Spectacle Island (Port Jackson)
Spectacle Island is an island in Sydney Harbour, Australia. It lies in the main channel of the western section of the harbour, upstream of the Harbour Bridge, adjacent to the Sydney suburb of Drummoyne.
Dating from 1865, the island is historically significant as it is the oldest naval explosives manufacturing and storage complex in Australia. Originally built to store government gunpowder, the island was converted to store naval munitions in 1893, for which purpose it hosts storesheds, jettys and an internal railway system. The island has been significantly increased in size by the use of waste from the nearby Balmain Colliery.
Today, the island is a depository of heritage items of the Royal Australian Navy and also is the home of Training Ship Sydney, a unit of the Australian Navy Cadets.
Spectacle Island was added to the Commonwealth National Heritage List in June 2004.
Read more about Spectacle Island (Port Jackson): History
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