Before setting out on the Burrawang Walk, drop into the Visitor Centre. Not only are the toilets located here, but it is full of useful information for your visit. The staff were very friendly and helpful, which made the day start on a positive note.
Burrawang Walk Kamay Bay
Weaving through the history of the area, the Burrawang Walk takes you through the eyes of the original inhabitants of the area, through to Cook’s landing in 1770 and to its ongoing impact. Starting at the Visitor Centre it was originally called the Monuments Track, because of the monuments in the area. This is an easy track, because it’s only 1.2 km long, and mostly on grass or concrete pathways.
Interpretive Signs
Interpretive signs provide an insight into Aboriginal life in the area and the impact white settlement had on them. This is great because until recently, only European heritage was commemorated here.
Some of the Interpretive Signs
Interpretive Sign
Meeting Place
The Meeting Place
Cook’s Landing Place
A large obelisk and plaque commemorating Cook’s landing place dominate one section of the shore. In 1770, Lieutenant (later Captain) Cook landed here and claimed the continent in the name of the British Crown.
Captain Cook’s Landing
Plaque at Cook’s Landing
Banks’ Memorial
Banks inclusion in Cook’s expedition as a scientist led to many discoveries of plants and animals unknown to Europeans. A large memorial to him sits near Cook’s memorial, which recognises his contribution to science.
Banks Memorial
Solander Memorial
An interesting memorial and the first one we saw is to Daniel Solander, a Swedish scientist who accompanied Banks on the Cook expedition. He was the first Swede and university trained scientist to set foot in Australia.
Solander’s documentation of unknown plants led to the area being named Botany Bay, although now it has a dual name, Kamay Bay in recognition of its Aboriginal heritage.
Overshadowed by Banks while also dying at the young age of 49, he did not develop the reputation he deserved.
Solander Memorial
Bronze Sculptures
Sitting in, or on the water’s edge are three sets of bronze sculptures. These commemorate the 250th anniversary of the meeting of Aboriginal Australians and the crew of HMB Endeavour.
Whale Sculpture
Whale Sculpture
Eyes of the Land and Sea
Whale Bone Sculpture
Bronze Canoe Sculpture
First European’s Grave
Located on the waterfront, is a plaque marking the grave of Forby Sutherland, the first British subject buried in Australia. Forby died of tuberculosis.
Forby Sutherland Burial
What Did We Think of Burrawang Walk?
This was a nice, easy walk with lots to see. The numerous information boards were educational, which made it even more interesting. This is a must visit if you are in Sydney, because of the number of memorials and European heritage.
Kamay Botany Bay National Park is the home to significant historical events as well as beautiful coastal scenery. It is the place in which Captain James Cook first landed in Australia and claimed the whole continent for England. The sight of the first flag raising now has several very large flags flying there including the Aboriginal flag to acknowledge their prior habitation of the country. The first European buried in Australia is also located here.
Kamay Botany Bay National Park
The Monument Precinct
First stop here is the Kurnell visitors centre. The area has Cook’s landing spot, where Europeans and aboriginal people first met and the flags.
The Meeting PlaceFlags at Kamay Botany Bay National Park
In the same area is a monument to Daniel Carl Solander, the first Swede to arrive in Australia. He was on the Endeavour Expedition with Cook, assisting Banks with the collection of botanical specimens.
Solander Memorial
The first European grave is well marked, belonging to Forby Sutherland who died of tuberculosis.
First European Grave
The Leap
Only a short drive around the coast is The Leap with a small roadside carpark and stairs down to a rock platform. The short walk down is worthwhile for the interesting rock formations in the area. Be careful of the tide and slippery rocks when you are walking around.
Stairs at the Leap
Rock Formation at The Leap
Rock Formation at The Leap
Cape Solander
Our final stop was at the Cape Solander Lookout for some spectacular coastal views.
Cape Solander
So, if you are interested in Australian colonial history, want to see some great coastal scenery, or just want to have a relaxing day out, this is a great place to visit.
From here we headed over to La Perouse and some more Australian History.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Hyde Park is in the centre of Sydney and is a fantastic retreat from the hustle and traffic of the city. It is cool and shady and there is plenty of seating set around the park. Park Street divides Hyde Park in two, however there are pedestrian crossings at the lights at either end and the centre.
ANZAC Memorial
The ANZAC Memorial was built to commemorate the Australian Imperial Force of World War I. It is the focal point of the southern section of Hyde Park, along with the Pool of Reflection. On ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day the memorial is the central focus of the ceremonies, so can be extremely busy..
120,000 gold stars covered the domed ceiling, representing all those from New South Wales who served in World War One. The centre piece of the interior is a bronze statue of a deceased youth, representing a soldier, held aloft on his shield.
To the north is the pool of reflection and a long tree-lined pathway. It is very shady and cool in the Australian summer. A great place to sit quietly and relax.
This is one of the must-see places in Sydney.
The ANZAC Memorial
Pathway to ANZAC Memorial
Emden Gun
This gun is a 4″ Gun taken from the German raider “Emden” destroyed by H.M.A.S. Sydney in 1914. A gift from the Commonwealth Government to the citizens of Sydney. Historically important, to Australia as a whole and Sydney in particular.
The Emden Gun
The Munitions Statue
This statue consists of four individual seven-metre tall steel and marble bullets, sitting next to three fallen shells, all on a large boomerang-shaped concrete base. They represent the reality of war. Specifically they depict the sculptor’s (Tony Albert) grandfather and six companions. The three fallen shells represent those who were killed.
The Munitions Statue
The Munitions Statue
Hyde Park Obelisk
The Hyde Park Obelisk is on the intersection of Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets. Built in 1857 the obelisk was a vent for the sewer system. It is now used to ventilate the storm water system. At 22m it’s hard to miss. Interesting for what it is, but not worth taking too much time over.
Hyde Park Obelisk
Statue of Fire, Water and Earth.
Located on the western side of the park, near Elizabeth street, is a three-piece sandstone sculpture representing the three elements, by Gerard Havekes. A creative and interesting piece of art work and worth finding to have a look at it.
Earth Wind and Fire
Captain Cook Statue
This bronze statue commemorates Captain James Cook, the first Englishman to chart the east coast of Australia. It was officially unveiled in 1879. Worth looking at for the historical significance of Cook.
Captain Cook Statue
Archibald Fountain
The focus of the northern park is the Archibald Fountain. Named after the editor of the Bulletin Magazine who donated the funds to have it built. It was designed by a French sculptor, both because of Archibald’s love of French culture and to commemorate the ties between Australia and France from the First World War.
Seats surround the fountain making it a very restful place, right in the middle of Sydney.
The Archibald Fountain
Sandringham Gardens
Near Park Street are the Sandringham Gardens. They surround a circular fountain and commemorate King George V and King George VI. It is an attractive setting and a beautiful place to walk around.
Sandringham Gardens
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Dalley was born to convict parent and rose to be the first Australian appointed to the Privy Council. He was well-respected and this monument was erected to honor him. Located on the northern edge of Hyde Park it is easy to find.
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Cannon
Sitting among the flower beds on College Street is a bronze cannon. It used to form part of Sydney’s defense at Bennelong Point. Dating from 1808 it is worth a look as you pass by.
Cannon
Governor Lachlan Macquarie Statue
The most northerly Statue in the Gardens is that of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. He was Governor from 1810 to 1821 and was responsible for the social, economic and architectural development of the colony. Located looking down the road named after him, it is very easy to find. As a major figure in Australia’s history, the statue is worth looking for.
Major General Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Statues
Although not in the park, there are two statues located just to its northern boundary in Queen’s Square. To the West is Queen Victoria and to the east is her consort, Prince Albert. If you are in Hyde Park, it is worth crossing the road to have a look at them.
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert
St Mary’s Cathedral
Dominating the eastern side of the park is St Mary’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and is the Cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Beautiful inside as well as out, this is one of the great buildings in Sydney. As well as the interior you can visit the crypts. To visit the crypts, buy tickets from the gift shop. We were the only ones there when we went. Many early bishops of Sydney are interred in the crypt, so it is interesting historically. In addition, the architecture is fantastic and well worth spending time down there to admire it.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Pope Statue , Saint Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt
Hyde Park
So if you are in Sydney, you can easily spend most of a day looking around Hyde Park and its surrounding areas. Nearby is the Australian Museum and Macquarie Street with most of central Sydney very close as well. For other places to see in Sydney, please read some of our other stories.
