Sydney Archives - Page 23 of 47 - Destination's Journey

3 December 202230 November 2022

Sharks Australian Museum

Sharks at the Australian Museum

Running until January 2023, the Sharks Exhibition at the Australian Museum is a fascinating display detailing everything you would want to know about sharks. From their origins and evolution, to their interactions with humans and the threats to their future, this is a very educational exhibition.

The Displays

Most of the displays have been taken from the museum’s collection, unlike other recent special exhibits which have been sourced internationally. All of the shark models were life-size, which was great because it lets us see how big they really are.

On entering, you are greeted with a prehistoric megalodon jaw, giving you an idea of the size of the largest shark to ever live. Next to this is a model of Helicoprion, with its unusual circular teeth that look like a circular saw.

Once past the prehistoric section, we got to see a range of modern sharks, from the grey nurse and Port Jackson sharks to the dangerous great white and tiger sharks. The largest model was an 8m whale shark (they can grow to 14m).

This was a fun and educational visit and families with kids should love it, with its interactive displays and realistic life-size models.

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.

1 December 202220 November 2022

Long Gully Bridge Sydney

Long Gully Bridge

Built to access and promote a new housing development at Northbridge, Long Gully Bridge has wonderful crenellated battlements making it look very medieval. Originally built as a private steel suspension bridge in 1892, the bridge was transferred to the Department of Main Roads in 1935. To ensure its ability to sustain increased traffic, it was converted to a concrete arch bridge in 1939. The sandstone towers were retained during this transformation, which is great as they still exist today.

Our first view of the bridge was from below during our walk of the Flat Gully Creek Walking Track. This let us look up at the bridge from below where you get some great perspective views of the sandstone towers. After returning to our car, we drove to the bridge and parked in a side street so that we could view the bridge up close.

Being part of Strathallen Avenue it’s a major road into the area and is very busy. Because of this, taking photos can be difficult if you want them free of cars. We waited patiently until the opportunity arrived and took some good photos.

This was an interesting bridge to visit, especially after walking the Flat Gully Creek Track. this bridge is similar to Hampden Bridge in Kangaroo Valley.

From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge

The Bridge from below — From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge

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.

29 November 202225 November 2022

Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator

Built in 1934 the Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator was originally the Willoughby Municipal Incinerator. Its purpose was to dispose of Willoughby Council’s municipal waste rather than dumping it at the tip. As the name suggests, Walter Burley Griffin designed the building, the same architect responsible for the winning design of the city Canberra in the ACT.

Designed to use the Australian designed and patented Reverberatory Refuse Incinerator, it was very efficient for its time. Essentially, it used and inclined vibrating conveyor to move waste from the feed to the furnace. As the conveyor moved, waste was heated using excess furnace heat generated from the burning waste. This dried the incoming feed, making it more efficient to burn.

Over time, council neglected the incinerator, failing to upgrade its capacity as waste volumes grew until it closed in 1967.

In 2011 the Willoughby Incinerator re-opened to operate as an art space and artist studios on the lower section, while a café operates at street level. Run by Willoughby Council, the art space and studios present a diverse range of exhibitions each year.

We had a coffee at the café and then had a look through the gallery. As well as the art, the building interior was interesting, because of the industrial architecture still visible. Unfortunatley, much has been removed, but some still remains.