GKR South Australian Tournament Team

National Championships 2007

Day 7

The Zoo is situated on prime real estate overlooking the Harbour and provides spectacular views as you walk around its hilly environments. Right from the Cable Car ride up from the Ferry wharf, the views of the harbour are everywhere. The animals are kept in spacious enclosure with each designed to complement the natural habitat of the exhibits. There is also plenty of opportunities to get real close to some of the inmates, with live encounters as well as birdlife wandering around.

Upon arriving at Darling Harbour, the Aquarium group disembarked, whilst the Maritime Museum people stayed on board for the short haul across the channel to the Pyrmont Wharf. It is a bit disconcerting to be traveling backwards in a Ferry but they seemed to know what they are doing. The Maritime Museum consists of floating displays of ships and the static undercover main Hall. It was decided that we would visit the ships first, with the former HMAS Oxley, an Oberon class submarine the first "port of call".

The Sub was entered via the forward hatch into the forward Torpedo Room where a Museum Guide told us about the area and a bit about the Sub in general, which had a crew of 68 people. The escape hatch was situated here and it was incredible to see how the submariners would have to wait patently in case of emergency. We then moved through the narrow confines, past the crew quarters, galley, etc towards the main Control Room where another guide was waiting. Then it was towards the stern, through the upper engine room, passing through the massive diesel generators. In the rear compartment, another guide waited to yet again answer questions and explain the workings of the emergency controls. When the Sub was fitted with wire controlled Torpedoes, the twin rear tubes were no longer used and provided additional storage space. They became a most important part of the crew's welfare, being capable of storing 48 cartons of beer, chilled by their proximity to the outside cold water.

Off the Oxley and onto the former Destroyer HMAS Vampire, the last of the Navy's Gun ships. This ship was decommissioned about 15 years ago, and had served its last years as a training ship, the rear depth charge mortars being removed, and a classroom built in its place. A video is running here with a documentary on the Vampire running, including historical footage of the ship. It was much more spacious but things would still have been cramped with the 420 crew onboard. There were several areas where audio and video commentary was available and we spent some time going through this ship. The facilities varied from the cramped three tiered bunks for the lower members of the crew to the almost luxury of the Officer's quarters and mess rooms. Most parts of the ship were open for viewing and it was interesting to see the different aspects of ship's life.

Next was the New Endeavour, a replica of Captain Cook's ship. It was such a contrast to the previous two displays, but fascinating at the same time. The ship still sails around Australia but whilst in Port is set up as it would have been in Cook's time. It is unbelievable how people coped with the cramped conditions but the Museum guides once again were in several parts of the ship talking about the way in which the crew lived and worked. To the side of this vessel was another floating display of historic small boats, including the Krait which was used during WW2 for a Commando raid on Japanese shipping.

Following lunch, we visited the main hall with its many different aspects of Australia's maritime history. There was a passage devoted to shipwrecks, with items recovered and preserved, another had exhibits devoted to immigration, and Navy exhibits, including a Wessex helicopter suspended from the ceiling. Kate Cottee's "First Lady" the Yacht in which she single handed sailed around the world was on exhibit, the Spirit of Australia, as well as a Beer Can boat from Darwin, where else! We didn't have enough time to do this area justice and a few more hours could easily be spent there.

The Aquarium group joined us and it was back to Circular Quay. On the way, Cheryl and Les updated us on the Australian Wildlife facility and the various displays, including insects, butterflies, lizards and snakes. The Aquarium itself has many separate tanks, with the opportunity to get real close to the inhabitants, via the underwater walkways. I prefer my fish cooked and served up with a nice sauce myself.

At Circular Quay, we met up with some of the Zoo party. Some decided to take a round trip on the Manly Ferry whilst the rest headed back to the Park to get ready for tea. Most of the group headed off to a local Malaysian Restaurant for a Buffet Tea, which was very reasonably priced with great food. We managed to take up several tables, and I am sure that the owner was very pleased with the large group there. Following the return to the Park, it was the last opportunity to kick on a bit as the NAS Tournament was only a few days away.