We spent a few hours yesterday morning exploring the Newington Armory at Sydney Olympic Park.
Formerly RANAD (Royal Australian Naval Armament Depot), this 52 hectare site offers wetlands, heritage buildings, and an opportunity to take a close-up look at some very large and intimidating naval weaponry.
Guided train tours are available on Sundays…
Every building on the site was numbered, and each was separated from its neighbour, either by distance or by large earth mounds or concrete walls, for protection in the event of an accidental explosion…
The train passed briefly through the Narawang Wetlands…
…before stopping at the armaments display…
Nameplates from the ships HMAS Anzac, Tobruk, Derwent, Vendetta and Bunbury were on display…
More information is available here:
- Newington Armory Website
- Newington Armory Train Tours (only available on Sundays in winter)
- Historical Information
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Segway rides are also available at the Newington Armory, and we went on a thirty minute fun ride after the train tour.
These expensive machines ($9,000 each) can get to speeds of 22km/hr and are very intuitive to ride. The staff were patient and helpful, and great care was taken to ensure everyone rode safely, even as we were racing around at speed through muddy trenches and over hilly mounds. The segways really are an all-terrain vehicle…
Segways aren’t legal on roads or footpaths in Australia, so this is really the only want to try them out!
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Finally, the Birds Australia Discovery Centre at the Armory is streaming live coverage of a nesting pair of sea eagles. It’s quite addictive viewing!
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There is much more to see and do at the Newington Armory, and Sydney Olympic Park in general.
We’ll definitely be spending another day there, perhaps to join in one of the free birdwatching tours, or to visit the art gallery, or maybe just to explore the wetlands further!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
That sounds like such a boys adventure day! I am sure all three of your boys would have been happy little vegemites…
Oh they were soooo happy.. :)
I’ve often wondered if it’s worth going and seeing the Armory – will now put it on my list of things to do once the soccer season is over
Clare, lots of really interesting things to see. Just understanding the history of the place was great – the guided tour was definitely worthwhile and I’d recommend it highly.
So way off topic, unexpected but fun, did you get on one of those segways. We see them all the time in Europe where they are allowed on the roads.
Roz, I certainly did, and I’m pretty balance challenged, so I reckon if I could do it, anyone could!
Segways ROCK! Looks like an awesome fun filled day. I can’t believe how expensive they are? Wonder why? They are all along Santa Monica in LA. Very cool they are an Aussie design.
Anna, they cost the same as a cheap car! And sadly not an Aussie design – they were invented by Dean Kamen, extraordinary inventor from the US who also invented the insulin pump!
I’ve only ridden a segway once and it was so much fun! Looks like a great day out.
Claire, it was a great day out – there’s still so much there to explore. We’re definitely going back soon!
Hehe do you watch Arrested Development? There is one character that goes everywhere by segway! :P
It was great fun to ride! :)
Sounds like a great day out with something to appeal to everyone!
You’re braver than I am, hopping on a segway!
Kate, it was only scary for a moment, and the young guys there were remarkably patient with me! :)
My son will love this place! It sounds like a great place to have an adventure :)
Tes, Yaseen would REALLY love it – there are bikes to hire, trains to ride, torpedoes to look at, birds to chase, and heaps more! :)
That looks like a fun day. I would like to try a segway, but I’m sure I would do something stupid.
No, no, you’d be right, Deb. Even I was ok, and that’s saying something! :)
What a cool day! The boys must have had so much fun, I’m glad you did too. I have to remember to choose places that are ‘man friendly’ for my husband too as my girls and I sometimes just pick places that are eostrogen heavy! He’s very good, but there are only so many chic flicks and craft markets that he can handle. PS, may I have a Segway for Christmas…. if I’m good?
I’m sure Santa would bring you a Segway, but you’d only be allowed to ride it in your backyard! :)
That looks fun, we would love to roll around on one of those things. Didn’t know what they were called! Never seen one ‘live’ but we are slow to catch on here..
Bird watching is a great hobby and very addictive, and gives you a different take on how you view the world. I think I would stay out in the wetlands and give the weaponry a miss myself, but great that there’s so much to see and do there.
Did you like the sea eagles? I wanted to check out the Birds of Australia centre to see if I could find anything for you, but we ran out of time and it was a fair walk from where we were. Will try and have a look next time!
Wow, what a brilliant and extensive place to visit. I bet Pete (my Pete) would spend an entire weekend there happily walking about.
:-) Mandy
Mandy, lots to see there, your Pete would probably love it as much as mine did! :)
That looks like it would covers Everone’s interests!
I like the birds and the segway and the trains. When we were in Hawaii,
M took us for tours of the bases and we saw plenty of weapons (naval)
interesting- but not my style. :)
The wetlands look like a good study!
Heidi, the armaments were a very interesting and sobering display, as was the entire armory. So much money and time put into war. I almost didn’t put this post up, because I knew the weaponry wasn’t everyone’s thing. It’s not mine either, but I am fascinated by the history of the area and what there is to be learnt from it.
The segways were great fun!
I always wanted to try one of those rides….sounds like you guys had a great time!
Norma, thank you, we did!
Looks like a wonderful day out with the family! Remnants of war are sobering but a very good reminder of why we should seek out peace. I’ll bet you all had some chocolate to eat when you returned home! I’m still drooling after reading your latest post on chocolate!
Cindy, thank you for understanding – it was very sobering indeed, but also very interesting! Chocolate keeps disappearing in this house – I think the boys are scoffing it when I’m not looking! :)
I am amazed they let you take photo’s – how interesting :)
Tandy, they were all historical armaments, I don’t believe any of them are still in use. Not only did they let us take photos, there was detailed information about each piece provided – costings, usage etc. Some were example pieces provided from other countries.
Looks like a very blokey outing, indeed!
Although it must have been quite a hoot to have go at the segway.
The segway was great fun, Amanda! Hard on my feet though!
Ah, a great day, thanks for sharing the pics, Celia. I remember going to the RAAF base some months ago for the daughters’ cub outing..I wasn’t much looking forward to it but once there got so caught up in the history and displays..fantastic! This looks like a similar experience. You go, lady, riding the segway! What a hoot!!
i am going to take my dad when he comes to sydney next. great day.
Thanks for the headsup on the Armory, Dredgey. The boys had a fabulous day! You’ll need to put your dad on a Segway when he comes. :)