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Participants should familiarise themselves with all the following information before scrolling further to the list of upcoming walks and other activities.
USEFUL LINKS - Bushwalking safety, Bureau of Meteorology, National Park closures, Bushfire information, Fires near me
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISKS AND OBLIGATIONS OF PARTICIPANTS:
Certain SCOG activities may require participants to sign a disclaimer in which the individual takes responsibility for his/her own safety.
Risks can include slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces, dislodged rocks, overhanging objects, unguarded cliffs and drops, creek crossings, hidden underwater objects, fire, poisonous creatures, and/or factors that can produce hypothermia or heat exhaustion. To minimise these risks. participants need to ensure that any activity is within their own capabilities and should also carry sufficient drinking water, food and equipment appropriate for the activity and wear appropriate footwear and headwear. Participants should advise the leader if they are taking any medication or have any physical or other limitation that might affect their participation in the activity. Medical, first aid or other similar facilities are not provided by SCOG, therefore participants should carry their own personal first aid kit. Participants agree that they will be personally responsible for their own welfare and safety. SCOG, its officers and leaders take no responsibility for the health and well being of participants. More info Participants - Info page.
LEADERS should familiarise themselves with the SCOG Leaders Guidelines and documents available on the Leaders - Info/Forms page.
To submit details of a walk or activity you'd like to lead, include them in an email to SCOG at southern.cross.outdoors.group@gmail.com
Tuesday 20 January
"HEAD TO HEAD"
Our walkers have been requesting a few shorter walks. This is one. A 3km walk along the Department of Climate Change's new and controversial ($9.5m over 6 years) harbourside walk from Georges Head to Middle Head, near Balmoral.
After checking the old Naval buildings at Chowder Bay, we'll be walking through 100% Coastal heath (if you ignore the invasive trumpeter vine) on mainly elevated, perforated, recycled plastic boardwalk, with many short stairways, offering great views over Sydney Harbour. After we visit Obelisk Beach, there's 15 minutes of rough bush track. As part of Sydney Harbour National Park, the promontory is now managed by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. It is riddled with wartime infrastructure, most of which is identified with detailed signage, which takes time to read, so our walk will take about 3 hours. The many defence pedestrian tunnels are closed to the public.
THE DETAILS-
We board the 10am South Mosman ferry from Wharf 4 at Circular Quay. It connects with the 10.22am Route 111 bus to Chowder Bay. Northern Suburbs walkers can join our bus in Military Rd. Mosman at 10.26.
The ONLY public toilet is at the bus terminus at Chowder Bay, at 10.36.
None of the stairs have handrails, or vines, to grab. The raised boardwalk is unsuitable for bicycles as it is only 1.2m wide, without handrails. Your walking stick should have a rubber (wide) foot. Hiking poles having needle points would get stuck in the boardwalk perforations!
Sadly, there is not a single seat (let alone a picnic shelter!) along the whole walk.
The “group” section of the walk will end at lunch time at Middle Head, after which individual walkers can disperse to inspect the many fortifications or visit Cobblers Beach.
RETURN BUSES leave HMAS Penguin at “5 & 40” past the hour, for South Mosman Wharf. You can transfer to the frequent Route 100 at Mosman for Wynyard and the QVB.
Bring - morning tea (11.15am), lunch (at 12.30 at end of walk), at least 1 litre water, more if it's hot, and sun protection.
Grade – MEDIUM, given the stairs, the short rough track, and lack of seating.
Enquiries – Kevin – 0418 169 095
Friday 20 February
THE "GREEN WAY"
This easy urban walk travels along that valley between the suburbs of Lewisham and Summer Hill and the waterways of Iron Cove and Cooks River.
This valley has been used as a railway line and a tram line and now it’s a taxpayer-funded $58 million landscaped pedestrian & cycle pathway. In earlier days it was proposed as a shipping canal, a water reservoir and some people (not me) claim that it was a native tribal boundary and the scene of a tribal massacre in the 1790s. The expensive new pathway is well-landscaped and well-designed to show off the 19th century engineering infrastructure.
Distance/Terrain: around 7 km along wide pathways and grass; it’s almost flat with a gentle incline but NO steps.
Meet: at Central at 10 am under the big clock in the Grand Concourse in order to proceed to the Light Rail towards Leichhardt.
The Green Way path officially ends at Cooks River. But one can continue another 2 km or so on the flat riverside pathway down to Tempe Railway station.
Early exit point: Those of a retiring disposition can do so at Dulwich Hill Station by either returning to Central via light rail OR by catching the pink shuttle bus which travels between Sydenham and Bankstown.
Weather: this walk may be curtailed or postponed if there’s rain or temperature in the high 20s.
Bring: Lunch, drinks (two litres), wide-brimmed hat or sunshade (as the route is exposed).
Enquiries: Mark Matheson 9559 5502 (preferred) or 0409 617 778 (emergencies)
Date to be announced
MEADOWBANK to PARRAMATTA
This is a pleasant, non-strenuous walk along familiar pathways. (See map below.)
The walk is around 9 kilometres from Meadowbank to Parramatta. But it would be shorter if one catches the new Light-Rail Tram for the last section between Rydalmere and Parramatta.
We will get good views of the placid river and some new landscaping. And we might see some signs of the new high-rise suburb on the north side called Melrose Park and the two bridges planned to connect it to the fast metro train at Olympic Park on the south side.
Exit-points: There are a few exit-points via bus and ferry along the walk.
Bring Lunch, snacks and drinking water.
Meet at Meadowbank station at 10:05am.
Enquiries: Mark Matheson 9559 5502 (preferred) or 0409 617 778 (emergencies)
Your date in 2026
YOUR WALK or ACTIVITY - in your favourite area
To submit details of a walk or activity you'd like to lead, include them in an email to SCOG at southern.cross.outdoors.group@gmail.com
Are you thinking of putting on a walk or activity? The SCOG team would be delighted to hear from people that would like to participate and plan a walk or activity. New walk leaders are especially welcome. The choices for walks are unlimited... it may be in the area you live in, or an area you always wanted to walk in or get to know. It could be urban, or a City walk, walking to a beach, bush tracks, national parks in Sydney and surrounds. Walks where there is public transport nearby would be preferable. However a walk where cars are needed are also good.
If you need help our team can help you plan. We can do a "Recce" (reconnoitre) with you before the day, and come along to assist on that day. Think about it, we would love to hear from you. Please e-mail southern.cross.outdoors.group@gmail.com
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