RAN Heritage Centre

 NB Centre may be still be closed

Sydney.com: 'The RAN Heritage Centre is currently closed due to council wharf redevelopment and will remain closed until further notice. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Navy Heritage at navy.heritage@defence.gov.au. '

Only a seven minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, is The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre, Garden Island. The Main Building, former 1922 Gun Mounting Workshop, houses the exhibition gallery and the 'Salthorse Cafe'.

 

The centre holds over 3000 artifacts, including the conning tower of one of the three Japanese submarines that penetrated Sydney Harbour in 1944.  (above right - diving air supply equipment)

Krupp Field Gun (circa 1889) captured in Rabaul in 1914

 A fully operational Oberon Class submarine periscope has been installed. which allow visitors an unusual view of Sydney Harbour.               Photos from our previous visit to Garden Island
 

The Spit to Manly

This popular walk from The Spit Bridge, Mosman, meanders around the harbour foreshore of Clontarf, through part of Sydney Harbour National Park, to Fairlight and Manly.

The Spit Bridge, Middle Harbour

The Spit Bridge (completed in 1958) opens several times each day to allow the passage of tall-masted vessels.

This scenic 10 Km walk has numerous entrance/exit points which would enable a shorter walk.

We caught a bus from the city and returned by ferry.

          The Manly Scenic Walkway   map and info

           Walking Coastal Sydney also has a good pdf with map and notes

            WildWalks link

Centennial Park and Labyrinth

On this return visit to Sydney's beautiful Centennial Park, I was looking forward in seeing the 260m sandstone labyrinth. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has a single pathway leading to the centre. There are more than 1,700 stones of 80 different shapes and sizes in the pathway designed for quiet reflection and exploration.

The weather was cold and showers threatened, but I enjoyed my visit none the less.

The Labyrinth, which was opened in September 2014, was featured in an ABC 'Compass' program 'Walk The Talk'

 Centennial Park Labyrinth 
      Sydney Labyrinth                 park location map   

Link to my previous Centennial Park blog post

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)