I suggested a walk to Store Beach near the Quarantine Station at North Head to Bob. This beach is normally accessed by boat, but in low tide, it is possible to walk around the shore from the nearby Collins Beach. On the day of our visit, the tide was low.
We set off from the carpark at Little Manly Point Reserve and followed the track down to Collins Beach.
Along the way we could get a glimpse of Store Beach –
And the nearby Collins Beach –
Brush Turkey
Collins Beach
Water Dragon
At Collins Beach, we searched up one of the creeks for an engraving site. It was supposed to depict Governor Phillip being speared by an Aboriginal, but it is also supposed to be a hoax engraving – not genuine. But we were deterred by lots of weeds.
So we stared walking around the foreshore. This was quite easy.
We checked out some caves for Aboriginal art. If there was some, then it must have been covered by recent graffiti or faded.
There is a possible ochre artwork here –
Perhaps a dingo?
This would likely have been an occupation cave –
We continued around the foreshore.
There was only one spot we had to scramble a bit –
Coming out of this cave, we observed some old cut steps –
And then we arrived at Store Beach.
We found old smallpox engraving.
Store Beach was once part of the Quarantine Station, and would have been used as a port and store. There is deep water a short way out.
Not far past the beach, we noticed these old stone steps. We followed up a rough track to the Quarantine Station.
We emerged near this old cairn –
Cannae Point
We then descended down the old funicular path to the wharf and stopped do morning tea at the cafe.
We then visited the small beach at the Quartile Station and checked the far side for more possible Aboriginal art. All we found were some engravings done by Q Station inmates –
It was nos starting to rain, so we walked up to the old hospital and found shelter under a balcony and stopped for lunch.
We then walked up to the entrance of the Quarantine Station and followed shortcut track along the old stone wall back to the Collins Beach Track.
Angophora costatas
As Bob was driving out of the carpark at Little Manly Point Reserve, I noticed a Tawny Frogmouth perched nearby –
It was still quite early, so we decided to visit the nearby Wormhole. This is thought to be a tunnel constructed by fishermen around 1908 to allow them to get from Queensliff to Freshwater Beaches.
Bob parked near Queensliff Beach.
We then walked past the rock pool, and followed some ledges a short distance.
We soon saw the portal of the tunnel –
The tunnel is about 40 m long.
The walk on the far side is across boulders to Freshwater Beach –
Freshwater Beach
From Freshwater Beach, we followed a walkway and roads back to Bob’s car.