Ruins Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Destination's Journey

14 September 202319 September 2023

Balls Head Reserve Sydney Australia

Sydney, The Harbour and a sailing ship from Balls Head Reserve

Balls Head Reserve Sydney Australia

Located on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, Balls Head Reserve is a scenic reserve offering breathtaking views of the harbour city and bridge. Winding tracks through regenerated native bushland let you experience the Australian bush without leaving Sydney.

History

The reserve was named after Henry Lidgbird Ball, who was a Royal Navy officer and the captain of HMS Supply during the First Fleet’s arrival in 1788.

During the 19th century, the area was utilized for quarrying and later for shipbuilding purposes. The remnants of the quarrying activity are still visible within the reserve. To the north of the reserve, Balls Head Coal Loader was an important export point for coal. The coal wharf and load out tunnels are still present and make a great addition to a visit to the area.

Getting there

Getting to Balls Head Reserve is relatively straightforward. We used the train and walked through Carradah Park and Balls Head Coal Loader before going to the reserve.

By public transport: Take a train to Waverton station and then enjoy a pleasant 15-20 minute walk through the picturesque streets of Waverton to reach the reserve. Alternately, walk through Carradah Park for more views of the harbour and see the rehabilitated BP site.
By car: It’s recommended to arrive early to secure a spot because there is limited street parking available.

Remember to check the current public transport schedules and any restrictions in place before planning your visit.

Balls Head Reserve

We entered the reserve through the tunnels from the old coal loader. This is a great way to enter the reserves because you walk from an industrial area to a rehabilitated bush environment. Although the tunnel is well lit the walkway is rough, so watch your footing.

Following the narrow track around the headland, we had some amazing views of the harbour. Several lookout provide great places to relax and take in the views. One even has a weather shelter carved from a large boulder. We brought some snacks and drinks, so this was a great place to stop and refuel while admiring the views. We were lucky to be there when one of the sailing ships went past, returning from one of its day trips.

The track varies from a wide shared roadway to narrow dirt tracks, so it’s a good idea to wear good shoes if you want to see the whole area. Several picnic spots with tables benches and toilets make it a great place to spend a few relaxing hours.

Walking Track Balls Head Reserve — Coal Loading Tunnel Retaining Wall

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

6 July 202320 June 2023

Wallsend Brickworks Park

Rehabilitated area with retaining walls made to look like industrial building rooves

Wallsend Brickworks Park

Wallsend Brickworks Park is a public park in Wallsend, Newcastle Australia, located at the site of a historic brickmaking operation which ran from 1891 to 1977. Featuring a playground, picnic shelters, barbecues, a pond with birdlife, and remnants of the brickworks’ machinery, it’s a great family destination.

The park is also part of the Jesmond Bushland, which offers nature trails for walking, cycling and mountain biking. The bushland is home to some native species such as powerful owls, flying foxes and squirrel gliders. The park is a great place to enjoy history, nature and fun with family and friends.

Brickworks History

Operating from 1891 to 1977 the Wallsend Brickworks used steam-powered machinery to make bricks. At its peak, the operation had orders of 400,000 bricks a week.

The brickworks produced a variety of bricks, including firebricks, pressed bricks and common bricks. Local buildings, such as the Wallsend Hospital and the Wallsend Post Office used some of the bricks.

Due to competition from other brick manufacturers and environmental concerns, the brickworks closed in 1977. Abandoned for many years, it became an environmental eyesore until the council decided to redevelop it as a park in 2002. The resulting public space provides play areas and walking tracks and an environmental wetland while paying homage to its industrial past.

How to Get There

We parked on Iranda Grove where car parking spots are available.

Throughout the grassed rehabilitated areas, concrete retaining walls have been constructed to resemble industrial buildings’ roofs. Several concrete structures remain as a reminder of the site’s heritage. The old clay quarry has been made safe and now forms a lake and habitat for local wildlife.

Entrance and main pathway through Brickworks Park

The old quarry face. Hidden behind trees

The old quarry is now a wetland Brickworks Park — The old quarry face. Hidden behind trees

The park also features artworks made from recycled bricks, including some of the original Wallsend bricks. One of the artworks is a sculpture named Kullas Incubator, which represents the regeneration of life and nature at the site.

Sculpture made from recovered broken bricks Brickworks Park — Sculpture made from recovered broken bricks

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.

14 January 202312 January 2023

Trial Bay Gaol

Trial Bay Gaol

Now a heritage listed ruin, Trial Bay Gaol originally served as housing for a prisoner labour force to build a nearby breakwater. The breakwater was intended to provide a safe harbour for ships sailing up the eastern Australian coast. Construction of the gaol commenced in 1877, with work on the breakwater following in 1889 after delays caused by funding shortfalls.

Planning however underestimated the strength of local storms with the work constantly washed away. By 1903 only 20% of the breakwater had been completed, but with huge cost over-runs. Improvements in sea-going vessels and with an overland route established, the project was cancelled and the gaol closed.

The gaol found a renewed purpose with the commencement of World War One, when it was used as an internment camp. High ranking Germans and prominent German businessmen were housed here until July 1918 when they were moved to Holsworthy Interment camp.

Following its second closure, all moveable fittings were sold. It then fell into disrepair and became the runs we see today.

Getting There

Located in the Arakoon National Park and managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service Trial Bay Gaol is roughly an hour’s drive north of Port Macquarie on the New South Wales mid-north coast. We drove from Port Macquarie and made it a day trip in the area, including nearby South West Rocks.

Walking through the ruins shows how bleak living here would have been. The cells are small and would have been cold in winter and hot in summer. The roofless buildings and hollow interiors have a haunting atmosphere and were great fun to walk through.

Watch out for the resident kangaroos, there were around ten there when we visited. One even had a joey in its pouch.

Views over the coastline are spectacular especially from the guard towers on the walls.

Once we had finished with the gaol, we drove through the nearby camping ground for a close-up look of the coast. The area is very popular with campers many of them were on the water fishing in boats.