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)
Now I leave the suburbs of the rich behind, and head into Centennial Park through 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.)
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.
What would a park be without birds and flowers?
If you’ve enjoyed this walk through parts of Sydney that tourists rarely discover, be sure to check out Jo’s Monday Walks.
Love all the photos. Especially the one with with the reflection of the wrought iron gates. What a lovely meander you have just one train stop away from home.
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The walk home continues after the park, across boring sports fields and then the streets to home. They are not quite as photogenic!
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Well you most certainly captured the good stuff 📷
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I think I’d get off early every night, Elizabeth! 🙂 What a lovely walk! I love your attention to the details…. the fencing, railings and such neat topiary! Beautiful Ibis shot too 🙂 Many thanks for the link and for joining me again.
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Thank you Jo. I’m hoping to do the walk this evening, too. (No camera this time, so I should be able to pick up the speed!) The ibis shot is my favourite, I love the light.
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Ah, now this is the sort of thing I look for when on holiday. The walks that locals take. And I love your attention to detail – my kind of photography! (I see you managed to get a wine glass into this walk too 😀 )
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The glasses looked so lovely in the sun, I couldn’t resist the shot. Luckily, the restaurant was just about to open for the evening so all the tables were pristine. If the weather holds, I’ll be walking that way after work today, too — pop over and join me! 😉
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Oh, yes, if only. And we could pop into the restaurant and have a glass of Sav Blanc too 🙂
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Oooh, yes! 🙂
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What a pleasant walk, Elizabeth! Beautiful capture along the road. 🙂
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Thank you Amy. The walk would not be so pleasant today, it’s raining. 😦
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That really looks like a good and lovely walk! thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for checking it out!
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