day walks

Bathing Beauties – Enjoying the Best Beaches Near Manly, NSW

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Manly Beach is one of the best-known tourist destinations in Sydney, but Manly is so much more than one big name beach. Walking the Bondi to Manly path revealed Sydney to me and delivered more hidden coves and glorious beaches than I ever knew existed.

If you are after some sun, sea and sand, head to Manly and take your pick of eight different beaches – all within an easy 15-20minute walk of the Manly Wharf.

Grab your sunnies, towel and sunscreen – we are off to absorb some Vitamin Sea.

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Walking in a Whole New World – The Pipeline Track from Glen Davis to Newnes, Wollemi National Park

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I have been off the beaten track quite a few times in my life, but rarely have I experienced being so far ‘off’ that there is scarcely a track at all. What an adventure!

The Pipeline Track is a rather uninspiring name for a walk. Don’t be fooled. This path delivers breath-taking views of soaring sandstone cliffs plunging down into hidden valleys and breath-taking climbs to match.

Let’s go…

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Stepping Back in Time and Into Goldrush Gulgong, Central West NSW

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It’s time to continue my love affair with the stunning Holtermann Collection – a 3,500-strong collection of glass plate negatives developed (see what I did there?) in the 1870s.

The Holtermann Museum in Gulgong celebrates the images that were captured during Gulgong’s roaring goldrush days in 1872. An extension of this excellent museum is a small brochure that takes you outside the museum’s walls and onto the historic streets.

Grab your camera and join me on the Holtermann Trail…

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A Wee Wander in the Wilderness, Wellington, Central West NSW

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By now you may be well aware that I don’t mind a walk when the opportunity presents itself. Even better if the walk is through the Aussie bush and it is a path I have been meaning to explore for years.

Old water ski boat
Waterskiing circa 1968

When I was a kid, our family were keen waterskiers and we would regularly make the weekend pilgrimage to Burrendong Dam near Wellington in Central West NSW. The road would take us through Wellington, past Mt Arthur and its surrounding hills. Yes, I could have spent the journey admiring the scenery, but more likely I was jumping out of my skin with the thoughts of the day ahead filled with skiing and generally frolicking in the water.

Much time has passed since those days and now it’s high time we make Mt Arthur our destination, exploring the rough beauty of the Aussie bush.

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A Sunny Stroll Around Historic Hill End, Central West NSW

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A well-to-do family in Hill End. Source: Holtermann Collection
A well-to-do family in Hill End. Source: Holtermann Collection

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that bring the most joy. A stroll in the sunshine through historic streets with your significant other is hard to beat. Our ‘built’ history in Australia is relatively new in comparison to many other places around the world, but it is still fascinating to us Aussies and provides an excellent insight into our times past.

Join me for a gentle stroll along the goldrush-era streets of Hill End.

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Be careful how you say it…Walking to Shot Hole Canyon in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

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Sadly, for me anyway, today’s stroll is almost the last in my series focusing on our Western Australian adventure earlier this year. This path, and its stunning views, was a fitting way to end our tour and, once again, opened my eyes to the hidden beauty of our sprawling country.

It’s a cooler and slightly overcast day today, perfect walking conditions, but don’t forget your hat and sunscreen.

Let’s go…

The Path to Shot Hole Canyon in Cape Range National Park
Up on the plateau with the sea in the far distance
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Two Short & Scenic Strolls in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

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Unfortunately our Western Australian adventure is coming to an end. Before we wave goodbye to the deep reds of this remote state, we lace up our walking shoes for another couple of short walks in the Cape Range National Park.

Grab your hat, we’re off…

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Exploring the Great Outdoors – Mt Bruce, Karijini National Park, Western Australia.

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The adventure through Karijini National Park continues and instead of scrambling, down, down, down into gorgeous gorges, today I am taking you on a scramble up, up, up to the very top of Punurrunha or Mt Bruce.

Grab your water bottle, slap on your hat and slop on some sunscreen. We are off to scramble up a bloody great hill…

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Exploring the Sydney Coastline – Bondi to Manly Path – Stage 7, Spit Bridge to Manly Wharf

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Oh dear, we have arrived at the penultimate stage of the Bondi-to-Manly path. What am I going to do when this little jaunt is over?

Yep, find another path to walk and, boy, I am planning a beauty! Stay tuned as I plot and plan a wee +1 000km stroll through the Aussie bush.

But, back to the path that stretches out in front of us and the jewel of Sydney Harbour on our right-hand side.

We are heading to Manly…

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Exploring the Sydney Coastline – Bondi to Manly Path – Stage 6, Taronga Zoo to Spit Bridge

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My love affair with this fabulous path continues although it is a little tinged with sadness as I get ever closer to my final destination, Manly Beach. But let’s not think about the end and just enjoy this stupendous walk for now.

Today’s stage was quite a surprise as it is more like a bushwalk than an urban walk. Who would have thought so much gorgeous virgin bush could be found in the heart of a city of 5.3million people?

Let’s go…

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Exploring the Sydney Coastline – Bondi to Manly Path – Stage 4, Darling Point to Kirribilli

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Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House

At last I had the time, energy, and the restrictions of Covid19 were staring to relax, to once again set out on the glorious Bondi to Manly path. So far I had only completed three of the eight stages and it was not calling my name, it was screaming it at full volume!

In the 12 months since I walked the early sections, major changes have been made. New signs popped up at regular intervals and a new app helped keep me on track if/when I became distracted by the beautiful scenery or the signs were not where I expected them to be.

Grab your hat and water bottle, and let’s enjoy some more stunning Sydney sights…

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More Steps Through Paradise – Kiama Coast Walk, Day 2

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Views of Werri Beach Kiama Coast Walk
Looking along Werri Beach, Gerringong

Following on from yesterday, today we continue our bracing stroll along the Kiama coastline. It’s a walk that just keeps on delivering stunning views and makes you glad to be alive.

Slap on your sunscreen, fill up your water bottle and walk with me…

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