#Sydney is known for its incredible coastline and natural beauty, and the Harbour City offers incredible spots to #dive, #spear-fish, #surf, and view the #marine #wildlife at its best. But in its early days before we could hop on a flight, navigating the eastern NSW coastline was a challenge, to say the least, and lighthouses were built to provide both a beacon for direction and a warning to sailors of their proximity to the coast. As well as providing a service to mariners, they pose as a beautiful centrepiece for the Pacific backdrop, and a great opportunity to learn more about Sydney’s #history.
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Our journey starts at Clark Reserve, #Vaucluse, just a 30-minute direct bus from the CBD. It’s hard to not be in awe once you reach the cliffside green as you’re met with the vast beauty of the Pacific, uninterrupted to New Zealand.
Keep an eye out for #whales if you’re reading this between May and November, where you might catch some humpbacks during their annual migration!
Heading out to the #Eastern #Suburbs can sometimes feel like a chore, with the reduced public transport and so much going on within the #harbour, but it’s so worth it. Keep an eye out for #whales if you’re reading this between May and November, where you might catch some humpbacks during their annual migration!
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Walking north along the water's edge, you’ll pass through Christison Park, home to our first stop, Macquarie Lighthouse. Australia’s first lighthouse, constructed in 1818 the pristine aesthetic against the blue ocean backdrop provides an irresistible portrait, filling you with a sense of awe and wonder. Macquarie Lighthouse doesn’t stop there, look west for an incredible (and largely unknown) view of the Harbour Bridge, and #city #skyline.
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Continuing the journey north, you’ll pass by Dunbar Head - home to the unfortunate and catastrophic crash of the Dunbar ship, and continue through to Gap Lookout National Park, where you’ll find some cliff trails ready to be navigated and maybe even encounter some interesting #wildlife! As always with #Sydney, it’s one of those cities where there’s just so much to see, and even the most unsuspecting of spots can provide you with hidden vistas.
As always with #Sydney, it’s one of those cities where there’s just so much to see, and even the most unsuspecting of spots can provide you with hidden vistas
Cut inland and follow the Gap Bluff Walking Track down to Gap Bluff Road, you’ll want to take a right at this point and as you walk down the road keep your eyes looking west towards the city for a view of the #skyline, #bridge, and local #boats framed through a row of palm trees. Perfect contrast between the laidback #beach vibes and the thriving #city that makes #Sydney such a unique place.
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From here, we continue north once more (this time on the #harbour-side as opposed to the Pacific) along Cliff Street until we hit Camp Cove Beach. This is a great spot for a cold #drink from the local Camp Cove Kiosk and to get your feet in the sand. Whenever you’re ready, we’re taking the South Head Heritage Trail on the right of the #beach, and we’re quickly moving from sand to #bush. This shortly transforms to Lady Bay Road, and once passed Historical Canon you’ll be at Lady Bay Beach, another beautiful sheltered spot with crystal clear, aqua water - although be warned, it’s one of #Sydney’s nude bathing spots!
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For the final time in our adventure, we push north, past the Lightkeeper’s Cottages, built in 1858 and designed by Alexander Dawson, in typical colonial, Victorian styling architectural style, where you can learn more about the historical coastline. As we turn the point at Sydney Heads we reach Hornby Lighthouse, a picture of classical maritime history worthy of a postcard. This is a popular photo op and it’s easy to understand why the red and white stripes couldn't be more of a stereotype.
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Hornby Lighthouse is an iconic piece of #Sydney history, designed by Mortimer Lewis and constructed in 1858 it plays the role of a crucial control point for ships entering and departing Port Jackson. Straight over you’ll be enjoying the views of Sydney Harbour National Park and look in at the Northern Beaches, to your right the Pacific, and to your left the #harbour itself - it’s an easy place to stay a while.
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After some time enjoying the view(s), I’d recommend heading back the way you came and following through to Watsons Bay, where you can either grab yourself a #bite, a cold one, or a bus back to the city...
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