Destination's Journey

Tag: Sydney Harbour

  • Woolwich Dock on Sydney Harbour

    Woolwich Dock on Sydney Harbour

    Woolwich Dock

    Originally the largest dry dock in Australia when completed in 1910, Woolwich Dock is now a reminder of the past. Owned by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the dock is well maintained and access is free.

    Getting There

    Only a ten-minute walk from Woolwich Wharf, Woolwich Dock was once a bustling shipyard, but is now a quiet reminder of the past. Boat maintenance still takes place, but not on the huge scale in the first half of last century.

    One of the best ways to get around Sydney is the ferry and train system, especially if you want to visit places close to the harbour. Ferries run regularly from convenient points all over the harbour.

    The Goat Paddock

    Access to the dock is through the Goat Paddock, with nicely maintained gardens. There are also great views of Sydney Harbour, along with bench seats to relax on and admire the scenery. Not sure why it’s called the goat paddock, maybe some used to be kept there in the past.

    • The Goat Paddock
      The Goat Paddock
    • Sydney Harbour and Bridge From Woolwich Dock
      Sydney Harbour and Bridge From Woolwich Dock

    Woolwich Dock

    Located at the base of the Goat Paddock, Woolwich Dock is accessible on both sides. A walkway runs around the dock, with handrails for protection. The rail track used for the 100 ton crane is still in place, which is great.

    At the end of the dock is what looks like an old ship. It’s actually the caisson, which was used to block the open end of the dock, before pumping it dry. Several very handy information boards explain the dock’s operation, which were very useful.

    Along with the dock, the caisson was very interesting to see.

    Several expensive yachts were moored here, possibly for maintenance, as the Harbour Trust leases workshops to several companies.

    The end of the dock ends in a cliff overhang, where ferns have grown into the sandstone, making it look beautiful. For a great perspective view, walk to the Woolwich Lookout, where a bird’s eye view lets you appreciate the dock and the harbour.

    • Information Board
      Information Board Explaining the Dock’s Use
    • Information Board
      Information Board
    • The Caisson
      The Caisson
    • Woolwich Dock
      Woolwich Dock
    • Woolwich Dock From Viewing Platform
      The View From Woolwich Lookout
    • Harbour end of Woolwich Dock
      Harbour end of the Dock
    • End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
      End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
    • End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
      End of the Dock Cut into Sandstone
    • Yacht Docked in Woolwich
      Yacht Docked in Woolwich

    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

  • Middle Head Sydney Harbour

    Middle Head Sydney Harbour

    Middle Head

    Middle Head on Sydney Harbour houses the remains of Sydney’s original fortifications. Designed to repel an invasion from the sea, these huge concrete structures no longer have their guns, but remain as a reminder of times when Australia thought it was going to be invaded.

    The Royal Australian Navy still has a presence in the area with HMAS Penguin still an active naval base. The car park for Middle Head is near the base. There is a fee for parking here and ticket machines are located in the car park.

    Several of the old administration buildings are still in use and you walk past them on your way to the gun emplacements. The concrete structures are extensive, and you are free to walk around, through and over them. We explored them for a while and then admired the views over the harbour and towards North Head and South Head with Hornby Lighthouse.

    • Fortifications Middle Head Sydney Harbour
      Fortifications
    • Fortifications Middle Head Sydney Harbour
      Fortifications
    • View to North Head Across the Harbour Middle Head Sydney Harbour
      View to North Head Across the Harbour
    • View to South Head Across the Harbour Middle Head Sydney Harbour
      View to South Head Across the Harbour

    There is a small display of cannon carriages, but this is in need of signage and maintenance to give context to the display. Likewise, the tiger cages constructed in the area require an explanation to make them relevant.

    • Tiger Cage Middle Head Sydney Harbour
      Tiger Cage

    There are no food and drink outlets on the site, but we took our own and had a great view over the harbour while we ate.

    Beehive Casements

    Situated on Middle Head and maintained by National Parks and Wildlife, this old fortress can only be accessed by a guided tour. Details of the dates and costs can be found on NPWS website.

    To get there, you drive through leafy Mossman and pass many lovely houses. Parking in the area is limited, so either arrive early, or walk from one of the larger car parks. Warning signs along the road show that parking in a non designated area will incur a $300 fine.

    Beehive Casements Tour

    The guide met us at the beehive casements where he gave an overview of their history and significance to Sydney. We then walked down stairs to the interior of the fort. The stairs can be slippery so take care. Once inside, you can see the extent of the excavations needed to build them. The passageways are often wet, because the sandstone they were built with is porous and water constantly sleeps through.

    Embrasures facing Sydney Harbour provide a magnificent view and show why the forts were built here as they have a commanding view of any ships attempting to enter the harbour.

    The shape of the interior provides the name of the casements, as they look like a conical beehives. The remains of several old cannons lie on the rock floors, but have unfortunately been burnt by vandals in the past. Some other remnants like racks for tools and coat racks still line the walls but have become rotted or rusty, providing some interesting photographic opportunities.

    • Beehive Casements Upper Works

      Upper Works of the Beehive Casements
    • Beehive Casements Tunnel
      Beehive Casements Tunnel
    • Beehive Casements Interior
      Beehive Casements Interior
    • Stairs Down to Lower Level
      Stairs Down to Lower Level
    • Burnt Cannon Carriage
      Burnt Cannon Carriage
    • Burnt Cannon Carriage
      Burnt Cannon Carriage

    For another perspective of the beehive casements, look for them when taking the Manly ferry. They can be found low down on the waterline of the cliffs. Looking carefully the three gun embrasures are visible.

    Beehive Casements From Sydney Harbour
    Beehive Casements From Sydney Harbour

    A great place to visit and see Sydney’s early history as well as fantastic views over the harbour. For more early fortifications and military history, visit nearby Bradleys Head and the HMAS Sydney (I) mast and Royal Australian Navy memorials.

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