The Sphinx Track, Bobbin Head

A large group met at the Park entrance in Bobbin Head Road. We were lucky - it was a lovely sunny day ( the maximum temperature passed the 20deg. C mark.)

Our track went past the Sphinx Memorial- this was built in 1924-1926 by Private William T Shirley, a T.B. patient at Lady Davidson Hospital ( which is just along Bobbin Head Road), in memory of his AIF comrades in World War 1.

We then descended through very pleasant bush. on a well maintained, but quite steep track - including some steps. There were a few slightly boggy spots caused by the recent rains.

On reaching the Cowan Creek, which is shown in our photograph, we stopped for morning tea. We found the walk from there to the Bobbin Head picnic ground delightful - the track is level and quite soft underfoot - this allowed us to enjoy the beautiful water views, the bushland, and for two keen birdwatchers,some opportunities to check out the “locals”.

After lunch at the picnic ground, we walked back past the marina again, and then took the Bobbin Head Ridge track. This is a steep climb for the first kilometre and includes some switchbacks, but then the ridge flattens out and it is easy walking along a fire trail back to the Park entrance.

This walk is one of many popular ones within the Ku-ring-gai National Park - however, being a Monday, we had it almost to ourselves. Next time we do it, we may make the time after lunch, to walk for about 10 minutes along the Gibberagong Track where we would view Aboriginal engravings and rock art. Doing that would then require us to return to the picnic ground to continue the return walk as described above.

Lane Cove National Park (North)

After almost a week of unsettled weather, we were thrilled to wake to a fine day for our walk.

Using the knowledge of our leaders, both of whom live locally, we were able to set off in the same general direction of our original plan , but with modifications. We walked along the Ridge Track. The name would indicate that we stayed up “high” and thus avoided creek crossings which could have been rather dangerous for us - both from the height of the water and slippery rocks etc. After the recent rain, we found the bush looking lush and healthy.

Our lunch spot was on rocks from which we could see distant views of the city skyline. Di captured this scene with her camera.(click on the photo to make it bigger).

After lunch, and simply out of curiosity, we walked down a paved fire trail to the nearest creek. Our previous thoughts about how it would look, proved to be correct. We went back up the hill and continued with our return walk. We could hear lots of birds in the bush and a few were sighted.

The very pleasant walk ended with afternoon tea .

Iron Cove Bridge Walk

The weather gods were kind to us !

We set off on the ferry from Circular Quay on a beautiful winter's day in Sydney - a cool temperature with clear blue skies . We thoroughly enjoyed our trip on the world’s most beautiful harbour!

From the ferry wharf, our walk took us around the shoreline, passing Birkenhead Shopping Centre , and we arrived at the western end of the Iron Cove Bridge. From that point ,we took a level 5km route - along the banks of the Sisters and Half Moon Bays We passed Nield, Timbrell and Leichhardt Parks. From our lunch spot we could look across to Rodd Island in the Iron Cove River. Denise's photo is taken looking back down the river in a northerly direction. We continued along the pathway at the water’s edge until we reached the eastern end of the bridge and then on through Bridgewater Park making our way up to Darling Street Balmain ( lovely coffee!). A further walk took us down to the East Balmain ( Darling Street ) Wharf, where a ferry returned us to Circular Quay.

McCarrs Creek – Duck Creek

We all know that ducks are really at home in water, so the Monday walkers were wishing at one stage that we had webbed feet ! But back to the start……..

We began our walk in fine, but overcast weather. It was mostly on a fire trail through lovely bush, where once again the grass trees of all sizes were looking really magnificent. Although the weather conditions were not perfect, we were confident that all would go well. We had a comfortable morning tea stop but it was shortly after then that the rain started to tumble down – very heavily - and eventually we decided to back track . This is most unusual for us, but it really seemed the sensible thing to do. Already the previously dry trail was extremely wet, with rivulets running all over ( Denise's photo shows this!) The rain did finally clear and we were able to enjoy the rest of the return trip. Just off the main road, almost at our starting point, we saw a lovely waterfall. We were lucky enough to find tables and seats in the small park near our cars for our lunch break. Fortunately the rain stayed away for us then.

It was a bit disappointing, but there’s always next time – perhaps the weather will be more kind.