Walkweb

Walk notes by DWP

This is a continuation of the earlier walk from Eltham Lower Park to Heidelberg Gardens following the main Yarra Trail. Again, easy walking or riding along mainly bitumen & gravel surfaced tracks with numerous attractive rest or picnic spots. Of added interest is that this route shares part of the “Heidelberg School Artists Trail” with a number of prominent signboards displaying paintings by various artists.

On leaving Heidelberg Gardens head along the signposted path to Heidelberg Park then cross Beverley Road walk past the Banyule Shared Path sign and follow the easily identifiable Main Yarra Trail.

After a few minutes the path emerges on the footpath at the very busy Banksia St. Turn left past the ‘Greenery’ plant nursery and garden supplies and follow the path as it drops sharply under the road bridge to join the Yarra River. The path then passes through some trees and emerges into open parkland situated between the ‘The Boulevard’ and the river. It is in this section where a number of the paintings referred to above will be noticed some of which are located just off the main path.

Eventually the Trail swings around to follow the river and pass under the Burke Road Bridge. A short while after, cross the pedestrian/cycle bridge to the signpost at the junction of the Main Yarra and Koonung Trails. Turn right at this sign in the direction indicated for the Chandler Highway and the City.

Follow the Trail as it loops around through the trees and after a short walk the Trail is unavoidably forced to follow an unpleasant section squeezed artificially between the Eastern Freeway and the grounds of the Kew Golf Club. Unfortunately no alternative path is available. Eventually however after reaching and passing over Belford Road the path, after Willow Grove, drops down into more open parkland, shielded somewhat by noise barriers, from the incessant roar of the traffic on the freeway.

If walking it is possible to leave the main trail and head along the worn path through the very attractive grassed area alongside the riverbank until it joins up once again with the main bitumen trail below the Chandler Highway Bridge not far from Guide Dogs Victoria.

Follow the path under the Bridge to a junction. Here a choice can be made to either follow the Main Yarra Trail up the steps and then right along Yarra Boulevard or alternatively, if walking, taking the path to the right through the trees along the river bank towards Fairfield Park.

It is well worthwhile however to climb up the steps and follow the Trail along the Yarra Boulevard as it gives the opportunity to visit the ‘Wurundjeri Spur Lookout’ to have a brief rest and enjoy the impressive views of Melbourne city skyline. After taking in the view of the city turn right and make your way down the path that leads to the pipe bridge over the Yarra river at Fairfield. The Fairfield Park boathouse can be seen across the river and it’s pleasant setting offers an ideal spot for a relaxing drink or a meal.

After crossing the pipe bridge walk up the path past the Kayak club to join the Capital City Trail in Fairfield Park the finishing point for the walk.

Fairfield rail station is just a 15 minutes walk through the park, right along Heidelberg Road and then left at Station Street.

Overall a pleasant generally undemanding walk mainly following the banks of the Yarra River with numerous rest spots and access points for shortening the walk or ride if required. The one negative aspect of the walk being that of the background noise from the Eastern Freeway.

Start – Heidelberg Gardens
Finish – Fairfield Park
Off Street parking either end & local stations
Distance Approx 10.5 Kms

Another great walk in Sydney – an 8km ramble from the iconic Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay via some great parkland and coastline with tremendous views.

The walk commences at Bondi Beach and proceeds to the eastern end of the beach, where Campbell Parade is joined. Not long thereafter this becomes Military Road and the next part is a rather steep upward slog until Pindan street is reached on the right as Military Road curves sharply to the left. Follow Pindan Street to the end and then turn right into Raleigh Street which leads into Raleigh Reserve. (You could skip this whole section by catching a no. 380 bus which travels along Military Road, and getting off near Pindan or Raleigh Streets.)

The walk then follows the impressive coastline, dropping back to Military Rd on a couple of occasions where private property blocks the way along the coastline. On the second occasion, cross Military Rd into Dudley Page Park and take in the fine view of Sydney Harbour before leaving the park along some old steps in the north-east corner and then crossing back over Military Rd into Lancaster Road and soon rejoining the coastline.

At Oceanview Avenue, don’t go back to Military Rd, but instead take a right into Ray St; where this road curves to the left there is a path that follows a wooden boardwalk and steps that go around Diamond Bay. A short road walk is then required along Marne Street and Jensen Avenue before reaching Christison Park. (If you click on the Google map below, check out the message to Google written on the basketball court at the north end…)

Immediately after Christison Park is Macquarie Lighthouse (first lighthouse in Australia). The lighthouse reserve is private property, but you can get a good look at the lighthouse from the path. From here it’s pretty much downhill through some pleasant remnants of bushland at Signal Hill Reserve to where the path again meets Military Road at the Gap. At this point you can catch a bus back to Dover Heights or the City, walk downhill through Robertsons Park to Watsons Bay and catch a ferry or have a beer at the pub, or if feeling energetic, enter The Gap Park and take the steepish clifftop path to a nice vantage point.

All in all, I found this a very enjoyable walk on a warm Sydney afternoon – highly recommended.

Walk date: 30 Jan 2010
Distance/level: About 8kms, took me around 2 hours, easy/moderate
Map: Not required – see Google Map below for outline of route.
My rating: A

Access: Bondi Beach can be accessed via bus from Circular Quay (routes 333 or 380), or train to Bondi Junction and then bus (routes X84, 333, 380, 381 or 382). If you want to start the walk at Raleigh reserve, bus no.380 is the one that continues along Military Road. This is also the bus that can be taken at the end of the walk to return to the CBD, but if you’re going back to Circular Quay, I’d recommend taking the ferry from Watsons Bay instead.

Further resources:
Official NSW Walks site for this walk
Map of applicable bus routes (pdf)

The route on the map below was hand plotted is intended as a general guide only

View Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay in a larger map

This is an absolutely terrific walk in Sydney that starts at the Spit Bridge and wends its way along the foreshore of Sydney harbour to Manly. There are tremendous views of the harbour, secluded beaches and attractive bushland tracks. Thoroughly recommended, and at 9.5 km an easy/moderate walk. There are plenty of spots to rest along the way, and Manly itself is worth exploring and provides lots of options for refreshments. A trip on the ferry from Manly to Circular Quay is also very worthwhile.

The walk commences at the Spit (as in ’sandspit’) Bridge in north Sydney. Access to here if you are a visitor to the city is probably easiest by bus or taxi. The walk starts at the eastern side of the bridge in a clearing and then basically follows the foreshore for the next 3-4 hours. The path is generally well marked – it’s also pretty hard to get lost, if it looks like you’ve lost the track, just retrace your steps until you locate it again.

The official site for the walk is here.

Walk date: June 13, 2009
Time/level: Around 3-4 hours, easy/moderate, approx. 9.5km
Map: not required
My rating: A+

After completing the walk and a couple of beers at the Bavarian beer cafe I took the ferry to Circular Quay. It was early evening and the  light was superb allowing for some nice photos of a couple of Sydney icons.

(Walk notes by DWP)

Westerfolds park is one of an impressive series of Melbourne metropolitan parks all based around the Yarra River that extend from the city out to Eltham This short but enjoyable walk commences from the front of the manor house, now the MIA MIA Gallery and Café.

Walk up from any of the car parks to the native garden in front of the manor house. From here there is an extensive view of the park towards the river and beyond. Head down the grassy hill keeping the BBQ on the left towards a grassy path that cuts through the scrub avoiding a similar path that cuts right. Depending on weather and time of day a group of trees over to the left sometimes have eastern grey kangaroos resting in their shade. Follow the path towards a wooden bench at the first track junction and then continue straight ahead along the path as it meanders through trees crossing other trails along the way. Eventually the path veers towards the right through a treed area, again depending on time of day kangaroos or wallabies can often be observed in the open on the grassy paddocks well over on the left, then join the main trail again just before the observation deck for the river rapids at Kestrel Creek.

Follow the main trail for a short distance then after viewing the river from the observation deck take the path that cuts down to the right from the main path and meanders alongside the river through the bush area, rather than staying on the main trail. Eventually one emerges at a junction with the main trail descending rather steeply from the left. Do not follow the main path either left or right but cut across the trail and pick up a grassy track which heads slightly uphill for a short distance with the river down the steep slope to the right. Follow this path until it merges with a wide gravel track coming in from the left. Turn left and follow this gravel path until after a about a hundred metres or so it crosses the main trail once again. From the junction one can see the manor house up on the hill. Take the path across the paddock immediately opposite and head in a slightly uphill direction keeping the trees mentioned at the start of the walk on your right. Back at the wooden bench turn right and walk uphill to the starting point of the walk in front of the manor house.

A visit to the gallery and/or café is well worthwhile.

Distance about 3.6km
Time, with a dog, about 50 mins no breaks
Dogs to be retained on leash
Keep a sharp look out for snakes, which may pose a danger under certain conditions
Excellent chance of observing kangaroos.
Further information: Parks Victoria park notes

Access: Enter the park via the entrance in Fitzsimons Lane (Melway ref: 33 G2) just after entering there is a sharp turn to the left, which leads uphill to a number of car parking areas and trails.

Westerfolds Park is open every day, including weekends and public holidays, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. During daylight saving the park is open from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM every day, extending to 9:00 PM in the peak summer period.

Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan and is home to a large number of temples and shrines, several of which are World Heritage listed. These sites, combined with some well preserved areas and architecture make Kyoto an attractive city to visit; indeed tourism is a major part of the economy. For foreign visitors, the city’s proximity to Tokyo makes a short trip feasible and very worthwhile.

I found Kyoto to be, like Tokyo, an excellent place to explore on foot. The city tourist association produces a ‘Kyoto City Map’ which includes some recommended walks. I did three of them, described below, and can recommend them all. The three chosen take in all the major attractions of the city, including the Kiyomizudera Temple, the Golden and Silver pavilions and the Ryoan-ji stone garden.

I’ve scanned the relevant parts of the map for each walk – the walk routes are marked by a solid red line.

1. Kiyomizudera Temple and Gion, home of the Geishas

This walk takes in the very popular and World Heritage listed Kiyomizudera Temple as well as the district of Gion, traditional home of the Geishas and many other interesting and attractive temples. I found Kiyomizudera Temple lived up to its reputation – and it was very busy the day I was there (Saturday).

The walk could be started anywhere along the route, but the easiest access points are probably Keihan-Shijo station or walking/taxi to Kijomizudera Temple or Heian Jingu Shrine.

Kyoto Map #1

2. The Path of Philosophy

This walk takes in more temples including the excellent Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion). A large part of the route follows a path by one of the old canals called the “Path of Philosophy”. I found this section to be particularly atttractive.

The obvious points to start this walk are at either end – the southern end is easily walkable from the Heian Jingu shrine, the northern finish point of walk #1 and the northern end is served by a bus stop (Ginkakuji-michi).

Kyoto Map #2

3.The Ryoan-ji Stone Garden and the Golden Pavilion

This walk is based in the Kinkakuji/Uzumasa Area. The two major highlights are the Ryoan-ji Temple and its stone (dry) garden and the Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji Temple (which is a replica, the original was burned down). I particularly like Japanese gardens, and both the Ryoan-ji and Kinkakuji Temples have fine examples that are worth exploring.

Access is via train to Uzumasa Koryuji station or cab. I took the train there and then hopped in a taxi at Kinkakuji Temple (there were plenty available) to return to my hotel.

Kyoto Map #3

Access to Kyoto: Probably the easiest way to get to Kyoto from Tokyo is via the Shinkansen (Bullet train), which takes between two and a half and three hours. If arriving from Tokyo airport on the JR train and continuing straight on to Kyoto, allow yourself plenty of time to change trains – it’s quite a walk from the airport express platforms to the Sanyo Shinkansen tracks that are used by the trains to Kyoto – it took me a bit over 20 mins to transfer and I was travelling fairly light.