We take the 324 bus to Rose Bay. This time we time the buses right and arrive by 0830. It is a warm day. The walk around Rose Bay is packed with runners.
We cut through Point Piper as there is no waterfront walk on the peninsular. Then down a small pedestrian way, surrounded by bougainvillea to Seven Shilling Beach.
The beach is secluded but popular, with a bathing pool area.
From here, with a small wiggle through some nice roads, we arrive at the main Double Bay Beach. There are some very nice older houses with gardens right down to the beach and a walk-way between these and the beach itself. The Harbour looks sensational this morning.
From Double Bay we climb up a long rise of steps to Darling Point. Very picturesque streets with Victorian houses and tree lined avenues. We talk quite a bit about the houses and the development of Sydney Harbour. Reminds me of a book I read (Sydney Harbour, A History. Ian Hoskins, UNSW Press. Which I can recommend very highly) which explains both the names of the different bays and, most interesting, why some areas are built up (Darling Point) and not others (Nielson Park).
From Darling Point we head down to Rushcutters Bay. This is home of the Cruising Yacht Club (thing Sydney to Hobart). A forest of masts against the Harbour back drop.
From Rushcutters Bay we cut through Potts Point and Kings Cross. This is all very ugly on a Sunday morning; backpackers hostels, all-night bars, people looking the worst for wear, rather smelly. After a number of missed turns, we eventually find our way down to Woolloomooloo Bay (just realised there are eight ‘o’s in Woolloomooloo, surely a world record, or at least the biggest in the southern hemisphere!). Pass the famous ‘Harry’s Café de Wheels.
Now past the wonderfully restored Finger Wharf (we look inside to see the old wool bailing machines), and around the corner to the Botanical Gardens.
We walk along the eastern side of the Botanical Gardens, past Andrew Boy Charlton Pool to Mrs Macquaries Point where we can now see the classic view of the Bridge and Opera House. Stop for water but the area is packed with Tourists (we are not used to quite so many people!).
We walk around Farm Cove in the Botanical Gardens, passing the opera house to arrive at Sydney Cove (Circular Quay).
From here, we make our way around to the Rocks, up the Argyle steps and on to the Harbour Bridge. This is a key milestone, we are crossing Port Jackson, psychologically the half way point in our walk (although maybe only a third by distance). We cheer ourselves as we cross the midpoint of the bridge. Take a picture looking back at where we have come, but rather misty (cold water, warm air).
Exit the bridge at Milsons Point and cut across the back of Kirribilli to Careening Cove. There is a small quite park (Milson Park) and, appropriately, a boat yard. We then follow through to Neutral Bay and Anderson Park.
At this point, it is getting rather warm and we are pretty tired. We are also aware the Ferry is due so run down to the Neutral Bay wharf…just in time for the ferry back to circular quay. I think we have walked about 17km today.
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