What we’re about
Howdy. MJ here. I'm a Chicago fella now +21yrs in Sydneytown living in the CBD (Central Business District)... NOBODY knows Sydney better than I do, cause she's my girl / my lover... Cool bars. Amazing hikes. Great places to eat. Yup. I know it and love it all.
Let's share it together... Perhaps your style is:
*I like long walks on the beach... "*NO. That's so cliche on Bumble."
*I want to hike 30kms on rugged terrain... "*Nah. Too much."
*I want to do a pub crawl... "*F that. I'm too old."
Or?
"I fancy time in Mother Nature exploring beautiful hikes / walks in Sydney while meeting cool people. I want to check out some new bars and hydrate myself with a wine, beer or cocktail at the finale."
If the final statement suits your style??? Welcome to the group. Let's have some fun.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- WHALES, WINE and WORLD CLASS TOMAREE NAT’L PARK HIKE. SHOAL BAY WEEKEND AWAY!Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay
(2 June Message - 1 or 2 spots left - please contact me before booking. Most of us are going up Friday evening and making a weekend of it. You will have to find your own accomodation at this stage. Contact me for a ride - quite a few people are driving.)
Tomaree Coastal Walk is 1 of 13 “Great Walks” as listed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Add the online hiking reviews… the tiktok videos… the insta pics… add legend hike member Helen having (with confidence) hiked more than any of us, and she said “Let’s do it. It’s my favourite hike in NSW.”
With all that ammunition? Shoal Bay & Tomaree is definitely worthy of a weekend away during whale season. Let’s do it.
THE HIKE. As per the hiking experts…
The Tomaree Coastal Walk traverses an ancient volcanic landscape rich in culture and nature, starting at Tomaree Head at Shoal Bay and finishing at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place at Anna Bay. The track weaves along the stunning coastline of Tomaree National Park guiding walkers over lush coastal headlands, across rock ledges and through angophora forests, before arriving at the southern hemisphere’s largest mobile sand dunes at Worimi Conservation Lands.Hikers will be treated to breathtaking scenery including panoramic ocean views, sparkling beaches and coves, unique rock formations and an abundance of flora and fauna including birds, dolphins and seasonal migrating whales.
The multi-day hike is best experienced as a 2-day journey. On the evening of Day 1, we suggest getting liquored up and pulling your pants down at Shoal Bay Country Club!!!
Okay, okay… I wrote that last bit. But you knew that.THE ACCOMODATION
The Ramada Wyndham Shoal Bay (aka The Stumblin' Inn of Port Stephens) is right on the water at our “Hike Start Point”. It’s also directly next door to Shoal Bay Country Club – perfect distance to get pissed then roll into bed. You can check online, but you will not find rates anywhere as close to the group rates they gave me for the Saturday evening. Here you go:
Deluxe Studios - $165
1 Bed Deluxe Waterview - $215
2 Bed Deluxe Bayview (Fits 4 hikers) - $370
3 Bed Deluxe Bayview (Max 6 hikers) - $420I’ll be booking these rooms in the next 10 days with one payment – you’ll have to PayID / Bank Transfer me so I can make one payment at once. I added a couple of extra bucks – like the lunch at Ms G’s where I got cooked, I know there’s going to be some extra hotel fees, and I don’t want to get cooked again.
If you don’t book with the group rates in early April with me… after that? You’re on your own for accommodation (which is cool by me – but hopefully you book something pretty close by). One group booking & one group payment is all it’s gonna be.
THE ”Getting there”
Our last Blue Mountains getaway was a grand success with generous drivers, so I’m confident this trip will be the same. Let’s chip in for their petrol and all that jazz and make them happy. I brought cinnamon donuts for Tony, but I swear Daphne is like the Asian Homer Simpson and the rest of us in the car got her tiny scraps.
We’ve got time to plan, but let’s have 3 pick up spots like Neutral Bay, Chatswood, Hornsby... perhaps Mac Park Metro Stop is best… so a driver can pick up 3 hikers at one location, and off we go. Let’s discuss all this on our facebook group HERE.
Post-hike, there is a bus route that takes us back to the hotel, or we can always go 4 ways into an Uber, cab, etc…THE OTHER STUFF
a) It’s a 2.5hrs drive. We’ll need to leave early as sunset is 430pm on the 14th of June.
b) The entire hike is 27kms. The map in the pics is 16kms for Day 1, ending at a bus stop. Day 2? We can do the other part easy with a hangover.
c) Shoal Bay Country Club looks really cool… no doubt the booze / food menu will suit all.
d) It goes without saying – be fit – the inclines and declines are real. This is proper hiking. There is a 10kms "get out" point at Fingal Bay.
e) Pack your day pack properly… Band Aids, water, towel, extra socks, and all that other stuff.
f) $12 for this weekend getaway… PayID or Cash.
g) Newbies, it's always best to join a hike of mine prior to - get to know our group passion for gorgeous hikes that end in breaking RSA drinking laws - it makes for a better time for all.When I was in Byron Bay, I was told the whale population was under 100 when whaling ceased in the 1970's. When the population recovered and hit 1,000… it exploded from there. Today, approximately 40,000 whales come north each year, and I think we’ll have some great viewpoints to see them in Shoal Bay. This hike looks fucking amazing. Oh, and it’s my birthday hiking celebration… there’s that too!
Suuuuuuuper excited for this one.!!! MJ
- MIDDLE HARBOUR - THE AUSTRIAN CLUB - MANLY DAM: 3 Experiences in One 11kms Hike!Seaforth Oval, Seaforth
I’m patting myself on the back in planning this event / hike, cause we’re gonna absorb three totally different experiences. This is a superb Sunday session of hiking, food and drinks / Mother Nature in Sydneytown:
a) A challenging hike / trail at Middle Harbour to the stunning Bluff Lookout (don't worry if you did our other Middle Harbour Hike - this is a different section);
b) Lunch at one of the best (if not best) schnitzel joints in Sydney at The Austrian Club; and
c) The more scenic, relaxed, lovely side of Manly Dam.THE HIKING – EATING – DRINKING PLAN:
10am – Noon. Middle Harbour Hiking, 5kms. Middle Harbour is stunning, and The Bluff Lookout is the prize at the top that’s not to be missed. Yet be aware – sure it’s close to Sydney’s CBD – but this trail has a serious ascent and will be a bit challenging (from Harbour level to 153metres). It’s the perfect start to build up some hunger for lunch.Noon. The Austrian Club, booked for 30. Wait ‘til you see this establishment – you’ll feel like you’re in rural Austria. It’s so authentic, so friendly, and so delicious. We hiked there a few months back, and no shit a week later it appeared in GOOD FOOD Sydney Morning Herald, and they loved it. Sundays have Austrian music going too – it’s a real laugh. They open at noon – let’s order right away and beat the queue. Their MENU IS HERE. If you want to drop off at this point, no stress – food coma might kick in, and you’ll need a Sunday siesta. I respect that. For the rest of us…
115pm Manly Dam Hiking, 6kms. One hour and 15minutes will be enough to eat / drink a couple of beers then head off to Manly Dam. “Manly Dam, also known as Manly Warringah War Memorial Park, is a freshwater lake and bushland reserve located in Manly Vale, Sydney. Created by damming Curl Curl Creek in 1892, it is Sydney's largest freshwater lake. The dam is a popular spot for various recreational activities like walking, mountain biking, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. It also holds significant heritage value and features diverse flora and fauna.”
Manly Dam will be a relaxed trail hike – a perfect way to end the Sunday. Our walk finishes right on the B1 bus line – easy to head back home.
The LOGISTICS:
a) Be on time. Be safe. Be fit for the ascent.
b) 141 Bus drops right at Seaforth Oval, our meeting point. I imagine there’s parking there too? I don’t know (DIY research drivers). I’ll be on that bus. Please be savvy with the planning apps and find it.
c) Cancels (day before or on the day) / no shows. Nope. Don’t do it. The Austrian Club has my credit card for the reso, and the workers are volunteers – if you RSVP “Attend” then show up.
d) $10 for this one. Cash or PayID.
e) Bring good energy. Bring mates or dates. Chat. And laughs. Let's have some grand fun in Mother Nature.
f) Don't forget "Connections" after the event - maybe a new mate / date awaits.See you for a beautiful and fun Sunday! MJ
