Florabella Pass - Warrimoo to Blaxland

This interesting bush walk in the lower Blue Mountains was from Warrimoo to Blaxland along the Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass track. We began the 6Km half day walk at Warrimoo station (about 1¼ hrs by train from Sydney), crossed over the highway, turned right and continued past a few shops to ‘The Boulevarde’. Walking along Florabella Street we passed the local Primary school to the start of the walk at the end of the street.

The track was rough and steep as we descended to Florabella Pass, but improved further along the track.

The track followed the Florabella creek, before climbing higher up the side of the gorge and turning more to the east after the junction with Glenbrook creek.

We saw a lyrebird while we stopped for  lunch at the junction with the side track which leads to Ross Street. Our walk continued along the Pippas Pass track, turning off at the exit path which leads up to Blaxland Library.


We passed several cafés on the way to the station, but as the train was due soon we didn't stop for coffee after this walk.

A shorter version of the walk can be done as a circuit starting at Plateau Pde off Bridge Rd Blaxland.
(see Wildwalks 'Florabella Pass Loop')     

 Our thanks to the walk leader John Masser

Grey Sky Sydney Excursion

As it was threatening to rain we decided to visit the city and see some of the ‘Bienhale’artworks (which were on display until the end of July).

                      We first visited the Museum of Contempory Art at Circular Quay.

           U.S. artist Roxy Paine's 'Neuron' is based on "dendrites and synapses" is outside the MCA

Leaving the MLC we saw there was a sponsored free ferry running from the western side of Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island which is playing host to many of the Bienhale exhibits.The island in Sydney Harbour, west of the Harbour Bridge, was a convict prison and former shipyard.

                                     Many of the old buildings house the art displays.

The free ferry service was understandably quite popular and the 12 noon ferry we caught was almost full. It is also possible to pay to travel by Sydney Ferries. 
 

North Lawson Waterfalls

For this excursion the train trip from Sydney's Central station to Lawson in the Blue Mountains, took about 1hr 45mins. This walk started beyond the Swimming Centre at the end of St Bernard's Drive, on the northern side of Lawson station.

  The north Lawson walking tracks are quite rough in places, but it is a very pleasant walk even on a cloudy day, as you can see from the photos. The bush walk we did was 7Km, but this will vary depending on the route taken. If you would like a short walk just walk to 'Fairy Falls' and return the same way.

Most of the walking group I was with had a coffee or hot chocolate at this cafe before catching the train home. (It's behind the shops in Honour Ave)

Circular Quay to Parramatta by RiverCat

This excursion is on Sydney Ferries RiverCat  catamaran (express service), which takes you under the Sydney Harbour and Gladesville bridges, on a pleasant 20Km cruise from Sydney's Circular Quay to Parramatta City.

The vessels can hold over 200 people, mostly in the cabin area, but they can get crowded, so we chose a weekday for this outing. We were fortunate that we were able to find a spot outside at the bow, as it’s the best spot if the weather is suitable.

The cruise takes about an hour to reach the wharf at Parramatta. The Parramatta River is tidal to the Parramatta wharf and some services don’t run because of low tides, check for affected services before you travel.

From the wharf (photo left) you can catch a free shuttle bus around Parramatta (the bus operates frequently Monday to Saturday). I suggest you catch the bus to Macquarie Street West (stop3), then walk to Parramatta Park and up the hill to Old Government house, Australia's oldest public building. It was the country residence of the first ten Governors of the colony and primary residence of Governor Lauchlan Macquarie. It has a restaurant/café on the site. (See ‘Walk Parramatta Map’ download, page 2).
The previous stop at “Westfield”, has a good basement food court and a connecting tunnel to Parramatta Station to return to the city by train.

Tip: If you are traveling from Parramatta, leave after the morning commuters. 

More photos near Parramatta ferry wharf