history Archives - Planet Whitley

Exploring Bletchley Park’s code-breaking history | Plus visitor info and how to plan your trip

Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes offers a fascinating glimpse into WWII code-breaking, early computing and cryptography. This review of my visit also includes essential visitor details on opening hours, admission, parking and accessibility. You can buy tickets here. The legacy of Bletchley Park during World…

England, history, Milton Keynes, South-East England, UK, World War II

The Golden Pipeline near Ghouli in Western Australia.

The Golden Pipeline in Western Australia: The story of a genius engineer

An epic drive uncovers the story of the Golden Pipeline in Western Australia - the epic 569km water supply project that transformed Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields. Mount Charlotte isn’t about to attract climbing expeditions any time soon. At 419 metres above sea level, it is…

Australia, engineering, history, Kalgoorlie, Perth, Western Australia

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia’s historic attractions: An intro to America’s past

Explore Philadelphia’s rich heritage from Independence Hall to Eastern State Penitentiary, where plaques, museums and stories collide in dramatic fashion. After half an hour in downtown Philadelphia, you get the impression that plaque-making has long been the city’s boom industry. Every handsome red brick building…

history, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

The Bonegilla Migrant Experience in Victoria, Australia.

The Bonegilla Migrant Experience – and the history of immigration in Australia

Why visit Bonegilla? The first arrivals at Bonegilla in 1947 must have been terrified. They had no homes to go to in Europe after the Second World War, and had taken a chance being shipped to the other side of the world. When they got…

Australia, history, Murray River, museums, Victoria

Beacon Island, where the Batavia shipwreck survivors made their base.

How Australia’s Houtman Abrolhos Islands became a murderous nightmare

The shocking true story of the 1629 Batavia massacre haunts Western Australia's pristine Houtman Abrolhos Islands. From Dutch East India Company treasure ships to mutiny and mass murder, discover how these extraordinary coral islands became the site of one of Australia's darkest historical events. The…

Australia, history, shipwrecks, Western Australia

Five great presidential museums and houses to visit in the US

From the JFK Library in Boston to Lincoln’s Cottage in Washington DC, visiting US presidential libraries and houses can offer great insights into both the men and their eras. JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Boston In the southern outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts, the John F…

Austin, Boston, Dallas, history, Massachusetts, museums, presidents, Texas, USA, Virginia, Washington DC

The JFK Library and Museum review: Understanding Boston’s President Kennedy

The JFK Library and Museum in Boston oftens evocative insights into one of the US’ most mythologised presidents. The fame of dying too soon It’s funny how some people become cultural icons without people knowing too much about them. Just ask any student wearing a…

Boston, history, Massachusetts, museums, presidents, USA

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda: Complete guide with prices, hours and exhibits

This guide covers everything you need to visit the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum: admission prices, opening hours, how to get there from Los Angeles and Orange County, and what exhibits to prioritise. I explain the Watergate Gallery, Nixon's birthplace, and why this presidential…

California, history, Los Angeles, museums, presidents, USA

The Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney, New South Wales.

Plan your visit to Hyde Park Barracks: Opening hours, ticket prices and parking

The Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed building and museum that traces Australia’s convict past, colonial immigration and evolving urban history. This practical guide provides first-time visitors with accurate information on opening hours, ticket prices, parking and how to make the…

Australia, history, museums, New South Wales, Sydney

Plan your visit to the Museum of Sydney: Opening hours, ticket prices and parking

The Museum of Sydney sits on the historic site of Australia’s first Government House in the heart of the city. This guide gives you clear, practical information for your visit — including verified opening hours, ticket prices, parking and tips for first-time visitors. History and…

Australia, history, museums, New South Wales, Sydney