Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
facility. To get here, follow the cliff-top walking track from (somewhat aptly) Camp Cove.
All together now: 'In the navy...'
SYDNEY HARBOUR NATIONAL PARK
Sydney Harbour National Park protects large swaths of bushland around the harbour shoreline, plus several har-
bour islands. Amid the greenery you'll find walking tracks, scenic lookouts, Aboriginal carvings, beaches and
historic sites. The park incorporates South Head and Nielsen Park south of the harbour, but most of it is on the
North Shore - including Bradleys Head, Middle Head, Dobroyd Head and North Head. Free brochures, includ-
ing self-guided tours, are available from the park office in Cadman's Cottage (
CLICK HERE
)
in The Rocks, which
is itself part of the park.
Vaucluse
Vaucluse is immediately south of Watsons Bay, taking up the middle section of the penin-
sula that forms South Head. There are no ferries, so it's best reached by New South Head
Rd, which is the continuation of William St; bus services are frequent.
VAUCLUSE HOUSE
(
www.hht.net.au
; Wentworth Rd; adult/child/family $8/4/17; 9.30am-4pm Fri-Sun; 325)
Vaucluse House
is an imposing, turreted specimen of Gothic Australiana set amid 10 hectares of lush gar-
dens. The house was started in 1805 and tinkered with into the 1860s. Decorated with
beautiful European period pieces including Bohemian glass, heavy oak 'Jacobethan' fur-
niture and Meissen china, the house offers visitors a rare glimpse into early (albeit priv-
ileged) colonial life in Sydney.
HISTORIC BUILDING
It was occupied from 1827 to 1862 by William Charles Wentworth, his wife Sarah and
their children. The son of a convict mother, Wentworth became a barrister and cowrote the
first New South Wales colonial constitution, but was outcast from high society because of
his democratic leanings. He held the 'outrageous' view that Australian-born colonials
were the equals of the English, and that political and legal rights should be extended to
emancipists (freed convicts). Wentworth was also an intrepid explorer. In 1831 he was
part of the first European expedition to cross the Blue Mountains.
