The forecast wasn’t encouraging but ten intrepid walkers boarded the Greenwich Point ferry at Circular Quay to undertake the walk to Milsons Point. There was only a brief period of blue sky in contrast to the brilliant sunshine of the previous Tuesday’s recce.
On the ferry
We enjoyed the bushland walk along the Lane Cove River bank to Shell Reserve with views to the historic & grand houses of Woolwich as well as Woodford Bay, Longueville & Northwood.
Boats on the bay Zoom to historic stone house The old and the new with chimney in the middle 
Tree ferns above Gore Cove
After rounding the Shell, now Viva Energy, fuel depot site (established 1901), we descended through the bushland of Holloway Reserve to Gore Cove and Berry Island. The interesting circuit of the “island” was rewarded with morning tea.
Oil refinery with bridge and city in the background
Down stairs Descent to Berry Creek, Gore Cove
Some opted for the low tide shortcut to the Badangi Reserve headland track while others took the old timber mill track, all meeting above Balls Head Bay where there are magnificent angophoras & a rare stand of forest red gums.
The low road walkers on short cut from Berry Island to the Badangi Reserve Through the angophoras Oyster Cove reserve
We passed by the Oyster Cove old sugar refinery/kerosene works/gas works building & Wondakiah residential development then mounted the 129 steps past the HMAS Waterhen site to Balls Head Road & the Coal Loader Centre. This excellent & historic facility was even more interesting than usual with the 2019 North Sydney Art Prize’s 115 exhibits.
The Coal Loader art exhibition Painting 1st prize winner Sculpture 1st prize winner (on the right) Art in the tunnel
After passing through one of the tunnels we explored Balls Head & enjoyed the grand views of the Parramatta River & the city.
Balls Head view to the Harbour Bridge, Walsh Bay, Goat Island, the city, Darling Harbour and Balmain East
Eastern Water Dragon, Balls Head track White-faced heron
Carradah Park, developed between 1997 & 2005, has replaced BP’s 31 fuel tank facility on the western shore of Balls Head Bay. From here there are good views of the “South Steyne”, a Manly ferry which operated between 1938 &1974. When it began service, it was the largest steam powered ferry in the world.
Zoom to South Steyne, Berrys Bay
The walk continued around Balls Head Bay through Waverton Park (built with the sandstone rubble from the BP site), around Noakes ship repair facility and on to historic Sawmillers Reserve where lunch was enjoyed despite a brief shower of rain.
Two at lunch
Except for three escapees, the walkers continued round Blues Point & Lavender Bay to a well earned coffee at Milsons Point, having enjoyed some history, views, vegetation, wildlife, art, camaraderie & exercise on this inner city adventure.
Zoom from Blues Point to tree carrying barge Coffee at Milsons Point: Guenter, Elaine, Barbara, Anne R, Hazel, Vreni
Walkers: Drina, Hazel, Helen A, Elaine E, Anne R, Guenter, John M, Kas, led by Barbara and Vreni
Words: Barbara
Photos: Barbara (1, 8, 9, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20), Helen A (18 ), Drina (2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16), Anne R (3, 4, 5 )