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Category: Royal Australian Navy

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Headland Park Walking Track

View Over Sydney Harbour from the Headland Park Walking Track

Headland Park Walking Track

The Headland Park Walking Track is a scenic and historic trail that runs from Balmoral Beach to Georges Head in Mosman, Sydney, Australia. The walking track is approximately 4.5 kilometers in length and offers stunning views of the harbour and surrounding coastline. The portion we walked was approximately 2 kilometers long.

Starting at Balmoral Beach the track winds its way along the coast, passing through beautiful parks and natural landscapes. As you make their way along the trail, you pass several historic landmarks as well as outstanding views of Sydney and the Harbour.

How to Get There

We parked at Balmoral Beach where we found a long duration park area. This was great because most of the parking there had a 2 hour limit which is not long enough. Sign posts placed along the track give direction to the differing destinations you can get to. Well maintained, the track varies from flat sections to very steep ones. The climb up from Balmoral takes in around 300 steps. Although more spaced out on the other side of the ridge, it descends another 300 steps. Remember you will need to climb them all again on the return walk.

Sign Post
Signs on the Track
Stone steps
Stone steps on the Walking Track
Track
Part of the Track

Spectacular Views

If the going starts to get tough, there are many places to stop , relax and take in the spectacular views over Sydney Harbour. If you take some snacks and drinks, it’s a great place to stop and refuel.

View Over Sydney Harbour from the Headland Park Walking Track
View Over Sydney Harbour

Georges Head Battery

The Georges Head Battery is a historic military installation that dates back to the early 1900s. It was built to protect Sydney Harbour from possible attacks during times of war. The battery features a range of structures, including gun emplacements, ammunition stores, and command posts. Visitors can explore the site and learn about its history through interpretive signs and displays.

There are more great views from here too, with the main CBD area and Circular Quay in Sydney visible.

Cannon emplacement overlooking Sydney Harbour at Georges Head
Cannon emplacement overlooking Sydney Harbour at Georges Head
View Over Sydney Harbour from Georges Head
View Over Sydney Harbour from Georges Head

Gunners’ Barracks

Another significant feature of the Headland Park Walking Track is the Gunners’ Barracks, which is a historic building built in the early 1800s. The building served as a barracks for soldiers stationed at Georges Head Battery, and later as a residence for military officers. Today, the Gunners’ Barracks has been restored and transformed into a luxury restaurant and event space, offering visitors a unique dining experience with stunning views of the harbor.

From Georges’ Head you can look down onto the restored buildings before continuing along the track.

Gunners' Barracks Headland Park Walking Track
Gunners’ Barracks

6 Inch Gun Battery

Georges Heights 6 Inch Gun Battery was constructed in the early 1900s and was designed to protect the entrance to Sydney Harbour from naval attack. Steep sections around the gun emplacement are fenced off, but access available about 20m further along the track. This allows you to enter the emplacement and see the gun up close. If you miss the gun and see the sculpture park, you have gone too far. The gun site is almost directly in front of the Sculpture Park.

6-Inch guns emplacement Headland Park Walking Track
6-Inch guns emplacement

Sculpture Park

The Headland Park Walking Track also features a sculpture park, which is home to a range of contemporary art installations by Australian and international artists. Scattered around a large grassed area, the sculptures are surrounded by buildings that used to house military personnel who manned the local guns.

Sculpture
Wooden Sculpture Headland Park Walking Track
Wooden Sculpture
Sculpture Headland Park Walking Track
Sculpture
Sculpture Headland Park Walking Track
Sculpture
Old Military Buildings
Old Military Buildings

Chowder Bay

We ended our walk at Chowder Bay on Sydney Harbour. Several cafés and restaurants with views of the harbour give you a choice of places to eat. We bought take away coffees and drank them overlooking the small beach before tackling the return walk.

Overall, the Headland Park Walking Track is a great place to visit for anyone interested in history, nature, and art.

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Sub Base Platypus Sydney

Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia

Sub Base Platypus Sydney

Sub Base Platypus is a unique site located in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia. The site has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s when it was originally used as a gasworks site. In the early 1960s, the site was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and used as a submarine base until it was decommissioned in the 1990s. During this time, the bas was home to the six Oberon class submarines operated by the RAN.

Not only were the submarines themselves based here, but a torpedo factory, maintenance facilities and a school for submariners provided a complete support structure for them.

Although long retired, several of the Oberons still exist as museum displays. HMS Onslow is close by in Sydney at the National Maritime Museum, while HMS Otway sits in Holbrook.

Getting There

We chose to take public transport because parking in the area is limited. A small carpark on Kiara Close provides somewhere to park if you drive. When we visited, this area was being extended, so perhaps in the future more space will be available.

The closest train station is Milsons Point, so we got off there and walked for only 10 minutes to get to the old submarine base. On the way we passed plenty of cafes and eateries, so grabbing a snack or drink is not a problem.

We entered via an alleyway off High Street, but access is available from Kesterton Park, which has a walkway over the water and an interesting entrance sign. We exited this way, so got to see both. Future plans will have a more official entrance off High Street.

What you will Find at the Base

Today, Sub Base Platypus has been redeveloped and transformed into a public space for the community to enjoy. The site includes a range of facilities and features, including a playground, public spaces, and a memorial to submariners who lost their lives in service to Australia.

The playground is a popular attraction for families, with a range of equipment and play areas designed for children of all ages. The playground has been designed to reflect the history of the site, with play structures shaped like torpedoes and submarines. Stepping stones running through the gardens are labeled with the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, Charlie etc.).

In addition to the playground, Sub Base Platypus is also home to the Submariners Memorial, which honors those who served on the Oberon class submarines, particularly the three men who lost their lives while serving. The memorial includes HMAS Oxley’s anchor and the names of the submarines on the steps.

Although currently closed, the old workshops and torpedo factory are, planned to re-open in the future. On High Street, a series of information boards show large photos of operations in these buildings.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, there are plans to further develop Sub Base Platypus into a cultural precinct that celebrates the site’s rich history and promotes community engagement. The development plans include a range of facilities, including a museum, art galleries, and performance spaces.

What Did We Think?

Overall, Sub Base Platypus is an important and unique site that has been transformed into a valuable community asset. Its history as a submarine base and gasworks site is honored through its public spaces and features, making it a significant and memorable part of Sydney’s cultural landscape.

Entrance from High Street
Lift and stairs to the to of the cliff
Lift and stairs to the to of the cliff
Submarine School and workshop buildings Sub Base Platypus
Submarine School and workshop buildings
The gas works Retort House
The gas works Retort House
Submariner's Memorial
Submariner’s Memorial
Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia
Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia
Wharf Sub Base Platypus
Wharf
Submarine themed playground
Submarine themed playground
Phonetic alphabet stepping stones Sub Base Platypus
Phonetic alphabet stepping stones
View over one of the public spaces Sub Base Platypus
View over one of the public spaces
Old administration building built into the cliff wall
Old administration building built into the cliff wall
View looking over the northern part of Sub Base Platypus
View looking over the northern part of the base
View over the workshops with the upper walkway on the left Sub Base Platypus
View over the workshops with the upper walkway on the left
Entrance from Kesterton Park Sub Base Platypus
Entrance from Kesterton Park
Torpedo Factory under construction
Torpedo Factory under construction
Torpedo maintenance
Torpedo maintenance
Information board showing the old torpedo factory
Information board showing the old torpedo factory
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Australian War Memorial 1945 to Today

Long Range Patrol Vehicle MC2-Land Rover 110 6x6 used by the SAS in Iraq and Afghanistan Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial 1945 to Today

During our previous trip to Canberra, the gallery “Conflicts 1945” to Today in the Australian War Memorial was closed because of the renovations. This time however, it was open, so we took the opportunity to look around.

This gallery commemorates all the conflicts involving Australians from 1945 to today. This includes Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as numerous peace-keeping operations.

Korean War

This section commemorates Australia’s participation in the Korean War, particularly the army’s 3RAR, the RAAF’s 77 Squadron and the Royal Australian Navy.

Of the 17,000 Australians who served in Korea, casualties numbered more than 1,500, of whom 339 were killed. The majority served with the Australian Army.

The RAAF’s 77 Squadron was initially equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs, but these were later replaced with Gloster Meteor jet fighters. These, however, were outclassed as a fighter by the faster and more manoeuvrable MiG-15 operated by the Chinese and North Korean’s. As a result, they undertook ground attack missions in support of UN forces.

The RAN stationed HMS Sydney in Korean waters equipped with Firefly and Sea Fury aircraft. These made over 2,700 sorties, losing 9 aircraft with three aircrew killed.

Gloster Meteor F.8 fighter of 77 Squadron RAAF
Gloster Meteor F.8 fighter of 77 Squadron RAAF

Vietnam War

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War lasted from 1962 until 1973. Over 60,000 Australians participated, the majority being from the army. Of these 523 were killed and nearly 2,400 wounded.

Long Tan Cross

One of the most interesting displays in the Long Tan Cross, erected after the Battle of Long Tan, to commemorate those who died.

In August 1966 a company of 6RAR was engaged in one of Australia’s heaviest actions of the war, in a rubber plantation near Long Tan. The 108 soldiers of D Coy held off an enemy force, estimated at over 2000, for four hours in the middle of a tropical downpour. They were greatly assisted by a timely ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters, close fire support from Australian artillery, and the arrival of reinforcements in APCs as night fell. When the Viet Cong withdrew at night fall, they left behind 245 dead, but carried away many more casualties. Seventeen Australians were killed and 25 wounded, with one dying of wounds several days later.

Displayed in the Dong Nai Museum in Bien Hoa after the war, the Government gifted it to Australia in 2017.

Other Vietnam War Displays

Representing the Royal Australian Navy’s contribution to the war is a model of the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney. Other Australian ships provided escort, or fire-support duties, while aircrew served with US forces.

The Australian Army has displays covering the major equipment used, including artillery, an armoured personnel carrier and an Iroquois helicopter in the act of inserting troops.

HMAS Sydney
105mm M2A2 howitzer
105mm M2A2 howitzer
M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carrier Australian War Memorial
M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carrier
The Long Tan Cross
The Long Tan Cross
RAAF Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter Australian War Memorial
Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter

Iraq and Afghanistan

This section covers Australia’s more recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Camp Russell Special Operations base and The Ghan Chapel where ADF chaplains ministered to everyone regardless of belief
Camp Russell Special Operations base and The Ghan Chapel where ADF chaplains ministered to everyone regardless of belief
Long Range Patrol Vehicle MC2-Land Rover 110 6x6 used by the SAS in Iraq and Afghanistan Australian War Memorial
Long Range Patrol Vehicle MC2-Land Rover 110 6×6 used by the SAS in Iraq and Afghanistan
Iraqi weapons
Iraqi weapons including one of Saddam’s gold plated AK-47s

Peace Keeping

Some of Australia’s more important and long-term engagements have been peacekeeping deployments. These have been important because they assist in stabilizing areas of unrest while helping the local people recover from or avoid conflict. A map illustrating where deployments are or have been was very interesting. Many of these have not been well represented in the press, despite their contribution to world peace.

Land Rover Series 2A as used in Namibia 1989-90 Australian War Memorial
Land Rover Series 2A as used in Namibia 1989-90
Locations of Australian peacekeepers
Locations of Australian peacekeepers

What Did We Think?

As the War Memorial continues its redevelopment, older areas such as this will be modernised. It is still an amazing pace to visit because of what it represents and has many great displays.