Mixed Up History: Balmain to Abbotsford - Wonders of Sydney! 14KM Easy/Medium

Mixed Up History

Balmain to Abbotsford: Wonderful History of Sydney!

14KM Easy/Medium

We catch the ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 5, Side A to Balmain East Ferry Wharf. We head into historic backstreet and commence our exploration of the Balmain/Birchgrove Peninsula with Mort Bay and Ballast Point, taking views rarely seen of the CBD.

Points of interest, including Dawn Fraser Swimming Baths, pass us by on our way through to Iron Cove Bay and Drummoyne where, 7KM in, we stop at the local shopping strip for a 40-minute lunch stop/bathroom break.

Following lunch, we cross Victoria Road into the backstreets of Drummoyne and strike out for Gladesville Bridge, perhaps the first ever computer designed bridge. Under the bridge we skip past Russell Lea and check out Chiswick, entering Abbotsford at a mansion linked to the poet/novelist Sir Walter Scott (d: 1832) and the biggest chocolate factory in the Southern Hemisphere. The chocolate is long gone, unfortunately.

We end our tour of these historic suburbs, spread around the southern harbour, at Sydney Rowing Club (has superb harbour views) for a refreshment, or two. Abbotsford Ferry Wharf is 50 meters away, with a delightful ferry trip back to Circular Quay departing every 30 minutes.

The 504 bus also departs for Burwood, from just outside the Club at regular intervals.

Distance: 14KM

Type of Walk: This Sunday Walk is filled with great variation: Heritage suburbs, great characters, famous houses and stuff like that!

Difficulty: Easy, peasy.

Walking Pace: We will average 4KM per hour and check all this stuff out.

Meeting Place and Transport: We meet at Wharf 5, Side A, Circular Quay at 10:30AM, with our Ferry departing at 10:42AM arriving Balmain East Ferry Wharf 10:54AM. Please, be on time and remember we are going to Balmain East Ferry Wharf, which is distinct from Balmain Ferry Wharf!

What to bring/wear: Trail runners/good walking shoes; 1.5 litres of water, refill along the way; hydrolytes; lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim.

Plenty of food options at our lunch stop.

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Sydney Rowing Club

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Questions? Leave a comment below. I will post my mobile number closer to the day.

Ted :)