A great way to experience the Nepean River at Penrith is to take a cruise on the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler down the 50 million year old gorge. This gives you a nice relaxed environment, while viewing the river and enjoying morning tea or lunch.
We chose the morning tea cruise, giving us an early start, but being able to enjoy the whole day in the Penrith area. Arriving early, we grabbed a coffee from one of the cafes across the road from the Nepean Belle carpark. There was ample car parking available near the Paddlewheel. We just needed to provide our ticket and have our names ticked off, making the boarding process easy.
The Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler Tour
Once we boarded the Paddlewheeler, we were allocated a table on the upper level by a window, giving us great views over the river. This tour was 1.5 hours, but there are quite a few tours to choose from including twilight dinner tours etc.
The Nepean Belle is very stable on the water and once underway, you can walk around freely, admiring the views natural flora and native wildlife around the river. There was a lot of birdlife on the water and we were pleased to have seen a few eagles as flying overhead. The captain gave ample information about the area. There were people kayaking on the river and enjoying water sports as well.
Morning Tea
Morning tea was tea/coffee and delicious fluffy scones with home-made jam and cream, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The staff were exceptional and the captain a wealth of knowledge. It’s nice to be able to go on this cruise with so many staff who were so welcoming and really appeared to love what they do!
It was a relaxed way to start the day on a nice old boat while getting to see the Nepean River.
The Nepean Belle PaddlewheelerShip’s Wheel, Where you get a Chance to Steer the BoatNepean River From Nepean Belle PaddlewheelerNarrow Part of the Nepean RiverNepean River Looking over the Paddlewheel
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
We have spent a lot of time on the trains into Sydney and always gone past this area, without thinking too much about what it had to offer. Converted from old railway workshops, Carriageworks, located at Eveleigh, is now a huge display centre for artists and engages artistic and audiences with contemporary ideas and issues. This is a cultural facility of NSW government and receives support from Arts NSW and the Australian government.
The industrial heritage of the site has been embraced, with minimal internal removal of cranes and gantries, providing an amazing backdrop to the exhibitions. It feels like you have truly stepped back in time, making it unique.
The closest railway station is Redfern, which is only a 10 to 15 minute walk away. Car parking is also located nearby, if you choose to drive yourself. There is always changing displays and artworks! While there, we watched a photography display by a local artist, and found it interesting.
One of the attractions of Carriageworks is the buildings themselves, as the exterior brickwork and arched windows provide great photographic opportunities. Rail lines are still in place in the roads around the main building and the car park (once another workshop), houses some old machinery.
Entrance to the main workshop is free, but at times there may be a charge to access some of the exhibits. We wandered through the old workspaces , taking photos and looking at the old cranes and winches left in place.
There is a cafe near the main entrance, where you can get drinks and a food.
Carriageworks Outside Workshop
Carriageworks Building and Rail Lines
Building Exterior
Carriageworks Building and Rail Lines
Carriageworks Interior
Interior of Carriageworks
Old Industrial Interior
Preserved Industrial Interior
Old Machinery
Carriageworks Machinery
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Operated by Sydney Harbour Trust, North Head is an ex-army heritage listed site. Staffed by volunteers, the Visitor Centre is an ideal point to start your exploration of the area as they can provide you with an overview of what’s available. Our visit on a Sunday corresponded to the day that a guided tour was running for the site and underground tunnels. For a small fee a guide shows groups around while explaining the importance of each area. Importantly this is the only way to gain access to the tunnels which form a major part of the site.
Getting to North Head
Public Transport
Ferries to Manly run from Circular Quay, taking around 30 minutes for the trip. Alternately, the Manly Fast Ferry takes 20 minutes, but is more expensive. There is a Fast Ferry service to Q Station Wharf, if you want to start here instead of Manly.
From the Manly Ferry Wharf, bus 135 takes 20 minutes to drive to North Head. This bus runs every hour and connects well with the ferry arriving and departing Manly. Located outside the main entrance, bus stops are easy to find.
Walking
Taking 40 minutes, the shortest walk winds through Manly’s streets, past Q Station and onto North Head. A more scenic track runs along the shore, taking you past fantastic clifftop lookouts and historical gun emplacements, before passing Shelly Beach and ending at Manly Beach. At 4.2 km long, the scenic track takes around an hour one way, but has wonderful scenery to enjoy along the way.
Starting at Q Station, a 1.3 km track passes through bush land, passes the Third Quarantine Cemetery before ending at the North Head Sanctuary Visitors’ Centre. This well paved track is an easy 20-minute walk, with great views over Sydney Harbour.
Headstones in the third Quarantine CemeteryHeadstones in the third Quarantine Cemetery
Driving
Located outside the Visitor Centre is a pay for use car park, which makes driving yourself a convenient option
North Fort Tour
Starting with a short film on Sydney’s history of fortifications which was informative and gave us an insight into their original appearance.
View of South Head From North HeadView of Sydney From North Head
Memorial Walk
The walking tour started with the Memorial Walk which is a paved pathway winding through Australian bush land. Many of the paving stones have been inscribed with the names of servicemen which gives a personal touch to the area.
Progressing along the path takes you to all the memorials for wars Australia has been involved in. Each of the memorials is made of Sydney sandstone and engraved with an overview of the conflict. The Gallipoli Memorial contains the only non-native species in the area, a cutting from the lone pine.
Memorial WalkWorld War 1 MemorialLone Pine Gallipoli Memorial
Fortifications
Continuing to the above ground fortifications we saw the remains of gun emplacements which now consist of concrete structures without any guns. The only remaining gun is a 9.2 inch (23.37 cm) barrel which is on display next to the forts.
9.2 Inch Gun
Underground Tunnels
The highlight of the tour was the underground tunnels. These consist of the rooms and the tunnels needed to service the guns and protect the military personnel manning the forts. Our guide took us through each room, explaining their function and how each was operating when the fort was working.
In the magazine, dummy shells give an idea of the size of the projectiles used and a rack has them set up to show how it would have looked. Even the old diesel generators are in place, giving an idea of the power needed to run the fort.
Well lit with well maintained walkways, the tunnels were easy to walk through with some good photographic opportunities. Stairs in several areas are steep, but not very long, so should not be a problem for most people. Unfortunately, people with mobility issues will not be able to take the underground tour.
Dummy Shells in the MagazineUnderground Diesel Generator in the North Head TunnelsThe TunnelsNorth Head Tunnels
Food and Drinks
At the end of the tour, you can also walk down to the restaurant for food and beverages.
What Did We Think
North Head is a great place to visit, as it covers, Sydney’s history, with fantastic views and bush walks. Being easy to get to either by public transport or car makes it a great day out.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
