81 The Magazines Track photos

Magazines Track :

Who would believe that we could find yet another interesting track, another place to go but this we did today, again on the Magazines Track, named for the  Magazines buildings which were the storage facilities for merchants’ explosives  from 1915 to 1974.  These buildings were crucial for storage  of explosives  used for public works such as the Sydnery Harbour Bridge and also used by the Australian Navy during World War II .   Although our track  led us close and  above the Magazine buildings they are best viewed from the other side of Bantry Bay as there is no access at all as they are fenced off by barbed wire.

At the beginning of the walk it was pretty much down hill, steep down hill too, most of the way on a rocky path on a rocky hill with fairly dense vegetation.   We crossed Bates Creek quite easily although it looked quite forbidding. The track was well signposted .  After the creek crossing the service trail morphed into a narrow track where we faced a bit of scrambling plus very careful foot work.   Muscles were tested, balance was tested, legs were tested.  A very good walk. Huffy Puffy good.

Coffee  (and  eclairs) at Killarney Heights -  le Parisiene Cafe followed by a browse in The Shoe Shop once upon a time the famous shoe shop in Northbridge.

Walkers:  Pippa, Jane, Marie-Claire, Moira, Wendy, Donna, Carolle

80 Blackbutt Creek Walk, Gordon

Blackbutt Track

Not a Blackbutt

After our Group met on Vale road in Gordon the entrance to the track was easily found.  It proved to be a wide open trail in the Reserve which is home to some of the tallest Blackbutt trees along with attractive Turpentines and Peppermint trees.   After a lucky little lesson from Marie-Claire I now may be able to differentiate between the barks of the Blackbutts and the Turpentines.   Powerful Owls have been recorded in this reserve - too few of them left in our forests and parklands, sadly. 

The track descended down hill eventually crossing the creek.   The entire  walk, there and back, was very close to built up areas.   At one point, before turning back  traffic noise from Lane Cove road was constant  but for the greater distance walked the tranquility of the bush prevailed.  Happily, bird song and sound everywhere which is NOT something we often have. 

Coffee at Gordon’s Pablo and Rusty’s   

Walkers: Pippa, Moira, Marie-Claire, Donna, Jane, Kate, Carolle

 Wendy sadly missed out because of a nasty flat tyre

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Next Walks:

79 Dee Why South to Curl Curl Beach (2)

Dee Why to Curl Curl and back -

Warnings of stormy weather plus strong winds ensured that we were well prepared for our walk from Dee Why to Curl Curl exposed as we would be to the worst weather alongside the sea and up on a headland walk.   Within minutes though jackets, scarves and hats were abandoned as clearly the weather forecast was unfounded,  nothing but a great big myth - No howling wind  but instead a pleasant warm sunny morning.  Only later in the day did the winds hit Sydney thus we were able to enjoy a beautiful part of the Northern Beaches coastal walk without the discomfort of wind, rain or for that matter, cold.

We were astounded by the number of wildflowers along the way -  this is June you know.   The rocky platforms at the southern end of Dee Why beach are spectacular when gazed upon from a little bit of height.  Dozens of seagulls stood solemnly staring out to sea, perhaps waiting for the winds to arrive.  Very decorative they were too.

We strode on and up sometimes completely immersed in the seaside bush with neither sea nor houses in sight.  On this particular stretch of walk dwellings cling to most of the cliff top but the bush keeps them hidden so one can feel divorced from  suburbs for a little while.    Curl Curl beach view was our destination from which higher point  we had good views of the beachside suburbs all the way round to the Norfolk pines on Manly beach.   

Here, at the Curl Curl turn around point  we were surprised by the first shrubby Acacia in bright bloom heralding all the Mimosa yellow soon to come.

Back to Dee Why beach with the reverse views in sight.   We had coffee at the brand new one week old cafe, The Beach Shed.  So new that iced coffee was not on the menu and when ordered there was the instant agreement, yes, they could do that as the cost  was quickly assessed by the staff. No doubt they now have ‘Iced coffee” added to their menu.  A  cute, rough and tumble atmosphere, milk crates to  sit on along the walk-way outside opposite the ocean but our genteel group found a sunny table  with chairs.  

By the way this walk has some helpful boardwalks as well as thoughtfully crafted handrails at tricky points.

Walkers:  Marie-Claire, Wendy, Jane, Carolle

on track towards Curl Curl

Dee Why rocks

Brand new - week old shed cafe

78 Crown of Newport Walk

The Crown of Newport Walk  was one of those astonishing little finds in Sydney - a short, steep walk winding up and up with many steps.   We were well hidden in the narrow secret little strip of wooded bushland as we headed up to what is probably the highest point in Newport.  Certainly lots and lots of stone steps  zig-zagging all the way to the top providing some huff puff.   After crossing a street or two we wandered through another parkland back to our cars.

Coffee was  right on the beach at the life saving club which was very pleasant indeed - the cafe may have been called Bronze.  Someone will correct me here.

Walkers:  Marie-Claire. Kate, Moira, Carolle

77 Apple Tree Bay to Lord Bay

Apple Tree Bay

spider strength ropes

Apple Tree Bay

Apple Tree Bay Walk: On yet another beautiful May day we  enjoyed a delightful walk  from pretty Apple Tree Bay in Ku-ring-gai National Park along the water’s edge.    Almost immediately we were lost in the beauty of  magnificent trees on one side with rocky shores and oyster encrusted boulders on the other.    Wondrous reflections were abundant at every turn of the path. There are many delightful walks within the Park and this walk, which eventually leads to Berowra, is one of the best.  Anyone contemplating a walk here can be assured of magnificent scenery, boats gliding or motoring by,  a black cockatoo or two as we had and a different bay scene around every bend.

Walkers:  Pippa, Marie-Caire, Moira, Wendy, Carolle

76 Fairfax Walk, North Head

The Fairfax Lookout, North Head - For perfect  Sydney postcard views one needs to drive over to North Head to the  Fairfax Lookout   We discovered this on our walk which was a  gentle, short loop track  with four safety fenced  lookout points along the cliffs affording breathtaking views.   In the distance one could  see Watsons Bay headland,  Balmoral Beach, the city skyscrapers of the CBD,  North Sydney towers as well as Chatswood’s new skyscrapers.   Sweeping views  in all directions.   

Afterwards we discovered the relatively new  Australia’s Memorial Walk, opened in 2012, short, tastefully designed and built. The Memorial Walk commemorates Australia’s involvement in conflicts around the world over the last 150 years.

Then, after a  tiny drive (ought to have walked) we settled under the trees at Bella Vista Cafe with the wide blue ocean stretching before and beyond lined with distant land views. Perfect. Beautiful with blissful warm sunny weather.  A lovely morning for all.

The whales will be passing by soon and then again August September - another visit then for some.

Macquarie Lighthouse at Watsons Bay

Walkers:  Moira, Marie-Claire, Donna,Wendy, Pippa, Jane, Carolle

Fairfax walk and lookout

Memorial Walk

Bella Vista Cafe

75 Coonan Road to Whale Rock s. Turramurra

South Turramurra was the destination for the weekly walk - down at the end of Coonan Road our track descended immediately down a rocky slope into the bush .   Our destination Whale Rock.

We were pleasantly surprised by the wide open track which made walking so easy and pleasant.  Signs of fires were evident here and there in  older tress, burnt out bases but the ever miraculous re-growth way above.   

It wasn't long before traffic, houses, mechanical noise was far behind as we trudged down the trail marvelling about  corridors of enchanting green here for seeking,  here for stepping out.   Sydney is full of such secrets.   It seems to me that not too many people are aware of these hidden assets to grasp that breath of fresh air; well a whole lot fresher than a mere kilometre away where the traffic spews out its venom.   Winter time it is but the photographs below display enough sunshine of the day with a background of leafy green to uplift the gloomiest soul.

This walk connects with the Great North Walk which at least one of us has walked, every inch of it from Sydney to Newcastle.  That person is me, the author of these notes.   The great North Walk is now quite well known though few would attempt it simply because of its length.   It took four of us (not the group in this blog) 14 days to complete .  Unforgetable, worth the effort but that was another story before my Blog Time.

Whale Rock - what a surprise that was as we were  considering  which way to go next, left or right and suddenly someone noticed the unmistakable beady eye looking down on us - the great rock of  whale literally jutting over our path.

Coffee and cake not at a cafe this time but even better in Pippa's beautiful garden not far away.

It happened to be an extra special day too, Kate's 70th.  How lovely it was then to celebrate a little with Kate surrounded by a delightful interesting garden.

Whale Rock

Pippa's Garden Kate's Birthday