Destination's Journey

Tag: Australia

  • Barrington Tops National Park

    Barrington Tops National Park

    Barrington Tops National Park

    Aberdeen

    Our drive to the Barrington Tops started at Aberdeen in the NSW Hunter Valley.  This is a small town, famous for its Scottish heritage and its annual Highland Games.  Also of interest as you pass through the town is St Mark’s Church.

    • St Mark's Anglican Church Aberdeen NSW Australia
      St Mark’s Anglican Church

    Polblue Swamp Walk

    Polblue Swamp Walk can be started in either the camping ground, or the nearby day parking area.  The walk forms a loop that passes through both areas. This was a nice walk that took us 30 minutes to complete.  The loop, skirts the swamp area and passes through wooded area, over several creeks (with bridges) and finishes with a board walk over part of the swamp.

    We found the board walk to be the most interesting, as it had a variety of bird life and plants.

    • Polblue Swamp Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Polblue Swamp

    Devil’s Hole Lookout

    The track to Devils hole Lookout is very short (about 5 minutes) and paved. The view is amazing over the Barrington Tops, because the viewing platform is placed well. 

    • Devil's Hole Lookout Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Devil’s Hole Lookout
    • Devil's Hole Lookout Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Devil’s Hole Lookout

    Thunderbolt’s Lookout

    Thunderbolt’s Lookout gives views similar to Devils hole, but also has a more interesting walk to the viewing area. You pass ferns, huge trees, and part of the path is enclosed overhead with tree branches forming a passageway.

    • Thunderbolt's Lookout Track Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Thunderbolt’s Lookout Track

    Honeysuckle Walk

    Honeysuckle Walk was our favourite in the Barrington Tops, because of its wonderful trees and undergrowth. The walk starts at the Honeysuckle Picnic Ground and then loops around through the forest before returning to the picnic area.

    The walk passes through Antarctic beech forest with an undergrowth of tree ferns. Many of the trees have moss covered trunks are a spectacular sight. This walk took us 30 minutes, but could be quicker if you don’t stop to admire the surroundings.

    • Honeysuckle Walk Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Moss Covered Trunk
    • Honeysuckle Walk Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Honeysuckle Walk
    • Honeysuckle Walk Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Honeysuckle Walk
    • Fern Understory Honeysuckle Walk Honeysuckle Walk Barrington Tops National Park NSW Australia
      Fern Understory Honeysuckle Walk

    Mountain Maid Gold Mine

    Hidden Treasure track is an easy walk through dry rain forest following Copeland Creek beneath the rain forest canopy. This hike also takes you past remnants of the area’s mining history. Along the track you will pass mine adits that have been barred shut. Some are now home to micro bats and you can smell the guano from the entrance.

    We took 90 minutes to complete this track. Be careful of the signage and take a map (or photograph the map at the start of the walk), because some signs are not obvious.

    The Basin Loops track takes 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours and is an extension of the Hidden Treasure track.  We didn’t have time to complete this one, so left it for another day.

    • Giant Fig Tree
    • Mountain Maid Gold Mine Entrance Hidden Treasure Track Copeland Tops State Conservation Area NSW Australia
      Mountain Maid Gold Mine Entrance
    • Hidden Treasure Track Copeland Tops State Conservation Area NSW Australia
      Hidden Treasure Track

    What Did We Think?

    Our trip finished in Gloucester, where we had a late lunch at a cafe on the main street before the drive home. The Barrington Tops was a great day out with some lovely walks and scenery. There are many places to stop and admire the scenery as well as walks for beginners to the more adventurous.

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

  • The Rocks Sydney

    The Rocks Sydney

    The Rocks

    The Rocks is one of the oldest areas of Sydney, and as such it has many historically important buildings to visit. We started our walk near the Fortune of War hotel and the old restored police building next door. Walking through the archway nearby we went to Nurses Walk and looked at the monuments to the original hospital located there and read a lot of the history surrounding the  nurses who worked there during that period. The area is now very trendy and full of eateries, nothing like its original use. However, it’s an interesting spot to visit.

    Suez Canal

    At the end of Nurses Walk is Suez Canal which is the narrowest street in the city. It was originally a sewer and a haunt of the underclass and criminals during the early days of the colony.

    Suez Canal The Rocks Sydney Australia
    Suez Canal

    Cadman’s Cottage

    At the top of Suez Canal is Harrington Street. We turned right here and again at Argyle Street, walking to George Street, where we crossed the road and walked down some stone steps to check out Cadman’s Cottage.

    Cadmans Cottage Near The Rocks Sydney Australia
    Cadmans Cottage
    Captain William Bligh Near The Rocks Sydney Australia
    Captain William Bligh

    Returning to Argyle Street we walked down Playfair Street and its Cafes and restaurants, buying some excellent meat pies from a stall holder and eating them near some brilliant buskers. All this near the shortest street in Sydney, Atherden Street. This is a popular spot with great opportunities to take in all this place has to offer, including the statue First Impressions of early settlers, convicts and soldiers. 

    • Biggles The Rocks Sydney Australia
      Biggles
    • First Impressions Sculpture The Rocks Sydney Australia
      First Impressions Sculpture
    • The Rocks Sydney Australia
      The Rocks

    Federation Park

    The old row of houses in Playfair Street back onto one of the Rocks hidden gems, Federation Park, a rank of demolished cottages left as ruins. There is a small passage through the shops, or you can get to them from Cumberland Street. This area has been left with only a few enhancements to help show what used to be there. Some old rooms have been decorated with furniture, and stairs added for easy access. We found this a great spot to sit and relax.  It is very quiet and such a great place to see the history, without the congestion that usually goes with these hidden gems.

    Foundation Park The Rocks Sydney Australia
    Foundation Park

    At the end of Gloucester Walk we took the stairs down to the Cahill Expressway underpass. This took us past Garrison Church and then to the Sydney Observatory, which were great to explore.  The observatory has amazing views of Sydney. 

    • Argyle St Underpass Near The Rocks Sydney Australia
      Argyle St Underpass
    • The Garrison Church Near The Rocks Sydney Australia
      The Garrison Church
    • Sydney Observatory Sydney Australia
      Sydney Observatory
    • View From South African War Memorial Observatory Hill Sydney Australia
      View From South African War Memorial

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

  • Bathurst

    Bathurst

    Bathurst New South Wales

    We drove to Bathurst New South Wales from Lithgow, after visiting the Abercrombie Caves The main reason for our visit was to see the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama. While in the town, we took the opportunity to look around and experience what the town had to offer.

    We stayed at the Quality Hotel Bathurst, which was clean and comfortable, with friendly staff.  Breakfast was including with our stay and was delicious and filling. For dinner, we went to the Bathurst RSL, where we had a great meal at a good price.

    Abercrombie House

    Abercrombie House located on the outskirts of Bathurst gives the visitor an insight into the life of the rich. Open to the public, to help fund its upkeep, cost of the interior is accessible. Ample parking is available on the grounds in front of the house.

    The father of the current owner spent time in China and the decorations reflect this. We were fortunate that the owner was there during our visit, and he spoke about the origin of some of the decorations and furniture on display.

    You are free to wander around the house, but are asked not to enter closed doors or pass through roped off areas.

    The exterior of the house and surrounding garden make an interesting addition to the building A  collection of old cars rusting in one field and an old blacksmith’s barn being worth seeing.  Went beyond our expectations.

    • Abercrombie House Bathurst NSW Australia
      Abercrombie House

    Chifley Home

    This house was the residence of Ben Chifley and his wife Elizabeth from 1914 until his death in 1951 and hers in 1962. The house has been maintained as a museum since 1973 as a memorial to the late Prime Minister and his family.

    Interesting from an historical point of view, we only looked at the outside, but guided tours are available at limited days and times if you are interested.

    • Chifley Home Bathurst NSW Australia
      Chifley Home

    Court House

    This heritage listed court house on Russel Street is a very impressive building designed by James Barnet. Opened in 1880, and still in use it can be best viewed from across Russel Street in Kings Parade where the whole facade can be seen. Next door is the Conservatory of Music, so we heard classical music while we looked at the court house!

    • Bathurst Court House NSW Australia
      Bathurst Court House

    George Evans Expedition Statue

    Located at the George Street end of Kings Parade, this large monument commemorates George Evans, the first European to survey the area. In addition, the local aboriginal people who assisted him in his journey are also commemorated.

    This is a large and impressive monument and celebrates the founding of Australia’s first large inland town.

    • George Evans Expedition Statue Bathurst NSW Australia
      George Evans Expedition Statue

    Machattie Park

    We parked here for a walk through the city centre and relaxed under the shady trees while we had lunch. There are some lovely trees and plenty of places to sit in the shade and relax. Very popular with both tourists and locals.  Great place to visit and relax.

    • Fountain in Machattie Park Bathurst NSW Australia
      Fountain in Machattie Park

    National Motor Racing Museum

    The National Motor Racing Museum is probably the largest draw card for Bathurst, outside of the main race held there annually. The collection of racing cars and bikes is impressive and any motor sports fan could spend hours here.

    The range of racing cars is extensive and includes utes, touring cars, F1, rally and even a solar powered car. The Bathurst 1000 has a section to itself, with Ford on one side and Holden on the other.  The other makes are also present, with Jaguar and others represented.

    There is a small section with the busts of famous winners and a history of the race.

    There is also an impressive collection of motorbikes and rally cars and a good selection of old open wheel racers.

    Many of the exhibits are loan and rotated regularly, so it’s worth checking if there is a particular vehicle you want to see. 

    • Peter Brock Memorial National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Peter Brock Memorial
    • Holden VU/VY Commodore National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Holden VU/VY Commodore
    • Commodore VR National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Commodore VR
    • Holden VY Commodore National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Holden VY Commodore
    • 1984 Holden Commodore VK National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1984 Holden Commodore VK
    • Jaguar XJ-S National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Jaguar XJ-S
    • 1951 George Reed Special National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1951 George Reed Special
    • 1963 Ford Cortina GT National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1963 Ford Cortina GT
    • Motor Bike Collection 1984 Holden Commodore VK National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Motor Bike Collection
    • National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      National Motor Racing Museum
    • Rally Car 1984 Holden Commodore VK National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Rally Car
    • 1988 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS 500 National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1988 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS 500

    Railway Station

    The railway station is a beautiful old building not far from the Chifley Home. Parking is easy because it has its own huge car park. Outside the station building is a preserved steam train, locomotive 5112.  Nice to be able to get up close and have a really good lock at this huge train.

    • Locomotive 5112 Bathurst Railway Station Bathurst NSW Australai
      Locomotive 5112

    South African War Memorial

    The Boer War memorial stands at the southern end of Kings Parade, not far from the Carillon.

    • Boer War Memorial Bathurst NSW Australia
      Boer War Memorial

    St Stanislavsky College

    The towers of this college are visible from many places in Bathurst, so we drove over to see it close up. An interesting building to look at, but we simply took a photo and moved on.

    • St Stanislavsky College Bathurst NSW Australia
      St Stanislavsky College

    Uniting Church

    We saw this old church from Machattie Park, so spent a few minutes checking it out and took a picture.

    • Bathurst Uniting Church NSW Australia
      Bathurst Uniting Church

    War Memorial Carillon

    The Bathurst War Memorial Carillon is a 30.5 metre tall tower structure located in the centre of Kings Parade, in the centre of Bathurst’s CBD. A memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars, the 35 cast bronze bells are rung daily at lunchtime. The picture really does not do it justice, it does look great, and you can have a close look from the outside to the inside.  Definitely worth a look. 

    • Corellen Bathurst NSW Australla
      Corellen

    What Did We Think of Bathurst?

    So, if you are visiting Bathurst New South Wales for a race meeting, or the National Motor Racing Museum, spend some time in town. There is a lot to see and do.

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