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 points of historical interest.

Difficulty: Medium. Plenty of get-out points.

Walking Pace: We will average 4,5 km per hour.

Meeting Place and Transport: Meet at Parramatta Railway Station, by 10:00am. Please gather outside the ticket barrier near Woolworths Metro/Pie Face.

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:

Saturday Fitness Walk: Manly Ferry Wharf to Taronga Zoo Ferry Wharf – 21 km

From Manly Ferry Wharf we head west, skirt around the Manly foreshore and enter the scenic Manly-to-Spit walk. On gradual ascent, we head for the rugged beauty of Dobroyd Head, passing through Manly Cove, Key-Ye-My Point, Jilling Cove, Wellings Reserve and Forty Baskets Beach. After traversing the Headland, and enjoying the spectacular views into Middle Harbour, we descend to Clontarf Beach for a late morning tea break and bathroom stop.

Leaving Clontarf we follow local pathways to the Spit Bridge then go high on Parriwi road, before dropping into Rosherville Reserve and passing the little hidden gem that is Chinaman’s Beach. Another climb and we drop into Balmoral Beach where, now 15KM into our walk, we take a 45 minute lunch break, to relax and enjoy Balmoral Beach. If the weather is nice, we may extend our break to let the keen swimmers go for a dip!

After lunch the walk out of Balmoral Beach is a challenging set of stairs, leading to the Sydney Harbour National Park, George’s Head, Chowder Bay and Taylor’s Bay. There is much to see! The harbour is so photogenic and soon, the majesty of the Sydney CBD architecture, a certain well-known bridge and an opera house come into frame.

Pressing on we can hear the lively animals of Taronga Zoo, where we stop and wait for the ferry back to Circular Quay to conclude our day with a tasty beer!

We should arrive at Circular Quay by no later than 5:00pm.

Distance: 21 km

Type of Walk: Full day adventure of rich variety, from the beauty of our Emerald Harbour to pristine national parks and beaches. About one third is along local roads, two thirds through national park and harbour side trails.

Difficulty: Medium. If you are unsure about the distance but would like to test yourself this is a walk for you: there are plenty of get-out points.

Walking Pace: Steady pace all day and average 4.5 km per hour.

Meeting Place + Transport: We meet at Circular Quay, Wharf 3, Side B to catch the 9:30AM ferry to Manly. Or meet at Manly Ferry Wharf by 9:52AM. The ferry, from Taronga Zoo to Circular Quay, runs every 20 minutes.

What to bring: Walking shoes/boots; 1.5 litres of water, refill available; hydrolytes; snacks; lunch light rain jacket; sunscreen, cap/hat.

MEMBERS CAN BUY LUCH AT BALMORAL, IF DESIRED.

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: Paragon Hotel, Circular Quay.

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:

Whale Watching Day!!! Bondi Junction to La Perouse 21 km (Medium)

We meet at Bondi Junction Train Station, at by 9:30AM, at Bus Interchange Stand F. We head off through Waverly Park and access the Ocean via Bronte Gully, moving though Waverly Cemetery, Clovelly Beach and Gordon's Bay and stop at Coogee, 6KM in, for a bathroom break.

Back on track, we muscle through Maroubra and stop for lunch, a further 6KM in, at the pleasant bachfront park (with clean bathrooms!) at Malabar Beach. PLEASE BRING YOUR LUNCH; LIMITED FOOD OPTIONS HERE.

After lunch we have 9KM to go, working around the perimeter of Long Bay Goal and Little Bay to find a way into the spectacular Botany Bay National Park for a grandstand finish through to La Perouse! A high frequency bus service runs back to the City.

The ocean front scenery on this walk is stunning! Hopefully we will spot Humpback whales during the day; it is likely that we will.

We should arrive La Perouse by 4:30pm.

Distance: 21KM

Type of Walk: This wonderful walk is full of rich variety with fantastice ocean views all the way!

Difficulty: Medium, because of the distance. If you are unsure about the distance but would like to test yourself this is a walk for you: there are plenty of get-out points.

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

Meeting Place and Transport: We meet at Bondi Junction Train Station, at by 9:30AM, at Bus Interchange Stand F. Transport back from La Perouse is by bus; it is a high frequency service.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/boots or trainers; 1.5 litres of water, refill available along the way; hydralytes; one snack and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions; sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim. LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES TO PURCHASE LUNCH, SO BRING IT WITH YOU!

Suggested Donation: $10

Pub: No convenient pub at La Perouse - sorry!

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 Bush/River Walking!!! Castle Cove to Killara (21 km, medium/hard)

This event is Middle Harbour all the way - through local roads, parks and bush. We meet at Chatswood Station at 8:00am and take 277 Bus departing 8:10am from Stand C.

Off the bus, we take a short stroll to the end of Castle Cove and follow a few bush tracks to Echo Point enjoying great views along the way. We cross Roseville Bridge and make our first stop at Davidson Park to use the bathrooms

After short break we continue along Middle Harbour Creek to Steppingstone Crossing and go back to Lockley Point. We will pick a spot for lunch along this section. From there we climb up to Killara where local fire trail will bring us to the local sport field and finally walk through the suburb to Killara Train Station. The plan is to complete the walk by no later than 4:00pm, with a tasty beer (or any other cold drink) at Greengate Hotel.

Distance: 20 km

Type of Walk: bush and park tracks, local roads.

Difficulty: Medium/hard.

Walking Pace: We will maintain a steady pace all day and must average about 4 km per hour to finish on time.

Meeting Place and Transport: 8:00AM at Chatswood Station, Stand C. Train from Killara back to the City.

What to bring: Good walking shoes/boots or trainers; 1.5 – 2 litres of water, refill available along the way; hydrolytes; two snacks and one lunch; light rain jacket depending on conditions, torch. NO SHOPS: MEMBERS MUST BRING ALL FOOD AND DRINKS.

Suggested Donation: $10.

Pub: Greengate Hotel.

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: