Watson Bay by Ferry - Fish and Chips and the sea breaze

Looking for a lazy Sunday that it still packed with a little bit of adventure, then how about taking a Ferry Ride to Watsons Bay.

Watsons Bay is a beautiful part of Sydney, located right on Sydney Harbor in an area well know for its expensive real estate and neighboring attractions such as The Gap. Also famous for its Fish and Chips Doyles.

Watsons Bay

Getting there:- 

Travelling to Watsons Bay is more of an adventure if you travel by Ferry. A ferry service runs very regularly and can be boarded from several locations such as Circular Quay. I suggest checking the Sydney Transport Info for your best travel options.

What can I do there :-

Why not grab a feed of fish and chips and enjoy the beautiful park or sandy beach. If a sit down meal or a beer is more your fancy then try Doyles or the Watsons Bay Hotel. 

You can stroll up the hill and take in the magnificent harbor views and cliff and views from The Gap.

Mountain Bike Park - Golden Jubilee Field North Wahroonga

A place that I am yet to ride myself and provide a better review of, is the mountain bike park at North Wahroonga.  Head North on Westbrook Ave and follow the long drive into Golden Jubilee Field. There is usually plenty of parking but things do get busy when other sporting events are on in the area.

From the car park take your bike North just off the edge of the back field and you will see the large open area containing the various obstacles.

View over park from rear oval

You can ride directly to the park and enjoy some great riding. There is also some nice fire trails which leave from this area and provide some great downhill.

Park sign

The park consists of three different sections. 

• An area consisting of wooden tracks and other surfaces to practice for off road conditions.
• A pump track with various difficulties giving the rider a real work out.
• Single track of over 800 meters down into the valley

Skills Area

Pump Track

Skills Area

Section of single track

Brooklyn NSW

Some describe Brooklyn as a quaint fishing village or a beautiful riverside community on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. No matter how you describe Brooklyn it offers many adventure for those that seek it.

Brooklyn is situated on the Hawkesbury River just off the F3 freeway, just North of Sydney. It offers some great Sea Food , including Oysters that have been harvested from the river. Accessible via car or catch the train to Hawkesbury River station.

There are several places to eat in Brooklyn, ranging from the local Anglers Arm Pub, several cafe style restaurants and various places to get fish and chips. These places are usually very popular on a weekend.

Parsley Bay

If your after a waterways adventure, then Brooklyn offers a great place to launch your boat or Kayak. Just head to the ramp at Parsley Bay. A well maintained ramp with fish cleaning facilities and plenty of parking for car and trailer.

Beach at Parsley Bay

On the far side of Parsley Bay is a small beach, which is often used by boat owners to launch their tenders for access to their moored vessels. This is an ideal spot to launch Kayaks and explore the river. You can also walk along the coast line here and explore the secluded river side beaches further along.

There are also several marinas in Brooklyn offering various services including Boat Hire. If you en quire beforehand there are several boat cruises that depart from Brooklyn, the Postal Boat being one of the most popular.

Brooklyn offers a section of the great North walk for those keen for some exercise. You can even walk to the Brooklyn Dam or further afield. Or walk around to Parsley Bay if a short walk is more your thing

McKell Park - Brooklyn

If its a picnic spot your after then Brooklyn has several options available. One of my favourites, McKell Park over looks the surrounding river offering a great view. Offering BBQs and picnic tables and often the odd visit from the resident bush turkey's.

McKell Park - View over Parsley Bay

If your after a quick dip in the river then a spot on the water just North of the Marina offers picnic tables and a fenced off river pool.

This site is best suited if you have young children as there is a fabulous playground only meters away.

You can also walk from here around to Parsley bay, or even walk to the top of the hill to check our McKell Park.

Both spots are various nice, but parking can often be tricky on the lower foreshore.

Being a river side village wouldn't be complete without a spot of fishing. Pop into one of the local shops and I'm sure they'll let go a few secret spots. Otherwise the headland around Parsley Bay always seems popular.

What ever your choice of adventure, I'm sure you'll find something to do in Brooklyn.  Even if its to take 5 and enjoy the peaceful waterside community.

Chickens of the Gorge

Ever since I was a kid I can remember seeing chickens on the side of the road in Galston George. At the time I never really understood how they survived in such a remote location, or where they originally came from. Even now 30 years on, I still wonder about the chickens of the Gorge and how they came to be.

Galston George in located in the Northen Suburbs of Sydney along Galston Road between Hornsby Heights and Galston. You can reach the small picnic spot which is the home of the chickens either via Galston Road or if your up for the adventure try the walking tracks that follow the Great North Walk from Hornsby.

Whether you walk or drive you can't really miss the small picnic spot at the bottom of the Gorge. However parking is tight with only a couple of spaces and no other parking options nearby hence why its much more fun to walk in.

There are many stories about how the chickens arrived in the Gorge, with most people believing they had been dumped by local residents. Its hard to know if they come under threat from foxes or other wild animals but some how they survive, possible on the scraps of passing bush walkers.

So if your passing by the area be sure to drop in and say hi to the Galston Gorge chooks.

Quarry Road Track - Mountain Biking

Stewart Ave End

The Quarry Road Track is a well maintained fire trail running through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. It offers a steep downhill run into the valley from the end of Stewart Ave Hornsby, crossing a historic military 'steele' bridge and climbing out the valley ending at Quarry Road in Dural.

The track also links sections of the Benowie Walking Track, so care must be taken where walkers share the trail. Quarry Road Track is very popular with mountain bikers due to its fast downhill sections and is very accessible.

The track is just over 6km in length dropping you approx 150m within the first 2km into the valley below. The track is a mixed of hard packed dirt and sand, with the odd cemented sections in places where erosion is being prevented. I found the climb up towards Dural to be easier then the climb to Hornsby, but this may just be my opinion.

'Steele' Bridge

At the bottom of the valley is a historic bridge which crosses Berowra Creek. If you are exploring the area on foot you can follow the sign towards the Fishponds , which is a large watering hole. Well worth the walk for another adventure. But for the two wheel variety you must stick to the main trail.

As you climb out of the valley on the Dural side there are a few side trails which you  iscan explore if your after a slightly longer ride. But all of them are dead ends but do offer a great view of the valley below.

Tunks Ridge Rest Area

Close to the top of the Dural side you will pass through a camp ground which is available for use, but again more appropriate for another adventure. At the camp ground the track does fork but the Quarry Road gate is signed to the left.

Climb out (Dural Side)

Once on the ridge top, its a simple ride to the gate. Don't take the side track on the left near the trig marker, as it takes you down a steep descent that turns into a walking track, so no bikes. Stick to the ridge and continue to the gate.

Trig Point - Stay to the main trail

From the gate you can either take Quarry road and ride the road, or as the track is more fun, just do a return trip along the track.

Quarry Road End

Dargan Creek Dam

Dargan Creek Dam is an awesome spot to cool off after a day of adventures.  Turn off Bells Line of road, just near the railway line between Clarence and Newnes Junction. Following the trail leads to a large open carpark like area where most people park their vehicles and walk the rest of the way.

At the waters edge you can see across the other side to a massive cliff which the locals jump from into the water. There was also a rope swing nearby when I visited. I don't know how deep the water is but from the height of the dam wall, I don't think you will be touching the bottom anytime soon.

From the Dam wall you can continue down into the Dargan Creek Canyon, which is supposed to be a very easy no abseil canyon.

Remember to take care if you decide to swim as its at your own risk. Don't spoil it for others. Recent posts on other sites indicate that a management plan is being drafted for this area. Hopefully they won't lock us out.

Empress Canyon

If your looking for a quick simple canyon but still after a great adventure then check out Empress Canyon.

Located near Wentworth falls in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, you can easily find parking at the top near the Conservation Hut just off Valley road.

Best to check a couple of Canyon guides for the exact details, as there are a few different ways in.

The canyon itself has an upper and lower section, with the upper section well worth doing as you get a nice drop into the water just before you start the lower section. It also has a couple of nice slippery dip time rapids, just some fun for those that still have the little kid in them.

The lower section starts where the track crosses the creek and continues over several drop ins and a few technical sections where you have to climb down into the water. The climb down has a tape and rope alredy in place, but it did look a little worn.

Towards the end of the canyon there is a final drop in before the main abseil, which is the only real abseil on the whole canyon, but well worth it. There are bolts and chains already seyup, so you just need to feed you rope through. It about a 30 metre drop down to the bottom, and you can decide to go in the waterfall or down the side.

Overall I really enjoyed the canyon and the short swims and drop ins.

The walk out follows the track back up to the Conservation Hut. Its very steep with many stairs but well worth the effort.