Sydney Outdoors Meetup Group

Classic Springtime Bushwalk! Turramurra to Mount Colah 20km Medium/Hard

Our starting point is Turramurra Train Station from where we hit the backroads through to the headwaters of Cowan Creek which we follow, through the bush, for 5KM before taking a short break before climbing down to the creek proper.

It is a spectacular 5KM hike, along the creek, to Bobbin Head, where we stop for a late lunch, 13KM in. There are clean bathrooms and a kiosk at this location. After lunch, we have 8KM to go starting with a climb out to Mount Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, then a relatively flat walk through the bush to Mount Colah Train Station.

Distance: 20KM

Type of Walk: This classic Sydney bushwalk is amazing with a few challenges, but we will maintain an even pace throughout the day and make occasional stops to admire the environment.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard. No get out points.

Walking Pace: We will average 4KMH.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Turramurra Train Station by no later than 9:30AM. Transport back is by trains from Mount Colah.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/trail runners; 1.5-2 litres of water (free refill at lunch); hydrolytes; snacks and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim.

THERE IS A GOOD CAFE AT OUR LUNCH STOP BUT NO SHOPS AT OUR OTHER BREAKS.

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Mt Colah Bottle Shop

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:

Sunday Fitness Walk!! Blacktown to Parramatta - 17KM (Medium)

We meet at Blacktown Railway Station, by 10:30 am and locate Blacktown Creek which we follow to Seven Hills, where this waterway becomes Toongabbie Creek.

We then track Toongabbie Creek through Seven Hills and Toongabbie before taking a detour to Winston Hills Mall, where members can purchase lunch and use the bathrooms.

After lunch, we knock off Wentworthville, Northmead and Westmead, before entering Parramatta from the West (Parramatta's most handsome side!) to enjoy a tasty beer.

I find it amazing that we can walk between these two iconic Western Sydney locations and spend so little time on local roads. It took a bit of figuring out, but this track is very special. It is an extended and superb river walk, through verdant freshwater environments.

Come along and have a look!

Distance: 17 kms

Type of Walk: This Sunday Fitness Walk is filled with historical and urban interest.

Difficulty: Medium. The are plenty of get-out points.

Walking Pace: We will maintain a relaxed pace all day and average 4.5KMH.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Blacktown Railway Station, outside the ticket barrier, near MacDonald's, by 10:30am. Home journeys are by train or bus, from Parramatta interchange.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/trail runners; 2 litres of water, no refill until Winston Hills; one snack and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim.

LOTS OF FOOD OPTIONS AT OUR LUNCH STOP, WINSTON HILLS MALL, IF YOU PREFER TO PURCHASE LUNCH ON THE DAY!!

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Club Parramatta - it rocks!

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:

Wondabyne to Woy Woy: Kariong Brook Falls + Mt Wondabyne! 16KM Medium/Hard

This is a classic bushwalk, not to be missed!

We catch the Central Coast Train departing Central Station at 8:48AM, arriving Wondabyne Station 9:57AM.

MEMBERS MUST TRAVEL IN THE REAR-MOST TRAIN CARRIAGE (Car 10).

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 Rifle Range Trail which we follow to Hawkesbury Track and head to Kariong Brook Falls where we stop for lunch. This is an amazing bush location!

After lunch we climb out to Tommos Campsite and strike out for Mount Wondabyne itself which we summit (easy summit) for incredible views east to Woy Woy.

These scenic bush locations deep within Brisbane Waters National Park, are not to be missed!

After Mt Wondabyne, it is a fairly easy (down/flat) 7KM walk 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: 16KMS

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: Medium/Hard. There are some moderate climbs, which we will manage at a reasonable pace to enjoy the environment.

Walking Pace: We will average 4KMH. 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 (Car 10) in the direction of travel. PLEASE PLAN TO BE EARLY FOR THE TRAIN TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.

Transport out is by train from Woy Woy Train Station. Runs back to Sydney every 30 minutes or so,

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:

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

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: