Nineteen walkers gathered at Meadowbank Station before heading down to the old Meadowbank Railway Bridge via Bay Drive.
The briefing at Meadowbank Station
En route, Theresa briefed the walkers on the history of the area before taking the group across Parramatta River along the Meadowbank Railway Bridge to Rhodes.
Theresa briefs the walkers on the history of the area
While descending from the bridge, we were joined by a school excursion which we wisely allowed to overtake us.
The walkers cross the Meadowbank Railway Bridge Descent from the bridge closely followed by a large group of school girls
The walk continued onto John Whitton Reserve which, in days gone by, was part of an industrial area. The area around Homebush was home to many industrial companies such as Union Carbide. One walker recounted seeing a huge metal container there - with the word "Dioxin" painted on its side. 
At Rhodes with a view of Homebush Bay and to Wentworth Point
The group then strolled along the river foreshore walkway, admiring the many modern residential apartment buildings on both sides of the river, before arriving at the Bennelong Bridge. After crossing Homebush Bay, we took morning tea on the Promenade in Wentworth Point.
After morning tea, we continued our journey where some shipwrecks could be seen in the distance. The wrecks were, as explained, the remains of a number of vessels that included HMAS Karangi, SS Ayrfield, the tugboat Heroic and numerous others. This part of Homebush Bay was once a ship breaking yard. After entering Bicentennial Park, and dodging numerous cyclists, we were able to get a closer look at the wrecks at Shipwreck Lookout.
Rhodes and the wrecks of SS Heroic and HMAS Karangi at Homebush Bay
The group then visited the Bird Hide - a timber shelter - where we could observe numerous birds in the distant pond. These included wading and swimming birds, amongst which were the delightfully named “suzzling dabblers” (birds that forage along the bottom of the pond).
"Suzzling dabblers" sign Little black cormorant and pied cormorant, Homebush Bay
The pond is also a temporary home for many migratory birds, some that fly all the way from China and Japan. Further along, at the Waterbird Refuge platform, black swans were spotted.
Black-winged stilt at the Waterbird Refuge, Homebush Bay Black swan at Waterbird Refuge, Homebush Bay
By this time, we were ready for lunch so we headed off to one of the pavilions in the Concord West Playground area - before leisurely making our way to Rhodes, stopping to indulge in afternoon coffee at Lilly's.
Lunch Walk back to Rhodes
Leaders: David & Theresa
Thanks to Tailender Don B and First Aider Barbara R.
Walkers: Audrey, Barbara R, Carolyn L, Christine B, Christine G, Claude deL, Cleona, Don B, Grace J, Jill, Kas, Kurt, Linda, Ron, Vreni. We were also joined by Grace K and Monique
Photos: Barbara (1,2,6,7,8,10,11,13), David (3,4,5,12), Theresa (9)