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Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial

Ship Building Memorial From the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial

Located adjacent to the Kokoda Track Memorial Pathway, the Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial is a tribute to the ship building that operated here from 1939 to 1945. Representing a ship a sculpture sits next to the entrance walkway which has ships’ names etched into it.

Operated by Tulloch, the shipyard built the bow and midsections of shallow draught vessels here. The stern sections were constructed at Granville. These small ships were needed for operations in coastal areas in Northern Australia and New Guinea. Up to 1945 when construction halted up to 24 ships were built here.

The entrance to the area recreates the slipway the vessels were built on, while the ship sculpture represents the bow section of a ship built here.

This is an interesting addition to the memorial walk while teaching us a little about the wartime industry in the area.

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

Sub Base Platypus Sydney

Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia

Sub Base Platypus Sydney

Sub Base Platypus is a unique site located in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia. The site has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s when it was originally used as a gasworks site. In the early 1960s, the site was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and used as a submarine base until it was decommissioned in the 1990s. During this time, the bas was home to the six Oberon class submarines operated by the RAN.

Not only were the submarines themselves based here, but a torpedo factory, maintenance facilities and a school for submariners provided a complete support structure for them.

Although long retired, several of the Oberons still exist as museum displays. HMS Onslow is close by in Sydney at the National Maritime Museum, while HMS Otway sits in Holbrook.

Getting There

We chose to take public transport because parking in the area is limited. A small carpark on Kiara Close provides somewhere to park if you drive. When we visited, this area was being extended, so perhaps in the future more space will be available.

The closest train station is Milsons Point, so we got off there and walked for only 10 minutes to get to the old submarine base. On the way we passed plenty of cafes and eateries, so grabbing a snack or drink is not a problem.

We entered via an alleyway off High Street, but access is available from Kesterton Park, which has a walkway over the water and an interesting entrance sign. We exited this way, so got to see both. Future plans will have a more official entrance off High Street.

What you will Find at the Base

Today, Sub Base Platypus has been redeveloped and transformed into a public space for the community to enjoy. The site includes a range of facilities and features, including a playground, public spaces, and a memorial to submariners who lost their lives in service to Australia.

The playground is a popular attraction for families, with a range of equipment and play areas designed for children of all ages. The playground has been designed to reflect the history of the site, with play structures shaped like torpedoes and submarines. Stepping stones running through the gardens are labeled with the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, Charlie etc.).

In addition to the playground, Sub Base Platypus is also home to the Submariners Memorial, which honors those who served on the Oberon class submarines, particularly the three men who lost their lives while serving. The memorial includes HMAS Oxley’s anchor and the names of the submarines on the steps.

Although currently closed, the old workshops and torpedo factory are, planned to re-open in the future. On High Street, a series of information boards show large photos of operations in these buildings.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, there are plans to further develop Sub Base Platypus into a cultural precinct that celebrates the site’s rich history and promotes community engagement. The development plans include a range of facilities, including a museum, art galleries, and performance spaces.

What Did We Think?

Overall, Sub Base Platypus is an important and unique site that has been transformed into a valuable community asset. Its history as a submarine base and gasworks site is honored through its public spaces and features, making it a significant and memorable part of Sydney’s cultural landscape.

Statues Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Mare and Foal

Statues of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Besides plants and trees, the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney contains many varied and interesting statues. Many are from the early days of the garden when statues formed a major part of its display. Unfortunately removed in large numbers as the gardens developed, many still remain adding to the beauty of the area.

Located on Sydney Harbour in the centre of the city, the gardens are a great place to relax, either looking at the wonderful floral surrounds or watching the boat traffic on the water.

Horses of the Desert Mounted Corps

Located on the Botanic Garden’s exterior, this bronze plaque of an Australian light horseman and three horses commemorates the 140,000 horses sent to serve in the desert campaign in World War One. Only one came home to Australia, which is very sad.

Morshead Fountain

The Morshead Fountain sits outside the Morshead Fountain Gate entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens on Shakespeare Place. Lieutenant-General Sir Lesley Morshead was knighted for his defence of Tobruk in World War II. This fountain honours him and the men who served with him.

Cupid

This small bronze statue of cupid on a marble plinth holding a bow and arrow is the work of sculptor Paul R Montford (1868-1938). Cupid marks the exact spot of where the center dome of the Garden Palace once stood.

Governor Phillip Fountain

Commemorating Captain Arthur Phillip (1738-1814) the first Governor of New South Wales from 1788 to 1792, this marble and bronze fountain was first unveiled in 1997. Below the statue are three bas reliefs illustrating education, justice and patriotism. Encircling these are four reclining sculptures representing agriculture, commerce, mining and shipping. Bronze bas reliefs illustrate Aboriginal hunting techniques.

Huntsman and Dogs

Cast by the Val d’Osne Company around 1879 the Huntsman and Dogs statue is a copy of a sculpture by French sculptor Henri Alfred Marie Jacquemart. Located on the path next to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the sculpture of the Huntsman and Dogs is an “imitation” bronze. Created by using electrolysis to deposit copper on a cast iron casting, immitation bronze is a cheap way to crate a bronze statue.

The Four Seasons Statues

Located at the top and bottom of a stairway, the four seasons are represented by three young women, while an old man represents winter.

Linda di Chamonix Statues in the Royal Botanic Garden

These two Victorian style marble statues,  Linda di Chamonix and the Sweeb Boy are based on a characters from the Donizetti opera ‘Linda di Chamonix’, written in 1842.

The Boxers

Placed in the Botanic gardens in the 1880s these marble statues are copies from the original boxers statues, “Creugas and Damoxenus” by Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757-1822).

Lewis Wolfe Levy Fountain

Commemorating Lewis Wolfe Levy (1815–85), a politician and businessman, this fountain has an Art Nouveau bronze statue of a young girl standing amid reeds, a heron and frogs. The fountain was a gift to the people of Sydney in 1889 from the Levy family.

Living Floral Sculptures

Scattered throughout the Botanic Garden living sculptures of animals which brighten up the garden beds. There are whales, bees, koalas and echidnas.

The Herb Garden

The Satyr

Sculpted by Guy Lynch in 1924, The Satyr is a bronze casting of the original (by the same artist) commissioned by his wife after is death. The sculpture was modelled on the sculptor’s younger brother and a local goat.

Vista Pavilion

Folly For Mrs Macquarie

Slit Drum from Vanuatu

Sumo Wrestlers

Lions’ Gate

This male and female lion guard the entrance to the Lions’ Gate Lodge in the Botanic Gardens.

Venus ‘Italica’

This marble statue is a replica of the Venus ‘Italica’. The naked Venus is clutching a flowing sheet around her body.

La Ballerina

This copy of a famous statue by the Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova, La Ballarina arrived from Italy in 1883, when the gardens were home to as many sculptures as trees. Following a spell in the sculpture graveyard in the 1970s, La Ballerina underwent restoration and is again on display.

Magnolia

Boy Extracting Thorn

This marble copy of the famous ‘Fidele’ (faithful) statue was imported into Australia from Italy, in 1883.

Mare and Foal

These bronze statues of a Mare, named La Reyna, and her foal overlook the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On the base are reliefs depicting training and racing scenes. Sculpted by French Sculptor, Arthur Jacques Le Duc, it was purchased in 1891.

Choragic Monument

This carved yellowblock sandstone is a copy of the circular Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. The monument features carved scenes depicting episodes from the myth of Dionysus as well as six Corinthian columns. Originally erected at Sir James Martin ( Premier of New South Wales ) home at Macleay Street, Potts Point in 1870, the Choragic Monument was moved to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the 16th November, 1943.

Bara

Venus Fountain

Although removed from display in 1990 this bronze statue of Venus was later reinstalled in 1994. However corrosion to the statue meant it needed replacement. Originally the base featured rocks and large clam shells but they were later replaced by a sculpted crocodile. It now features two cherubs riding dolphins.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

Carved out of a sandstone rock ledge by convicts in 1810 Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is one of the best vantage points to view the sights of Sydney Harbour. Governor Macquarie commissioned it for his wife Elizabeth who was known to love the area.

2nd / 30th Infantry Battalion Memorial

This memorial is a tribute to the men of the 2/30 Battalion AIF who departed for the First World War from docks near here.

Barrel Roll

Sculpted by Peter Lundberg, Barrel Roll, formed part of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2012. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundationit it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.

Paradiegma Metaphysic

Sculpted by Paul Selwood, paradiegma metaphysic was originally displayed at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2011. Gifted to the Royal Botanic Gardens by the Balnaves Foundation it now sits in the median strip of Mrs Macquarie’s Road.

Henry Lawson Memorial

Commissioned in February 1860 by the Henry Lawson Memorial And Literary Society, this monument commemorates Australian poet, Henry Lawson. Often called Australia’s greatest writer, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period. The bronze bust of Lawson is 1.5 times life size.

In February each year near the statue, a gathering celebrates Henry Lawson’s life with renditions of his works, performances by singers and other poetry and prose.

Henry Lawson Memorial
Henry Lawson Memorial

Memory is Creation Without End

Memory is Creation Without End consists of a massive spiral of sandstone blocks embedded into the earth of the Tarpeian Way, adjacent to Macquarie Street. Artist Kimio Tsuchiya has incorporated these relics from demolished buildings and structures such as the Pyrmont Bridge.

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