Goat Island Heritage Tour

I worked in North Sydney and lived at McMahons Point for about 4 years... I was very lucky to have views or Sydney Harbour and the opera house, as well as all the little islands that dotted the harbour. I never once stop to think - What is on those islands...

10 years later, I finally decided to check out what had been in my back yard all those many years ago. I always was blind to Sydney's historical side. distracted by the fast pace life of the city.

I took my Mum and my Aunt with me on this walking tour of Goat Island. It was used. Like most things historic in Sydney, this island has a lot of history tie up in Convicts and military. The island was never overly inhabited, but a few houses are built here (Absolutely beautiful).

A hell of a lot of explosives were kept here on this island, that was its main use.

Its most famous use in recent history was its icon place in the Australia police drama 'Water Rats'.

It is now a part of the Sydney Harbour National Park and a protected space.

Govetts Leap

Drive in a big U shape for 10 min from Evans Lookout and you will arrive at Govetts Leap Lookout. Save this one for last. It's my favourite. I think the waterfall just adds that extra bit of ompf!

Govetts Leap allows you to get closer to the action -so to speak. There are many more walking tracks that can take you closer to the waterfall and down the mountain.

I recommend wearing good solid hiking boots or hiking trainers as the tracks can get very muddy and boggy - leading to slippery rocks and landings. I would also say a moderate level of Fitness is required to hike around here as it can be steep and tricky to manoeuvre - BUT WELL WORTH IT.

Make sure you take sufficient supplies with you - food and water. Its only a short drive into the town, but its best to stock up, just in case. Govetts Leap is also popular for picnics and family day outings.

Evans Lookout

I'm perched on the end of sandstone cliffs looking out over the Grose River Valle, The sun is setting and the colours that I see in front of me begin to play tricks with my eyes and dance through the spectrum of the rainbow.

Cliffs that were just a few moments ago yellow are now flushed with hues of pink and rose. Clouds that appeared ominous and wary are now tinted with gold and purple.

We are standing at Evans look out at Blackheath. Its about a 10min drive from Katoomba. What a magical place. There is almost some prehistoric about this view. A natural landscape that has formed millions of years ago is now being taken in by me and my friend, Peter.

We just sit in silence and let the power of the view engulf us.

If you're a yogi or into meditation - This is a perfect place to centre yourself and practice.

It is a very popular look out for tourists who are driving up from Sydney (or back to Sydney) and will only take a few moments (or hours, if you become awe struck like us) of your time to stop and really appreciate how magnificent mother earth really is!

There are plenty of hiking tracks around this look out also - Excellent hiking tracks, I think most are for some-what experienced hikers, but there are smaller trails that you can walk through to take in the bushland around you.

The 3 Sisters

The central hub of the Blue Mountains and on of the most famous pulling cards is the Three Sisters. The three sisters is located at Echo Point in Katoomba. A purpose built lookout and tourist facilities are available around the look out - there are many vantage points to take in the spectacular views, so be sure to walk around.

I remember coming to visit The Three Sisters when I was younger with my family, The rock formations are still just as impressive as they were through my younger eyes. There is a local Aboriginal legend about the rock formation, that lead to its name.

"The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry. The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle.

As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witchdoctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm. While he had intended to reverse the spell when the battle was over, the witchdoctor himself was killed. As only he could reverse the spell to return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come."

The Three sisters are massive! standing at nearly 1000m tall each they stand guad over the valley.

I would recommend visiting The Three sisters at Dusk or dawn - you will see the variation in colours as the light bounces from the different textured surfaces.

If you're in Katoomba and on a budget the local website  for the Blue Mountains has a great page - Top 10 things to do for Free - www.bluemts.com.au - There is also lots more information about accommodation and tourist tips.

 

 

The Remnant Wall He Bie

I'm always up for a challenge and some adventure. After climbing The Great Wall at Badaling, the hostel hostess suggested I might like to to see the Remnant Wall and go for a bit of a hike. Sure! This sounds amazing. I handed over 100RMB (about $15AUD) for a private driver and a local villager to take me on this trek.

He Bie is about a 30min drive from Badaling - There isn't too much there, from what I could see. It is a rural area with no tourists. We picked up my guide (who didn't speak English, so I couldn't get his name and headed out to the starting point for the trek.

We pulled up pretty much just on the side of the road... looking for a pathway or something, I asked (or gestured) where are we walking... My guided pointed into the thick jungle like scrub... AWESOME!

After about 45min of climbing up the side of the mountain (from what I could work out its close to 1000m high) we finally reach the ruins of The Great Wall. I stood, catching my breath, for a moment and took in the majestic beauty of where I was. In the middle of no-where, on the top of a mountain, staring at the wall.

My guide popped into the bush - I assumed to go to the bathroom, only to return with a can of beer. He had a secret stash! AMAZING! So we sat on the wall for a bit, in the shade... while I was over-coming my dumb-struck view of the world and he sipped on his warm mountain beer.

This by far was the BEST experience I had in China. We hiked up the wall to the 9th tower (before we had to turn back after running out of water)

This is a HARD hike. Most of the time I was crawling on my hands and knees and half of the wall was missing, but it's so amazing! I recommend you do it, it show you a view of the world that will take your breath away.

Royal National park and Harbourfront lunch Wollongong

Are you looking for something different to do on the weekend?

If you live in Sydney or are travelling around Sydney - take a weekend break and head south! Pack your trainers or hiking shows into a small rucksack with a bottle of water and some snacks, because you are about to see some of the most scenic and fun hiking trails in the Royal National Park!

The Royal National Park is a 50min drive south of Sydney. You will need to pay to get into the park (as  is with all National Parks in NSW) the daily entry fee is $11 AUD (if you intend on visiting a lot of National Parks if may be worth looking at getting an annual pass.)

We did the Werrong Beach Track - Amazing! Its only 2km but it is a hard walking track. It starts at the top of the cliff at Otford lookout. Take a camel back and snacks with you as well as your bathers - the secluded beach at the bottom is will be tempting as a rewarding dip when you get to the bottom of the track.

You will be hungry after that hike and swim - So swap your hiking boots for some comfy flats and continuing driving south to Wollongong - head to the Harbourfront. The Harbourfront has casual and fine dining options. We sat in the cafe section and indulged in courgette flowers stuffed with gooey goodness, gnocchi and a delish sticky date pud for dessert. the Cafe is Veggie friendly but not some much Vegan Friendly. it is a little pricey - but the food is amazing, and you do get what you pay for - delicious goodness!

Sydney Coast Walks

There is something incredibly peaceful about being on or near the water. I'm sitting at Cronulla Ferry wharf, waiting to meet with Ian who runs Sydney Coast Walks. I purposely arrived early so I could sit for a few minutes and take everything in. 

I'm a big advocate for 'exploring your own backyard'. I've lived in NSW for many years now, and after a moment of sitting at the wharf, I felt bad that I had never ventured down to this part of Sydney. Cronulla is in Sydney, a 40 minute drive south of the city centre.

Today I was taking park in the Jibbon Aboriginal Walking Tour from Royal Coast Walks. We were heading out across the water on the historic ferry to the small sleepy town of Bundeena where we would then walk along the beach and cliffs through the Royal National Park. 

Ian Wells (who is also a founder of the company) is your experienced guide. He is an extremely experienced trekker and his passion for the outdoors has you excited from the moment you say 'Hello' to him!

His knowledge of the local aboriginal people and culture is amazing! He has spent many years building relationships with local elders and people to gain insight and knowledge about their traditions and history.

The groups are small and friendly and Ian makes sure that everyone is introduced to each other. As our group walk through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Australia, we all feel comfortable to chit-chat to each other about why we are on the tour and our trekking experiences.

The tour gives insight into customs and practices of the local aboriginal people, as well as rivalries and Dreaming stories. You are introduced to 'bush tucker' and local plants that were used for medical ailments.

My two highlights on this tour were the Dharawal Aboriginal Engravings (which are over 1000 years old) and the breathtaking views from the headland out into the ocean and over Sydney city.

The Jibbon Aboriginal Walking tour runs for a few hours - I would plan a half day for it, better still take a full day and enjoy walking around Cronulla after wards. The tour also comes with a 'goodie-bag' with information about the local area and maps. Light refreshments are provided at the midpoint of the walk and it is recommended to bring 500ml to a litre of water with you.

Sydney Coast Walks also run other walking tours as well as overnight camping tours through the Royal National Park (I am definitely going to give this a go). To check out the Jibbon Aboriginal Walking tour details as well as other tours please visit their website - www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au