Designed by Colonial Architect, Mortimer Lewis in the Greek Revival style, Berrima Courthouse is one of the must see buildings in Berrima New South Wales. Completed in 1839, it only operated for seven years. Subsequently the courthouse operated only occasionally as a courthouse. However, as the centre of public administration it was from here that licenses were issued to publicans and hawkers and convicts were assigned as farm workers. It was also a venue for meetings, dances, concerts and church services.
Now a museum, the courthouse contains displays illustrating its past. One room is set up as the judge’s chambers, with portraits of judges. The main attraction though is a re-enactment of a murder trial. Set in the courtroom, with manikins dressed as the judge, jurors and the accused, it details how the trial was run. Running on a 15 minute loop, the multi-media presentation was fun to sit through.
This was a quick fun visit and worth seeing if you are in Berrima. We had only intended on seeing the outside of the building, but as it was open so we saw the interior as well.
Berrima CourthouseThe CourthouseJudges ChambersExhibitsShacklesWhipsOne of many locks on displayThe Demonstration Trial
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Perched on top of a hill, the Rocky Hill War Memorial and its associated Museum is very different from most memorials we have seen around Australia. Overlooking Goulburn in New South Wales, this 10.5m tall tower was opening in 1925 to commemorate all those who served in the First World War.
War Memorial
On entering the tower, you see a large marble memorial engraved with the names of service personnel from the Goulburn region who served in World War One. A spiral staircase decorated with photos from the war leads up to the viewing platform. We loved the way the photos told a story of the war and what the soldiers endured.
Rocky Hill War Memorial
Memorial to the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Flying Corps
Memorial to those who served from Goulburn in WW1. Those killed are marked with *
Photos lining the walls of the interior staircase
Museum
Outside the museum, two 150mm German Field Guns stand guard. Donated to the town following the war and installed here following the new museum’s completion 2020. This new state of the art museum replaced an older one in the old caretaker’s cottage.
The displays inside the museum are very good, included some World War one body armour, which we had not seen before. An impressive collection of rifles from different armies and trench warfare weaponry are also worth seeing.
Illustrated in a poster is a sombre reminder of the cost of World War One with the number of dead and wounded Australians shown in relation to the size of the countries’ population. Interestingly, this poster also shows how the war trophies were divided up to the towns and cities depending on their population.
This was a great place to visit, both for the memorial and museum showing the impact of the war so far away from the local community.
German 150mm Field GunWeapons on DisplayGerman Mauser, Turkish Mauser, Siamese Mauser Japanese Arisaka and British Lee Enfield riflesShell casing and a cartridge carrier from World War OneFirst World War Body ArmourGas mask and horse gear. Including a horse’s gas mask
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
On a wet and rainy morning, we decided to go bush walking at Rumbalara Reserve near Gosford to see the statues. The forecast said some light drizzle clearing to a fine day. Well, it rained all the way during our drive there, where on arrival we waited another hour for the rain to ease. So, not to be put off by a bit of a wet track we took off. This was when we discovered that wet weather plus Rumbalara Reserve equals leaches. Lots of leaches. Fortunately, we came prepared and the first attack was repelled by carefully applied salt. This was followed by lots of Bushman Plus Repellent which seemed to keep them off skin, but not boots, so these were monitored and cleaned regularly.
Anyway, despite this minor setback we really enjoyed the area, especially the statues.
Getting There
Located in Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, Rumbalara Reserve is 1.25 hours north of Sydney or 1.5 hours south of Newcastle. On arrival, we stopped at the Yaruga Picnic Area on Dolly Avenue, where toilet facilities and picnic tables are available.
Once the rain cleared, we started our walk by going to the Statue of Edward John Eyre.
Mist and light rain over Dolly Avenue
View of Gosford from Yaruga Picnic Area
Statue of Edward John Eyre
This statue is the hardest of the four to find. Located by itself on the Mouat Trail it is some distance from the other three. This makes it fun to find. Starting at the Yarunga Picnic Area, we walked back down Dolly Avenue and past the large water tank. Not far past the water tank, a sign on the left-hand side gives directions to Mouat Trail and the statue.
The track is surrounded by Australian coastal eucalypt rainforest with a nice fern understory. With the recent rainfall the track was a little muddy but easy to walk. not far down the track we came across the statue of Edward John Eyre hidden in the ferns. One of us jumped and nearly had a coronary because he appeared so suddenly.
Famous as a colonial explorer of Australia, Edward John Eyre was the first European to traverse the Nullarbor Plain, where the current highway bears his name. Other features named after him include the Eyre Peninsula and Lake Eyre.
Water tank on Dolly Drive
Sign to the Mouat Walk and Eyre StatueEucalypt Forest on the Mouat WalkHollowed out eucalyptus tree on the Mouat Walk
Statue of Edward John Eyre
Flannel Flower Walk
From the statue we retraced out steps to the start of the track and took the Flannel Flower Walk. This was where we noticed the leaches, making a quick stop to remove them and apply repellent.
The trail itself is very nice with the eucalyptus rain forest providing a great atmosphere to walk in. There are several steep drop offs and cliffs but there are fenced and safe if you stay away. As it goes uphill, the trail climbs over rocks so be aware of this, as it’s rough in places.
At the top of the hill, Flannel Flower Walk meets Dolly Avenue and the Start of Iron Bark Loop.
Part of the Flannel Flower Walk
Iron Bark Loop and Three Bronze Statues
Located on Iron Bark Loop, the remaining three statues are very easy to find. Getting here can be by walking along the trails, or drive to a parking spot at the end of Dolly Avenue. On the loop walk and below the carpark the three statues look out over the surrounding landscape.
The statues are:
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith
Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith was an early Australian aviator.
In 1928, he made the first transpacific flight from the United States to Australia. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flights between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States; and, also, made a flight from Australia to London, setting a new record of 10.5 days.
Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith Statue
Matthew Flinders
Lieutenant (later Captain) Matthew Flinders was a British navigator and cartographer who led the first inshore circumnavigation of mainland Australia, then called New Holland. He is also credited as being the first person to utilise the name Australia to describe the entirety of that continent including Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania).
Matthew Flinders Statue
Charles Sturt
Charles Sturt was a British officer and explorer of Australia, and part of the European exploration of Australia. He led several expeditions into the interior of the continent, starting from Sydney and later from Adelaide.
