Rose Bay - Watson's Bay & South Head

After meeting at the Quay, we travelled by bus to Rose Bay, alighting at a stop on what is

known as Heartbreak Hill ( referring to a difficult part of the City to Surf route.) At this particular point, the view is quite magnificent - it takes in the harbour with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in the background. A tourist coach was just ahead of our bus , and we saw passengers alight for their photo stop - Denise took one as well.

The footpath (on aptly named Bayview Hill Road), alongside one of our well known girls’ schools, took us to the harbourside. The track wound around the Hermitage Foreshore Reserve, Queens Beach, Hermit Point and Bay, and Milk Beach. We were able to see nearby Shark Island and in the distance, Bradleys Head. Di's photo shows one of the small, almost private, beaches along the way.

We reached the reserve near Strickland House for our morning tea break.

Strickland House - an imposing building, was built in 1854-6. Its extensive grounds and gardens are open to the public during daylight hours.

It was originally called Carrara and during the ensuing years has been a grand formal residence, a health care facility and an old people’s home.

Today, it stands empty.

We walked on, with Steel Point on our harbourside, and extensive Nielsen Park on our right. This is a very popular spot during the summer, as it has a very large netted swimming area and excellent picnic facilities. After leaving the Park, we did a short spell of street walking - well-known Wentworth Road and surrounds providing us with the opportunity to view some lovely residences. We took a path down to Parsley Bay which again provides a very large netted swimming area. After passing Village Point we reached Watson’s Bay. The large Robertson Park has seating which we used for our lunch break. it was a busy spot - we saw two separate school groups enjoying the beautiful weather - playing on the edge of the water and generally enjoying themselves.

After lunch, some of the group continued alongside the harbour, passing renowed Doyle’s restaurant. After rounding Laings Point, we passed Camp Cove - (eyes straight ahead please, ladies ) with some nudists enjoying their specially designated beach.

Reaching South Head we were able to view the ocean, and across to North Head, Manly and also Middle Harbour. The weather was such that the outlook was close to perfect. We continued past the Hornby Lighthouse and then returned to Watson's Bay using the same path as our forward trip. We chose to use the ferry to return to Circular Quay - this trip gives one the opportunity to view many beautiful harbourside suburbs.

This is a very beautiful walk - not strenuous - and for those reasons, one which features each year on our programme.