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Category: Bridge

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Parsley Bay Bridge and Beach

Bridge

Parsley Bay Bridge

Constructed in 1910, the cable suspension bridge over Parsley Bay connects both sides of the inlet while providing a great view of the beach and Sydney Harbour. Although originally built for practical reasons, it is now an attraction in itself, in addition to the lovely beach it overlooks.

Getting There

We walked here as part of a longer day walk around the harbour foreshore. The walk from Greycliffe House was around 20 minutes, with the additional benefit of passing the entrance to Vaucluse House, if you want to visit there too.

Parking is available behind the beach and kiosk if you want to drive. Bus 325 stops at Fitzwilliam Rd at Parsley Rd which is next to the bridge at the top of the ridge.

The Bridge

Built at a cost of £500 in 1910, the bridge was part of a larger push at the time for access to walking tracks on the harbour. Standing high over the water, it makes for a great photograph as well as being fun to walk over. You can get great views of the bridge from the beach as well as from the track that goes to Parsley Bay Wharf.

Parsley Bay Beach

The beach at Parsley Bay is small, but there is a large grassed area next to it. This is great because it gives you somewhere else to sit besides the sand. There are also seats and picnic tables scattered around, although they were popular and were taken up quickly. Many people had brough blankets so that they could sit on the grass.

Behind the lawn is a kiosk that sells drinks and snacks and has its own outdoor seating area.

What did We Think?

We loved the bridge and its views as well as the little beach. The café was an extra thing to find and we bought some cold drinks there.

Parsley Bay Beach From the Bridge
Parsley Bay Beach
Parsley Bay Bridge
Parsley Bay Bridge
Bridge
Looking up at the Bridge
Walkway around the Bay looking back at the Parsley Bay Bridge
Walkway around the Bay looking back at the bridge

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Yass New South Wales

Yass Courthouse

Yass New South Wales

An hour’s drive north of Canberra, or west from Goulburn, Yass is an historic New South Wales Town. We were passing through on a drive from Canberra to Orange so stopped to have a quick look around. Being early morning, parking was easy, and we found a spot outside the Banjo Patterson Park, named after the famous Australia poet.

Several coffee shops were open, so we ordered a coffee before setting off to explore the town. The main street, Comur St contains several well preserved nineteenth-century buildings. The Post Office looks great, but the courthouse looks like a small palace!

Yass Post Office Yass New South Wales
Yass Post Office
Yass Courthouse Yass New South Wales
Yass Courthouse
Banjo Patterson Bust Yass
Banjo Patterson Bust
Banjo Patterson Park Yass New South Wales
Banjo Patterson Park
Tootsie Gallery and Café Yass New South Wales
Tootsie Gallery and Café

Yass Railway Museum

The Yass Railway Museum is small with only a few trains and pieces of rolling stock on display. However, it’s a great place to visit, see some interesting trains, memorabilia and find out about the history of trains in Yass. You can find a full story of our visit here.

1307 Steam Locomotive Yass New South Wales
1307 Steam Locomotive

Abandoned Railway Bridge

We drove to the old railway bridge over the Yass River, parking at Joe O’Conner Park and walking down to the river. Disused since 1988 when the rail line closed it’s now a tourist attraction and heritage listed. It was interesting to walk around, especially as there are trees growing through parts of it.

Old Tramway Bridge Yass
Old Tramway Bridge
Old Tramway Bridge
The Old Tramway Bridge
Old Tramway Bridge
Old Tramway Bridge

What Did We Think Of Yass?

Although this was only a quick visit, we enjoyed our time here. The lovely old buildings on the main street, abandoned bridge and railway museum are all worth stopping to see.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong

The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong

The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong

Originally built in 1934 to allow access for workers to the nearby Sanitarium factory, the Swinging Bridge replaced rowing or swimming as the means to get to work. Crossing Dora Creek at Cooranbong the bridge can be tricky to find because it is located behind residential houses. We parked in Victory Street and walked down the public access track between Nos. 19 and 29. Once behind the houses the bridge is in front of you.

Crossing the bridge is fun as it bounces slightly as you walk. On the far side of Dora Creek, the old private access road to the Sanitarium Factory leads along the creek. Lined with palm and flowering trees, the old road looks great, especially as the trees were in bloom.

The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong
Looking Over The Swinging Bridge over Dora Creek
The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong
The Swinging Bridge over Dora Creek
Pathway after leaving the bridge The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong
Old Private Road to the factory

Following the creek, we saw palm trees lining the far bank which was unexpected. The creek passes the old factory which has been closed and changed hands. Visible through the surrounding fence, the old entrance would be nice to see up close. We made do with looking over the fence, because access is not allowed.

Palms on the bank of Dora Creek
Palms on the bank of Dora Creek
The Old Sanitarium Factory
The Old Sanitarium Factory

Sandy Creek Trail

Returning to the bridge, we decided to walk the Sandy Creek Trail, because it follows two creeks and goes through regrowth woodland. A sign showed other walks in the area, but this one held more interest for us. This walk is in yellow on the photo below. The well-maintained track follows Jigadee Creek until it meets Dora Creek. At this point the M1 Motorway from Sydney to Newcastle crosses the creeks several hundred meters down Dora Creek.

The track then follows Dora Creek back to the swinging bridge, where we crossed the creek and returned to our car.

Bush Track
Bush Track
Dora Creek Looking at the M1 Motorway
Dora Creek Looking at the M1 Motorway
Map of the Tracks around Avondale
Map of the Tracks around Avondale

What Did We Think?

This was a great little walk, with some industrial heritage as well as the bridge and bush walking.