The Ponds Walk revisited

Most of our walking group walks are not new to me now. My last visit to 'The Ponds Walk' between Carlingford and Rydalmere, was in 2011. I have added some photos (below) from our recent walk.       

For more details and photos see my 2011 post

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.

The Ponds Walk

We started the 6.6Km walk at Memorial Park, Marsden Rd. Carlingford. The track passes through Dundas Valley and Telopea, following The Ponds and Subiaco Creeks downhill to Rydalmere.

Galaringi Reserve, Carlingford

 

This is one of the ponds (above and left) that gives the creek its name.

This is an urban walk, about 15Km from Sydney CBD.
Beyond Galaringa Reserve and Cox Park at Carlingford, the bushland associated with the creeks is quite narrow, so we were walking along a winding green corridor for much of the walk.
It should not be confused with any walk in the suburb of 'The Ponds' near Kellyville. 

To reach the start of the walk we caught a M54 bus from Parramatta station, along Pennant Hills Rd. to Carlingford (near Marsden Rd.)
The track ends not far from Victoria Rd. at Rydalmere. We returned by bus from there, while the Subiaco Creek flowed a little further to enter the Parramatta River.


Downloadable brochure of the walk available from: Parramatta City Council
Location map