Monday, July 27, 2015
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Training Ofxam 2015 Sydney
Seven Bridges + Iron Cove Bay Run!!! – 33 km
This is the sixth in a series of 25-35 km urban trails which explore, in detail, parts of Sydney that may be familiar only because we have driven through them or have heard about them. There is no better way to understand the culture, history, architecture, parklands, built environment and social diversity of our magnificent City, than to walk through it! These walks are relatively long, but the tracks are basically flat making them ideal for anyone who wants to build fitness and burn off those pesky calories, whilst having a great day out.
So, what is this walk all about?
We take on the the famous 7 Bridges Walk, and add a 7 km loop, the Bay Run at Iron Cove Bay. To get going we meet outside Hungry Jacks, near Wharf 4 Circular Quay, at 8:00 am on Sunday 26 July. We head out of the City by crossing the historicPyrmont Bridge, in Darling Harbour. (Bridge 1)
The ANZAC Bridge (Bridge 2) takes us to Rozelle and backstreets which lead to the Iron Cove Bridge (Bridge 3). We can look at the Iron Cove Bridge, but not cross it! That would be too easy. It is about 500 meters across the bridge. But we take the 7 km loop of the Bay Run, to get to the other side and Drummoyne. We immediately take a deserved 20 minute break, at Brett Park.
Refreshed, we head to Gladesville Bridge (Bridge 4), which offers spectacular views along the Parramatta River, east to the City and west to Rhodes. Exiting from the bowels of Gladesville Bridge, it is a short walk to Tarban Creek Bridge (Bridge 5) which takes us to Hunters Hill. Just half a kilometre away is Fig Tree Bridge (Bridge 6), spanning the Lane Cove River and landing at Linley Point. We pass through Burns Bay Reserve, rejoin local roads through Riverview, and head for Tambourine Bay Reserve and Hodgson Park. We stop for a 30 minute lunch at the water’s edge.
After lunch, a bush trail runs north, through Warraroon Reserve to local roads in Longueville and Lane Cove. Heading east, a combination of parks, bush trails and local roads provide a richly varied tour of the Lower North Shore, ending at Lavender Bay and Milson’s Point. Finally, we climb stairs to Bridge 7, the Sydney Harbour Bridge! We cross back to our starting point Circular Quay, and the Paragon Hotel for a tasty beer!
We should arrive back at about 4.30 pm.
Distance: 33 km
Type of Walk: This walk is a full day adventure. About one half is along local roads and one half through parks and harbour trails.
Difficulty: Hard, because of the distance and sustained pace. If you are unsure about the distance but would like to test yourself this is a walk for you: there are plenty of get-out points.
Walking Pace: We will maintain a steady pace all day and average 4.5 km per hour.
Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Circular Quay; see above.
What to bring: Good walking shoes/boots or trainers; 1.5 litres of water, refill available along the way; hydrolytes; two snacks and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim.
Gratuity: There will be a $5 gratuity for this walk.
Pub: Paragon Hotel, Circular Quay, see above.
By RSVPing to this event you agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of Sydney Explorers which you can view here
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. I look forward to seeing you on this walk. I will post my mobile number closer to the day.
Ted.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Sunday, July 12, 2015
TRAINING OFXAM SYDNEY 2015
Walk from Gerringong to Minnamurra via Kiama in Winter!
- 12h ago · 7:15 AM
Gerringong to Minnamurra: the Kiama Walk! - 22 km
Let’s get well out of the City! For the whole day!
We’ll travel two hours south of Sydney and be transported to some of Australia’s most gorgeous rural and coastal landscapes. Our trek starts at Gerringong Railway Station, from where we take local roads up to the town’s southern headland, before descending to Werri Beach. At the northern end of the beach, we cross Werri Lagoon. The local low tide coincides with our visit, so we should be able to cross the Lagoon whilst staying nice and dry! On the other side we enter a truly unique Coastal Track which ends 5km later at Loves Bay, where we take a 15 minute break, and snack on something!
From Loves Bay a further 5km of beaches, parks, stairs and local roads take us past the reliable Little Blowhole and into the local population centre, the beautiful township of Kiama. Here, we have a generous 40 minute lunch on the foreshores of Kiama Harbour. The Big Blowhole is a five minute stroll, for those who can’t resist having a peek!
Replenished with lunch, we step up the pace as we still have 9 km to go. After an easy climb out of Kiama, to Pheasant Point, sweeping views of Bombo Beach open up. We skirt this big beach on local footpaths. At its end we enter trails through a complex of bays and inlets which harbour spectacular volcanic formations, such as The Boneyard and Cathedral Rocks. With the long sweep of Jones Beach behind us, we ascend its northern headland. On the far side we look down on the Minnamurra River, curved around its Namesake Village and twisting again as it empties into the sea. It looks like the Garden of Eden! A short walk to Minnamurra Train Station completes the walk.
Distance: 22 km
Type of Walk: This walk is a full day adventure filled with great natural beauty, coastal tracks, a rich diversity of pristine eco-systems and idyllic coastal communities.
Difficulty: Medium, although we must maintain a good pace all day to ensure we arrive at Minnamurra no later than 5pm. There are no real climbs, just gentle up-hills. A good level of fitness is required.
The only real get out point is Kiama, from where you can train back to Sydney.
Walking Pace: We will maintain a steady pace all day and average 4 km per hour. We must be at Minnamurra by no later than 5:00 pm, to ensure we catch the 5.12 train to Sydney.
Meeting Place and Transport: The train leaves from Central Station Platform 25 at 7.29 am and arrives in Kiama on Platform 2 at 9.46 am. We change for the Gerringong Train, which leaves Kiama Platform 1 at 9.56, arriving in Gerringong at 10.05 am. Please make sure you do not miss the connection to Gerringong, as the next service is an hour later, and will mess up your day! We return Sydney by train departing Minnamurra Station at 5.12 pm, arriving Central Station at 7.18 pm.
What to bring: Good walking shoes/boots or trainers; 2 litres of water, refill at Kiama; hydrolytes; two snacks and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim. Consider some warmer clothing; it may be cool in this area by July. Think about snacks for the return train journey!
Gratuity: There will be a $5 gratuity for this walk.
Pub: As we do not arrive back in Sydney until 7.18 pm on a Sunday evening, this will be a tasty beer free event!
By RSVPing to this event you agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of Sydney Explorers which you can view here
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. I look forward to seeing you on this walk. I will post my mobile number closer to the day.
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