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 (4+)
See all- 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
- COAST-GASM. Hike SYD HARBOUR v4. Watson's Bay to Bondi to Coogee. Drinks too!Doyles, Watsons Bay
A weekend of Coast-gasms?!?! I mean, just look at that map. Look at it! It’s sooooo sexy how we can hike beach after beach from Watson’s Bay to Coogee Beach. Hugging… massaging… French kissing the ocean and whales the entire way. I love it!
And I haven’t been to Diamond Bay in yeeeeears. There’s a new Federation Walk (upper right corner pic)! Awesome. Here we go with:
a) SATURDAY: Hiking All of Sydney Harbour v4, WATSON’S BAY TO COOGEE BEACH, 16KMS
B) SUNDAY: v5: Manly Beach to Balmoral Beach with Chinaman’s Beach along the way…. a beach you must visit. Sign up HERE.HIKING SYDNEY HARBOUR.
If you're following along, our "Hike ALL of Sydney Harbour Series” is:
Hike 1, Dee Why Beach to Manly Wharf 16kms (21 June, sign up HERE)
Hike 2, Manly Wharf to Balmoral Beach 13kms (Sign up HERE)
Hike 3, Balmoral Beach to Sydney CBD 15kms
Hike 4, Sydney Opera House to Watson's Bay 17kms (Done)
Hike 5, Watson's Bay to Coogee Beach 16kms
Hike 6, Cronulla Beach to Captain Cook's Landing Spot 14kms (Done)TODAY’S HIKE, IN 2 PARTS.
Watson’s Bay to Bondi Beach. I’m not going to write too much… it’s a classic, and it’s 10/10. Camp Cove Beach. Hornby Lighthouse. Watson’s Bay… and onward down the coast. Vaucluse. Diamond Bay. And onnnnnnn to Bondi Beach. We’ll stop here for some lunch. If you’re keen to join the hike at this stage, that’s cool too. Or if you’re done / peeling away early? This is the time.Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach… possibly THE classic / most popular hike, walk in Australia. Bondi to Tama to Bronte to beach, beach, beach, to a Coogee Beach beer.
THE TRANSPORT.
a) 915am Ferry leaves Circular Quay from Wharf 2. But check the boards just in case. We arrive at 945am at Watson's Bay. Doyle's Restaurant is out meeting point. You can't miss it.
b) If you miss that ferry, relax. Catch the 945am one, and we’ll circle back and retrieve you – but you will miss Hornby Lighthouse.
c) From Watson’s Bay to Bondi to Coogee there are buses galore. Easy to get anywhere.THE OTHER STUFF.
a) Don’t be late. We leave on time / 5mins after. Or consult the map and catch up!
b) The cost. The hike is $10. Cash or PayID.
c) Honour your RSVP. No shows… well, not on at all. It's anti-social. You’ll be nudged out of the group.
d) Fitness matters. There will be ups. Downs. 16kms. Nothing super technical / challenging, so our pace should be pretty good.
e) Stay tuned for post-hike beer plan… Coogee Bay Hotel? DOG in Randwick is great too. I’ll plan it.
f) Bring mates, dates, etc...See you for a beautiful hike and "cheers" with a drink or two. MJ
- Multi-COAST-GASM. Manly Beach to Balmoral Beach. Hike SYD HARBOUR v5 + Drinks!Manly Wharf, Manly
Coast-gasm weekend continues?!?! Yup. Have that elusive multi. The “Spit to Manly Hike” is… So. Damn. Beautiful. And? We’re adding Chinaman’s Beach - one of the sleeper Sydney beaches, and perhaps it’s the best. Let’s do it all and finish at Balmoral Beach to hydrate.
Here we go with:
a) SATURDAY: Hiking All of Sydney Harbour v4, WATSON’S BAY TO COOGEE BEACH, 16KMS. Sign up HERE.
B) SUNDAY: v5: Manly Beach to Balmoral Beach with Chinaman’s Beach along the way…. a beach you must visit.HIKING SYDNEY HARBOUR.
If you're following along, our "Hike ALL of Sydney Harbour Series” is:
Hike 1, Dee Why Beach to Manly Wharf 16kms (21 June, sign up HERE)
Hike 2, Manly Wharf to Balmoral Beach 13kms
Hike 3, Balmoral Beach to Sydney CBD 15kms
Hike 4, Sydney Opera House to Watson's Bay 17kms (Done)
Hike 5, Watson's Bay to Coogee Beach 16kms (sign up HERE)
Hike 6, Cronulla Beach to Captain Cook's Landing Spot 14kms (Done)TODAY’S HIKE.
Manly Wharf to Spit Bridge. So much to see… West Manly Cove Beach, Manly Pavilion, Forty Baskets Beach, Reef Beach which spills into a diverse bush walk in National Park. Harbour views. Secluded Beaches. Wildlife. Mansions on the water to Clontarf and Spit Bridge. Crossing Spit Bridge we’ll enjoy a solid rest at Chinaman’s Beach – you’re in for a real treat. After Chinaman’s, we’ll neighbourhood / bush walk down to Balmoral Beach – another delightful Sydney spot.THE TRANSPORT.
a) 920am Manly Fast Ferry leaves Circular Quay from Wharf 2. But check the boards just in case. It arrives 940am, and we’ll head off from Hugo’s Manly (great restaurant / they will be closed / good place to meet) there at 945am.
b) From Balmoral Beach there are quite a few options – easy to plan on the day.THE OTHER STUFF.
a) Don’t be late. We leave on time / 5mins after. Or consult the map and catch up!
b) The cost. The hike is $10. Cash or PayID.
c) Honour your RSVP. No shows… well, not on at all. It's anti-social. You’ll be nudged out of the group.
d) Fitness matters. There will be ups. Downs. 19kms. Nothing super technical / challenging, so our pace should be pretty good.
e) Stay tuned for post-hike beer plan… The Buena in Mosman is lovely. We’ve also had a nice time at Minsky’s. I’ll plan it.
f) Bring mates, dates, etc...See you for a beautiful hike, beers, and laughs. MJ
