Destination's Journey

Tag: New South Wales

  • Sydney Royal Easter Show

    Sydney Royal Easter Show

    Getting There

    The Sydney Royal Easter Show is held over a two week period at Olympic Park. If you purchase entry tickets online the cost of public transport to the show is included for free. We took the train changing at Strathfield and again at Lidcombe although there were direct Strathfield to Olympic Park depending on timing.

    At the gate there was a quick security bag check and we were inside. Not being interested in the rides or slideshows we gave that section a miss although it was popular withe the kids in attendance.

    Animal Pavilions

    We went to the animal pavilions and checked out the sheep and cows. We had no idea that there were so many different breeds of cows. Another surprize was seeing the prized cows having a shampoo and blow dry before being judged.

    • Cows Relaxing
      Cows Relaxing
    • Cow 1151
      Cow 1151
    • Cow Waiting For the Competition to Start
      Cow Waiting For the Competition to Start
    • Champion Sheep Royal Easter Show
      Champion Sheep
    • Inquisitive Goat Royal Easter Show
      Inquisitive Goat

    Food Hall

    Passing through the food hall we had a look at the displays put together from the different areas displaying their produce. The artistic effort to arrange the fruit and vegetables was amazing. You also get to vote on which one you feel is best!

    • Produce Display
      Produce Display
    • Produce Display Royal Easter Show
      Produce Display

    Wood Chopping

    Next to this hall was the wood chopping competition. We spent an hour here watching the male and female competitors cutting sawing and chopping through timber. These are some very strong athletes who don’t seem to get the recognition they deserve. We honestly loved sitting and watching!

    Woodchopping Competition
    Woodchopping Competition

    Show-Bags

    Last stop was the showbag hall to get some presents for the kids who had given us a list of requirements and a bertie beetle one for the wife. We had never seen such a huge variety of show bags available. This is a place where the unwary parent could spend a fortune.

    Bertie Beetle Showbag
    Bertie Beetle Showbag

    What did We Think?

    We had  great day out seeing the livestock on display and the wood chopping. The free transport getting there was a great bonus too.

    We had a great day out watching wood chopping and seeing the best of NSW agriculture. Even for adults there is a lot to see and do as the show isn’t all about rides and sideshow alley.

    Horse and Buggy Competition
    Horse and Buggy Competition

    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

  • Goat Island Sydney Harbour

    Goat Island Sydney Harbour

    Getting to Goat Island

    Goat Island in Sydney Harbour is administered by National Parks and Wildlife and tours are organised and conducted by Rangers. We met our guide at Circular Quay wharf 6 where we boarded the ferry for a quick trip to the island. Access to the island is prohibited unless you are on an official tour, because of its heritage listed status. This tour takes 2 hours, which is plenty of time to see all of the island’s history.

    Original Use

    The original use for Goat Island was gunpowder storage and the most impressive building there is the old magazine. Built using convict labour this sandstone building has 2m thick walls, as a precaution to contain any explosions.

    It was interesting to see the difference between the convict-built buildings and those built after. The convict buildings are of excellent construction and quality, but hose built afterwards are of a far lesser standard as the government paid for their construction.

    Some boat maintenance is still performed on the island at the old shipyards but the facilities are a shadow of what happened there when Sydney was a large boat building harbour. The old crane still standing there is a reminder of the industry that used to be there.

    • View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
      View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
    • View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
      View of Sydney Harbour From Goat Island
    • Gunpowder Magazine Entrance
      Gunpowder Magazine Entrance
    • Gunpowder Magazine Walls
      Gunpowder Magazine Walls
    • Interior of the Gunpowder Magazine
      Interior of the Gunpowder Magazine
    • Magazine Memorial Plaque
      Magazine Memorial Plaque
    • Convict Built Building on Goat Island
      Convict Built Building on Goat Island
    • Convict Built Building on Goat Island
      Convict Built Building on Goat Island
    • Old Derelict Crane
      Old Derelict Crane

    Harbour Master’s Residence

    The harbour master’s residence overlooking the harbour is a beautiful old building but is currently unused. Plans to develop it and several surrounding cottages did not materialise leaving it unoccupied.

    We also stopped at Boney Anderson’s rock where he was chained for 2 years as punishment for bad behaviour. The small cutting in the rock was where he slept.

    Harbour Master's Residence
    Harbour Master’s Residence
    Boney Anderson's Bed Goat Island
    Boney Anderson’s Bed

    Water Police

    The tour also takes in the old water police and fire tender wharf which are in poor condition. Only the piers of the wharf remain and although they make an interesting photo it would have been   nicer had it been preserved. The building is badly in need of renovating because although the structure appears sound, the interior walls and floors need repair.

    Filmed on the island, the Australian TV show Water Rats built a set there. Unfortunately once filming stopped the set was not removed and remains an eye sore on the waterfront because it’s style does not match the historic buildings elsewhere.

    • Old Water Police Wharf Goat Island
      Old Water Police Wharf
    • Cottage Interior
      Cottage Interior

    What Did We Think of Goat Island?

    We had a fantastic time on Goat Island and learnt a great deal from our guide. This tour is highly recommended to anyone who wants to find out more about Australia’s past.

    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

  • Amazing Glenrock State Conservation Area

    Amazing Glenrock State Conservation Area

    Glenrock State Conservation Area

    Yuelarbah Track

    The Glenrock State Conservation Area contains several great walking tracks. The Yuelarbah Track is a nice walking track which follows Flaggy Creek down to Glenrock Lagoon through the coastal forest. The track is downhill most of the way to the lagoon and Burwood Beach, making is a fairly easy walk. It much harder on the return walk as it is uphill. Parts of the track are rough rocks so it is necessary to be careful with your footing. Part way along the track, the pathway splits enabling you to walk on either side of the creek. Both banks of the creek offer interesting spots, so walk down one side and back the other.

    Walking along, you will find some great places to look at the creek and enjoy the scenery. Even the stairs and walkways are great to look at.

    • Start of Yuelarbah Track
      Start of Yuelarbah Track
    • Yuelarbah Track Glenrock State Conservation Area
      Yuelarbah Track
    • Flaggy Creek Yuelarbah Track
      Flaggy Creek Yuelarbah Track
    • Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
      Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
    • Rock Cutting
      Rock Cutting
    • Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Up
      Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Up
    • Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
      Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down

    Glenrock State Conservation Area Glenrock Lagoon

    Halfway to the beach, on the left hand bank of Flaggy Creek, is a lookout which provides great views over the Glenrock State Conservation Area.

    Glenrock Lagoon From Lookout Glenrock State Conservation Area
    Glenrock Lagoon From Lookout

    As you near the beach you will pass Glenrock Lagoon which looks tranquil compared to the ocean nearby. There is also a bench seat where you can sit and admire the views before walking down to the beach.

    Glenrock Lagoon and Burwood Beach Glenrock State Conservation Area
    Glenrock Lagoon and Burwood Beach

    Burwood Beach

    Burwood Beach has been quiet both times we were there making it very peaceful and relaxing. As this is not a patrolled beach, so swimming is not recommended.

    Burwood Beach Glenrock State Conservation Area
    Burwood Beach
    Burwood Beach Glenrock State Conservation Area
    Burwood Beach

    Returning to the carpark is either back the way you came or on the opposite bank of Flaggy Creek. We chose the second option for some variety as the scenery is slightly different.

    This is a pleasant walk with a nice little beach at the end to relax on.

    Hickson Street Lookout to Burwood Beach Trail

    This trail descends from Hickson Street down a hill side to Burwood Beach. The majority of the track is made of mesh metal walkways and with formed steps. However there are small areas where the path is unformed and goes over rocks. These areas are small and easily negotiable but the track is steep, so take care.

    Parking is available on Hickson Street, but is limited and may become crowded at peak times. A launch platform for hang gliders is located at the top of the hill, where you will find view over the coastline.

    • Walking Trail Hickson Street Lookout
      Walking Trail Hickson Street Lookout
    • Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
      Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
    • Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
      The Trail Down to Burwood Beach
    • Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
      Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
    • Walking Trail Winding Down to the Beach
      Walking Trail Winding Down to the Beach

    Burwood Beach

    The track finishes at Burwood Beach, where you will find an information board detailing the area. The northern part of the beach is a rock platform, which has rock pools and some interesting weathering features in the rocks.

    • Burwood Beach
      Burwood Beach
    • Burwood Beach and Rock Platform
      Rock Platform at Burwood Beach
    • Burwood Beach
      Burwood Beach
    • Burwood Beach
      Burwood Beach

    Rock Platform

    Walking south from the beach, you will find Glenrock Lagoon, where you can walk up Flaggy Creek on the Yuelarbah Track. If you walk north you will get to the Merewether Baths and beach.

    We chose to sit on the beach for a while watching the surfers, before taking the track back up the hill.

    • Rock Platform
      Rock Platform
    • Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
      Eroded Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
    • Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
      Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
    • Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
      Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform

    To find out about some other great places to go in NSW, please read some o our other stories.