Browns Down Under!

Watson's Bay

Watson's Bay is on the west side of the southern point of entrance into Sydney Harbor, also known as "South Head" and has Hornby Lighthouse. Manly Beach in on the point of the "North Head", the northern side of the entrance to Sydney Harbor. Our trip to Watson's Bay started with a bus ride to Neilson's Park, home of Shark Bay and Shark Beach. Then we walked the 7 or 8 miles along the coast, passing several coves, beaches and bays along the way. Including Lady Bay Beach which turns out to be a male nude bathing area. Tom declined a swim there!! There are so many beautiful beach areas here we will probably not get to see all of them.


This is the east end of Shark Beach looking west. There are nets up around the swimming area, presumably so people can swim safely without fear of being shark bait.

I am out on a rock, outside the "safe" area, living dangerously, on the west end of the beach looking east.

This is Tom enjoying the beach in his own special way, shade, cool "sunnies" (the local lingo for sunglasses) and a good book. While Tom rested, I hiked around the point to look back west towards the city. And also to find the Greycliff House in Neilson's Park. It was a commissioned house for the daughter of Wentworth (a famous name here in Sydney) built in the Gothic style in 1851, but the couple never lived in it and it became a home to mothers and babies then the government bought the property in 1911.


Sydney from the west side of Neison's Park.

The Greycliffe House. There was an underground cistern with a underground passage way to the basement kitchen.


Leaving Neilson's Park we walked thru some neighborhoods, very beautiful houses, also around and through Wentworth's Mausoleum where we met several young teen girls on their way to the beach. They were very chatty and 2 of them were from the USA, so they wanted to know about our trip. Anyway they were particularly "spooked" by the mausoleum. Quite funny actually. We also went over Parsley Bay suspension footbridge. There are very well maintained paths around all the bays and beaches, makes for very enjoyable walking.

We made it out to the South Head, it was very windy, Tom is holding on to his hat! The city is behind him and then handing him the camera he took my picture with the North Head visible behind me.



Tom on the edge of the South Head contemplating the secrets of the ocean? Looking towards the North Head.

Out on a point between Camp Cove and Lady Bay Beach, with the beautiful bay and the Sydney skyline in the background.

This is the Hornby Lighthouse.

We then hiked back to Watson's Bay, looking out toward the dock where the ferry would come into port.


Tom relaxes on the ferry, no more walking for today. The ferry takes us back to Circular Quay, where we would get the train back to Strathfield.


The view of Watson's Bay leaving on the ferry, the houses on the hill side are fantastic! love the red terracota roofs and the blue sky!!

Coming back into the city, greeted by the ever present and amazing view of the Sydney Opera House.

posted by Thomas G Brown @ 8:34 PM