Kokoda Track Memorial

With ANZAC Day approaching, it seemed an appropriate time to post these photos from our visit to the Kokoda Track Memorial walkway. This 800 metre walk, between Rhodes railway station and Concord Hospital, is a tribute to "the bravery of Australian troops who fought through atrocious conditions against vastly superior enemy numbers, in the Papua-New Guinea campaign of July 1942 - January 1943 "

The centrepiece of the memorial is this semi-circular area, enclosed by granite walls, etched with photographs taken during the campaign. The plants surrounding the area simulate the lush tropical environment of New Guinea.

Brays Bay Ship Building Memorial, Rhodes

The site of the WWII Commonwealth Shipyard No.4, where small ships were constructed for service in WW2, is near the Rhodes end of the Kokoda Track memorial walk. The Brays Bay Reserve site acknowledges the contribution of those who built the ships, and of those that served on them. The public art, in the photo above, is symbolic of a ship’s bow.

 Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway site, with link to brochure
Information about Brays Bay reclamation: ABC 'Gardening Australia'

Taronga Zoo to Clifton Gardens

We started this harbour side walk by catching a ferry to Taronga Zoo wharf. We first walked part of the Curlew Camp Artist's Walk in Sirius Cove Reserve, before retracing our steps.           Location map 

          

From the wharf we followed the path past the lower Zoo entrance to Bradley's Head. A 'Memorial Mast' dominates Bradley's Head. The mast was removed from Sydney (I) when decommissioned in 1928, and was erected at Bradley's Head in 1934. The memorial represents a mark of respect and recognition of the Australian officers, sailors and ships lost at sea and in combat

HMAS Sydney (II) Memorial plaque

Fig tree, Bradley's Head

     Bradley's Head also has stonework from old military fortifications (see info at Mosman CEFE)

Taylors Bay, Sydney Harbour

Clifton Gardens Reserve, Chowder Bay

This is a 5 Km walk took us through part of Sydney Harbour National Park (map and audio tour). At Cliffton Gardens we caught a 244 bus back from Chowder Head Bay Road to the City. You could also return to the Zoo wharf, see WildWalks.

My thanks to our leaders for this very picturesque walk. While this post is another Sydney walk, we have not stopped walking in the Blue Mountains, having recently walked at Springwood, and revisited the Witches Leap walk at Katoomba.

North Head to Manly

City skyline from North Head (telephoto)

The Barracks

                                                 
This Sydney Excursion follows on from my North Head Sanctuary post. The other aspect of North Head is its military history. The headquarters for the Army School of Artillery was established at the North Head Barracks in 1946.
In 1998 it was relocated to Puckapunyal in Victoria, as North Head was no longer considered suitable.

You may also see references to the 'Australian Army Artillery Museum' which was located at North Fort.  It was also moved to Victoria in December 2010.

                                                                                                                               The North Fort Memorial Walk and memorials, honour those who have served in the defence of Australia in both war and peace. It spans the period from Australia's Colonial past, World War 1, World War 2 and Post-WW2 conflicts.                           Peacekeeping Operations and Civilian Services such as the Merchant Navy are included.

The heavy clouds cleared, making the mostly downhill walk back to Many wharf very pleasant. Along the way we passed Collins Beach and Little Manly Cove

Collins Beach, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove

Sydney Coast walks

Thanks to Judith who led the group on this interesting and scenic walk