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.
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