Overview
North Head Artillery School
Middle Head-Georges Heights
Woolwich Dock and Parklands
Cockatoo Island
Snapper Island
Macquarie Lightstation
Marine Biological Station
HMAS Platypus
HMAS PLATYPUS
On 23 July 2005, the Department of Defence handed over management
of the former Submarine Base, HMAS Platypus to the Harbour Trust.
Read about the event... |
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Harbour Trust: The
Sites
Overview
The Harbour Trust sites have a history of military and industrial use
and have been closed off to the public for much of Australia’s
European settlement. They are all linked by the same water body — Sydney
Harbour and are extremely significant to the history of Sydney, reflecting
the city’s development in relation to the harbour.
Today, the sites contain features of natural and historic significance,
including areas of pristine natural vegetation, significant historic buildings
and unique remaining infrastructure such as docks, wharves and cranes.
The sites cover a total of 137 hectares with 408 buildings and 14 identified
sites of Aboriginal significance.
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At the entrance to Sydney Harbour, North Head has a significant
history in the quarantining of infectious ship’s passengers
and in the Defence of Sydney.
The giant stone promontory, once an island, has given rise to a
delicate and precious system of flora and fauna.
The remarkable parade ground of the former School of Artillery
is defined by simple Art Deco buildings amongst wild bushland that
overlooks the harbour.
Further out are scattered buildings, connected by loops of roads
and tracks.
The Sanctuary is open every. The visitors centre features an exhibition
and craft activities for children. Walking tracks and a self-guided
tour allow visitors to explore this unique site. Find
out more about visiting North Head Sanctuary.
Download
the site brochure (PDF, 459kb  ) |
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The former Defence lands at Middle Head-Georges Heights consist
of a string of villages formed by simple halls, barracks and a succession
of courtyards.
The military has had a presence in the area since the construction
of fortifications in the early 1800s.
Chowder Bay is the landing place by the water. It is connected
to the old hospital precinct (part of Training Command) on the Georges
Heights ridge.
Further along towards Middle Head are another cluster of buildings
at the former AusAid Centre and 10 Terminal.
Headland Park is open every day. Spectacular walking tracks traverse
the park. A range of cafes and restaurants are open along with a
number of other businesses. Find
out about visiting Headland Park.
Download
the site brochure (PDF, 513kb ) |
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The Dock extends for nearly three hundred metres in length, cut
directly into the sandstone cliff face.
It lies below the village of Hunters Hill and is connected to Clarkes
Point Reserve around the waterfront.
The dock and surrounding area has been developed for maritime industrial
use.
The site’s history is one of shipbuilding, and more recently,
use by the Army for their water-based operations.
Woolwich Dock and Parklands is open to the public seven days a
week. Follow the walking track around the vast dock. Find
out more about visiting Woolwich Dock.
Download
the site brochure (PDF, 205kb ) |
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This island lies at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove
Rivers, Moocooboola.
Two dry docks lie nose to nose on the island’s flat lower
level.
The upper level sits atop sheer-sided sandstone. A prison and over
a century of shipbuilding activities have left a collection of workshops,
cranes, towers, houses and courtyards.
The island was closed in 1992.
The island is now open to the public again with a daily ferry service
from circular quay. Take a self-guided tour of the island, bring
a picnic or visit the cafe. Find out
more about visiting Cockatoo Island.
Download
the site brochure (PDF, 350kb ) |
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This small island contains a collage of waterfront buildings in
tin and timber, slipways, boat storage, gardens and flagpoles —
all arranged in the pattern of a ship.
From a public recreation reserve, the island was later used for
naval cadet training.
Today it houses a collection of naval artefacts and memorabilia.
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Situated near the clifftop on South Head this lighthouse illuminates
the entrance to Sydney Harbour.
Macquarie Lighthouse is Australia's longest continuously operating
lighthouse.
Download
the site brochure (PDF, 373kb ) |
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The station was built at the southern end of Camp Cove in 1881,
then a bare windswept peninsula.
Russian scientist and explorer Nikolai Miklouho Maclay was instrumental
in its establishment, convincing the scientific community and government
of the importance of studying the Australian fauna and flora.
For the past 100 years, the former station has been used to house
military personnel.
Download
the site brochure (PDF, 363kb ) |
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Handed over to the Harbour Trust in June 2005, HMAS Platypus is
nestled below the suburb of Neutral Bay on a quiet harbour inlet.
Formerly the site of a gasworks, a workshop for servicing torpedoes,
and a base for Australia’s submarines, the site that has been
left is an industrial setting that is excavated out of the sandstone
and spread over several levels.
Click here to read
about the handover ceremony and open day.
Download
the site brochure (PDF, 373kb ) |
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