Victoria Lodge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Victoria Lodge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
Towards the northern section of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney is the delightful cottage known as Victoria Lodge. I love the way it has been incorporated into the general plantings of the gardens.
Surprisingly, I have been unable to find out very much information about this delightful building. The website of the Royal Botanic Gardens states only this:
Victoria Lodge is a sandstone gatehouse, believed to be built c. 1893/5. Originally very small. Additions were made about 1870 and the western and southern wings were added in 1921.
That doesn’t tell us much at all. Other sites indicate it is currently in use as an art gallery and as an artists’ studio. There is precious little on the internet about it.
Some questions – and a request:
Why was this building built? Who designed it? What has it been used for down through the years?
If any readers know more about this cottage, please respond in the comments section. Thanks.
Update July 2018: A reader has submitted a link to an article with more information about its history. The article goes on say that the lodge is being refurbished ready to be opened to the public. Click here to read more about it.
Fort Denison in Sydney Harbour
Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
An interesting little slice of Australian history sits on a prominent island in the middle of Sydney Harbour, not far from the Royal Botanic Gardens. It is clearly visible from near Mrs Macquaries Chair as shown in the photo above. This is the closest we have been to this interesting island. Next time we are in Sydney we must take the time to visit this historic site.
This fortress on an island in Sydney Harbour was commenced in 1841 and completed in 1857 to protect the small colony of New South Wales against a feared Russian invasion during the Crimean War. It is now a museum and tourist attraction. You can take a boat trip to the island and a tour of the island and the museum. The island is now administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Further reading
- Check out the Wikipedia article about Fort Denison.
Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour
Historic mural, Ouyen, Victoria
Historic mural, Ouyen, NW Victoria
Several years ago we had a short holiday in Victoria and New South Wales. Our main objective was to take my mother-in-law to her sister’s funeral in Parkes. On the first day of our trip we stopped for lunch in the small mallee town of Ouyen in north west Victoria. This town is a service centre for a wide area of wheat and sheep farming in this district. It was beginning to decline but has had a boost in recent years due to tourism.
Historic mural, Ouyen, NW Victoria
We were fascinated by the mural painted on the side of one of the buildings in the town centre. This mural pictorially depicted the history, growth, development and industries of the town and the surrounding district. It also featured some of the wonderful flora and fauna found there.
Historic mural, Ouyen, NW Victoria
The mural tells of the struggles of the early settlers in this harsh environment as they attempted to make a living from the land. Early forms of transport are shown along with farming equipment and buildings. One scene depicts a steam train unloading water into an open drain. This water would probably have come from the River Murray some distance away. There are no natural river courses near Ouyen and water would have been essential for the farms to develop, as well as for the farm animals. The evaporation from the drains was enormous – probably as much as 90% in summer, so desperately needed pipelines were later installed.
Click on any photo to enlarge the image.
Matthew Flinders Monument, Robe, South Australia
Matthew Flinders Monument, Robe, South Australia
Near the Lake Butler Boat Haven in Robe there is a very special monument. This commemorates the time when explorer Matthew Flinders passed by this point while exploring the coastline of South Australia in 1802.
The photo below shows the plaque in more detail. (Click in the photo to enlarge the image).
Matthew Flinders Monument, Robe, South Australia
Across the road from this monument is another special plaque. It commemorates the landing of thousands of Chinese immigrants who passed through the port of Robe on their way overland from Robe to the Victorian gold-fields in the 1850s.
Chinese Memorial, Robe, South Australia
The Customs House, Robe, South Australia
Customs House, Robe, South Australia
The old Customs House in Robe, south-east South Australia, was built in 1863. It was in use for 25 years in the early days of the port. During the gold rush era in Victoria many thousands of Chinese immigrants passed through this port. They were avoiding the heavy taxes imposed by the Victorian government of the day. They then employed guides to lead them overland to the Victorian gold fields.
Customs House, Robe, South Australia
The Customs House was also the office of the Harbour Master and Receiver of Wrecks for the South Eastern coast as far as the Victorian border. It is now used as a Nautical Museum.