Famous for its annual Highland Games festival, Aberdeen, New South Wales Australia (not to be confused with the one in Scotland) is surrounded by some of the richest horse studs in Australia.
Apart from the Highland Games, we hadn’t stopped here before, because we are usually driving through on our way to something else. With a population of under 2,000, we weren’t expecting too much, but were please with the few things we found.
Lion’s Park has some lion sculptures and several plaques detailing the early town of Aberdeen. There are some tables with shade next to the sculptures , which makes this a good place to stop for a break.
In the centre of town, on the New England Highway, Taylor Park has memorials, and a cairn, raised by the Highland Games, dedicated to the sons and daughters of Scotland who made the district their home. Several other nearby towns have Scottish names, most notably Scone which is only 10 minutes away.
The park also has an anchor on display, but there is not plaque detailing where it’s from or what it commemorates.
The local Men’s Shed is colourfully decorated and can be found at the entrance to the local sporting field.
So overall, not a huge amount to see but interesting if you have a few minutes to spare on your drive through.
Lions Club MemorialLions Club MemorialSons & Daughters of ScotlandPlaque in Taylor ParkTaylor ParkAnchor in Taylor ParkAnchor in Taylor ParkMen’s Shed
Established in 1833, Goulburn New South Wales is 195 km south-west of Sydney and 90 km north-east of Canberra. It was declared Australia’s first inland city in 1863.
To get to Goulburn, you can travel by train on NSW CountryLink services or by coach. It is approximately two hour’s drive from Sydney. We drove from Mittagong, as part of a larger road trip to Newnes Industrial Ruins in the Wollemi National Park via Orange and Bathurst.
We were only in Goulburn for one day, before heading off to Wombeyan Caves. However, we saw some great sights while there.
Rocky Hill War Memorial and Museum
This impressive tower and museum overlook the town and is a must see when visiting. For more information, see our full story here.
Rocky Hill War MemorialWeapons on Display
Goulburn Historic Water Works
This beautifully restored pump house still contains the original pumps from its operating days. For the full story of our visit, click here.
Pump House
Big Marino
The Big Marino is hard to miss as you drive through tow, Click here for our visit.
The Big Marino
Interesting Buildings in Goulburn
Elmslea Chambers
Located in Montague St in the centre of town Elmslea Chambers has its façade beautifully decorated. Built in 1933, it was one of the first buildings in Australia to use coloured polychrome terracotta in its façade which features birds, flowers, leaves and Art Deco sunbursts under the windows.
Although worth visiting the street just for this building, it’s also the location of the historic Fire station and not far from Cathedral Church of St Saviour.
Elmslea Chambers 17 Montague St Goulburn
Fire Station
Only a few doors down from Elmslea Chambers and also in Montague street, the historic Fire Station and the building next to it are interesting to see because of their interesting architecture.
Fire Station
Goulburn Courthouse
At the far end of Montague Street and opposite Belmore Park, the courthouse is a large, beautiful building. Built in 1887 in the Federation Free Classical style based on original designs by Colonial Architect, James Barnet it is still an operating court.
Courthouse
Railway Station
Completed in 1869, the Railway Station is another beautiful building in Goulburn.
Goulburn Railway Station
Cathedral Church of St Saviour
Bourke Street has several beautiful churches including the Cathedral Church of St Saviour. Designed by Edmund Blacket, it was completed in 1884.
Unfortunately the other large church, St Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral was undergoing a major restoration and was covered in scaffolding.
Cathedral Church of St SaviourCathedral Church of St Saviour
Belmore Park
War Memorial in Belmore Park
St. John’s Orphanage
Destroyed in a suspicious fire, the St. John’s Orphanage in Mundy Street caught our eye because of its sinister appearance. Access is not permuted with the whole area sealed off, so we could only view it from the street.
St. John’s Orphanage
What Did We Think?
Goulbourn was only a quick stop for us, but we enjoyed it and would like to spend more time here. The history and old buildings were great to see, especially the Water Works and War Memorial.
Once an air base in World War Two, little remains of RAAF Rathmines apart from some re-purposed buildings and a war memorial dedicated to the crews of Catalina flying boats based here. The beaching ramp where the Catalinas were brought ashore is now a boat launching ramp. Behind the memorial, the bowling club was once the officers’ mess.
History
Formed in 1939, the RAAF Station at Rathmines became one of the major flying boat bases for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II, and housed Nos 9, 11, 20, 40,41, 43 and 107 Squadrons at various stages during the war. Used as a training base after World War 2 it was closed and then sold in the early 1960s.
The Memorial
The area where the memorial stands was the site of the Commanding Officer`s residence and control tower. Built in 1972 and dedicated to all RAAF personnel who served on flying boats at Rathmines a Catalina propeller sits on top of the memorial. Walls on both sides commemorate those who died or served for their country and had passed through the base at Rathmines. Reading the names, we saw how young some of them were.
Club Catalina
Now a bowling club, Club Catalina was once the officer’s mess for the RAAF base. Unfortunately closed during our visit, the club contains a memorial wall commemorating and honouring RAAF personnel who operated and trained at the base during its service years.
What Did We Think?
Very easy to find with plenty of parking, we loved the history of the area as well as the views over the lake.
The Catalina War MemorialWall of RemembranceWall of RemembranceThe Dedication PlaqueThe Memorial Viewed Through TreesCommemoration of the Renaming of the BayCatalina BayThe Bowling Club’s Club Catalina
