We again catch the 7:40am ferry to Manly, then the 155 bus to Dee Why. Start with a cup of strong coffee and ready to start the walk at 9:00am. Increasingly, it takes longer to get to our start point.
The day is cloudy and blustery, although fine for walking. During the day I drop and lose my camera, consequently there are no pictures for the first part of the walk (we use Alex’s one once we realise what has happened).
Dee Why beach is about 2km long and quite gritty. As we approach the end at Long Reef Point, we see a marked change in geology, from the standard Triassic sandstone to red breccia (a conglomerate) and older Permian limestones and clays. This explains the grit in the beach. We head up on to the point (also part of a golf course), there are great views both to the north and south. Characteristic of this area are long beaches with lagoons behind, interspersed with high headlands almost like islands.
We head around fisherman’s beach to South Narrabeen. Along the way, we look at the changed geology (or rather I do, Alex is not that interested in rocks!).
We set out along Narrabeen beach. It is very very long (probably 6km) with soft sand resulting in an exhausting walk. About two thirds of the way, I realise I have dropped my camera somewhere. Alex runs back along the beach looking for it, but it is not to be found. Here is what Narrabeen looks like, to the south and north:
And here is Alex looking pretty exhausted having run to the end of the beach and back (thanks Alex).
At the end of the beach, we turn the corner and cross the bridge over the inlet to Narrabeen Lagoon. From here, we climb the path up to Narrabeen Head.
There are some great views back along Narrabeen beach.
There is a well trodden path through the nature reserve on Narrabeen head. Some great views to sea and ultimately down to Turimetta Beach.
We walk down and along the beach. There is some really interesting geology here which clearly shows the sandstone sitting conformal on top of various older shales and clays. The change in geology and the effect on the beach is very noticeable.
We walk up on to Turimetta Head, through a well presented nature reserve. This particular area has been very nicely developed.
There are great views from the head, out to sea and back down the coast
From the head we walk down to Warriewood Beach.
We decide to call it quits for the day here. We are both tired. We have been walking for about 3 hours, but do not seem to have made as much progress as we had hoped (we had originally planned on getting to Newport which is still a long way on). Walking on beaches can be tough!
We make our way off the beach and connect with Pittwater Road where we catch an L90 bus back to town. The bus takes over an hour to get back to the city, then another bus to get us home approaching 2pm. A long hard day. We think it will take us two more days to finish the walk. Not next weekend however as that is the 25th December and there are other things happening.
