Sydney Harbour Archives - Page 2 of 5

18 July 202314 July 2023

Bradfield Park North Sydney

Bradfield Park North Sydney

Located partially beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bradfield Park is a publicly accessible park in North Sydney which provides magnificent vistas of the harbor, Circular Quay, and the Sydney Opera House. The park, named in honor of John Bradfield, the renowned engineer responsible for the bridge’s design, encompasses a playground, picnic facilities, a paved area under the bridge, and a direct pathway leading to the Olympic Pool and Luna Park complex.

Bradfield Park History

Originally conceived as a garden suburb in 1924, the plans for the area took a different turn in 1940 when it was designated as a Royal Australian Air Force station. Throughout World War II, this station served as a training ground for over 200,000 members of the RAAF and the WAAAF. During the period from the 1950s to the early 1970s, the park also served as a temporary residence for refugees, immigrants, and homeless families. Alongside two other camps, it housed approximately 100,000 individuals who sought public and affordable housing in Sydney. Eventually, the camp was disbanded, and the land was repurposed for housing. Today, the once military station has transformed into the breathtaking Bradfield Park. This picturesque public space is conveniently accessible by public transportation, located just a short stroll away from Milsons Point railway station and Kirribilli shops.

What to See

Walking to the park from the train station, we noticed this amazing looking door on a house along the way.

Ornamental door on a house near Bradfield Park

Eastern Side

Entering the park, one of the initial sights that strikes you is a peculiar steel sculpture. Presented by the Swiss Government and the Swiss Australian Community in commemoration of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, this remarkable work of art is crafted using components salvaged from an antiquated train, along with rivets sourced from a Swiss bridge and discarded industrial steel.

The foreshore of Bradfield Park is a fantastic spot for taking photos. You can capture many great landmarks and even use the weather shelters to get a unique perspective of the Sydney Opera House across the shore.

Of course, the dominant feature in the area is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Walking through the park will take you past the buttress towers and under the train roadway. From here you get a completely different view of the bridge than when driving over it. You can see the structure and engineering that has gone into its design and the huge amount of steel needed to build it.

Under Sydney Harbour Bridge

Underside of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Bradfield Park — Underside of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Located under the bridge and forming part of the foreshore is the bow of the first HMAS Sydney which served in World War One.

Western Side

Originally situated at the intersection of Berry and Miller Street in North Sydney, ‘Harbour Cycles’ by Richard Byrnes has now found its new home in the western section of Bradfield Park. Made from aluminium, this impressive creation showcases various elements such as the iconic struts of the Harbour Bridge, maritime machinery, and local architectural designs.

Harbour Cycles by Richard Byrnes Bradfield Park — Harbour Cycles by Richard Byrnes

Entrance to Milsons Point Station under the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The history of the area is explained with a series of information boards. These are great because most people would be unaware of the area’s history.

Sitting atop the Broomfield Memorial Drinking Fountain in Bradfield Park, this bronze fox terrier was crafted in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Harbour Bridge. The fountain serves as a tribute to Jessie Broomfield, a generous benefactor who left funds for the well-being of Sydney’s dogs and specifically requested the installation of trough-equipped fountains in public parks for our furry companions to quench their thirst. Positioned at the northernmost section of the park, adjacent to Lavender Street, the fountain stands as a testament to Broomfield’s philanthropic legacy.

Statue of a fox terrier atop a drinking fountain, with drinking troughs for dogs Bradfield Park — Statue of a fox terrier atop a drinking fountain, with drinking troughs for dogs

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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27 May 202327 May 2023

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.

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.

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

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

Wooden Sculpture Headland Park Walking Track — Wooden Sculpture

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.

4 April 20232 April 2023

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.