Located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Lennox Gardens in the Australian capital Canberra has several distinct areas gifted to Australia by foreign governments. Additionally it contains several memorials while being a beautiful place to relax.
Nara Peace Park
Gifted to the people of Canberra by the Japanese city of Nara, this small garden contains many traditional elements particularly the large number of decorative trees. Throughout the park, are two stone lanterns and other sculptures.
The tranquility of the garden is wonderful and a great place to wander through.
Traditional wooden gate entrance to the Japanese GardensKasuga lantern in the Canberra Nara Peace Park
Beijing Garden
The Canberra Beijing Garden was a gift from the Beijing Municipal Council. Designed in the style of the Qing Dynasty it has a traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors while meandering paths lead past sculptures and a pavilion.
Traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors to the Canberra Beijing Garden Reverse side of the Chinese gate Replica statue of the Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying SwallowAzure Dragon representing east and spring
JNF Israel Garden
Memorial to the Centenary of Australia and the Centenary of the Jewish National Fund
Spanish Civil War Memorial
This is a small memorial to Australians who fought in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 139.
Spanish Civil War Memorial
Canberra Rotary Peace Bell
The Rotary Club of Canberra undertook a fund raising exercise to install a peace bell within the Nara Peace Park precinct. This was done in partnership with the World Peace Bell Association.
The BP refinery at Carradah Park in Waverton has a rich history that dates back several decades. Here is a brief overview of its historical significance:
The refinery was established in 1926 by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, which later became British Petroleum (BP). Its location in Waverton, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, was strategically chosen for its proximity to deep water, which facilitated the transportation of crude oil.
During World War II, the refinery played a crucial role in supporting the Australian war effort. It supplied petroleum products to the military and contributed to the nation’s energy security. The refinery expanded significantly during this period to meet the increased demand.
In the following years, the refinery underwent several upgrades and modernizations to improve its efficiency and environmental sustainability. It became a key player in the Australian petroleum industry, supplying a significant portion of the country’s fuel needs.
However, as environmental concerns grew, the refinery faced criticism for its impact on the surrounding area. Issues such as air and water pollution led to community protests and pressure for improved environmental practices.
In 2012, BP announced its decision to close the Carradah Park refinery due to economic factors. The closure marked the end of an era for the facility, and its refining operations ceased in 2014. BP shifted its focus towards fuel importation and distribution in Australia.
Since the closure, the site has undergone a transformation. The refinery land has been repurposed for various purposes, including commercial and residential developments. The redevelopment has aimed to restore and revitalize the area while preserving its heritage.
Current Use
Carradah Park in Waverton has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, thanks to the rehabilitation efforts carried out on the site previously occupied by the BP refinery. The rehabilitation process aimed to restore the natural beauty and ecological balance of the area, making it a welcoming green space for both the local community and visitors to enjoy.
One of the primary goals of the rehabilitation was to address the environmental impacts left behind by the refinery. Extensive remediation works were conducted to clean up contaminated soil and water, ensuring the preservation of the ecosystem and the safety of those using the park. This process involved the removal of hazardous substances and the implementation of sustainable land management practices.
During the rehabilitation, the focus was not only on remediation but also on the enhancement of biodiversity. Native vegetation was reintroduced, creating habitats for various plant and animal species. This has not only contributed to the park’s aesthetic appeal but has also promoted a healthier ecosystem by attracting local wildlife.
Furthermore, the park’s infrastructure underwent significant upgrades to improve accessibility and provide amenities for visitors. New walking paths, seating areas, and picnic spots were established, encouraging people to explore the park and take advantage of its recreational opportunities. The inclusion of sustainable features, such as rain gardens and water-efficient irrigation systems, further reflects the commitment to environmental responsibility.
How To Get There
We travelled by train to Waverton Station because parking in the area is limited. Walking from the station, we stopped at Botanica Garden Café for a coffee before heading to Carradah Park via Waverton Park.
Carradah Park
Walking through the park, information boards explain the area’s past. It’s amazing how much work has been undertaken to transform it from a contaminated industrial site to a beautiful park.
Meandering through the park, several paths lead you through the revegetated bush. Viewing platforms from the upper section provide fantastic vantage points to see Sydney Harbour as well as the bridge and city. From here you can also look down to where giant fuel tanks once stood but have been transformed into green circles.
At the southern end of the park, two old wooded piers, one of which has collapsed are still visible in Berrys Bay. From here we walked to the Coal Loader and its derelict Coal Loading Wharf before finishing our day at Balls Head Reserve.
Information BoardSteps leading into the reserveSign of the Former BP SiteOld pipe next to a walkwayExcavated Wall of the Old SiteThe Sydney Harbour Bridge from the walking trackSydney, The Harbour Bridge and Harbour From Carradah ParkRusty Steel Sculpture in the ReserveOld Oil Storage Tank Rehabilitation From BelowOil Storage Tank Rehabilitation From AboveOld Structure Toppling into Berrys BayOld Wooden structure rotting away in Berrys Bay
Located adjacent to the Kokoda Track Memorial Pathway, the Brays Bay Ship-Building Memorial is a tribute to the ship building that operated here from 1939 to 1945. Representing a ship a sculpture sits next to the entrance walkway which has ships’ names etched into it.
Operated by Tulloch, the shipyard built the bow and midsections of shallow draught vessels here. The stern sections were constructed at Granville. These small ships were needed for operations in coastal areas in Northern Australia and New Guinea. Up to 1945 when construction halted up to 24 ships were built here.
The entrance to the area recreates the slipway the vessels were built on, while the ship sculpture represents the bow section of a ship built here.
This is an interesting addition to the memorial walk while teaching us a little about the wartime industry in the area.
Entrance to the Ship-Building MemorialSculpture Representing the Bow Section of a ShipShip-Building MemorialShip-Building Memorial From the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
