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Tag: Sydney

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Cooper Park Bushwalking in the City

Stone arch bridge

Cooper Park

Located in Bellevue Hill, Cooper Park covers 15 Ha of bushland in the centre of Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Donated to the Woollahra Council as a park in 1913 by Sir William Cooper the park covers a gully from Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill to Manning Road, Double Bay. With tennis courts and cricket nets at one end and native parkland at the other it’s a wonderful place to visit.

How to Get There

We took the train to Bondi Junction and walked the 15 minutes to the park’s entrance. However, if you want to drive, carparking is available in Bunna Place. Because of the park’s location, there are many entrances off surrounding streets. These have steps leading down to the valley floor where they join the walking track.

The Park

Starting behind the tennis courts, a track winds through the valley floor following a small creek. An information board details the wildlife living in the park as well as the plant species. Scattered along the path are weather shelters, so if it rains there is somewhere to stop for a while.

We followed the well maintained track which wound through eucalypt trees with a fern understory. The creek has many small waterfalls and cascades which are easily accessible from the track.

The damp shady environment has led to most structures being covered in moss. We really liked the arch bridge and a bench seat because they were covered in it.

At the far end of the park, a large set of steps lead up and out to Victoria Road. Of course, you can also enter this way.

What Did We Think?

This is an amazing park, hidden away in Sydney’s suburbia. The walk through native bush, while following the creek was very relaxing and enjoyable.

information board Cooper Park
Useful information board of the park
a creek Cooper Park
The creek running through the park
Small waterfall
Small waterfall on the creek running through the park
Waterfall
Waterfall running down stone steps
Stone arch bridge
Stone arch bridge crossing the creek
Moss covered stone bench seat Cooper Park
Moss covered stone bench seat
A pond with ferns
A pond on the creek with ferns
A pond Cooper Park
A pond on the creek
Steps
Steps leading out of Cooper Park
Stone wall covered in lichen
Stone wall covered in lichen
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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.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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Hermitage Foreshore Walk Sydney Harbour

Hermitage Foreshore Walk at Vaucluse on Sydney Harbour

Running from Hermitage Reserve to Nielson Park, the Hermitage Foreshore Walk is a great way to take in Sydney Harbour and views to the city. In addition, you pass several historical houses, which are worth a visit if opened.

How to Get There

We walked from Vaucluse House and started the track at Strickland House, however if you want to use public transport, bus 325 has several stops along Vaucluse Road. For the return trip, bus 325 will take you either back to the start, or to Watsons Bay Wharf where you can catch a ferry.

Strickland House

We started the walk about halfway at Strickland House. This historic residence originally called Carrara was built in the mid-nineteenth century. The house has passed through many owners and is now owned by the New South Wales Government. Strolling around the grounds gives you an idea of the lifestyles of those who used to live here. The views over Sydney Harbour are amazing.

Unfortunately access into the house is not available, but you are able to walk around the outside.

Strickland House
Strickland House
Rear of Strickland House
Rear of Strickland House

The Foreshore Walk

From Strickland House, we followed the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, starting at Milk Beach. The boardwalk was in very good condition and made the walk easy, although in several places we did have to walk on sand and watch for incoming waves.

The views over the harbour are spectacular, with the bridge and Opera House visible at times. We even saw a seaplane taking off from Rose Bay.

Easy walking on the boardwalk Hermitage Foreshore Walk
Easy walking on the boardwalk
Weathered boulders on the Hermitage Foreshore Walk
Weathered boulders on the Hermitage Foreshore Walk
Weathered boulders on the Hermitage Foreshore Walk
Weathered boulders on the Hermitage Foreshore Walk
View across the Sydney Harbour
View across the Sydney Harbour
View across Sydney Harbour to the bridge Hermitage Foreshore Walk
View across Sydney Harbour to the bridge
View across the Sydney Harbour with a seaplane about to take off
Sydney Harbour with a seaplane about to take off
View across the Harbour to the city with a seaplane taking off
View across the Harbour to the city with a seaplane taking off

Greycliffe House

The walk finished at Nielsen Park, where you will find Greycliffe House. Tours of the house need to be booked through NSW Parks and Wildlife. You are able to walk around the outside of this neo-Gothic Victorian house and it’s gardens. Even from the outside it looks impressive.

Greycliffe House
Greycliffe House

What did We Think?

This was a pleasant and easy walk, with amazing views of Sydney Harbour, with several historical house to see along the way. Only a short (but uphill walk) from here is Vaucluse House which is open to the public.

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