Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour, and is only a short ferry trip from Circular Quay. An informative booklet was available from the visitors centre near the wharf, with suggested self-guided tour itineraries.

The island was called Waremah by the Eora Aboriginal people. It is recognised as one of  'the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts'. Cockatoo Island became the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard in 1913 and remained a naval dockyard until 1992.

Link to the 'Turbine Shop' sign and extra photos

Inside the huge 'Turbine Shop'

One of the oldest surviving steam cranes in Australia (below) was restored by volunteers.

Steam Crane, Cockatoo Is.

The last time I visited Cockatoo Island was to see the Biennale of Sydney (see my earlier post). Australia's largest contemporary visual arts event, Biennale of Sydney, will be held 27 June – 16 September 2012.

Walls Ledge - Blackheath

This walk, at Blackheath in the Upper Blue Mountains, although reasonably short, had a variety of scenery, as you can see from the photos.

Centennial Glen Creek, Blackheath

Flannel flowers

View into Kanimbla Valley

Walls Ledge is a popular spot with rock climbers.

Our walk was around 4Kms return to the station.
The only section I didn't enjoy was the return walk along Shipley Road, which we shared with a surprising number of cars considering it was midweek.


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North Head to Shelly Beach

This excursion began with the scenic half hour ferry trip from Circular Quay to Manly.

At Manly, we caught a 135 route bus from opposite Manly wharf to the North Head Sanctuary.

near Blue Fish Point, looking south.

There is a walking track from the Gatehouse Visitors Centre, through Sydney Harbour National Park to Cabbage Tree Bay. 

In the photo below you can see some of the beaches to the north of Manly. North Steyne, Queenscliff, Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Long Reef and beyond, although not all are seen in this photo. We continued down to Shelly Beach and returned to Manly wharf from there. 

Link to my earlier North Head posts

North Head - Manly walking Map (pdf)    

North Head Sanctuary visitors guide (pdf)

Sand Sculptures

 I visited the township of Windsor, to see the inaugural Hawkesbury International Sand Sculpting Championship. The theme of the competition, which ran from 11th to the 29th January 2012, was Mystical Creatures.   

Jino van Bruinessen (Blue Mountains, NSW)

Hawkesbury River, Windsor

Windsor is a historic township around 50km north-western of central Sydney. The setting for the competition was a park next to the Hawkesbury River. 

Cliven Abben (Rye, Victoria) - Rainbow Serpent

Peter Redmond from Victoria sculpted this winged horse and foal.

 

I was amazed at the strength they can achieve in these sand sculptures. They use the same sort of sand that bricklayers use. This is mixed with water and compacted in tiered layers within timber forms, before the sculpturing begins.

Although the sculptures are coated with a protective water resistant (biodegradable) spray, recent rain had caused damage to some sculptures, which required repair.

The event was run by Sandstorm Events.      

Susanne Ruseler (Netherlands) - Gorgon Sisters

Jaap Tichler (Netherlands) - Second Life

The winning sculptor, Jakub Zimacek is from the Czech Republic. I wasn't happy with my photo of his Sea Serpents, due to the dappled lighting. 

  

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