Garden Island, Sydney Harbour
Garden island was the navy headquarters, shipyards and dock for much of its history. It is no longer an island, with the area between the mainland and the island being filled with dry-docks, ship building and other boat and navy facilities. However the only access is still by ferry, since the remaining naval base is on the strip of land between the mainland and the island.
Much of the naval buildings still remain. Many historic buildings and installations, but many that were still in use up until 20 or so years ago.
There are three main areas on the island. The Garden area is accessed via several stairways, and although never curated as a formal garden is a very attractive place to walk, picnic, or to admire the view. You can climb to the top of the old signal station, and find the only place in Sydney you can take a photo with the botanical gardens, the Opera House, and the harbour bridge all in frame. You can see the location of the original 1770 gardens that gave the island its name, as Sydney's first produce was grown in these thin, exposed soils. There are picnic tables, grassy spots for picnic blankets, and even few electric BBQs available.
The Waterfront area, you can walk from the ferry wharf along the water for around 400m. You can see the bow of the HMAS Parammatta, and several other memorials and monuments scattered around by the waters edge.
The Museum area has two levels and extensive displays of the naval history of Sydney and the site. There is a real periscope that is a favourite with the kids. The museum can get a bit crazy when school excursions visit, but you would have to be unlucky to be there with a crowd. Usually the island and museum are very quiet. There is a special exhibition on the Japanese mini-submarines that entered Sydney Harbour during the second world war.
Sydney ferries has regular scheduled ferry services to Garden Island on the Watsons Bay route. Make sure you arrive well within the museum opening hours, or you will end up having a ferry trip to Rose Bay instead. Only naval personnel are allowed to disembark after museum hours. No private ferries, private boats, or water taxis are permitted to land or approach Garden Island. There is no admission fee to the island.
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Navy Heritage Centre at Garden Island
The Navy Heritage Collection is one of the largest Collections of its type in the world with over 500,000 individual items under management. The Main Repository is located at Spectacle Island. The three official museums of Navy; the RAN Heritage Centre at Garden Island, Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross and the Museum of HMAS Cerberus at HMAS Cerberus as well as the RANC Collection at HMAS Creswell showcase the premier exhibits of the Collection.
2018 GARDEN ISLAND ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY VIDEO
Fly by Garden Island Sydney HMAS Adelaide (III) HMAS Success and HMAS Newcastle were in port. For Royal Australian Navy books click here
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam
Wotz @ Garden Island, Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre, Sydney
Board the ferry from Circular Quay and travel the short distance to Garden Island on Sydney Harbour. Enjoy an interesting walk through the Navy Heritage Centre remembering and appreciating Australia's proud naval history. Followed by a coffee in the Salthorse café. What a great way to spend a couple of hours.
Garden Island Naval Base Filmed at the International Fleet Review - Oct 2013
Here's the Garden Island Naval Base Woolloomooloo Bay in Sydney, filmed when the International Fleet Review ( IFR 2013 ) was on in October 2013
Winning design for the new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta divides opinion
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The winning design for the Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta has been revealed, and it seems not everyone likes what they see. The NSW government says it will be the largest investment in cultural infrastructure since the Sydney Opera House.
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HMAS Albatross
The Albatross and its Australian crew are leaving to join the Home Fleet in exchange for a new ship which the British Navy is to give to the Australians.
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Navy vessel returns home
The long-range frigate HMAS Darwin has returned to its home shores for Northern Territory Navy Week.
HOW TO CLEAN A SUBMARINE
Join Lochie Daddo, Fleet Manager Phil McKendrick and Fleet Hull Surveyor Warwick Thomson as they take former Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Onslow away from its home at the Australian National Maritime Museum and out into a Sydney Harbour dry-dock for a spit and polish.
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Australian National Maritime Museum
Australians are closely linked to the sea through commerce, defence, exploration, adventure, sport and play. Our oceans and waterways have influenced our development, and who we are. The museum captures these themes with fascinating artifacts, lively exhibitions, exhibition programs, fun activities, and even the chance to board ships and experience life on the water.
HMAS Onslow, Oberon class submarine (1968) is on permanent display at the Australian National Maritime Museum wharves, Darling Harbour Sydney. Come aboard!
Thales Dockyard
Video Transcript
Hi, I'm Lochie Daddo for the National Maritime Museum in Sydney. Now I don't know about you but I've often thought there's got to be an easier way to clean my SAAB. It just takes the kids too long on a weekend. So I thought I'd come and have chat to the experts and I'm with Phil McKendrick the Fleet Manager at the National Maritime Museum. He's in charge of 14 vessels here including this, the HMAS Onslow. How often do you have to go through the process of cleaning them?
Well the process of cleaning's done every three years. It's taken over to the dockyard and docked, and given a clean and a spruce up.
Phil, so how do we know when a sub is substandard?
That's very good, that's a very question so we do inspections on the hull of the submarine. We have marine divers in the museum and that's how we know it's substandard.
But it's not like the subs out and about so why is it necessary?
No that's true. It is good food for the fish but it tends to, the marine growth breaks down the coating, the paint scheme, on the bottom of the ship and it can cause rust and corrosion.
So tell us, what's going to happen?
We're now in transit to go to Thales at Garden Island, and we'll take it into the outer Captain Cook Dry Dock and then we'll dock down the submarine on the blocks, empty out the dock, pump out the water and then we'll start to hydro blast the underwater side of the vessel. So really you can only see so much from the water but once it's dry you'll be able to see a lot of the growth and that will determine how long it'll take but possibly two to three days.
From a carwash point of view I pay $2 for two minutes to spray down my car. What are we paying for this sort of project?
Well you could probably multiply that by a couple of thousand I think. The price to dock it down and get the hydro blast done is $120,000. Well here we are at Thales Dockyard, Garden Island and the submarine now sitting on the blocks in the outer Captain Dock. And now we're in the process of cleaning the submarine. They've got high pressure water blasters and they run at about 3,000 to 5,000 PSI but it really depends on the extent of the marine growth on the vessel at what pressure they set. So they've got to set those machines up to remove the marine growth and the rust on the vessels hull. Well what happens is the marine growth breaks down the paint scheme on the steel hull and that can cause corrosion and also breach the watertight integrity of the vessel. So it's very important that these are done every three to four years to protect the vessel's steel hull. Well it's not typically like your car, it takes two days to clean the hull of the vessel and then over the next 10 days we'll be doing the survey of the submarine's hull with our Fleet Surveyor Warwick Thomson.
We need to know firstly how our antifoul paint systems work and what problems there are so that we can have good interaction with the paint manufacturer to solve any problems.
We use the paint that the navy use on their submarines but its stealth black so you can't see me and that's what the submarine's all about, not to be detected. But it's an international paint but it's a navy paint scheme so we follow the guidelines that the navy use on their submarines that are in commission today.
Well that was a blast. Okay so let's have a look at what's involved. Always get a scuba diver to check the hull condition. Make sure your sub is ready for the open water. Get it to a dry dock then make sure, now this is important, make sure you blast the gunk while it's still wet otherwise you'll never get it off, and finally have an open cheque book. This is not a cheap process. Really it makes washing the car on the weekend a walk in the park, doesn't it?
WELCOME TO THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
For an unforgettable experience, climb on board our vessels with and get a glimpse of life at sea. The Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney's Darling Harbour has one of the largest and most diverse fleets of any museum in the world – tall ships, navy vessels, a submarine and beautifully restored historic boats.
HM BARK ENDEAVOUR
Explore the acclaimed replica of James Cook’s famous ship. See how 18th-century seafarers lived and worked during one of history’s greatest maritime adventures, Cook’s epic 1768–71 world voyage. Her masts and spars carry 28 sails spreading 10,000 square feet (930m²) of canvas, with almost 30 kilometres of ropes and 750 wooden blocks or pulleys!
BARQUE JAMES CRAIG (1874)
Sydney Heritage Fleet’s magnificent 1874 iron-hulled barque James Craig was recommissioned in 2000 after an award winning, 30-year restoration. One of only four such vessels in the world still sailing, she represents the pinnacle of sail in its last days, moving produce from the colonies and bringing manufactured goods to our shores.
HMAS ONSLOW, OBERON CLASS SUBMARINE (1969)
Delve into the secret world of submarine warfare. Onslow was commissioned during the tense Cold War years to watch, listen and collect intelligence without detection. Explore her fascinating spaces, from torpedo compartments to her diesel–electric engine room. Peer through her periscopes and marvel at the crew’s cramped living arrangements.
HMAS VAMPIRE, DARING CLASS DESTROYER (1956)
Explore Australia’s largest museum vessel and the last of the nation’s big-gun warships – a powerful, fast destroyer packed with the machinery and weapons of air and sea warfare. See how hundreds of sailors lived and worked together and where they ate, slept and relaxed.
Sydney Harbour Islands
The Harbour Islands are Sydney's best kept secret. There are several in the harbour that you can visit to explore, for a picnic, or just to take in the history and the view. These include Fort Denison, Cockatoo, Garden, Shark, Clark and Rodd Islands. Goat island is currently closed. These are all distinct and beautiful islands and have magnificent views of sailing boats on the harbour and of Sydney's harbourside buildings. At most times of the year they can be nearly deserted. Wherever you go, expect specular views, interesting history, and somewhere just a little off that well beaten track.
To get to the islands you will need some form of water transport. To some islands you can catch a scheduled ferry services, either on either Sydney Ferries or Captain Cook/Matilda Ferries. Some tours are offered to the islands, including water transport, either scheduled or private. You can also catch a water taxi, or impose on a friend with a boat to drop you off.
Fort Denison is a popular island on the harbour. You can't miss seeing it, it is right in front of the Opera House. The island was used as a convict prison during the early days of Sydney's settlement. The island was then known as Pinchgut. In 1857 the entire area became a large fort, built to defend Sydney against Russian attack. Today the island is managed by National Parks. There is a museum that you can visit just by catching the ferry, or you can take a complete tour of the fort and tower by taking the National Parks tour.
Cockatoo Island was used for convicts in the early days of the colony, but later it was developed for shipbuilding and industry. There is no industry remaining on the island, and the space is now parkland and many of the buildings open to explore.
Garden island was the navy headquarters, shipyards and dock for much of its history. It is no longer an island, with the area between the mainland and the island being filled with dry-docks, ship building and other boat and navy facilities. However the only access is still by ferry, since the remaining naval base is on the strip of land between the mainland and the island.
QUESTIONS?
We would like to hear from you! If you have any comments or questions about this destination or just need some general travel advice, feel free to leave a comment below!
ABOUT
VideoVoyage.TV is a travel channel specializing in informative videos about various travel destinations around the world. We are publishing a short video every day starting with places around Southeast Asia, but planning to extend our coverage to Europe and the Caribbean in the upcoming months.
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HMAS VAMPIRE
THE EX AUSTRALIAN NAVY SHIP VAMPIRE IN THE CAPT. COOK GRAVING DOCK AT GARDEN ISLAND IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIAS LAST REAL BATTLESHIP NOW IN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM IN SYDNEY
RAAF Museum: Royal Australian Air Force - Melbourne
RAAF Museum: Royal Australian Air Force - Melbourne. This is an amazing Museum well worth visiting. The huge number of planes, exhibits and history has stories to tell. The entry to the museum is free of cost.
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Ford Australia & the International Fleet Review Spectacular
Ford Australia presents 5 Ford Salutes Live Sites for the International Fleet Review Spectacular with visual and audio support. These are Milson's Point, Dawes Point, Circular Quay, Mrs Macquarie's Point and Garden Island. Plus, there will be a live YouTube stream of the International Fleet Review Spectacular on the 'Ford Australia' YouTube Channel as well as a live broadcast of the International Fleet Review - Sydney 2013 on digital radio station RADAR. Also use the hashtag #FORDSALUTES when uploading your photos of the International Fleet Review - Sydney 2013 on social media.
Note: The International Fleet Review Spectacular Ford Salutes Live Sites at Milson's Point and Garden Island will not have visual support (large screens).
Video from 'Ford Australia' YouTube channel and 'Imagination Pty Ltd' Vimeo channel.
my sydney: royal australian navy heritage centre garden is
my sydney: royal australian navy heritage centre garden is
Tim Navy Days lores
my navy story - part one, Royal Australian Navy, HMAS Torrens
HMAS Sydney demonstrating the Phalanx CIWS at the International Fleet Review 2013
HMAS Sydney (FFG03) of the Royal Australian Navy demonstrating the Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) at the International Fleet Review 2013 Warships Open Day at Garden Island naval base
Queen Mary II at Garden Island, Sydney
Haunted Places in Sydney
From disturbing, historic, and haunted mental institutions, holding more than just dusty old equipment... to eerie and chilling renovated structures, literally built atop old and forgotten cemeteries... Australia as a whole boasts some fearsome hauntings... where better to start than the Harbour City itself? Enjoy our picks for the most haunted places in Sydney!
Photos:
“Sydney Central Railway Station” by Hpeterswald ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
“Sydney Central Station” by Hugh Llewelyn ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Asylum Buildings” by Frederick Manning ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Superintendent's Residence” by Frederick Manning ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Garden Folly c.1870” by Frederick Manning ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Wards 20A & 20B c.1905” by Frederick Manning ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“The Rocks – Sydney – panoramio” by Pavel Špindler ( is licensed under CC BY 3.0
“Former English, Scottish & Australian Chartered Bank - The Rocks, Sydney, NSW” by sv1ambo ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Cockatoo Island” by Dave Keeshan ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Cockatoo Island 15” by Hasitha Tudugalle ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Cockatoo Island 9” by Hasitha Tudugalle ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Cockatoo Island Naval Dockyard and Convict Prison Museum” by Hugh Llewelyn ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Quarantine Beach, Sydney Harbour, Manly” by MD111 ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“The Boilerhouse, Quarantine Station, North Head, Manly, Sydney” by MD111 ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Arriving at Manly Quarantine Station” by Jim Bowen ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Beach at Manly Quarantine Station” by Jim Bowen ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Q Station” by Simon_sees ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“North Head Quarantine Station c.1828” by Governor Macquarie ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Q Station, Manly, NSW, Australia” by Penny Digmore ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0