Yandhai Nepean Crossing - Penrith

Yandhai Nepean Crossing, is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge between the Penrith and Emu Plains side of the Nepean River officially opened on 28 October 2018 by the Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Stuart Ayres, Member for Penrith. The crossing is Australia’s longest single clear-span bridge, measuring 284m in total length with a 200m main span across the Nepean River. It replaces the undivided footpath next to the roadway on the nearby Victoria Bridge.

The word ‘Yandhai’ contains elements of Darug language, and means ‘walking in past and present’. ‘Nepean’ has been kept in the name to signify the bridge’s place. ‘Crossing’ (instead of bridge), signifies both the bridge’s modern purpose and the historical use of this location along the river as a significant crossing.

 The new crossing gives a much improved bridge to bridge circuit walk of 6.4km via the Penrith Valley Bridge


See my earlier post



reference link 2  

The Spit to Manly (2)

Near Shell Cove, Balgowlah

Clontarf Beach and Reserve

Australian Water dragon (left)

We enjoyed returning to this popular walk, starting at the bus stop at Spit Reserve and ending at Manly Ferry Wharf (around 9km).



Fringe Lily (below)

    WildWalks link

See my original post for more photos and information

 

Plants with Bite - The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

 The current display at The Calyx is 'Plants With Bite' - the bizarre world of carnivorous plants such as the Pitcher Plants (right & below).

Venus Flytrap

See my earlier post of the original Calyx Display and the Green Wall

The Calyx, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

'The Calyx' within The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is an attractive contemporary building for horticultural displays and education, incorporating coffee shop etc.

Blackheath

Our walk took us from Popes Glen to Govetts Leap and return via Braeside Walk.

We passed these Rhododendrons in Blackheath Memorial Park after starting our walk at the railway station. The flowering season for Rhododendrons is September, October and November but the peak period is the end of October and early November.

View from Govetts Leap Lookout, Blackheath

                   'Rhododendron Gardens' post

                     NSW National Parks                 'WildWalks' map & info 

 

 

 

 

Museum of Fire - Penrith

The Museum of Fire houses many large vehicles and other fire fighting apparatus from the 1800s to the modern era.

The collection includes 1891 the Shand Mason Steamer, a fine example of 19th century, horse-drawn, steam-powered technology  and the 1785 Merryweather Hand Drawn Pump

The museum is housed in the former Penrith Power Station, which dates from 1953. It was in use till 1970 when the state wide power grid took over.
In addition the museum includes 'Fire Safety in the Home' and Bush Fires displays. It is a short walk from Penrith Station.

Sydney Park - St Peters

South of the CBD near St Peters railway station, the 40 hectare Sydney Park is built on the site of an old brickworks and rubbish tip. The park is now a wetlands and green oasis.

 

Storm water is diverted to the park which provides a permanent water supply, for the wetlands. These are an important habitat for native wildlife during dry periods.  A series of elevated terracotta channels form an artwork, which reflects the site’s history and aerates and distributes water throughout the wetland system.

The Bedford Brick Works was established in 1893. It was sold to Austral in 1936, closing in 1970. Use as a rubbish tip followed, and continued till 1976. The chimneys and kilns from the former brickwork near the corner of Sydney Park Road and the Princes Highway have been retained.

Sydney Park is very dog friendly

Sydney Park Information




 There is a series of pathways to walk, run or cycle around the park, and it caters well for children with a large playground and a cycling education centre.

                                                   

WSU Parramatta Campus

This post features some buildings of interest on the Western Sydney University Parramatta campus, at Rydalmere.

The Boilerhouse and chimney, circa 1894 (above) were once part of the steam laundry. They now act as a landmark at Campus Square - with food outlets and recreation areas.

The Female Orphan School building (circa 1818) was modelled on Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie's family home in Scotland. Within the building is The Whitlam Institute. This includes the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection and The Margaret Whitlam Galleries - with a changing program of art and social history exhibitions.
1888 the building was set apart as a Hospital for the Insane. It remained part of Rydalmere Psychiatric Hospital until the building was closed in 1969, as it had become increasingly dilapidated.

The Drill Master's Building circa 1868

Medical Superintendent's Residence circa 1870

WSU Parramatta campus is located near the Corner of James Ruse Drive and Victoria Road Rydalmere. We caught a (M52/525) bus from stand A3 near Parramatta station. (10 minute ride).

     Location map                 
                                                                                  
We returned on the RiverCat ferry service.

The campus is a ~30 minute walk from Rydalmere Wharf along Parramatta Valley shared Cycleway, which runs along the Southern side of the campus.

Cliff Walk and Macquarie Lighthouse

The 5km Federation Cliff Walk  from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay offers great views.

 

The walk passes Macquarie Lighthouse,
 (Old South Head Road at Vaucluse), which is Australia's first and longest operating navigational light. Built in 1883, it replaced the 1818 original. 

The Lighthouse is still operational and the cottages are leased for private purposes.


 See my earlier posts for Watsons Bay 
         Coogee to Bondi
        and Hermitage Foreshore walk 

 Location Map (Chrome) 

View from Gap Park, Watsons Bay