Parsley Bay to Long Island

After my last night shift, I stopped on the way home from work for a morning walk. Parked at the boat ramp at Parsley Bay and walked around Flat Rock Point into brooklyn and then past the Wharf and out along the causeway to Long Island  and back- 4.6klm. 

Again ,a nice bookend for my last blog and paddle.

Looking back at Parsley Bay

The stanchion for the second rail bridge over the Hawkesbury that never happened.

The rail bridge over the Hawkesbury.

Dangar Island and Brooklyn 

Brooklyn 

White-faced Heron 

And back to Parsley Bay 

Parsley Bay to Fishermans Beach

Having an "extra day " with the change from an afternoon shift to night shift, I was looking to do a paddle before my afternoon nap. In a nice bookend to last weeks walk to Taffy's Rock I decided to paddle to Fishermans Beach on Cowan Creek, as the creek behind the beach runs up to Taffy's Rock.

First stop, on a perfect autumn day with no wind and mill pond conditions on the bay, was at Eleanor Beach which looks straight up broken Bay to Lion Island.

Rounding Eleanor Bluffs with its attendant sentinel, a White-breasted Sea Eagle.

Once around Eleanor Bluffs you are in Cowan Creek with two secluded and picturesque but unnamed beaches.  

A little further and Fishermans Bay comes into view. 

Looking across to Hallets Beach which being school holidays was quite busy and full, as was America and Refuge Bay. 

Fishermans Beach which I had all to myself, except for a quick visit by the volunteers from Clean Up Hawkesbury to collect rubbish from the beaches. 

http://www.tangaroablue.org/amdi/amdi-program/nsw/338-data-dimensions-back-out-on-the-hawkesbury.html

Well done and an amazing program.

On the way back a light breeze and the sailboats were out in the bay. 

Heading back to Parsley Bay between Gunyah Point and Green Point is Eagle Rock. I cant resist photographing this rock every time I go past. Still fail to do it justice. 

Eagle Rock from the moorings at Dead Horse Bay 

 12klm paddled in 3 hours including 1/2 hour at Fishermans Beach. Took me just on an hour coming back with the tide.

Taffy's Rock

Taffy's Rock is in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney's north. Starting at Cowan railway station then following the Great North Walk to Jerusalem Bay and then turning off and following Govett Ridge to a rock outcrop with views over Broken Bay and Cowan Creek. Just under 16klm return.

Once you leave the Great North Walk the track along Govetts Ridge becomes a little bit scrubby and narrow. Golden Orb webs must be brushed aside or inadvertently walked through resulting in mad flicking off of the occupant from your hat rim or clothes.

Views open up of Jerusalem Bay 

Jerusalem Bay as it runs off from Cowan Creek 

Rock outcrops 

Looking back over the ridge to Cowan and the M1 expressway 

Looking north up Porto Bay to Brooklyn 

Yachts moored at Parsley Bay, Brooklyn 

Cowan Creek 

Looking down Cowan Creek to Cottage Point. 

Once at Taffy's Rock spectacular views over Broken Bay and Lion Island. 

Taffy was an avid bushwalker. She died after being bitten by a tiger snake while walking on the Overland Track in Tasmania in 1948. Apparently this was one of her favourite spots.

Looking at Hallets Beach from Taffy's Rock 

Cottage Point from Taffy's Rock 

North to Mt Wondabyne from Taffy's Rock 

Cowan Creek from along the track on the way back. 

Jerusalem Bay 

An excellent walk not too far from home and one that had been on my wish list for a while.