Sydney Outdoors Meetup Group

Sunday Fitness Walk: Parramatta - Lake Parramatta - Parramatta 18KMs (Medium)

We meet at Parramatta Railway Station and stroll through town, checking out architecture, parks and friendly locals. At Parramatta River, we head West and begin a classic river walk, through beautiful parks. There's a spectacular bat colony. Lots of ducks and swans. And many points of history to note. This is one of the very best river walks in Sydney - no doubt about it.

At Cumberland Hospital, we hit a fresh trail which leads to the headwaters of the Parramatta River, the confluence of Toongabbie Creek and Darling Mills Creek after which skirt around the boundary of Westmead Hospital and follow Darling Mills Creek to Windsor Road which we cross, at North Parramatta, and climb to the entrance of Lake Parramatta Reserve.

Who knew there is a lake at Parramatta? Not me! And its not just any lake. It is spectacular! We stop for a 30 minute lunch and soak up the atmosphere of this hidden Sydney gem.

Following lunch, we take on the 4.5km Lake Parramatta Circuit, a grade 1.5 track through truly unique bush, shadowing the lake foreshore before walking local backstreets to Parramatta CBD.

This walk is a real surprise packet, not to be missed. It always puts a smile on members face. After a tasty beer we head to Parramatta Train and Bus interchange.

Distance: 18kms

Type of Walk: This Sunday Fitness Walk is filled with great natural beauty, river walks, a surprise lake and and points of urban interest.

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

Walking Pace: We will maintain a relaxed pace all day and average 4 km per hour.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Parramatta Railway Station, by 10:00am. Please gather outside the ticket barrier at the main station entry/exit which connects through to Westfield. We return Sydney by bus and train.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/boots or trainers; 1.5 litres of water, refill at Lake Parramatta; hydrolytes; one snack and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim. MEMBERS SHOULD BRING LUNCH AS LAKE PARRAMATTA KIOSK, IS NOT ALWAYS OPEN.

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Club Parramatta - BRING PHOTO ID

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:

Epic Bushwalking: St Ives Chase to Mount Colah 15km Medium/Hard

Our starting point is Gordon Train Station from where we take the 195 Bus departing Stand A at 10:10am to the track head in St Ives Chase. Form here it is a 7KM hike along spectacular Cowan Creek, and pristine bush to Bobbin Head for clean bathrooms, a Cafe and our lunch stop.

MEMBERS CAN PURCHASE FOOD AND COLD DRINKS AT OUT LUNCH STOP OR ENJOY YOU PACKED LUNCH.

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: 15KM

Type of Walk: Classic Sydney bushwalk 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 4KM hour.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Gordon Train Station, Bus Stand A by no later than 10:00AM in time to catch the 195 Service departing 10:10AM. Transport back is by trains from Mount Colah.

What to bring: Trail runners.trainers; 1.5-2 litres of water (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.

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:

Saturday Fitness Walk: Circular Quay to St Leonards 14KM

We meet at Circular Quay, near Hungry Jacks, by no later than 10:30AM. After crossing the harbour Bridge, we sneak through Luna Park and make our way through to Waverton, via some excellent bus trails, for lunch at the Coal Loader and its clean bathrooms,

NO FOOD AT LUNCH STOP, SO PACK YOUR LUNCH.

We round off the day with another excellent bush walk the day that eventually leads to Royal North Shore Hospital Precinct and on to St Leonrds Train Station.

Distance: 14KM

Type of Walk: This classic lower North Shore Walk has amazing variety.

Difficulty: Moderate

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

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Circular Quay, near Hungry Jacks, by 10:30AM.

What to bring: Trail runners/trainers; 1.5-2 litres of water; hydrolytes; snacks and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim.

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:

Greenway - Iron Cove Bay - CBD: 16KM Medium

From Tempe Train Station, we head along Cooks River. At Dulwich Hill we leave the river and use the newly extended Greenway which runs through Lewisham, Summer Hill, Leichardt and Haberfield, where we enter the Iron Cove "Bay Run" and head into Leichardt Market Place for lunch.

MEMBERS CAN PURCHASE LUNCH AT OUR LUNCH STOP, IF YOU WISH.

Leaving Leichardt behind, we head through White Creek to Rozelle Parklands and cross the ANZAC Bridge, into Pyrmont. Through Pyrmont, we cross Pyrmont Bridge at Darling Harbour and end the walk at the QVB Building entrance to Town Hall Station.

Distance: 16 km

Type of Walk: Shared pathways, rivers and creeks.

Difficulty: Medium.

Walking Pace: We will maintain a steady pace all day and average about 4,5KMH.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at exit Tempe Train Station by 10:30AM.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/trail runners; 1.5 litres of water, refill available; hydrolytes; one lunch (or, purchase at Leichardt); energy bar; light rain jacket; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim.

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: