Woolwich - Hunters Hill

Woolwich and much of Hunters Hill occupy a peninsula between the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers. see Map

Woolwich Dock from Woolwich lookout

The Woolwich Dock, at 188 metres long and 27 metres wide, when it opened in 1901 was, the largest in Australia. As you can see, the dock which was excavated from the sandstone, is still used today for small scale boat and yacht maintenance.
On my walk I enjoyed a break at the cafe before exploring the adjacent Parklands: Clarkes Point Reserve, Morts Reserve and areas named 'Goat Paddock' and 'Horse Paddock' from early days. (harbourtrust PDF).

Morts Reserve from Clarkes Point Reserve

                                                                               To the west of the Woolwich Parklands is Kelly's Bush, one of few remnant bushland on the foreshores of the Parramatta River.  The area was very much in the news in 1970s 'when a group of local residents enlisted the assistance of unions to oppose development of the site'. Similar issues elsewhere are still apparent today.

Vienna Cottage,  Hunters Hill

 Vienna Cottage in Alexandra St, is a National Trust property built in 1871. It is a typical cottage of a tradesman of the day. A number of French, Italian and Swiss people were among the founders of the municipality. In the 1850s some of the immigrants from the north of Italy settled in the area and worked as stonemasons.
Now used for shops and offices, the former Garibaldi Hotel (completed in 1862) in Ferry Street (photos below) reflects this Italian past. 

While sandstone buildings make up only a small proportion of homes, they are an importance part of the character of the area. 

          

A sandstone home - Hunters Hill

The photo above was taken from the Tarban Creek Bridge looking east towards Pulpit Point, with Sydney CBD in the distance.

I caught a ferry from Circular Quay and started my walk from the Woolwich wharf. I ended my walk at Huntleys Point wharf.                Walks in Hunters Hill            Lane Cove Rv walk 

            Hunters Hill history                 Woolwich Dock history      

                          Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001           Great North Walk section

Lane Cove River

Pond near Tarban Creek, Huntleys Cove

This walk, which began at Huntleys Point wharf on the Parramatta River, was a new one for me. It followed a section of the Great Northern Walk along the Lane Cove River, to West Chatswood.

Tarban Creek bridge from Huntleys Cove

Lane Cove River

At Epping Road, North Ryde, we crossed under the Lane Cove River Bridge. (above)

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A little to the north of this, and within Lane Cove Nation Park, is a site once known as the Fairyland Pleasure Grounds - 'a place of mystery and beauty' - the clearing on the banks of the river, once featured a picnic ground, dance hall, flying-fox etc. It dates from 1913, and remained in use until the early 1970s. (below)

We ended our 10.9km walk at Delhi Rd near Fullers bridge, and caught a bus to Chatswood station. My thanks to our walk leader.

                                                 

          location map  (Huntleys Point)           location map  (Lane Cove)