Sydney Outdoors Meetup Group

Wondabyne to Woy Woy via Pindar Cave and Kariong Brook Falls! 23KM Hard

We catch the Central Coast Train departing Central Station at 7:52AM, arriving Wondabyne Station 8:57AM.

MEMBERS MUST TRAVEL IN THE REAR-MOST TRAIN CARRIAGE, IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. AS THE TRAIN STANDS AT PLATFORM 8, CENTRAL STATION, THIS IS THE FIRST CARRIAGE THAT YOU WILL SEE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TICKET BARRIER.

WONDABYNE IS A REMOTE TRAIN STATION AND ACCESSIBLE ONLY FROM THE REAR-MOST TRAIN CARRIAGE.

From Wondabyne Station we climb up to the local ridge and make our way to Pindar Cave and check out this amazing location. We then head to Kariong Brook Falls and Tommos Campsite where, 12.5KM in, we stop for lunch. These scenic bush locations deep within Brisbane Waters National Park, are not to be missed!

After lunch it is an 11KM walk via Mount Wondabyne itself, through to Woy Woy Train Station and the Bayview Hotel for a refreshment, if desired. Only the final 3KM of this walk is urban.

Distance: 23 kms

Type of Walk: This National Park adventure is not to be missed. We commence at the only train station in NSW which has no road access; it is this remote!

Difficulty: Hard, because of the distance. There are some moderate climbs, which we will manage at a reasonable pace to enjoy the environment.

Walking Pace: We will average 4.5 km per hour. A bit slower on the climbs and a bit faster on the flat parts.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Central Train Station as set out above. CHECK THE DEPARTURE BOARD ON THE DAY, IN CASE OF DEPARTURE PLATFORM CHANGE.

If joining the train from another station, remember to ride in the rear-most carriage in the direction of travel. PLEASE PLAN TO BE EARLY RATHER THAN 'JUST ON TIME' FOR THE START.

Transport out is by train from Woy Woy Train Station.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/trail runners; 2-3 liters of water, no refills at both breaks; hydrolytes; one snack and lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim. MEMBERS MUST BRING ALL FOOD AND WATER; THIS IS A WILDERNESS WALK!

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Bayview Hotel

Suggested Donation: $10

By RSVPing to this event, you (and your guests) agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here:

Classic Harbour Walk - Taronga Zoo to CBD – 12km Easy

We start with a ferry ride from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo, from where we work around to Mosman and Cremorne, stopping here and there to check out the harbour and stuff like that!

Some interesting back street get us to Kirribilli where we stop for lunch at one of the harbour's newest parks, based at the old Submarine Base Platypus, which has an excellent location and a clean bathroom. NO SHOPS AT THIS LOCATION, SO MEMBERS MUST BRING YOUR LUNCH.

After lunch we check out the very posh Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and drop in on the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House plus the Governor General at Admiralty House. Who knows, they might invite us in for a toasted sandwich?

Before leaving Kirribilli, we stop at a hidden park for some epic pictures of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Its then up onto the Harbour Bridge deck and walk across to the CBD. We exit the Bridge via Cumberland Street, to avoid the crowds in Circular Quay.

Wynyard Train Station is 100 metres away.

We should complete the walk by about 3:00pm.

Distance: 12 km

Type of Walk: This walk is a relaxed harbour walk.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium. Plenty of get-out points.

Walking Pace: We will maintain a steady pace and average 4 km per hour.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Circular Quay; Wharf 4 Side A, ferry departs at 10:12am.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/boots or trainers; 1.5 litres of water, refill available along the way; hydrolytes; snacks and lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim. WE WILL NOT BE STOPPING AT FOOD VENUES, SO DO BRING YOUR FOOD AND DRINKS.

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: TBA

By RSVPing to this event, you (and your guests) agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here:

Cowan To Berowra with a Classic Fish & Chips Lunch 14KM Moderate/Hard

We meet at Cowan Train Station by no later than 9:50AM, with the train arriving from Central Station at 9:45AM. MEMBERS MUST TRAVEL IN THE LAST TWO CARRIAGES IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE FORWARD TRAIN CARRIAGE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AT COWAN, WHICH IS A SHORT PLATFORM.

We commence with a short walk to Muogamarra Rural Fire Station which is the beginning of the former Sydney Oxfam Trail Walker Section Two. This is the only grade 5 (highest) section in the entire Oxfam 100KM endurance marathon, so we will be proceeding at a moderate pace so all interested members can come along and enjoy this amazing bush experience!

About halfway through we stop at beautiful Berowra Waters, where the (free!) ferry take us to the opposite side of the river and one of the best fish cafes in Sydney, Berowra Waters Fish Cafe. Members can purchase lunch here or eat your packed lunch.

Following lunch, we ferry back across the river and tackle a tough climb out to Berowra Waters Lookout and engage fire trails which lead to a final assault up and into the village of Berowra itself!

Distance: 14 km

Type of Walk: Rugged bush tracks, fire trails, cumulative climb and descent of approximately 1,000 meters.

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

What to bring: Good walking shoes/trail runners; 1.5 – 2 litres of water, refill available along the way; hydrolytes; two snacks and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions, torch.

Suggested Donation: $10.

Pub: Berowra RSL.

By RSVPing to this event, you (and your guests) agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here:

Let's Conquer West Head: Scotland Island, Morning Bay; Great Mackerel Beach! 18km!! Medium/Hard

In mid-Winter the time is just right to conquer the majestic West Head wilderness parks and have a snoop around some of Sydney's most amazing hideaway destinations!

We meet at Church Point Ferry Wharf in time to catch the 10:30AM ferry ($12) for a trip around Scotland Island then onto Hall's Wharf in Morning Bay. Off the boat, it's a 4KM hike out, along Towlers Bay Trail to West Head Road, which we follow for 7KM to Resolute Picnic Area and a bathroom. We take our lunch break here.

After lunch we head to Koolewong Lookout, for sweeping views into the Hawkesbury river mouth, Lion Island and the Central Coast. We then hit the Red Hands Track, stopping to inspect the intriguing Indigenous Art in Red Hands Cave and follow Resolute Trail down to Great Mackerel Beach, 5KM away.

From here we wait for our ferry back to Palm Beach ($9:70). We end the day at Club Palm Beach for a refreshing drink and wait for the bus back to Manly and the City, which departs regularly from the bus stop just outside the Club.

Distance: 18KM

Type of Walk: This is a full day adventure. There is a 7KM section along West Head Road with the rest bushwalks and scenic ferry rides. Not to be missed!!

Difficulty: Medium/Hard, because of the distance but we will not be sprinting! There are no get out points.

Walking Pace: We will maintain a steady pace all day and average 4.5 km per hour.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Church Point Ferry Wharf in time for the 10:30AM ferry departure. From the City, members would catch the B1 bus through to Mona Vale and change to the 156 Service through to McCarrs Creek and get off at Church Point Ferry Wharf.

PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY AT CHURCH POINT IN THE MORNING: there is great coffee and breakfast available. The transport sections, buses and ferry rides are one of the highlights of this great day out!!

What to bring: Good walking shoes/trail runners; 2.5 litres of water, (no refill available); hydrolytes; two snacks and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim. NO FOOD SHOPS ON THIS WALK, SO MEMBERS MUST BRING ALL FOOD/SNACKS/WATER.

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Club Palm Beach

By RSVPing to this event, you (and your guests) agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here: