TheRamblingWombat Sydney

Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse

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Lest my reader be surprised at seeing a lighthouse on the waterfront of the perfectly calm Darling Harbour I should explain that it is an exhibit of the adjacent Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM). Given it size, it perhaps goes without saying that the lighthouse is part of museum’s permanent galleries collection. I actually say this because, being part of this collection it is free to visit the lantern room, though you do have to be on a tour to do so. More on that later. Continue reading “Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse” →

TheRamblingWombat Sydney

Little Boats at the Maritime Museum

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In my separate review, Big Boats at the Maritime Museum, I gave brief details on the larger vessels at the Australian National Maritime Museum which I feel are worth boarding and thus buying a BIG ticket at A$30 to do so, especially so if the special exhibition on at the time of your visit is of interest as the BIG ticket gives access to it as well. Continue reading “Little Boats at the Maritime Museum” →

TheRamblingWombat Sydney

Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club Murals at the ANMM

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In January 1921 an honour roll listing the names of the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club members who had served and died during World War I was unveiled in the clubhouse. The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club, based at Bondi Beach was the first surf life saving club in Australia, created in 1907, and is also, without doubt, the most famous in their red and yellow gear. Continue reading “Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club Murals at the ANMM” →

TheRamblingWombat Sydney

The Wharfie’s Mural at the Maritime Museum

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The Wharfie’s Mural, part of which is on display in the Australian National Maritime Museum, is a classic example of working class art in Australia.

Socialist realist in style, the mural depicts the lives and struggles of Australian waterside workers as well as major themes in the history of Australian (and indeed international) workers more generally from the mid 1800s to WWII and beyond, all the time exalting the struggle of workers against oppression and extolling the power of unity. Continue reading “The Wharfie’s Mural at the Maritime Museum” →

TheRamblingWombat Sydney

Australian National Maritime Museum

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Given Darling Harbour’s maritime history it is very appropriate that Australia’s national maritime museum should be located here.

The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) can be roughly split into three parts – the permanent galleries, special exhibitions and a collection of ships, boats and the like, outside and on the harbour itself. In addition to the exhibits the museum has a souvenir shop and a couple of eating options though there are many more (better) eating options within metres of the museum. Continue reading “Australian National Maritime Museum” →

TheRamblingWombat Sydney

WOW – Darling Harbour

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The European history of New South Wales, and indeed Australia, will always be traced back to the site of the first British settlement at Sydney Cove (now Circular Quay). That said, it wasn’t long until the industrial and maritime hub of the Colony, and the new city of Sydney, moved around the corner, as it were, to the adjacent Darling Harbour, or Long Cove/Cockle Bay as it was called until 1826 when the not so modest State Governor, Darling, renamed it after himself. Continue reading “WOW – Darling Harbour” →

TheRamblingWombat Sydney

Macquarie Obelisk

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In January 1788 the First Fleet arrived into Sydney from the UK. It brought with it Australia’s first European, mostly convict, settlers who came ashore here at Macquarie Place, now a little further back from the harbour than it was in 1788, due to land reclamation in the intervening years. It was from here that these early settlers set out to explore and settle Australia so it was rather fitting that distances of places from Sydney be measured from here. Continue reading “Macquarie Obelisk” →