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Bradleys Head

HMAS Sydney (I) Mast Bradleys Head

Bradleys Head

Many people using Sydney Ferries will have past Bradleys Head with its mast from HMAS Sydney, but many will not know its significance. This small headland holds memorials to the Royal Australian Navy ships lost during wartime.  The RAN considers this location the pre-eminent naval memorial in Australia.

HMAS Sydney Mast and Associated Memorials

The most striking feature on the headland is the mast of HMAS Sydney (I), because it stands tall above its surroundings. It commemorates all who served on the four ships named Sydney and forms the focal point for the other memorials. Walking around the gardens you come across memorials to individual ships, from the first submarine AE1 to HMAS Canberra.

Doric Column

Sitting off the headland is a Doric stone column in the waters of the harbour. It is from the demolished Sydney Post Office and in conjunction with the tower off Fort Denison, it was used for speed trials of vessels in Sydney Harbour. No longer used for this purpose, it is an interesting sight.

Bradleys Head Light

The Bradleys Head Light, completed in 1905, is located on the point of Bradley’s Head Peninsula. Used as a navigation marker and warning light, it also makes for a great photograph. The lighthouse is mounted on a rock and connected to shore by a footbridge.

Access to Bradleys Head is past the Taronga Park Zoo and down a narrow windy road. On the way down, you will pass the Rifle Wall, part of the old fortifications built to defend Sydney. Although probably not as interesting as the naval memorials, it is still historically important and worth stopping at.

A great little stop for a wander around, either before or after the zoo if you are interested.  Or you could add it to a visit to Middle Head and its fortifications.

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

Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

How to Get There

The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre is on Garden Island in Sydney Harbour. To get there you catch the Sydney Ferry to Double Bay. This stops at a Garden Island only during the Centre’s opening hours (9:30AM to 4:30PM but check their website to be sure). There is no access via the Naval Base, only from the ferry wharf.

Approaching the Heritage Centre, you pass a series of memorials to ships lost and people killed in service to the RAN. These are worth a detailed look at before entering the main building. 

Corvette Memorial Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Corvette Memorial

Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

What You See At The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

Entry to the Heritage Centre is free, but you must leave before the last ferry. There is a very good display of Royal Australian Navy history inside the main building. There are items from the formation of the navy after federation to the present day. We found the staff to be friendly and approachable.

Wheel From HMAS Protector Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Wheel From HMAS Protector

Twelve Inch Shell From the Battlecruiser HMAS Australia (I)Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Twelve Inch Shell From the Battlecruiser HMAS Australia (I)

Eating

There is also a cafeteria catering for snacks and lunch. Food was great and reasonably priced.

On the Waterfront

Outside on the waterfront are some very interesting displays. These include the SeaCat anti-aircraft missile and Australian designed Ikara anti submarine system, whilst a small museum, there is a lot of great displays and history presented over the entire site.

Ikara Anti-Submarine Missile Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Ikara Anti-Submarine Missile

Seacat Anti-Aircraft Missile Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Seacat Anti-Aircraft Missile

Eight Inch Gun From HMAS Australia (II) Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Eight Inch Gun From HMAS Australia (II)

 An additional area to see there is a large garden up the back, which given some great views to the harbour.

If you have a few hours to spare, the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre is a great place to learn about the history of the RAN.

Old Tree on Garden Island Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Old Tree on Garden Island

For other places to visit in Sydney, please have a look at some of our other posts.

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