Yaralla Estate - Concord West

Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital (1937-1988)  Thomas Walker, was an important nineteenth century merchant, politicians and landholder. He and his daughter Eadith, were noted for their philanthropic activities in the early twentieth century. His wife died in 1870 from tuberculosis. He left money for the building of a convalescent hospital. Eadith also contributed additional funds when it became necessary.

The building was made of brick and sandstone with elaborate carvings, marble fireplaces and fine masonry and was officially opened on 21st September 1893 as a free convalescent hospital.

The hospital is currently used by Rivendell - Child, Adolescent and Family Unit as a mental health facility, specialising in the problems of young people.

Eadith made several generous bequests in her will and left half of the residue of her estate to trustees for charitable purposes. 

Yaralla House

The Yaralla Estate grounds are on two peninsulas on the Parramatta River at Concord and cover 37 hectares. Yaralla House was built in the 1860s. The photo below is the stables complex, a group of buildings arranged around a central courtyard with a rich assortment of decorative elements

We followed the Kokoda Track Memorial walk from Rhodes station then the Concord Foreshore trail. (see location map)
We completed our walk along streets to Concord West station.






References:
 More information     More information

Middle Cove

We started this pleasant walk at Clive Park Northbridge. This is a beautiful spot, as you can see below.

View from Clive Park, Northbridge

After some walking along streets we entered Watergate Reserve along Sailors Bay Creek.
This bush reserve features
tree ferns and Coachwood trees.

Sailors Bay Creek, Watergate Reserve, Castlecrag

We continued on to Harold Reid Reserve, via Castlecrag Shopping Centre. It was worth the steep diversion up from the foreshore bushland track to the lookout for our lunch break. Below is the view of Fig Tree Cove and Seaforth shoreline from Harold Reid Reserve, Middle Cove.

Our walk continued along parts of North Arm Reserve crossing Scotts Creek. We ended at Eastern Valley Way to catch buses.

                            

Iron Cove update

We followed the Iron Cove Creek from Parramatta Rd at Ashfield to Iron Cove.   The walk along Hawthorne Canal passes Hawthorne light rail stop and a dog of the leash area with a dog-focused Cafe 'Bones'

Hawthorne Canal

The canal is 'of particular historical significance as one of the first nine purpose built storm water drains constructed in Sydney in the 1890's. The then Minister for Public Works, the Hon. Bruce Smith, MLA., appalled at the extremely unhealthy conditions prevailing at the time, proposed a separate system of storm water drains be built to help alleviate the problem.' Reference

(below) A new pedestrian and cycle bridge over Iron Cove Creek Canal, near Timbrell and Robson Parks on the Bay Run, was officially opened in October last year. The 30m long, 4.5m wide cable bridge was considered a vital safety link for the thousands of pedestrians, joggers and cyclists who use the Bay Run every day.  

The bridge features an artwork installation at the top.
The project was jointly undertaken by Ashfield Council and Canada Bay Council with funding from the NSW Road and Maritime Services.

Location Map

The Bay Run info

My previous Bay Run post

The Dog Park & Cafe

 

 

Artarmon to Middle Harbour

We started our walk at Artarmon station following a pathway that led us to Flat Rock Creek.

Willoughby Council's  Flat Rock Gully leaflet warns that after rain the creek crossing may not be possible, which was the case for us, as the photo below shows.

I returned on another day to take more photos. The creek flows under Tunks Park, Cammeray and into Middle Harbour at Mortlock Reserve (below).

The concrete arch Cammeray bridge (above & below) opened in 1939, replacing  the original 1892 steel suspension bridge built by a private syndicate to promote residential development. The original sandstone turreted towers were retained. The suburb Northbridge takes its name from the bridge.

There are steps leading up to The Boulevarde and Miller Street, where we caught a bus to the City.

                Willoughby Council walking track info                  Location Map

 

Street Art - Katoomba

I took these photos last year when we were visiting Katoomba to walk part of the Prince Henry Cliff walk.
This street art is located in Beverly Place, a quite street near the heart of Katoomba. It was created by Street Art Murals Australia (SAMA) in partnership with the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, University of Western Sydney and relevant stakeholders.

Location: Map

More info: http://bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au/street-art-walk/

Mosman Bay to Balmoral

 Our walking group, started this 9km walk at Mosman Bay wharf. It continues on from my earlier post of the walk I did from Cremorne Point.

Robertsons Point - Cremorne Reserve

 Cremorne Point from Mosman Bay

Little Sirius Cove

Divert from the trail at Bradleys Head to inspect these 1871 gun emplacement and fortifications.

We then followed the track around Taylors Bay to Chowder Bay where we ate lunch.
 (more photos in my Taronga Zoo to Clifton Gardens post)

We completed our walk to Balmoral where we caught a bus back to the city. Across the road from the beach I was shown this cutting (photo right) - part of the route of the Balmoral Tramway (1922 to 1957)



More info:      

Wildwalks - Taronga Zoo to Balmoral 

        Harbour Trust

                         

Bantry Bay - Timbergetters Track

This walk is on the eastern side of Bantry Bay, Middle Harbour, within Garigal National Park.
We started at Seaforth Oval, with a steep descent down the historic 'Timbergetters Track', to the shore of Bantry Bay. Here our walk leader told us some of the history of the area.

Bantry Bay, Middle Harbour, Sydney

The buildings we could see along the shoreline on the other side of the bay, were part of the Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex, dating back to 1906, and in use up until 1974. The area was suitable because it was isolated, and to me it still has a feeling of isolation.
By the early 1900s, the area on the eastern side, where we were standing, was a popular picnic and recreation area, complete with a dining room and dance hall.

               (below) Great view, but shade was a bit scarce at the Bluff, where we ate lunch

The Bluff, Bantry Bay

Shell middens along the shoreline and rock engravings nearby, point to the past Aboriginal occupation of the area.

              


We followed the Bay track, the Bluff track and part of the Natural Bridge track, back to the Wakhurst Parkway. Latter we caught a route 136 bus back to the City.

        Location map                           Wildwalks link:  Timber Getters Track