplies For Sale

For anyone interested in adding to their hobby Frontline Hobbies had a huge stall with models for sale, which was great if inspiration struck you to build something as you walked around the displays.

A second had stall selling deceased estates was doing a good trade in model kits for anyone looking for some older models at a cheaper price.

Tools and accessories were available from Tinkering Tools, who had a large
range of high-quality products for sale.

If you got hungry, the NJC has its cafe operating and coffee snacks and meals were available

Parking was excellent on site and free, which was great and the walking distance to the fair was very short.

The entry fee of $10 each was good value for a few hours of entertainment and profits were donated to Benwerrin Rural Fire Service, so a good cause was supported too.

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

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Bradleys Head

HMAS Sydney (I) Mast Bradleys Head

Bradleys Head

Many people using Sydney Ferries will have past Bradleys Head with its mast from HMAS Sydney, but many will not know its significance. This small headland holds memorials to the Royal Australian Navy ships lost during wartime.  The RAN considers this location the pre-eminent naval memorial in Australia.

HMAS Sydney Mast and Associated Memorials

The most striking feature on the headland is the mast of HMAS Sydney (I), because it stands tall above its surroundings. It commemorates all who served on the four ships named Sydney and forms the focal point for the other memorials. Walking around the gardens you come across memorials to individual ships, from the first submarine AE1 to HMAS Canberra.

Doric Column

Sitting off the headland is a Doric stone column in the waters of the harbour. It is from the demolished Sydney Post Office and in conjunction with the tower off Fort Denison, it was used for speed trials of vessels in Sydney Harbour. No longer used for this purpose, it is an interesting sight.

Bradleys Head Light

The Bradleys Head Light, completed in 1905, is located on the point of Bradley’s Head Peninsula. Used as a navigation marker and warning light, it also makes for a great photograph. The lighthouse is mounted on a rock and connected to shore by a footbridge.

Access to Bradleys Head is past the Taronga Park Zoo and down a narrow windy road. On the way down, you will pass the Rifle Wall, part of the old fortifications built to defend Sydney. Although probably not as interesting as the naval memorials, it is still historically important and worth stopping at.

A great little stop for a wander around, either before or after the zoo if you are interested.  Or you could add it to a visit to Middle Head and its fortifications.

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

Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks

SS Ayrfield


Homebush Bay Ship Wrecks

Hidden in plain sight are some fantastic shipwrecks on the Parramatta River right in Sydney not far from Olympic Park. We walked to the Homebush Bay ship wrecks from the Newington Armory, but driving or using public transport would also work fine. We left the area using the ferry to circular quay, which took an hour.  From the water you get an amazing view of both sides of the river, good picture opportunities!

Access

There is a walk and bike track that leads to the shipwreck lookout. This side track is a dirt path and very easily overlooked. If you are not sure, there is s a large metal plaque at the start of the track. We also found that  google maps was very accurate in this area.

The Wrecks

The lookout track has a small side path about half way along on the right hand side. This takes you to a small lookout platform over the river to a shipwreck (the tug Heroic) in the mangroves.

At the end of the track there is a well constructed viewing area with a telescope where you can see the wrecks of the SS Mortlake Bank and SS Ayrfield. Two wrecked wooden barges are also located at the end of the viewing platform, so look out for them too.

Returning back to the main walkway and continuing on it for about 20 minutes, you will find a sign board for the HMAS Karangi. It is visible through the mangroves and looks amazing, being overgrown with trees. Unfortunately trying to get a clear photo from the shore proved too difficult with the trees in the way

As the SS Mortlake Bank and SS Ayrfield are clearly visible, we walked around to the far side of Wentworth Point to take photos from a different perspective.

Getting Back To Sydney CBD

From here we walked to the ferry wharf, where there is a small shopping centre with several eateries and a supermarket, which was  convenient to grab some snacks for the ride . The ferry trip takes an hour to get to Circular Quay.

The Homebush Bay ship wrecks are great to visit for something a bit different to see. Make a day of it and go to the Newington Armory as well.

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

Our photos are available for purchase on