This was another walk led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW that I joined. The walk is along the foreshore of Sydney Harbour and is largely within Sydney Harbour National Park.
Most of the party met at the wharf at Circular Quay, and we then travelled to Taronga via ferry. On the voyage, we noticed this large and unusual vessel. It is a US Navy boat – the “Miguel Keith”, and is a mobile command centre.
in the party was – Brian, Lydia, Joan, Deb, Joanne, Sue, Vivienne, Caroline, Hilda, Suzanne, Sophie, Ewan, Valerie, Amy and myself. At Taronga, we set off along the track to Bradleys Head.
This took us past the historic Athol Hall.
We briefly sheltered on the veranda while some light rain passed.
The next section of track passes through some truly magnificent Angophora forest.
And looking out into the harbour, we saw a Submarine pass by.
At Bradleys Head there are fine view of the city.
Bradleys Head is the site of a convict built battery. This was built after some US warships entered the harbour undetected in 1839. The head is now a navy memorial.
Below is an interesting Doric column. It was one of six erected in 1847 at the GPO in George St. After that GPO was demolished, this column was moved here in 1871 to mark one nautical mile from a tower on Fort Denison. This marked distance was then used for sea trials.
Hibbertia dentata
Cabbage Palm
Brush Turkey
We walked around Taylors Bay –
Hardenbergia violacea
We stopped for a break at Clifton Gardens Reserve.
Brush Turkey
The navy frigate, HMAS Warramunga, was moored in the harbour –
And we walked around Chowder Bay.
We then climbed up to see the old battery at Georges Heights.
This is a very interesting place to explore.
We then continued towards Middle Head.
There are great views of the Gateway –
And this looks like a 6 inch gun used for World War II coastal defence.
And we continued out on Middle Head.
At Middle Head, most of the party continued on to see the old battery. Sue, Valerie and myself walked down to Balmoral to catch a bus to stop off at Taronga Zoo.
Many thanks to Brian for leading the walk and for researching the history.