Recent Tour Reports

TOFS TRIP 897 

TUESDAY 14TH JULY 2026

OLD SYDNEY MINT AND RUM HOSPITAL BUILDING

(Organised by CC-TOFS)

TOFS (27): Peter B (32), Phil B (345), Paul E (380), Ron B (446), Les H (469), Craig Mc D (445), Ron O’H (231), Ted B (451), Rob E (431), Frank W (475), Anthony T (420), Lyle W (386), Allan S (349), John P (27), Richard Mc D (219), Ron C (470), John B (473), Steve Mc K (374), Glen R (246), Stuart P (264), David C (467), John R (463), Bob S (444), John V (483), Ted A (306), Rob B (440), Phil G (154).

After meeting up we went to the pleasant State Library Café for a coffee and then moved on to the Mint, formerly the Rum Hospital the oldest surviving public building in the CBD.

In 1810 Governor Macquarie imported 45,000 gallons (170,343 Litres) of rum for 3 merchants as currency, provided they built a 3-wing General Hospital completed in 1816, known as the Rum Hospital. Its Central Wing was demolished in 1879; the North Wing is now Parliament House.

As the Rum trade created a lot of community issues and after gold was discovered in 1854-55 the South wing was converted into the first overseas branch of the Royal Mint.

From 1855 to1926 the Mint processed 1,200 tonnes of Colonial Gold into 150 million Sovereigns for circulation throughout the British Empire.

In 2004 it became Headquarters of the Historic Houses trust, now Museums of History NSW. 

Unfortunately, during our visit they were renovating the outer building housing the original Coin Press and some of the displays were reduced including the coin exhibition which was confined to the old Bullion room.

However, one of the guides gave us a tour of the new conference and reception rooms which are generating millions of dollars a year, which allowed for the renovation of the original building.

We then all retired to the Great Southern Bar for another great Lunch.

Peter B JP 32

15th July 2026.

TOFS TRIP 896

Thursday 9th July 2026

THE ROCKS DISCOVERY MUSEUM

Organised by TOFS NM GROUP

TOFS (20):  JP (27), James Mc (118), Phil K (122), Phil K (123), Phil G (154),   Graham L (185), Jim McD (209), Ron O (231), David M (271), Peter O (348),      Allan S (349), Gary H (366), Jeffrey H (373), Paul E (380), Lyle W (386), Bill R (389), Rob E (431), Ron B (446) Craig McD (445), Les H (469).

On a showery morning, 20 TOFS met up at Circular Quay for the short walk to the Rocks and the hidden gem which is the Rocks Discovery Museum.

This is Gadigal land, an area once known as Sydney Cove.  The Museum is housed in a sandstone building (1844-1854), once occupied by Chinese Merchants.

The building has three levels, filled with many artefacts, a lot recovered from a major archaeological dig in 1984.  We were given a brief introduction by the resident guide before we set off to explore the various exhibits.

It is mainly a self-guided tour, however there are lots of audio-visual aids and lots of touch screens telling stories of the Rocks.

We learned the story of George Cribb, the convict butcher whose well became a dump, from where many of the exhibits were recovered.

The Byrne family were early residents of the Rocks and their 1807 cottage in Cumberland Street was an important site providing many interesting finds during the “BIG DIG”. 

Early residents in the Rocks around the 1820’s were Maori, Chinese, Scandinavian, Irish and Aboriginal.

Interesting exhibits were the clothes from the period 1870-1900, and the Pinball Machine (1935) recovered from the Australian Hotel in Cumberland Street,

The Museum has a Resource Centre book collection, and on the top floor we were impressed by the collection of paintings by school children.

A most interesting museum to visit and learn a bit more about “Old Sydney”.

Being a bit early for lunch, we crossed over to the road for a quick look at the Ken Done Gallery.  No evidence of any TOFS buying any of the paintings but who knows, they may be back one day to make a purchase.

We dodged the showers and headed back to the Orient Hotel for our lunch appointment, and we were seated beside the TV screen showing a re-run of the State of Origin match, so all the NSW fans were happy. 

Good meals and a chance to “chew the fat” with fellow TOFS before making our way homewards in bright sunshine.

No one reminded me about the group photograph, so it was late in the day before it was taken, so apologies to Bill, who was missing, having gone for an earlier train.             

David M (271)

TOFS Trip 895

Thursday 2 July 2026

AUSTRALIAN MOTOR HERITAGE FOUNDATION

(Organised by TOFS KO)

TOFS (37): JP (27), Daryl H (65), Bruce K (68), Michael F (108), Phill K (122), Phil K (123), Terry O (147), Phil G (154), Peter M (155), Dennis W (177), Graham L (185), Chas H (203), Jim M (209), Richard M (219), Ron O (231), Stuart P (264), Peter M (288), Richard B (296), Phil B (345), Peter O (348), Allan Short (349), Gregg B (365), Paul E (380), Lyle W (386), Peter C (391), Don N (400), Denis P (430), David W (434), Craig M (445), Ron B (446), Ted B (451), Jason F (464), David C (467), Les H (469), Frank W (475), Wayne E (476), Peter L (479).

Visitors (2): John V, Ron R. 

We met at Blacktown Station for the suddenly very busy bus 724 to Eastern Creek, a suburb located in the vicinity of Ropes Creek, a tributary of South Creek which flows north to the Hawkesbury. That’s a lot of creeks. Fairly flat land, it was well suited to the motor sport industry. 

The suburb gained national fame as the location of Wonderland Sydney, Australia's premier theme park in its time. Since its closure (for which every Sydney parent offered up a thankful prayer), the former park grounds have been redeveloped into Interchange Park with warehousing and light industrial enterprises.

In 1990 Sydney Motorsport Park (originally the Eastern Creek International Raceway) was opened by the NSW Government. It has since hosted major events like the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the Australian Superbike Championship. Many gallant riders have raced there, some with high international profiles and many distinguished by the anchor tattoos upon their chests. In 2012 Sydney Motorsport Park underwent a major multimillion-dollar upgrade, extending the track to include the Brabham Circuit and adding new corporate facilities.

AMHF

The Australian Motor Heritage Foundation (AMHF) is located at Sydney Motorsport Park. Rod (my contact at the foundation) and I first met at pre-natal classes at Sydney SAN back in 1986, so we both have 40-year-old daughters. I suggested for old times’ sake that the TOFS start the tour on the birthing mat with a few breathing exercises. But we moved on.

We enjoyed the panoramic view of the track from the boardroom (the track is in use most days but sadly not on our day). A team of keen volunteers Rod, Peter and Dave were on hand to tell the stories and bring the history to life. This research hub preserves motoring heritage in all its forms including cars, motorcycles, heavy vehicles, even aircraft. 

After a short introductory video and some old-time car advertising we broke into three groups for an absorbing overview of the books, magazines, photographs and film, race programmes and results, technical data, brochures, oral history and artwork. Two items that caught my eye were magazines exclusively for Australian Jaguar owners, and a dedicated set of books about lemons. Maybe best I don’t investigate that cache of literature further as I might see my old car. The indexing work currently in progress will open this information to enthusiasts, schools, colleges, universities, commercial enterprises, and the public. In the meantime, the team are happy to field any questions on the subject.

We then walked trackside and went through a tunnel under the racetrack, and up onto a vantage point from which we could see the extent of the three circuits across the hillside. The fire brigade had occupied an area for testing fire truck capabilities on a wet roadway.

We bade farewell to our hosts, who had put in every effort to make this a memorable tour for TOFS. Those wishing for further details may find these links useful:

www.motorheritage.com.au

facebook.com/australianmotorheritage

BLACKTOWN WORKERS CLUB

This is a great place for lunch. There are two restaurants, we chose the one on ground level named Marlo’s. Food was good and some beers were available for the very retro price of $5.50.

The club is adjacent to the venue from which Whitlam launched his "It's Time" campaign. The Blacktown Workers Club is a premium entertainment and leisure destination in western Sydney. Smart premises and good value. 

MUSIC

As a cultural uplift listen to 'Wangaratta Wahine' by Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band (1974).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVhQBhecL2U

Graham L (185)

TOFS TRIP 894

Friday 26th June 2026

Great Lakes Winery, Wootton

(Organised by TOFS MC)

TOFS (14): Dave T (351), Malc S (359), Ian C (376), Gary S (322), Peter B (399), Kevin H (324), Greg E (259), Graham S (377), Doug F (333), Dave G (308), Nigel P, (454), Albert K (403), Bill L (367), Bob W (465).

Visitor: (1) Gary

Great Lakes Winery was the destination of the June outing. With a 9am departure from Black Head and an expected arrival time of 11am at the winery meant that there was some time to kill on the way there.

Tour Leader, Malc S (359) proposed that Nabiac Village would be a suitable location to kill the hour or so that was available.  In the absence of any better pitches, bus driver Dave T (351) headed to Nabiac, and upon arrival, announced that he would drop passengers off in the middle of town where they could ‘do our own thing’.

Some of the fourteen members and guest Gary headed towards the Greenhouse Café while others made their way to the Village Café and Takeaway.  By all reports, the coffee was exceptional at both venues, and everyone had a very enjoyable morning tea.

Arriving at the Great Lakes Winery a little before 11am gave time for the mandatory group photo (included) before the bar opened.  Attendees took the opportunity to examine the wines on offer from the blackboard, and it wasn’t long before the orders were placed for their local wines by the glass or bottle. Choices included Pinot Grigio, Dragonfly Rose, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Shiraz Cabernet, to name just a few.

After a very pleasant hour or so at the winery, the group headed for the Nabiac Hotel for lunch.  The pub was buzzing with a crowd gathered to watch the Socceroos and Paraguay do battle. While the atmosphere was electric, the game itself was mediocre with a nil all draw resulting.

Thanks to Malc S (359) for organising the venues, facilitating attendance, and collecting the bus money, and to Dave T (351) for getting us there and back safely.  Membership fees of $10pp are now payable, with most members in attendance paying on the day.  Next month’s outing is still in the planning stages, so keep an eye on your emails from Malc with the details.

Ian C (376)

Trip report contributor.

TOFS TRIP 893

Wednesday 24 June 2026

Prince Henry Cliff Walk

(Organised by TOFS WW Sub-group)

TOFS [12]: JP (27), Daryl H (65), Phill K (122), Phil K (123), Rex M (179), Graham L (185), Ron O’H (231), Chris R (251), Allan S (349), Paul E (380), David W (434), David C (467)

A fine and cold winter day (12 degrees max) in Katoomba with 12 keen walkers appropriately attired. Some walkers doing this walk for the second time. It is a good trip on a fine day.

A 20-minute stop for coffee and on bus for the 3 Sisters lookout. Being a clear day all took advantage of the view to the Three Sisters.

Most members then walked together around the cliff tops on a dry track with frequent stops for pictures of valley views. Some ventured out to extra view points as the track became a little muddier and all glad to have correct footwear.

A good vantage point for the group photo found at the usual spot.

A busy day for walkers and all happy to say hi to the old farts.

Once finished the track we made a short road stroll to the Katoomba RSL. A great venue for groups and individuals with a decent choice of menu items.

Some took the early train home, but most stayed for further chatting.

Phill K (122) and Phil K (123)

Tour Leaders

 TOFS Trip 892

Thursday 18 June 2026

SHEP’S MOUND WALK, MASCOT

(Organised by TOFS SS)

TOFS (20): Graham L (185), Lyle W (386), Paul E (380), Les H (469), JP (27), Ron B (446), Rex M (179), Phil B (345), David W (434), Ken C (474), Keith R (283), Frank W (475), Phil G (154), Peter O (348), Bruce K (68), Jeffrey H (373), Ron C (470), Dennis S (60), Peter M (288), David C (467).

We met at Waterloo Station and caught the trusty 309 bus down to Mascot Shops. From there we headed west along Robey Street, a long single-block street that connects near to the Domestic Airport. From there onto Ross Smith Avenue which we followed around the eastern perimeter of the airport. Many interesting places are visible from the fenceline – where private planes are parked and cleaned, some diplomatic planes can be spotted, a lot of work is done on the smaller aircraft here and sales offices are ready to field flight enquiries from the super-rich. Further along is the helicopter port. Here many pilots on standby, are ready – dapper airmen, distinguished it is said by anchor tattoos upon their chests. Their craft, shiny and smart, sit on the tarmac in the background ready for action.

After covering some more distance we approached the control tower, beneath which is Shep’s Mound. Sydney Airport officially opened the upgraded Shep’s Mound plane spotters’ lookout. The site provides elevated viewing platforms and improved amenities for the growing community of aviation enthusiasts that frequently use the site.

“Aviation captures the hearts and minds of many of us and we’re proud to be home to a very active plane spotting community,” said Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ms Kerrie Mather. “With about 345,000 aircraft movements per year, our plane spotters have the chance to see an impressive range of aircraft fly in from around the world".

It might not be for everyone, but the smell of aviation fuel and roar of jet engines are enough for many  to marvel at planes taking off and landing at Sydney Airport for hours at a time. They're known as plane spotters, and they've been part of Kingsford Smith Airport at Mascot since the first regular flights took off in 1924.

Schoolchildren travel to spots on the airport's perimeter almost every day during the holidays. Even airport workers can be found watching planes several hours before their shifts start. And now Sydney Airport has turned a favourite spot near the control tower from a dust bowl into a lookout featuring two viewing platforms, a shelter, a grassed area and car parks for plane watchers. Importantly, it is only a short distance from taxiways and the airport's main north-south runway over which scores of planes from A380 superjumbos to small regional aircraft pass each day.

The lookout has been officially named Shep's Mound in memory of Bruce Shepherd, a former policeman well known for his enthusiasm and willingness to help fellow plane spotters. "Everyone would go to chat to him. He was like an icon of the mound area here," Mr Hutchison said.

Shep's Mound is one of five locations the airport lists among the top viewing sites. The others include "the beach" near the old control tower, Airport Drive and the top floor of the Rydges hotel beside the international terminal.

After spending some time at the mound watching planes taking off and landing, and reading the information boards provided, those walking both ways reverted to Ross Smith Avenue to get back to Mascot. A party of nine chose to take Ubers back to the hotel, which were offered at $5 per person. This made all the difference for some walkers who had already covered 3.5 km.

TENNYSON HOTEL

This well-regarded local hotel is defined by its architectural significance, designed by famed Tooth & Co architect Sidney Warden in the 1930s as a premier Art Deco pub. It was recognized as one of NSW’s top gaming venues and in 2016 was sold at a record-breaking auction for over $37 million to Justin Hemmes of Merivale. It was one of the local pubs involved in a 1948 "black ban" over drinking conditions and beer supply.

MUSIC

To get into flight mode for this tour we listened to 'Fly Away' by talented Australian artist Tones and I (2020).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0vu5QfsD5E

Graham L (185)

TOFS TRIP 891

THURSDAY 11TH JUNE 2026

CAMPBELLTOWN HERITAGE WALK

(Organised by TOFS NM Group)

TOFS (17):  JP (27), Rex M (179), Graham L (185), Ron O (231), Stuart P (264), David M (271), Phil B (345), Peter O (348), Gary H (366), Jeffrey H (373), Lyle W (386), Ron B (446), David W (434), David C (467), Ron C (470), Les H (469), Frank W (475).

After a few call-offs, 17 TOFS members set off from Campbelltown Station on a beautiful winter’s morning.  We had been promised showers but escaped the day without a drop of rain.

Our first stop was Koshigaya Park, where we met up with our guides for the day, Stephen and Helen.

Koshigaya in Japan is the sister city of Campbelltown and was designated in 1984 to promote cultural exchange between the two cities.  The park was opened by the Mayor of Koshigaya, and Campbelltown also boasts a Japanese garden.  Campbelltown is named after Elizabeth Campbell, the wife of Macquarie, and in Mawson Park we were impressed by the statue of this fine lady.

Today the population of Campbelltown is fast approaching 200,000 but of course back in the day it was a quiet country town.

We proceeded along Queen Street, formerly Main Street, and along the way are plaques on the pavement, telling the story of Campbelltown’s notable people down the years.  Stephen elaborated on the suburbs of Minto, Airds and Bradbury and provided a lot of historical facts.

Most of the old cottages and buildings on our tour date back to the 1850’s, including Emily Cottage, Quondong Cottage, Airds Cottage, Milby Cottage and Dredges Cottage; and we also stopped at the original Town Hall circa 1891.

Throughout the morning, we heard much of Fred Fisher of Fisher’s Ghost fame, and the man convicted of his murder in 1826, George Worrall.  Campbelltown celebrates the Festival of Fisher’s Ghost each November.

For all those interested TOFS, there is a vast amount of Campbelltown history available on Google, including lots of information on Fred Fisher and most of the old buildings that we looked at.

We stopped outside Glenalvon (1840’s) which many TOFs would remember from a visit there in 2024.

Next stop was at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, a most impressive building.  The church has been in use since 1823.  Mawson Park in the heart of Campbelltown CBD was an enjoyable stop.  Named in 1938 in honour of a retired doctor William Mawson who served Campbelltown for 28 years, William was the older brother of Sir Douglas Mawson, Antarctic explorer.

The park has several commemorative plaques and a War Memorial, and also Naval, Air Force and Army Memorials, all very impressive.  There is also a memorial to Kevin Wheatley VC, a Vietnam soldier.

We took the group photo in Mawson Park and thanked our guides for a comprehensive, informative and interesting visit.

Lunch at the Campbelltown RSL was enjoyable, good meals, prompt service and pleasant company.

One final note for any TOFS who may be interested, Campbelltown has a fine selection of tattoo parlours.

Next NM Group Outing   – The Rocks on Thursday 9th July.

David M (271)

TOFS Trip 890 

Tuesday 9th June 2026

LUNCH HAWKESBURY BREWERY – LISAROW

(REVISED TRIP – Organised by TOFS CC)

TOFS (9): John P (27), Peter B (32), Paul E (380), Anthony T (420), Jeff J (153), Graeme O (371), Andrew M (16), Phil G (154), Rob B (440).

The original trip was to Hole in Fun an indoor golf centre however, they decided with no notice to close from Monday to Friday after the long weekend.

In all my time arranging Tours this is the worst experience I have had with a company due to poor communication. If I had not gone round physically on the Thursday prior to finding them closed and then checking their website, we would have turned up to a closed venue.

I will not be trying to arrange another trip with them.

Anyway, the revised lunch at the Hawkesbury went off well with a small group of locals discussing their experiences at local restaurants and pubs etc, and things to see and do on the Coast some of  which I will add to our list of Tours.

Peter B JP 32

15th June 2026.

TOFS Trip 886

Thursday 21 May 2026

SUTHERLAND SHIRE MUSEUM, SYLVANIA

(Organised by TOFS HQ)

TOFS (25): Graham L (185), Paul E (380), Les H (469), Rex M (179), Ron B (446), Ron O (231), David W (434), Frank W (475), Terry O (147), Lyle W (386), JP (27), Ray N (235), Keith R (283), Jason F (464), Kenn W (243), James B (214), Glen R (246), Bobby T (448), Jim M (209), Bob S (444), Phil G (154), Peter L (479), Ron C (470), David C (467), Jeffrey H (373).

Visitor (1): Bill S (V).

We converged on Hurstville Station bus stand K to take the ever-reliable bus 970 to Sylvania. Oh, actually not so reliable it never turned up, we sought assistance of the driver of the next 971 bus and then walked the width of the suburb of Sylvania to arrive at our destination.

Background

Here on the southern shores of Kamay Botany Bay, 'Warra Warra Wei' were the first Aboriginal words ever recorded, later translated as 'they are all dead'. This suggests that they thought the new arrivals were the ghosts of their ancestors. Cook landed here on his way to see the Transit of Venus. As it turned out this spectacle was not visible due to an overcast sky! Cook and his party explored Kurnell Peninsula. During their brief stay, a Scottish seaman named Forbes Sutherland died of tuberculosis. In his honour, Cook named the northwest point of the peninsula Point Sutherland. Cook himself originated from near the Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby, where Dracula was shipwrecked when he migrated from Transylvania to England.

When Botany Bay was chosen as the new penal settlement and the First Fleet under Governor Arthur Phillip anchored off Kurnell on 18 January 1788. After sending a party to clear land for settlement, Phillip soon realised the area was unsuitable. There was a lack of shelter for ships, inadequate water and poor soil. On 24 January, two French ships were sighted off the coast, causing Phillip to raise English colours near Sutherland Point. Governor Phillip sailed north to explore Port Jackson, and eventually settled at Sydney Cove.

The first landowner in Sutherland Shire was James Birnie, a mercantile trader who was granted by promise 700 acres (280 ha) at Kurnell in 1815. Title to land was not granted by the Crown until 1856, before which there was practically no settlement. Timber cutting was the primary industry, supplemented by shell gathering in the Port Hacking area.

Our Visit

Our guides Sue, Pauline and Leigh were there to meet us and our visit commenced with tea and cake under the museum awning. We were then divided into three groups and rotated for 20 minutes with each guide; the changeover time being marked by the ringing of a school bell.

(1)   Encounter

This section dealt with the arrival and early days of the area. A bark canoe is on display, with a clay-lined portion at one end to enable lighting of a fire. This canoe would have resembled the craft used when Cook visited Kamay Botany Bay, on the Kurnell Peninsula. An islander Tupaia met Cook and travelled with his party, known no doubt at that time for the anchor tattoos upon their seafaring chests. A sample of the ballast (pig iron) that Cook jettisoned up the coast is on display.

Thomas Holt was a wool merchant who ended up owning large tracts of today’s Sutherland Shire, he was also a politician and a businessman and built a mansion ‘Sylvania’ upon his landholding. The organ in his home originated in Canada and is currently being restored. He tried oyster farming which was not especially successful.

Sutherland is naturally isolated by rivers; it was not until coal was found in the Illawarra area that the railway line came through. Prior to that, punts were the main connection points.

(2)   Recent History of Sutherland

Leigh conducted this section of the exhibition, her family published a paper ‘The Observer’ and following the untimely death of her grandfather, her father became the editor at the age of 15. Many houses were fibro as the building materials were easier to transport across rivers and bridges. A migrant hostel was for many years located at Cronulla, which was also the site for the filming of ‘Puberty Blues’. The Hotel Cecil dominated the social scene of Cronulla during the 1930’s.

(3)   Aboriginal Items

Cabinets of items which were not sourced in the local area, held womens’ business (coolamon, weaving) and mens’ business (killing boomerangs, shields). In addition, the museum has now secured the Matson Collection of local items, and we were shown how a shell progresses to a fish hook in simple steps.

Final word must go to Burnum Burnum, whose picture was on the wall in this section. “To the Queen of England - you can keep your country it’s too bloody cold”.

CREST HOTEL

This is a very big room, spacious renovated premises with good service and well-priced mains. Located in the Southgate Shopping Centre.

MUSIC

Get some real history - "West of the Wall" by Toni Fisher (1962).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVeG-MllgXI

Graham L (185)