Art Barton Park is small ribbon like park, a couple of metres of densish growth, on either side of the walking path along the east side of the beautiful Lavender Bay on the North Shore, across the Harbour Bridge and a stones throw to the west of Luna Park. Continue reading “Art Barton Park – The Hidden Treasures Of Lavender Bay”
Sydney Harbour is studded with little bays and coves. One of the most beautiful of these and the most accessible (not that it’s hard to get to any of them) from the City is Lavender Bay, on the North Shore, just across the Harbour Bridge and to its west. Continue reading “Lavender Bay – Not A Lavender In Sight”
If you only go to Sydney’s Luna Park to have your photo taken in front of the funfair’s iconic clown face (based on Old King Cole) entrance then it’s worth the trip.
Luna Park is modeled, in art deco style (look at the towers by the entrance), on similar parks in Melbourne and Adelaide (the latter of which closed as Sydney was opening) and on the world’s first Luna Park which opened on Coney Island, New York in 1903. Continue reading “Luna Park – Just for Fun and Art”
The arrival of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet into Sydney Harbour on 4 October 1913 was a great moment in Australian history. Australia now had direct control of the seas around the continent and no longer had to rely on the British Royal Navy. One ship in that fleet was the cruiser HMAS Sydney (I).
Admiralty House is the official Sydney residence of the Governor General of Australia (affectionately referred to as the GG). The GG’s primary residence is Government House in Canberra. The GG is Australia’s Head of State – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIs representative in Australia. Continue reading “Admiralty House”
According to legend, Avalon was the earthly paradise chosen by King Arthur as his final resting place. Seeing Avalon Beach, first from my walk along Bangalley Head and then from walking along the beach itself, I couldn’t help wondering if this was Arthur’s Avalon. Admittedly, I do wonder a lot sometimes. Continue reading “Avalon Beach : King Arthur’s Paradise Down Under”
Bangallely Head Walk is a rather rugged though worthwhile walk offering some fantastic views out to the Pacific Ocean and along the coast, north towards Broken Bay/ Barrenjoey Headland and the Central Coast and south towards the city. Additionally, the reserve is of sufficient size such that it is home to a reasonable selection of local flora and fauna. The walk traverses the highest point on Sydney’s northern coastline between Avalon and Whale beaches and takes upwards of an hour (depending on where you start and finish). If you cannot cope with steps (lots of them) and a little sweat then this walk is not for you. Continue reading “Bangalley Head Walk”
When I visit a ‘kiosk’ in Australia I am anticipating meat pies, chips, Chico rolls, burgers and the like. Not so, at this kiosk on affluent Whale Beach. Continue reading “Milk, Soda And Cutlery Splinters at Whale Beach”
Whale Beach is, at 600m long, one of the smaller of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Notwithstanding that it is one of the prettiest and least frequented by tourists, the latter not least because there is no public transport directly to the beach. The nearest bus stop (on Barrenjoey Rd – L90 Surf Road stop) is 1km or 15 minutes walk from the beach, along Surf Road. Continue reading “Whale Beach – A Great Little Beach”
Residential development on the southern part of Palm Beach and the headland separating it from Whale Beach means that there are very few places to get an elevated view of the beach, and beyond, from the south, unless you befriend a resident. Continue reading “‘……. And The Firmament Sheweth His Handywork’ – Bible Garden”
The Rambling Wombat 