In generally sunny late winter weather, fifteen of us dismounted at Carramar Station to begin what could be described as a historical and artistic
parklands walk rather than a bush walk. Except for two of our walkers, the area was relatively unfamiliar to the group, who included Chris B, Maurice, Don B, Dawn, Kas, Susan, Don W, Ray, Helen A, John M, Nick, Sue B plus leaders Bert and Deidre.
We were exploring the area where the Georges River reaches its most Northerly point. Having flowed north from Appin, the river does a complete U-turn and flows south. The Chipping Norton Lake is at this apex. The Prospect Creek flows into the Northern or ‘top end’ of the lake. First stop was the Lansdowne bridge on the old Hume Highway built by David Lennox and opened in 1836, the oldest surviving bridge in the metropolitan area. From there, we proceeded into the parklands on the eastern side of Prospect Creek to commence the ” Cross Currents” Georges River Artwalk, stopping in the Shortland Brush to admire the “Bird Sphere” representing many different species of migratory birds symbolising the different cultural groups that have come to call the local area their home.
A short walk took us to our morning tea spot at the BBQ area on Flinders Slopes before inspecting the “Seven Peace Keepers”. Seven poles represented a band of warriors who travelled the land to resolve disputes and protect the people against evil spirits. We continued along Prospect Creek to Garrison Point where the creek joins the Georges River. It was here that Bass and Flinders camped in 1795 on their voyage to explore the river in their boat the
Tom Thumb. Further down the river we encountered a printed glass monument to “Beryl” at Kentucky Reserve, a thirteen year old girl who lost both her arms in a shark attack at that spot in the 1930’s.
Proceeding down the river just prior to crossing over to the Western side at the Milperra Bridge we stopped briefly at “Camoufleur”, a clever construction in 3D, commemorating the camouflage artists who worked at Bankstown Airport during WW11. Walking along a few roads, one of which had a spectacular display of wattle, we linked up with the river walkway as we passed Herron Reserve on our way to lunch at Black Muscat Reserve.
After lunch we continued along the large loop made by the Georges River with filtered views of the Chipping Norton Lakes on our right, eventually reaching Governor Macquarie Drive where we again crossed the Georges River as we headed to Warwick Farm station. On the way, we passed a 200metre long disused Horse Dock railway platform at Warwick Farm Racecourse which in bygone years also had space to store eight trains, before arriving at the station. There, the leaders offered snakes and chocolate to walkers to atone for their inability to locate a coffee shop within reasonable distance of the station.
"Lansdowne bridge on the old Hume Highway built by David Lennox and opened in 1836, the oldest surviving bridge in the metropolitan area."
"'Bird Sphere' representing different species of migratory birds symbolising the different cultural groups that have come to call the local area their home"
'“Seven Peace Keepers”. Seven poles represented a band of warriors who travelled the land to resolve disputes and protect the people against evil spirits.'
'“Camoufleur”, a clever construction in 3D, commemorating the camouflage artists who worked at Bankstown Airport during WW11.'a
At lunch
'.... a spectacular display of wattle.'
Words by Bert. Photos by Deidre (3,5,7), Susan 1,4,6) and Don W(2,8,9).