North Head to Manly

City skyline from North Head (telephoto)

The Barracks

                                                 
This Sydney Excursion follows on from my North Head Sanctuary post. The other aspect of North Head is its military history. The headquarters for the Army School of Artillery was established at the North Head Barracks in 1946.
In 1998 it was relocated to Puckapunyal in Victoria, as North Head was no longer considered suitable.

You may also see references to the 'Australian Army Artillery Museum' which was located at North Fort.  It was also moved to Victoria in December 2010.

                                                                                                                               The North Fort Memorial Walk and memorials, honour those who have served in the defence of Australia in both war and peace. It spans the period from Australia's Colonial past, World War 1, World War 2 and Post-WW2 conflicts.                           Peacekeeping Operations and Civilian Services such as the Merchant Navy are included.

The heavy clouds cleared, making the mostly downhill walk back to Many wharf very pleasant. Along the way we passed Collins Beach and Little Manly Cove

Collins Beach, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove

Thanks to Judith who led the group on this interesting and scenic walk

North Head Sanctuary

North Head was the home of the Army's School of Artillery until the late 1990's. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust opened the Sanctuary to the public in 2007.

Sydney Harbour from North Head

The sanctuary provides protection for for the flora and fauna of North Head, which includes an endangered population of  Long-nosed Bandicoots.

 

Bandicoots were once common in Sydney where they foraged in parkland and back-yards but now are declining in numbers, due to numerous threats, including collision with vehicles and predation by dogs, cats and foxes.

Hanging Swamp, North Head

To reach North Head we caught a Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, then a 135 route bus from West Esplanade, near Manly Wharf. Our bus went as far as the entrance to the Old Quarantine Station, so we needed to walk further along North Head Scenic Drive, to North Fort (former artillery museum).
- see the map for Sydney Buses Route 135 (quick search in right hand column)

              Location Map                   North Head Sanctuary info.              Extra photos & frog call video

North Head Sanctuary Foundation -  Flora Walk Brochures

Warrimoo to Sun Valley

On this walk we followed fire trails through the valleys near Warrimoo in the lower Blue Mountains.

Sun Valley is a small, somewhat hidden semi-rural community, not far from Springwood.

Sun Valley Oval & Reserve

Sun Valley Oval (above) is an open area used by the local pony club.  Sun Valley is an unusual landscape, the result of a volcanic vent. The very rich soils have provided excellent native grasslands and magnificent stands of Mountain Blue Gum trees. Reference: Bruce Cameron, Sun Valley, 'The Dictionary of Sydney'

We started this walk at Warrimoo station and walked along Rickard Road, then followed various firetrails through the valley to meet Rosenthel Lane, Sun Valley. We returned to Valley Heights station following a rough reserve track (above) uphill to 'The Chase', then 'The Valley Road'.

Thanks to Judith who showed us this less well known walk.   

                                                        

Location map

University of Sydney

The University of Sydney Quadrangle Building is glimpsed in this photo from Victoria Park Camperdown. (near the intersection of City Rd. and Parramatta Rd.) 

Lake Northam, Vistoria Park, Camperdown

Sydney Law School moved from its Phillip Street building to a new building (below) on the main campus near Fisher Library. It was completed in 2009.

Sydney University's Parramatta Road Gate Lodge (also known as Baxter's Lodge) and gates (below). The Gothic revival style gatehouse was constructed in 1939 - 1940, when the University entrance was changed from the original location, which is now part of Victoria Park.