It was another sunny July morning as seven Hillview bushwalkers (was the forecast of rain a deterrent?) gathered at Circular Quay for the 9.20am ferry
trip to Rose Bay & the walk from there to Watsons Bay and South Head.
Some of the early highlights of the walk were learning more about the Rose Bay seaplane base, the stunning harbour and city views, a wander around Strickland House and its grounds, the remnant bushland (including endangered local she oaks) on the walk north to Steel Point and historic Greycliffe House.
After morning tea at Nielsen Park, we explored Bottle & Glass Point before the urban walk through Vaucluse, over the Parsley Bay footbridge, down to Gibsons Beach at Watsons Bay and along the foreshore to Pacific Street and Green Point Reserve. There was more history to absorb there with a plaque about the World War II anti submarine boom net, an 1850 navigational obelisk and a memorial commemorating Arthur Phillip's landing at Camp Cove on January 21st 1788.
From Camp Cove beach we followed the foreshore track (including part of an 1870s cobblestone road) past Lady Bay Beach to an idyllic lunch spot at South Head with magnificent harbour views. The South Head circuit track took us past the lighthouse cottage, the Hornby lighthouse and several gun emplacements before the return to Watsons Bay in time for the 2.15pm ferry followed by a City Extra coffee. Not a drop of the forecast rain fell until we reached home.
".... the stunning harbour and city views"
".... historic Greycliffe House"
[Catching up with the Plus walkers. The four walk leaders: Barbara, Elaine E (one step back), Dawn and Kas are front centre.]
Words by Barbara, photos by Susan.
[And for the Regular Walk record, Barbara and Kas led Susan, Robyn M, Lawrie, Rex M and Maurice.]