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”
Hordern Park is named after Mr A J Hordern, whom the Sydney Morning Herald referred to as ‘ one of her {Sydney’s} most competent and kindly tree and flower lovers’ on his death in 1932. It is a small park located at the southern end of Palm Beach providing access between the beach and Florida Road – about half way up the headland where you can admire some of the grandest residences in Sydney, particularly if you continue on up (via a set of very steep steps located across Florida Road from the Park) to Pacific Road, atop the headland. Continue reading “Horden Park -How The Headland Used To Be”
Having just walked up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse it was time for a more relaxing stroll along Palm Beach, or Palmy, the most northern of Sydney’s north shore beaches. Continue reading “Palm Beach – Sydney’s Most Northern Beach”
At the northern end of the Pittwater Peninsula, Barrenjoey Headland commands the entrance to Broken Bay, the Hawkesbury River and The Pittwater. Throughout the 19th century The Pittwater (see my separate review) was an important shipping route giving access to Sydney, used by legitimate traders and smugglers alike. It also provided temporary safe anchorage for passing ships seeking to escape a storm. Safe access to it from the ocean was an imperative. Continue reading “Barrenjoey Lighthouse & Its Luckless Early Keepers”
While I had heard of The Pittwater I actually visited the northernmost part of Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council Area to see Palm Beach and the Barrenjoey Lighthouse and because the Lighthouse was to be the starting point for my coastal walk from here, the most northerly point of Greater Sydney, to Cronulla Beach, some 100kms south and the city’s most southerly beach. The full walk will be done over an unspecified period of time! Continue reading “Pittwater And Barrenjoey Beach”
The Rambling Wombat 