Centennial Park Revisited

Earlier this year I visited what is probably my favorite parkland - Centennial Park - to plan a group walk. 
It was after Sydney had received drought breaking rain, so it was good to see the ponds full again.

Life size statue of Charles Dickens (below)
Sir Henry Parks, 'father of federation,' was friends with Edward, a son of Dickens who had immigrated to NSW. The statue was removed in 1972 and only returned in 2011 after restoration.

The Federation Pavilion (1988)
was built on the site of the proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia on New Years Day 1901. The ceremony took place on a raised platform of Monuya granite, which was latter embedded in the ground.

Centennial Park once displayed 31 terracotta statues, most of which were removed 50 years ago due to damage.

'Sunrise' (right) and 'Sunset' (below) survived on top of nine metre columns, which once flanked the William Street side of the Australian Museum.

You may like to look at my previous post of Centennial Park.

La Perouse

Our walking group recently visited La Perouse which is on the northern headland of Botany Bay.
  This was the starting point for our walk in Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

World War II gun emplacement

 Location Map

La Perouse was named after the French explorer who visited the area in 1788. He arrived at Botany Bay a week after The First Fleet from Britain arrived.

Congwong Bay Beach

Bare Island Fort  was built in the 1880's and latter became a retirement home for war veterans. The island was named from Captain Cook's description of 'a small bare island'. Tours of the Fort are available, mostly on Sundays.

Bare Island, La Perouse

This was my first visit to La Perouse which is about 14km south of Sydney City. After our walk many of us enjoyed fish and chips  before catching one of the frequent buses back to the City.

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

Woodford

We first walked a circuit, which was faint in places, on the southern side of the station. This track in Wilson Glen was dedicated in 1932 by Thomas M. Wilson, as a public reserve for all time in memory of his wife.

Our group then crossed over the railway foot bridge to Memorial Park on the north side of Woodford.

After crossing the highway we walked to Mable Falls Reserve.
The falls have only had a small flow when I have been there, but its an attractive spot none the less.

Mable Falls pool, Woodford

Edith Falls

       
From Mable Falls we continued on to visit Edith Falls before returning to Woodford station. The photo above is from my earlier Transit of Venus Track post.