Little did we know it when we chose Mosman to live, but there are so many fantastic bushland walks from home, no public transport required.
Our old favourite, the Spit to Manly, now has a contender for the title, a circular route taking in Balmoral, Chowder Bay, Bradley's Head and Sirius Cove.
I have mentioned Balmoral quite a few times: swimming, our (non-surfing) beach of choice when we visited Sydney before our move, a beautiful place to sit/walk/eat/stare out across the glistening waters. We made our way from home, enjoying the walk down the incredibly steep hill (making the most of the ease of walking down rather than up - that would come in a bit), the glassy sea and the bright light of the - reasonably - early Saturday morning was a great start to the walk. However, we were so busy marching along, that it seems we missed the whale.
Not impressed with ourselves at all - how could we miss a whale?!!
Our old favourite, the Spit to Manly, now has a contender for the title, a circular route taking in Balmoral, Chowder Bay, Bradley's Head and Sirius Cove.
I have mentioned Balmoral quite a few times: swimming, our (non-surfing) beach of choice when we visited Sydney before our move, a beautiful place to sit/walk/eat/stare out across the glistening waters. We made our way from home, enjoying the walk down the incredibly steep hill (making the most of the ease of walking down rather than up - that would come in a bit), the glassy sea and the bright light of the - reasonably - early Saturday morning was a great start to the walk. However, we were so busy marching along, that it seems we missed the whale.
Not impressed with ourselves at all - how could we miss a whale?!!
From the beach, we walked up steps: up many, many, steps. The view at the top, out over the heads is not only a lovely reward, but also a great excuse to stop and catch ones breath:
Following the path (always on the look out for snakes, as this was where I nearly stood on one), we emerged from the bushland at Chowder Bay (the name comes from whalers who used to make chowder from the wealth of seafood found in the bay).
We crossed the beach and took up the path again under the canopy of trees, and up yet more steps.
Following the winding bushland track, glimpses of the clear blue water between the branches, we heard a noise which sounded similar to the cockatoos that terrorize the cats, but not exactly the same. We looked up and there were two cockatoos with pink tails - a breed called Major Mitchell's Cockatoos apparently - it was strange to see something we had never seen at home - which was all of probably five minutes away as the bird flies.
The trail took is around the peninsular of Bradley's Head, (named after the British naval officer, William Bradley), and once around the point, has fantastic views of the city.
The trail took is around the peninsular of Bradley's Head, (named after the British naval officer, William Bradley), and once around the point, has fantastic views of the city.
Walking on, we found ourselves at the ferry terminal for the zoo. We were tempted to catch the ferry into the city, but decided to do that the next day, as on Sundays the travel fees are capped to $2.50.
The ferry had just arrived, so we had to cross the long winding queue of people headed for the zoo, thankful as we ducked back into the bush that we weren't joining them as we were not in the mood for a crowded attraction!
The ferry had just arrived, so we had to cross the long winding queue of people headed for the zoo, thankful as we ducked back into the bush that we weren't joining them as we were not in the mood for a crowded attraction!
We came out into the open again at Little Sirius Cove, another lovely beach we had no idea existed. It takes its name from HMS Sirius, the flagship of the first fleet which arrived in Sydney Harbour in 1788 and with William Bradley as a member of the crew.
Rumbling stomaches and tired legs - we had walked for 15 km - we headed in the direction of home...
Rumbling stomaches and tired legs - we had walked for 15 km - we headed in the direction of home...
...which was, of course, up many more steps.