The Bay Run

I had a morning dentist appointment and then before driving down to Bundanoon I had a ride along the Bay Run at Iron Cove.

More riding lately as it seems to be better for my knee than long walks. The Bay Run circles Iron Cove and you can start at any point on the loop. I parked near Leichhardt Park with views across to one of the university rowing clubs

Rodd Island 

Looking up the bay to the Iron Cove Bridge 

From the bridge back down the bay to Rodd Island 

Rozelle Bay 

From the Drummoyne side of the bridge 

Sculpture representing the Dreamtime snake that carved the river out. 

At Rodd Point, the tomb of Brent Rodd who emigrated from England and took up land at Iron Cove in 1838. His body has since been removed and interred elsewhere. 

Rodd Point 

Rodd Island

Near the end of the loop I rode down part of the Cooks River Ride along Hawthorne Canal down to The Great Western Highway at Taverners Hill. 

A nice, easy ride of 12.4klm, all on a dedicated bike track.

Bellbird Lookout

I camped at Old Ford Reserve in Megalong Valley. Getting there on dusk I set up camp and relaxed with a beer. I'd had a big day and promptly fell asleep with the beer in my hand. Too tired to cook I put away all my cooking gear and just had a bowl of cereal for dinner. Old Ford Reserve is popular with camper travellers and it wasn't exactly the quiet night I was used too.

Next morning I drove on to Dunphy's Campground at the end of the valley. I had never been here before and should have continued on last night as there was no one else around.

Looking for a short walk just to orient myself I decided to walk to Bellbird Lookout.

An easy 5klm return on fire trail and easy open forest tracks. 

Views across Carlons Creek to Ironpot Mountain 

Bellbird Ridge 

Carlons Creek and Ironpot Mountain 

Looking down the valley of Breakfast Creek to the Cox's River

Medlow Gap and the Wild Dog Mountains 

Out past the Wild Dog Mountains ,the cliffs of the Ti Willa Plateau? 

Looking back up the Megalong Valley at Pinnacle Hill? 

After the walk I drove out to the Shipley Plateau at Blackheath and had a coffee at Hargraves Lookout on Panorama Point. 

The cliffs of Mt Tosh with the Hydro Majestic at Medlow Bath in the background. 

Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock

An afternoon ride out to Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock. 11.4klm return.

I left the bike at the end of the fire trail and walked the short track out to the lookout.  I noticed some of the other riders rode all the way out along the track. a little hard and a little scary for me.

The track ends here at the unfenced lookout at the edge of the gorge. 

Looking down the gorge to Mt Banks.

Liversedge Hill, Pierces Pass and Rigby Hill directly opposite

Liversedge Hill

Mt Banks

 Then Hanging Rock 

Looking back up at Burramoko Head and the lookout. 

A truly spectacular place