This week, with Remembrance Day nearly here, Rover wanted to visit somewhere which was appropriate. Australia has a proud history of working closely with its allies in wartime, and when I told Rover about a place not all that far from home which was used by the famous General Macarthur during World War II, he thought this would be a perfect place to visit. So this week, Rover is off to Refuge Rock.
If you would like to visit Refuge Rock it is located in Cherrybrook. It is a reasonably easy walk, but it is on bush tracks so plan accordingly. To get there, you need to park in Trevors Lane, just off Purchase Road in Cherrybrook. From there, pass through the gate onto the fire trail and then take the trail which veers off to the left (do not go down the hill). At the next trail intersection turn right. Next you will pass under some powerlines, and continue straight ahead. Where the trail next splits, go to the right down the hill (do not go down the left trail – it just takes you to a powerline). Refuge Rock not far down this trail!
Refuge Rock plays a fascinating role in Australia’s wartime history. It is a huge series of exposed sandstone outcroppings which cover a massive area above Berowra Creek. At first sight, it is just a pretty bush walk and a nice picnic spot, but if you look carefully at the rock you will see odd pitting in many places, like the pit marks in the photos. They have a central hole and tear drop shaped pit marks radiating outwards. Some are very weathered, but others are deep and clear. They do not look natural, and indeed they are not – this pitting is evidence of mortar shell impacts!
General Macarthur was a famous American General and during World War II he was stationed in Australia. He arrived in 1942 and was given authority over all of the allied naval, land and air forces in the South-West Pacific Area. It was under his authority that the pitting on refuge rock was made. The early 1940s was a desperate time and threat of Australia being invaded was all too real. Macarthur thought that Australian militiamen needed to be trained, including in the use of mortars and large artillery, and refuge rock, being large and reasonably isolated, seemed the perfect target. The troops were stationed in nearby Cherrybrook and fired repeatedly on the rock, leaving behind the pitting which you see today. Apparently, if you are lucky you might even see the remains of some of the mortar shells in the pitting, but Rover was unable to find any.