Port Kembla Archives - Destination's Journey

Port Kembla Heritage Park

Containing many large artefacts from Port Kembla’s military and industrial past, the Port Kembla Heritage Park is both an interesting and educational to visit. We parked at the end of Gloucester Boulevard, although you could also use the carpark at Foreshore Road.

The area formed an integral part of the defences of Port Kembla during the Second World War, with several large guns emplaced here. Along with the battery at Hill 60, they defended the vital steel works from a potential Japanese invasion. The guns are long gone with the only reminder they were here being the large concrete emplacements and command tower which is now the Breakwater Battery Museum.

The field of white painted concrete tetrahedrons is one of the first things you see when arriving. Originally placed on the beach to impede enemy tanks they now form a display near the old gun emplacements. They are similar to the ones at Stockton that are sometimes visible at low tide.

Gun Emplacement with anti-tank tetrahedrons Port Kembla Heritage Park — Gun Emplacement with anti-tank tetrahedrons

Tetrahedron anti-tank obstacles Port Kembla Heritage Park — Gun Emplacement with anti-tank tetrahedrons

Breakwater Battery Museum

Although closed during our visit, the museum houses local military memorabilia. Housed in the old command centre for the gun battery, it is only open every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month from 11AM to 4PM. If you intend visiting, check the opening times because they may change.

Sited next to the museum is a German 77mm field gun captured by the 45th Battalion AIF on the 8th of August 1918.

Breakwater Battery Museum Port Kembla Heritage Park — Breakwater Battery Museum

Monuments and Memorials

Scattered around the park are several monuments and memorials to significant local events. The largest memorial is to the Dalfram Dispute of 1938. The dispute was a political industrial dispute at Port Kembla, protesting the export of pig iron from Australia to Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It became famous for providing the nickname of Pig Iron Bob to Attorney General Robert Menzies, later to serve as Prime Minister.

Two monuments to the dispute are located here, one that looks like a giant grenade and a smaller plaque with a picture of the Dalfram.

Representing the area’s industrial past, a large Cowans-Sheldon 30 Ton Steam Crane sits below the museum. Nearby are several anchors and a dredge bucket, representing Port Kembla’s shipping heritage.

Dalfram Dispute Memorial Port Kembla Heritage Park — Dalfram Dispute Memorial

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

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Illowra Hill 60 Battery

Today the Illowra Hill 60 Battery gives fantastic views over the Illawarra Coastline, however, in World War Two it was the front line of defence for the region. With an observation post on top of the hill, the two guns placed below had commanding views of fire to defend Port Kembla and its steel industry.

The Illowra Hill 60 Battery Tunnels

Built to allow access to the gun emplacements, two tunnels descend steeply from the entrance. The steepest sections have concrete stairs, but be careful, as rocks and dust provide trip and slip hazards. Adjacent to the stairs are the pathways a small gauge trollyway ran on, delivering shells to the guns below.

Although dark, the tunnels have been decorated by previous visitors and almost every blank space is covered with the grafiti.

At the end of each tunnel are the remains of the concrete gun emplacements. The mounting plates are still present at both while No. 2 emplacement still has the gun-shield.

A cross tunnel connected No 1 and No, 2 tunnels, meaning you do not have to return to the same entrance. This was far darker than the main tunnels, which added to the interest in following it.

During our visit both tunnels were accessible, however both also had large metal doors. These may be locked at times.