Another day, another outing. Let’s go to gaol

There is so much beauty along this coast and it is also steeped in history.

“The cape was named Smoky Cape by Captain Cook when he passed it on 13 May 1770, writing of “a point or headland, on which were fires that Caused a great Quantity of smook, which occasioned my giving it the name of Smooky Cape”.^[2] Smook was his usual spelling of smoke, the spelling for the cape now follows the modern spelling. The hills there were an important meeting place for aboriginal people from various surrounding areas, it’s possible Cook saw fires from such a gathering.^[3]

A lighthouse was proposed for the cape in 1886 and completed in 1891. Known as the Smoky Cape Lighthouse it was built from concrete and local granite aggregate in an octagonal shape at the highest point on the cape.” (from Wikipedia)

Before walking up to the lighthouse we take a short stroll through the bush.

A relaxing stroll

“Smoky Cape Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on Smoky Cape, a headland east of the town of South West Rocks, New South Wales, Australia, and within the Hat Head National Park. It directs boats towards the entrance to the Macleay River, which is located just to the north of the lighthouse.^[2]

It is one of the last major lighthouse complexes designed by the New South Wales colonial architect of the time, James Barnet,^[3] and was one of Australia’s last lighthouses to be designed for architectural excellence.^[4] Standing on a granite headland 140 metres (460 ft) above the sea, its light is the highest in New South Wales.^{[5]“(From Wikipedia)}

The path is steep but the views are spectacular.

Looking North

B&B cottages

On the way up we pass these cottages. Staying here you would get fit walking up and down to your accommodation.

From the top the view South is as stunning.

View South

A short drive away is the Trial Bay Gaol.

Step back in time and soak up the history and the amazing coastal views that surround it.

The gaol opened in 1886, after 13 years of construction. It must have been a strange feeling building a prison in such a beautiful setting. The prison labourers were there to construct a breakwater to make Trial Bay a safe harbour between Sydney and Brisbane. Unfortunately the scheme failed, however you’ll still be able to see the remains of the breakwater from the guard tower lookout. During World War I the gaol became an internment camp for people of German descent who were feared to be enemy sympathisers.

Today, this picturesque historic ruin stands as a testament to those who lived and died here, with a museum and memorial for visitors to get a better idea of life in those days.

That little dog is the back seat driver…

Trial Bay Gaol

Very solid construction

These are the only inmates we saw and they seemed to have the run of the place.

Laying down on the job

I can imagine that back when this gaol was in operation it was one of the more liberal prisons, and what a million dollar location.

Time to head for home but we have one more stop on the way… to be continued