Destination's Journey

Tag: Statue

  • Muswellbrook New South Wales

    Muswellbrook New South Wales

    Muswellbrook

    Located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, Muswellbrook is known for coal mining, horse breeding and a developing reputation for gourmet food and wine production.

    St James Catholic Church

    Our walk around Muswellbrook town centre started at St James Catholic Church. There is a car park nearby or in the street. This is a beautiful old church with a huge spire. 

    St James Catholic Church Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    St James Catholic Church

    St Alban’s Anglican Church

    St Alban’s Anglican Church is located on the opposite side of the rail line that runs through town. Only a short walk off Bridge Street, if you walk around the back you will find the old wooden spire preserved on the ground.

    St Alban's Anglican Church Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    St Alban’s Anglican Church

    Buildings on Bridge Street

    As you walk down Bridge street from Brooke St towards the railway bridge, you will find some old and interesting buildings.

    Masonic Lodge Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    Masonic Lodge
    Uniting Church Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    Uniting Church
    War Memorial Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    War Memorial
    School of Arts Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    School of Arts

    Presbyterian Church

    Presbyterian Church Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    Presbyterian Church

    Street Art and Sculptures

    Street Art

    There are several pieces of street art on or near Bridge Street. The JTS Real Estate building has a mural on one side of the building and the barbecue in Simpsons Park has the sides covered in mosaics.

    • Street Art Outside JTS Realty Bridge St Muswellbrook
      Street Art Outside JTS Realty Bridge St Muswellbrook
    • Mosaic Decoration on the BBQ in Simpson Park
      Mosaic Decoration on the BBQ in Simpson Park

    Light Horseman Statue

    This bronze statue commemorates the men and horses of the light horse in World War One. You will find it at the intersection of Bridge and Brooke Streets. There are verses from the poem of the light horse etched into the concrete under the statue, which adds a huge amount to the understanding of these brave men.

    Light Horseman Memorial Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    Light Horseman Memorial

    Small Cattle Dog Statue

    Also, on Bridge street is this small statue of a cattle dog. A cute little statue worth having a quick look at.

    Small Cattle Dog Statue Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    Small Cattle Dog Statue

    The Blue Heeler Cattle Dog Statue

    Sitting on a plinth 2 m tall, this huge statue commemorates the contribution of the blue heeler to Australian rural life. Located on the main road at the intersection with Hill Street he’s hard to miss.

    Blue Heeler Cattle Dog Statue Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    Blue Heeler Cattle Dog Statue

    Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail

    The Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail runs from Muswellbrook to Denman and onto Sandy Hollow.

    In Muswellbrook, it starts outside of the Regional Arts Centre, where you will find a map of the trail and the first sculpture, the ANZAC Centenary Stone. From here you drive to Two Rivers Wines outside of Denman, before heading to David Mahoney’s Art Gallery and Sculpture Park at Sandy Hollow. If you are interested in the Sculpture Trail, read our post here.

    • Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail Map
      Upper Hunter Valley Sculpture Trail Map
    • ANZAC Centenary Stone Outside the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre
      ANZAC Centenary Stone Outside the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre

    Hunter Belle

    If you are in the mood for a taste of the local produce, Hunter Belle is a great spot to stop. Situated on the northern outskirts of the town on The New England Highway. Here you will find local cheeses and other produce that you can relax and eat with a nice cup of tea or coffee.

    Memorial Park

    Located north of Muswellbrook, Memorial Park contains memorials to both world wars, Vietnam and other conflicts. Adjacent to a rest area is the Vietnam Memorial, consisting of a 105 mm field gun and a roll of honour. 

    Located further north is the World War One memorial which has a 7.7 cm German field gun and 250 mm mortar.

    Nearest to town is a memorial to the National Servicemen.

    105mm Field Gun in Memorial Park Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    105mm Field Gun in Memorial Park
    Vietnam War Memorial Muswellbrook NSW Australia
    Vietnam War Memorial
    M577A1 Armoured Command Vehicle ARN
    M577A1 Armoured Command Vehicle ARN

    St Heliers Heavy Horse Field Days

    St Heliers Heavy Horse Field Days is an annual event held just outside Muswellbrook. Held over a weekend it’s a great way to get up close to these amazing animals.

    The events run continually throughout the day so you are able to see all of the heavy horse breeds. We found the owners to be very friendly and happy for you to take photos of their horses.

    It was great to sit in the sun watching the competition or wandering around the stalls that were set up.

    A blacksmith had his forge there and put on a demonstration which was very interesting. Nearby was a woodcarver using a chainsaw to make sculptures. There were many stalls selling leather belts, saddles and lots of horse gear for sale. It was only $5 each to get in and there was lots of seating and a huge paddock for car parking.

    Shire Horse at St Heliers Heavy Horse Field Days
    Blackmore Da Vinci a Shire Horse
    St Heliers Heavy horse Field Days
    St Heliers Heavy horse Field Days

    To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

  • Hyde Park Sydney Australia

    Hyde Park Sydney Australia

    Hyde Park is in the centre of Sydney and is a fantastic retreat from the hustle and traffic of the city. It is cool and shady and there is plenty of seating set around the park.  Park Street divides Hyde Park in two, however there are pedestrian crossings at the lights at either end and the centre.

    ANZAC Memorial

    The ANZAC Memorial was built  to commemorate the Australian Imperial Force of World War I. It is the focal point of the southern section of Hyde Park,  along with the Pool of Reflection.  On ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day the memorial is the central focus of the ceremonies, so can be extremely busy..

    120,000 gold stars covered the domed ceiling, representing all those from New South Wales who served in World War One. The centre piece of the interior is a bronze statue of a deceased youth, representing a soldier, held aloft on his shield.

    To the north is the pool of reflection and a long tree-lined pathway. It is very shady and cool in the Australian summer. A great place to sit quietly and relax.

    This is one of the must-see places in Sydney.

    The ANZAC Memorial
    The ANZAC Memorial
    Pathway to ANZAC Memorial
    Pathway to ANZAC Memorial

    Emden Gun

    This gun is a  4″ Gun taken from the German raider “Emden” destroyed by H.M.A.S. Sydney in 1914. A gift from the Commonwealth Government to the citizens of Sydney. Historically important, to Australia as a whole and Sydney in particular.

    The Emden Gun
    The Emden Gun

    The Munitions Statue

    This statue consists of four individual seven-metre tall steel and marble bullets, sitting next to three fallen shells, all on a large boomerang-shaped concrete base.  They represent the reality of war. Specifically they depict the sculptor’s (Tony Albert) grandfather and six companions.  The three fallen shells represent those who were killed.

    The Munitions Statue
    The Munitions Statue
    The Munitions Statue
    The Munitions Statue

    Hyde Park Obelisk

    The Hyde Park Obelisk is on the intersection of Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets.  Built in 1857 the obelisk was a vent for the sewer system.  It is now used to ventilate the storm water system.  At 22m it’s hard to miss.  Interesting for what it is, but not worth taking too much time over.

    Hyde Park Obelisk
    Hyde Park Obelisk

    Statue of Fire, Water and Earth.

    Located on the western side of the park, near Elizabeth street, is a three-piece sandstone sculpture representing the three elements, by Gerard Havekes.  A creative and interesting piece of art work and worth finding to have a look at it.

    Earth Wind and Fire
    Earth Wind and Fire

    Captain Cook Statue

    This bronze statue commemorates Captain James Cook, the first Englishman to chart the east coast of Australia. It was officially unveiled in 1879. Worth looking at for the  historical significance of Cook.

    Captain Cook Statue
    Captain Cook Statue

    Archibald Fountain

    The focus of the northern park is the Archibald Fountain. Named after the editor of the Bulletin Magazine who donated the funds to have it built. It was designed by a French sculptor, both because of Archibald’s love of French culture and to commemorate the ties between Australia and France from the First World War.

    Seats surround the fountain making it a very restful place, right in the middle of Sydney.

    The Archibald Fountain
    The Archibald Fountain

    Sandringham Gardens

    Near Park Street are the Sandringham Gardens. They surround a circular fountain and commemorate King George V and King George VI.  It is an attractive setting and a beautiful place to walk around.

    Sandringham Gardens
    Sandringham Gardens

    Statue of William Bede Dalley

    Dalley was born to convict parent and rose to be the first Australian appointed to the Privy Council. He was well-respected and this monument was erected to honor him. Located on the northern edge of Hyde Park it is easy to find.

    Statue of William Bede Dalley
    Statue of William Bede Dalley

    Cannon

    Sitting among the flower beds on College Street is a bronze cannon.  It used to form part of Sydney’s defense at Bennelong Point.  Dating from 1808 it is worth a look as you pass by.

    Cannon
    Cannon

    Governor Lachlan Macquarie Statue

    The most northerly Statue in the Gardens is that of Governor Lachlan Macquarie.  He was Governor from 1810  to 1821 and was responsible for the social, economic and architectural development of the colony. Located looking down the road named after him, it is very easy to find. As a major figure in Australia’s history, the statue is worth looking for.

    Major General Governor Lachlan Macquarrie
    Major General Governor Lachlan Macquarie

    Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Statues

    Although not in the park, there are two statues located just to its northern boundary in Queen’s Square. To the West is Queen Victoria and to the east is her consort, Prince Albert. If you are in Hyde Park, it is worth crossing the road to have a look at them.

    Queen Victoria
    Queen Victoria
    Prince Albert
    Prince Albert

    St Mary’s Cathedral

    Dominating the eastern side of the park is St Mary’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and is the Cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

    Beautiful inside as well as out, this is one of the great buildings in Sydney. As well as the interior you can visit the crypts.  To visit the crypts, buy tickets from the gift shop. We were the only ones there when we went. Many early bishops of Sydney are interred in the crypt, so it is interesting historically. In addition,  the architecture is fantastic and well worth spending time down there to admire it.

    Saint Mary's Cathedral
    Saint Mary’s Cathedral
    Saint Mary's Cathedral
    Saint Mary’s Cathedral
    Saint Mary's Cathedral
    Pope Statue , Saint Mary’s Cathedral
    St Mary's Cathedral
    St Mary’s Cathedral
    St Mary's Cathedral Crypt
    St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt

    Hyde Park

    So if you are in Sydney, you can easily spend most of a day looking around Hyde Park and its surrounding areas. Nearby is the Australian Museum and  Macquarie Street with most of central Sydney very close as well. For other places to see in Sydney, please read some of our other stories.