Destination's Journey

Tag: hospital

  • Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

    Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

    Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

    Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

    Located in the Sydney CBD, the Nightingale Wing, Sydney Hospital, is a historical building of both medical and architectural significance. Completed in 1869, this sandstone and polychrome-brick Gothic Revival structure is the site of the first nursing school in Australia.

    History

    The Nightingale Wing owes its name to the iconic pioneer of nursing, Florence Nightingale. In 1868, under the request of colonial politician Henry Parkes, Nightingale sent six nurses, led by Lucy Osburn, to New South Wales to establish a nursing school. This marked a turning point in Australian healthcare, ushering in a new era of professional nursing education.

    Designed by architect Thomas Rowe with input from Nightingale, the building embodied her vision for a modern and hygienic hospital environment. Featuring large windows for ample natural light, high ceilings for ventilation, and separate wards for different types of patients, the Nightingale Wing was a revolutionary design for its time.

    Current Use

    The Nightingale Wing is not just a historical landmark; it’s a living testament to the dedication and compassion of generations of nurses. Today, the wing houses the Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum, consisting of medical equipment, records, and artifacts that tell the story of nursing in Australia.

    The museum’s collection includes everything from vintage uniforms and surgical instruments to patient records and photographs, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of healthcare practices. Visitors can also explore the historic wards and classrooms where generations of nurses learned their skills.

    While no longer serving as an active hospital wing, the Nightingale Wing remains an integral part of Sydney Hospital. The collection of medical specimens is significant and are an important teaching tool. The museum itself is a popular tourist attraction, celebrating the history of nursing in Australia.

    Getting There

    Only a three-minute walk from Martin Place Railway Station, it’s easy to get to. Bus stops on Macquarie Street are even closer although car parks are further away and being Sydney, very expensive.

    Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
    Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
    View over the courtyard
    View over the courtyard and Robert Brough Memorial Fountain
    Matron's Office Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
    Matron’s Office
    Nurses' Lounge Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital
    Nurses’ Lounge
    Old record books
    Old patient record books
    Old nurse uniforms
    Old nurse uniforms

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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

  • Rivendell School Sydney Australia

    Rivendell School Sydney Australia

    Rivendell School Sydney Australia

    History

    Opened on 21st September 1893 what is now Rivendell School was originally the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital. Built from money from Walker’s will, the hospital treated over 70,000 patients convalesced at the hospital, including servicemen from the 1914-18 and 1939-45 World Wars.  In 1977, the hospital was transformed into a specialized educational institution for students with mental health concerns and was renamed Rivendell School. The name reflects Rivendell From J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit as a place to rest and recuperate – a sanctuary for those on difficult journeys.

    Designed by John Sulman the brick and sandstone buildings are of the Federation Free Classical style and were.

    Current Use

    Located in West Concord on Sydney’s Parramatta River, Rivendell School is a specialized educational facility located in Sydney, Australia. It caters to students who have mental health concerns or psychiatric conditions, providing a supportive and comprehensive learning environment. The school focuses on fostering wellness, resilience, and academic achievement for its students. With a team of dedicated professionals, Rivendell School offers tailored programs to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring they receive the necessary support to thrive academically and personally.

    Getting To Rivendell School

    We travelled by train to Rhodes Train Station and then walked to the school. On the way we looked at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway and the Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial. Bus 410 runs from the station to near the school, so you can take this instead. If travelling by car, parking is difficult to find because of the other hospitals in the area. The best option would be to park in the Kokoda Parking area.

    The Grounds and Buildings

    Walking around the landscaped grounds, is very relaxing as you would expect from the building’s original purpose. Make sure to look at the inside of the entrance gate as there are many sandstone carvings on the walls. The sandstone carvings are perfectly preserved, with the columns on the upper balcony of the main building looking magnificent.

    Directly opposite the main entrance, on the Parramatta River, an old water gate was the preferred entrance when the school was used as a hospital. Although this is no longer in use. This is a great building in its own right and unique in Australia.

    Tours can be booked here.

    Rivendell School Entrance Gate
    Rivendell School Entrance Gate
    Landscaped entry driveway
    Landscaped entry driveway
    Stone carving above the front entrance
    Stone carving above the front entrance
    Stone carving above the front entrance
    Stone carving inside the front entrance
    Carving on the entrance Rivendell School
    Carving on the entrance
    The main building
    The main building
    Front door entrance Rivendell School
    Front door entrance
    Sandstone carving around the clock Rivendell School
    Sandstone carving around the clock
    Caryatid columns on the upper balcony Rivendell School
    Caryatid columns on the upper balcony
    Walkway to the disused ferry wharf
    Walkway to the disused ferry wharf
    Disused ferry wharf
    Disused ferry wharf

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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

  • North Head Quarantine Station Sydney

    North Head Quarantine Station Sydney

    North Head Quarantine Station

    An important part of Sydney’s past, North Head Quarantine Station once protected the city from disease by acting as the quarantine station from early in the colonies founding until 1984.

    Although now disused, and renamed Q Station, it contains accommodation and a restaurant, while preserving the historical significance of the area.


    Getting to The Quarantine Station

    Driving

    Located outside the Visitor Centre is a car park, which makes driving yourself a convenient option.

    Public Transport

    From the Manly Ferry Wharf, bus 135 takes 10 minutes to drive to Q Station. This bus runs every hour and connects well with the ferry arriving and departing Manly. Located outside the main entrance, the bus stop is easy to find.

    Ferries to Manly run from Circular Quay, taking around 30 minutes for the trip. Alternately, the Manly Fast Ferry takes 20 minutes, but is more expensive. There is a Fast Ferry service to Q Station Wharf, if you want to start here instead of in Manly.

    Walking

    Taking 30 minutes, the shortest walk winds through Manly’s streets, to the Q Station car park.

    Shuttle Bus

    A shuttle bus operates from the main entrance, down to the wharf area, removing the need for a steep walk. Running all day, the bus makes getting around far quicker than walking. Walking from the entrance to the wharf area takes around 10 minutes.

    The Stairs Down to Q Station
    The Stairs Down to Q Station
    The Stairs Down to Q Station
    The Stairs Down to Q Station

    An interesting walk connects Q Station to North Head winding through coastal Australian bushland. This is a well structured path with lots of signs. The path also passes the third quarantine station cemetery which is an interesting place to walk around and view the old grave sites.

    Guided Tours of the Quarantine Station

    Tours of the historical buildings are available and can be booked online. The meeting point for the tour is near the wharf at the visitor centre. If you are not staying on site this means that you will walk though other old buildings on your way giving you a great overview of what is there (alternately, you can catch the shuttle bus).

    You get to walk around the hospital, grounds, decontamination rooms, fumigation rooms and various other areas. The walk to the hospital at the top of the hill is very steep.

    Starting at the wharf, the guide explained the use and history of the station before showing us the plaques carved into the rock face by ship’s passengers, many of which are quite artistic.

    RMS Lusitania Carving North Head Quarantine Station
    RMS Lusitania Carving
    Ship Carving North Head Quarantine Station
    Ship Carving
    RMS Niagara Carving North Head Quarantine Station
    RMS Niagara Carving

    Our first stop was the decontamination rooms where patients were showered before entering the facility. We then saw the fumigation rooms where their belongings were placed in larger chambers and decontaminated. Several old suitcases and trolleys are set up to show how they were used.

    Shower Cubicles
    Shower Cubicles
    Fumigation Chamber
    Fumigation Chamber

    Our last stop was the hospital at the top of the hill, where the sick were cared for.

    Hospital
    Hospital
    Hospital Ward
    Hospital Ward

    Wharf Precinct

    There is a little museum at the wharf, which is where you will find the ship’s plaques. This was a really interesting tour, and the guide had a lot of knowledge about the working and history of the fascility.

    The area provided several magnificent views over Sydney Harbour and towards the city. Quarantine Beach sitting next to the wharf is a nice area with views back to the wharf and across the harbour to the city.

    Quarantine Beach North Head Quarantine Station
    Quarantine Beach
    Door Decoration Q Station
    Door Decoration Q Station
    Door Decoration Q Station
    Door Decoration Q Station

    The Third Quarantine Cemetery

    At the end of the guided tour, we walked to the Third Quarantine Cemetery where the headstones are still standing amongst the Australian bush with views over the harbour.

    Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
    Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
    Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
    Headstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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