From Sydney’s parks to Manly’s beaches, from beauty to disillusions.
After the city and the mountain, let’s go to the beach. We decide to spend the afternoon in Manly, a district in the north of Sydney’s bay edged by many beaches and the pacific ocean.
Before going there to do a coastal walk, we decided to have a morning walk through the city’s parks. We begin with Hyde Park where the « Anzac Memorial » is situated . This is an art-deco building erected in 1934 in memory of Australians and New Zealanders soldiers who fought during the first world war. The building is impressive because of its size but also because of the constant silence and the serenity of the place.
Once we left the edifice, we faced the « Pool of remembrance ». Unfortunately it is currently under renovation at that moment but I do not doubt that this watering place must add some freshness to this place. We continue to move forward in the aisles and stumble upon the « Archibald memorial fountain » . It reminds me a bit the ones we can see in Europe. This is not a coincidence as it was built in 1932 by a French sculptor to celebrate the union between France and Australia during the first world war.
After a short stop at the foot of the fountain we leave Hyde Park to enter in the Domain. In this other park you can do a lovely walk. You can taking time your along « Mrs Macquarie Road ». I really liked to stroll on the sunny day on this path throughout Woolloomooloo Bay. We can see there military boats parked on the other side of the bay. As for me, walking and observing boats brings me back childhood memories: it remembers me the Sunday’s stroll with my grandparents.
Military boat in the Woolloomooloo Bay.
We already are at the other end of the path. We are at « Mrs Macquarie Point » offering a superb view on the Sydney’s opera and the Harbour Bridge.
Opera and Harbour bridge.
We carry on our stroll along « Port Jackson » to finally arrive at the bottom of the opera. We enjoyed to go around it and to observe this strange architecture from every angle. Since I am fond of good food, I immediately notice the opera’s restaurant which seems to offers a great view of the bay and, moreover, the terrace seems to be very spacious. That a reason to come back in Australia during this year in New Zealand! So that’s it: we already finished the visit of the parks which are very accessible. Now It is time to take the ferry to Manly, a city in the north of the bay.
Working hard during the crossing!
Half an hour later, we arrive in Manly. I quickly understand why people like it so much : beautiful beaches, good waves for surfers, many shops, cafés and restaurants to relax. I even almost went for a swim despite the fact that it was winter.
Manly’s shops.
Today neither farniente or beer in terrace, let’s go for the « manly scenic walk » : 9 kilometers and a 4 hour walk are waiting for us. When I started this walk I didn’t imagine the surprises to come! The beginning of the walk was fairly easy. We wander quietly along the « manly cove » beach. Then, we move forward on the coastal walk. The path is covered in concrete so the walk is very easy in a wheelchair. At that moment I am calm and I believe everything will be alright.
But rapidly the first steps appears. Just a few and there is an handrail so I get out of my wheelchair, go down by walking and I continue to move forward. At this point people who can’t walk at all must stop. The better solution is to walk the first 1,5 kilometers and return by the same way. Otherwise, according the the information center, there is a walk in the east (the walk we have done was in the west direction) which is more accessible, at least for the most part of it.
The first steps.
As we go along we discover the superb beaches and houses along them, facing the sea. I’d be happy to leave in one of those in a few years. I already see myself having an aperitif in a beautiful terrace facing the ocean ! Hum, hum, I am raving… Let’s go back to the reality!
Little house with little terrace and usual view on the beach!
A few minutes later a new difficulty appears : I am front of a very steep slope. I was very glad that Franck was here to help me holding the wheelchair back. Once it’s done I go back in my wheelchair, still motivated to go until the end of this walk. But unfortunately this will not happen. Indeed, later, the path turns into a beach with many rocks in the sand.
The end!
I decide to leave the « manly scenic walk » for a moment, to cross through the city and to catch the end of the path on the other side. However, I didn’t succeed to fin a way back on the track. The city was bigger than what I thought. We had to walk for many kilometers with some very steep sections. I was fed up with this. At that time, I though about catching a bus or a taxi to come back. But, they were no buses around and we didn’t have a phone to call for a taxi… Franck succeed to lift my spirit and we decided to reach back to the easy part of the walk in order to go back in Sydney. I was feeling better, we came back to Manly’s harbour walking along the beautiful beaches and houses. What a day!
View on Manly’s harbour at the dusk.
You are looking for more ideas about what to do in Sydney? You will find many great ideas in my other posts about Sydney and you will even find useful information about visiting this city in a wheelchair.
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