COASTAL WALK, WHALES & HARBOUR - Watsons Bay to Rose Bay - 11km moderate grade

This incredibly scenic walk offers the very best experiences of Sydney harbour and the rugged coast, plus spectacular ocean views to see the magnificent winter whale migration. We'll be roaming epic coastal cliffs, a secret rainforest, perfect intimate beaches, heritage houses, colonial era military relics, beautiful paths winding through glitzy neighbourhoods, and the magnificent city skyline across our magnificent harbour. Our route will include stops for morning coffee/gelato at Watsons Bay, lunch at the newly restored Nielsen Park beach front, finish at Rose Bay for drinks and great conversation at the stylish pub, and really easy ferry or bus connections for home. A perfect sunday - join us!

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THE PLAN
Arrive by ferry, bus or car to Watsons Bay.

Let's meet at 9.45am at Robertson Park, Watsons Bay - in the covered rotunda structure in the middle of the park, next to the childrens play area and toilet facility (see the location photo in this event's photo gallery).

The day's walking route has a few very different sections each with their own beautiful kind of scenery, which we will do with breaks in between for refreshments.

First we'll walk the idyllic beach and bush trail out to the South Head lighthouse on the dramatic rocky headland facing the ocean, then circle back to Watsons Bay for late morning break at the coffee/gelato bar.

Then we head up the gentle slope on the cliff path to Dover Heights for an epic look at the ocean and rugged coastline - at this height we will have extensive views of the ocean and the whales splashing, leaping and venting their vapour spouts.

And then we wind down a secret rainforest path to emerge at a series of very beautiful parklands along the harbour edge. We'll stop at the newly renovated beach front at Nielsen Park for a relaxed picnic lunch and toilet break. There is a kiosk with takeaway food and refreshments, but it can get busy and service is slow, so might be smarter to bring your lunch.

After lunch we follow the gorgeous Hermitage trail winding along the edge of the harbour, passing groves of banksia trees and rainforest figs, old heritage buildings, and stunning hidden beaches, before coming out at Rose Bay for a total distance of 11km for the day.

We'll aim to finish at Rose Bay by about 4pm, and feel free to join us at the really nice pub for a drink and snacks.

Getting home: right at our finish point and across the street from the Rose Bay pub you can

• take a ferry (departs every 30 minutes) back to the City, or
• frequent buses back to your car at Watsons Bay, or
• frequent buses to Edgecliff station, the eastern suburbs, and Town Hall station in the City.

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IS THIS ACTIVITY RIGHT FOR ME?
This walk has well formed dirt trails, carved stone ramps, and paved paths all the way.

The total distance is 11km, mostly on gentle gradients, but in the second half there are a few short ascents as the route undulates up and down on stone steps along the harbour edge. The overall effort means it is graded moderate - expect slightly tired legs at the end, but overall happy as we take a relaxed pace through a day full of fun experiences, substantial breaks, and lots of pauses to enjoy the extensive scenery.

If you have done at least a couple of 7 - 10km walks on gently undulating terrain, you should be able to handle this one just fine.

If it gets too much there are easy outpoints with bus stops at Dover Heights (5km), Parsley Bay (7km), and at our lunch spot at Nielsen Park (8km).

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TRANSPORT
Arriving by ferry: from Circular Quay take the Watsons Bay ferry service, departing from Wharf 2 at 9.15am, and arriving at Watsons Bay Wharf at 9.38am.

Arriving by bus: from Town Hall Station (Park Street, stand G) take bus route 359 (Watsons Bay service) at 8.59am, arriving at Military Rd, Watsons Bay (adjacent to Robertson Park) at 9.39am.

There are also other direct bus connections from the Eastern Suburbs if you live that way.

See the trip planner at www.transportnsw.info for all public transport connections and times.

Arriving by car: most of the parking at Watsons Bay is ticketed (there are a small number of free parking spots) and usually taken up by 8.30am, so it is possible to get a space but not guaranteed - arrive as early as you can to find one.

At the end of the day there are

• ferry departures every 30 minutes from Rose Bay to the city, and
• frequent bus departures from Rose Bay, either back to your car at Watsons Bay, or to the eastern suburbs and city.

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GRATUITY
Please contribute $10 to help offset the group's operating costs.
You can

• make a PayID bank transfer to the organiser's phone number 0411 600 717 in the 24 hours before you arrive to the event, or
• bring cash on the day.

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BRING

• Opal card for public transport
• your lunch, snacks - there are cafes in Watsons Bay for supplies
• water bottle (refills available along the way)
• hat, sunscreen, sunglasses - even on winter days UV light can be sharp
• insect repellent for when we walk through the rain forest
• warm jacket and pants for later in the day
• towel or pad to sit on the lawn at lunch time

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LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
By your RSVP to this event you agree to the conditions of membership and participation which you can read HERE.