Walk 39 - Rose Bay to Watsons Bay

Rose Bay to Watsons Bay:  Gloomy skies gave way to brilliant sunshine and warmth today.   We were met at the Rose Bay Wharf by Marguerite who led us along our route all the way to Watsons Bay for lunch followed by a quick look at the The Gap and then a cup of tea in her home.  Marguerite knows the area well and  we were absolutely delighted to have her along leading the way and providing so much information.  

A highlight, or one of them,  today was the 1.8 kilometre Hermitage Foreshore Walk part of the Sydney Harbour National Park.   No-one in our group had walked this portion of today's walk before thus a delightful new experience  for all of us.  The area is home to the last remnants of coastal  bushland on the eastern harbour  foreshore.  We had spectacular views down the harbour to Shark Island, the city skyline, The Bridge and Opera House.   Spectacular!   After walking along the signposted track through gnarled tea trees we came upon the first little beach,  Queens Beach,  then  on to the gracious old Strickland House (c 1856),  now sadly quiet and empty.  A huge flock of black cockatoos flew overhead.  

 Every time we looked  over left to  the harbour we were presented with ever more stunning views.   Onwards we went to Milk Beach with more peaceful  bushland including paperbarks and stringy casuarinas before descending to Nielsen Park on Shark Beach.  Coffee in the old sandstone kiosk before ambling alongside  Vaucluse House with its well kept original style gardens.

Through a few streets of Vaucluse before arriving at Watsons Bay for a relaxed lunch in the warm sunshine.  As we had an hour before our return ferry Marguerite invited us to her home for a cup of tea after climbing the steps up to The Gap.

Thank you Marguerite for a wonderful day - we started at 9.00 leaving Rose Bay at 2.00 p.m.   A lovely day indeed.

Walkers : Donna, Pippa, Marie-Claire, Jane, Carolle and of course Marguerite