Walking home from work

I admit it: that heading is misleading. Walking all the way home from work would take hours. On nice summer days, though, (assuming I’ve remembered to bring shorts, etc) I do like to get off the train one stop early and walk from there. Click here for a map of the route.

Leaving Edgecliff station, I head along Ocean Street in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra. Much of what is now Woollahra was once part of the 1130-acre estate of the Cooper family. The name Woollahra is believed to be based on the Aboriginal word for ‘lookout’ and was chosen by Daniel Cooper for his proposed house in 1856. There are many lovely old houses along this tree-lined street.

(click any image to expand a gallery)

From intricate wrought metal gates….

…to a twig fence! This looks like a tropical island resort.

All Saints Church. This could be in England.

This house always reminds me of the south of France. It’s really home to the Goethe Institute .

Chiswick Garden was once the grounds of a mid-19th century private house. This restaurant is housed in the former stables.

Another look inside Chiswick Restaurant.

Topiary balls!

The maid obviously doesn’t dust the top of this finial for cobwebs.

Now I leave the suburbs of the rich behind, and head into Centennial Park through Woollahra Gate.

Woollahra Gate

The area where Centennial Park was built was originally swamps. In 1827, using convict labour, construction began on an underground tunnel to bring the fresh water to Sydney. Lachlan Swamps served as Sydney’s main water supply from 1837 to 1859. The Centennial Celebrations Act of 1887 set in motion the construction of Centennial Park. (By the way, the centenary being celebrated was that of the founding of the colony of New South Wales in 1788.) Centennial Parklands, as it is known today, has an area of 220 hectares. (Refer to the walk map for an idea of its size.)

Centennial Park was officially opened on Australia Day, 26 January 1888.

This ghostly image is the result of shooting through a printed mesh ‘wall’ surrounding the site of an outdoor evening cinema.

The words “Gold Grass” are a clever take on a type of cinema ticket known as “Gold Class”.

At this time of day, the park is popular with walkers and joggers.

Do you suppose the dog has any say in this enforced exercise?

A wooden railing in the early evening sun.

Now we come to my favourite part of the walk. Behind one of the ponds is a small planting of pine trees, which are rare in Sydney. At this time of the day, with the early evening light slanting low and golden, it’s a beautiful, glowing spot. The wind in the pine trees creates a sound quite unlike that of rattling palm fronds or rustling gum leaves.

Pine trees alight in the evening sun.

Pine trees and grass.

An interesting scar where a branch has been removed.

Ibis in a pine tree.

A peaceful bench in the sun.

A picnic among the weeping willows.

What would a park be without birds and flowers?

Moorhen wading in a pond.

Coy moorhen

Two moorhens on a stick.

Purple flowers

Even a dried dandelion can be beautiful in the right light.

If you’ve enjoyed this walk through parts of Sydney that tourists rarely discover, be sure to check out Jo’s Monday Walks.