Australia 2017 - Day 14 - 8th March

Day 14

Decided to go on a mini road trip today to have a look at some places which looked interesting on the map but in an area I had not ventured to previously.

So I was planned to visit Bobbin Head, Berowra Waters, Mooney Mooney and Brooklyn, all north of Sydney. After a short drive from the house I entered Bobbin Head Reserve, paid my $12 entry and drove on down to the water.

Bobbin Head

Located in the west of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Bobbin Head is a large area offering lots of attractions and facilities. As well as being a great place to walk, canoe or go fishing, it is the perfect waterfront picnic spot.

There are specific barbecue area with custom built picnic tables and shelters. There are plenty of open green spaces for kids games such as frisbee or cricket which are actively encouraged. There’s also a children’s playground that Cerys and Dylan would love. I had a nice coffee at the Bobbin Head Cafe. The Galley Food Restaurant looked interesting but it was too early to try any of their beautiful Mediterranean cuisine.

You can hire a boat or kayak at the Empire Marina  or do a spot of fishing if you feel in the mood. Hire of a run-a-bout boat comes with a fishing licence.

Looking over to the Empire Marina

The bridge from the car park to the Marina

The Bobbin Hill Inn and Restaurant

One of the many riverside walks

When I had finished my coffee here I drove on to find Berowra Waters some 12 miles or so from here.

Berowra Waters

Berowra Waters is a suburb of northern Sydney,and is located 25 miles north of the Sydney central business district.

Surrounded by one of Australia's oldest and best-known national parks, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Berowra is strategically located just off the F3 Freeway and is adjacent to the main northern railway line. With spectacular parks to the east, the Berowra Valley Regional Park to the west, and the mighty Hawkesbury River to the north, Berowra Waters is Sydney at its natural bushland and aquatic best.

A gentle morning on the river

A hill side restaurant on the hillside opposite

Beautiful homes and boats lined the banks

I stopped here for a while to enjoy a coffee at the riverside cafe and to watch the ferry in action, transporting people and vehicles to and fro between both sides of the river.

Berowra Waters Ferry

The Berowra Waters Ferry is  cable ferry across the Berowra Creek, which is a tributary of the Hawkesbury River. The ferry operates from the community of Berowra Waters on the west bank of the creek, to a landing on the east bank, and then connects with the road to Berowra Heights.

The ferry is operated by a private operator under contract to the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services, and is free of tolls. The crossing is 250 metres (820 ft) in length and takes approximately 3 minutes. The ferry operates on demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but is closed for maintenance on the second Tuesday of each month from 1200 to 1430.

I did not cross on the ferry as my journey was keeping me this side of the creek but I did stop to see the ferry in action.

The ferry arriving

Ready to load on vehicles

THe cable opertion controlling the ferry

On its way back over

Then I was on the road again, choosing to stay on the Pacific Highway rather than the M1 motorway as I made my way to Mooney Mooney.

MooneyMooney

Mooney Mooney is a suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, located at the end of a peninsula extending southwards into the Hawkesbury River estuary. 30 miles north of Sydney.

Mooney Mooney is characterised by a rocky foreshore onto the Hawkesbury River and a hilly landscape with slopes ranging from moderate to very steep. 

Looking from Mooney Moone across to the Islands

Views across the Hawksbury fron Mooney Mooney

Nestled on the shores of the Hawkesbury River, with views across to Brooklyn, I came across the tranquil setting of the Mooney Mooney Club. 

The Mooney Mooney Club

On the serene shores of the Hawkesbury River, you will find the always-popular Mooney Mooney Club. Refurbishments have recently taken place and the club boasts an open and airy atmosphere to accompany outstanding riverside views.

Large open-air balconies, wharf facilities and a kid’s playground are just some of the options the club has on offer. The family-friendly venue also has lawn bowls as well as a convenient shuttle bus service to and from the club.

It was a perfect place to stop for lunch and I was not dissapointed.  Local oysters followed by Barramundi fillet with kipfler potatoes and roasted vegetables. Accompanied by a nice glass of Adelaide Hills Semillon.  A creme brulee to finish and I was stuffed.  Cannot recommend this place high enough and I will certainly go back should I have the opportunity again.

From my table in the restaurantn

The spacious interior

Bowls taking place outside

Looking up at the restaurant balcony

After lunch I set off back across the Hawkesbury River bridge to make my way to Brooklyn for my last visit of the day.

The Hawhesbuyry Bridge on the Pacific Highway

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is located 32 miles from the Sydney CBD in the local Government area of Hornsby. .Brooklyn is sometimes considered the northernmost suburb of the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area, as it is located on the Sydney side of the Hawkesbury River and the Mooney Mooney bridge. It is actually part of the county of Cumberland, in which Sydney city is located, but Brooklyn is rarely considered part of the city.

Brooklyn occupies a narrow strip of tidal waterfront land aligned east–west along the southern bank of the Hawkesbury River and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park borders the suburb to the south.

It is a charming place with a bustling Marina as a ferry service takes local peoplec and touristsaround the various islands and creeks on a 40 minute boat ride.

Brooklyn Marins port

The ferry boat

Looking out towards the islands

Boat fueling Station

Probably the most interesting thing to be found here was the building with a sign that indicates that this is the home of the the last water postman left in Australia.

Riverboat Postman 

The first Riverboat postman started the run in 1910, and the tradition continues today. The skippers of the boats that deliver the post are locals who have lived in the area their whole lives.

They deliver to the settlements of Dangar and Milson Islands, Kangaroo Point, Bar Point, Marlow Creek, Fisherman's Point and Milson's Passage.

From this point daily at 10.00am the mail is delivered on modern boats skippered by well informed locals.  Tourists can take the journey with the postman and can cruise around the islands and creeks for over three hours as the mail is delivered.

I intend doung this trip with Cerys when I am looking after her during the Easter holidays.