The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre is on Garden Island in Sydney Harbour. To get there you catch the Sydney Ferry to Double Bay. This stops at a Garden Island only during the Centre’s opening hours (9:30AM to 4:30PM but check their website to be sure). There is no access via the Naval Base, only from the ferry wharf.
Approaching the Heritage Centre, you pass a series of memorials to ships lost and people killed in service to the RAN. These are worth a detailed look at before entering the main building.
Corvette MemorialRoyal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
What You See At The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre
Entry to the Heritage Centre is free, but you must leave before the last ferry. There is a very good display of Royal Australian Navy history inside the main building. There are items from the formation of the navy after federation to the present day. We found the staff to be friendly and approachable.
Wheel From HMAS ProtectorTwelve Inch Shell From the Battlecruiser HMAS Australia (I)
Eating
There is also a cafeteria catering for snacks and lunch. Food was great and reasonably priced.
On the Waterfront
Outside on the waterfront are some very interesting displays. These include the SeaCat anti-aircraft missile and Australian designed Ikara anti submarine system, whilst a small museum, there is a lot of great displays and history presented over the entire site.
Ikara Anti-Submarine MissileSeacat Anti-Aircraft MissileEight Inch Gun From HMAS Australia (II)
An additional area to see there is a large garden up the back, which given some great views to the harbour.
If you have a few hours to spare, the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre is a great place to learn about the history of the RAN.
Old Tree on Garden Island
For other places to visit in Sydney, please have a look at some of our other posts.
The Royal Australian Navy has its Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra NSW. It is adjacent to the naval base HMAS Albatross. When we arrived at 2:00 PM there were only four other people visiting. Effectively we had the whole museum to ourselves.
Propeller From HMAS Sydney
The Collection
The museum has an almost complete collection of the aircraft operated by the RAN. This ranges from the early 1950s when HMAS Sydney and Melbourne were acquired to a recently retired Seahawk helicopter. A purpose-built air-conditioned building houses all of the displays. Inside a raised mezzanine floor provides an excellent overhead perspective of the displays. This is something that many aviation museums are lacking. There is also plenty of space between each display so that they can be seen easily without the crowding that some museums use.
The 1950s
The Hawker Sea Fury, Fairey Firefly and Fairey Gannett represent the 1950s. All three are camouflages in Dark sea grey with sky undersides. The Firefly is also wearing Korean War black and white stripes.
RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5RAN Fairey Gannet AS.1Hawker Sea Fury
The Modern RAN Fleet Air Arm
The jet age is represented by the Douglas A4G Skyhawk, de Havilland Sea Venom FAW Mk.53 and Grumman S2G Tracker.. Training aircraft from this period include the Macchi 326, Vampire T.22 and Skyhawk 2 seat trainer.
De Havilland Sea Vampire MK T.22De Havilland Sea Venom F.A.W. MK 53McDonnell Douglas A4G SkyhawkGrumman S-2G Tracker
Drone Collection
Drones have formed an important part of the Fleet Air Arm, removing the risks involved in towing targets for Royal Australian Navy Ships. On display is an old Radioplane MQM-33 propeller driven drone. The Australian designed Turana (based on the Ikara anti-submarine missile) and the Jindivik are also on display. The more recent US designed BAE Kalkara is located next to the Skyhawk.
There is an impressive helicopter collection, which includes a large display to the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam. In line with the rest of the museum, the helicopter displays are well set out and have explanatory boards. This provides you with a thorough history of the types use within the Fleet Air Arm.
In addition to the aircraft of the FAA, the Fleet Air Arm Museum has some other excellent displays. A Sopwith Pup fighter from World War Two shows the beginnings of aviation. Nearby two six-inch guns from the original HMAS Sydney (a cruiser) illustrate what the aircraft have replaced.
HMAS Sydney the aircraft carrier, is represented by its bell, 32 foot cutter and a propeller (outside near the entrance).
A unique aircraft in the CAC Winjeel is also on display. This particular aircraft is the prototype for the design that went on to become the primary trainer for a generation of Australian military pilots.
An unusual inclusion is a MiG-15 UTI in Polish colours. A very interesting aircraft to see, but its inclusion here seems out-of-place.
Sopwith Pup6 Inch Gun From HMAS Melbourne (I)HMAS Sydney BellCAC CA-22 Winjeel prototypeHMAS Melbourne 32FT CutterDouglas C-47A DakotaAermacchi MB-326HPolish MiG-15 UTI
All of the displays are accompanied by descriptions and a detailed history of the FAA is provided as you progress around the museum.
There is a gift shop that also caters to the local RAN base so there is a good selection of merchandise available.
A great place to visit if you are interested in aviation or naval history.
HMAS Newcastle FFG 06 arrived in Newcastle Harbour today for what will probably be its final visit before decommissioning.
We arrived early and spent a relaxing afternoon walking on the foreshore. We had a very nice steak pie at Harry’s Cafe De-Wheels and an ice cream from across the road. The foreshore was a very pleasant backdrop to sit and eat lunch next to.
While eating we watched the coal ships coming and going and had a great view of Nobby’s Headland. Then we walked up to Nobby’s Surfhouse and had a nice coffee until the ship was due.
HMAS Newcastle arrived around 3:30PM, to a large crowd all along the break water and foreshore.
An in all a very relaxing afternoon.
Nobby’s Headland
Tug Boat Newcastle Harbour
Coal Ship Newcastle Harbour
HMAS Newcastle FFG 06
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
