The War Memorial Scenic Lookout is perched on top of Rocky Hill in Goulburn, with a square stone tower built as a tribute to those of Goulburn who served in World War I. You can drive to a parking area just before reaching the tower, with a walk up a concrete ramp to reach the lookout and tower.
At the top of the ramp, the lookout area flattens out before steps leading to a higher area around the tower. There are a couple of concrete blocks to sit on to admire the view from, looking over the township of Goulburn and the Goulburn Wetlands.
Walk up the steps to the tower, and further views can be seen on the other side of the tower, looking to the north end of Goulburn.
The tower can be entered and climbed to the top, but check the hours below because the tower and museum are open only on certain days, and shorter hours than the lookout. From the top of the tower is where you can see the best views in all directions. The top of the tower is encased in glass. I presume this is for safety, though it can be difficult to get good photos because of reflections in the glass (as well as hand and nose prints at various heights).
The stairs in the tower hug the walls. There are photos with information along the way, which is a good excuse to stop for a breather on the way up. “Yep, I’m fine. I just stopped to read about this photo”. On the ground level of the tower, 5 marble tablets have over 1400 names who served in the war, many with an asterisk indicating they lost their life.
Back at the parking area is the museum. The museum building is small, but where it falls short in size it makes up for in its collection. Much of the collection is stored offsite, unable to physically fit to be displayed at once. The collection is periodically rotated, which may be. The museum was hoping to expand the building in the future to enable more of the collection to be displayed at once.
The collection includes weapons, personal items, memorabilia and medals. A crown artefact is an original door from Changi Gaol in Singapore. Changi Gaol was to be destroyed in 2003, at the time the museum had an exhibition of Major Alan Hazelton, who was incarcerated at Changi Gaol and sent to work on the Burma Railway. The museum requested for some artefacts to preserve part of the Australian history. The museum was required to pay for transporting them to Australia. Unable to afford the costs, the Royal Australian Navy transported the artefacts to Australia on the HMAS Success, arriving in December 2004. The door is now fitted to the entry of the Changi Gaol exhibit in the museum.
To get there:
Coming from the north, exit the Hume Hwy. You will see a brown sign to the left just after passing McDonald’s, then immediately right to continue along adjoined to Sydney Rd before the road bends into Crundwell St. Crundwell St will turn into Hetherington St and you will see the tower ahead of you. Continue until your reach Memorial Rd with another brown sign.
Cost: Free, gold coin donation at the museum
Hours: Lookout 7 days, 7am-7pm, Tower Wed 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun 9am-3pm, Museum Wed 10am-2pm, Sat-Sun 10am-2pm. Tower and Museum also open public holidays and daily school holidays
Toilets: Yes, near the museum
Bins: Yes, at the ramp near the parking area
Tables: No
Seating: concrete blocks at the lookout
Water: No
Food: No
Links:
https://www.goulburnaustralia.com.au/Attractions/Rocky-Hill-War-Memorial-Museum.aspx
