Past adventure.
 

ADVENTURE REPORT
Last Sunday morning thirteen of us gathered in a park above the new Rozelle Interchange in Sydney’s inner west. With an extra hour’s sleepin, we were all ready & eager to embark on the 10km urban Hikeabout around Pyrmont and White Bay. A quick tram ride took us to the start.

We meandered along back lanes, side tracks, streets, waterside promenades, clifftop paths, and went up & down stairs and ramps all around Pyrmont. After a coffee break we then continued along the Blackwattle Bay and Glebe waterfronts along a gravel and paved track back to our meetup location.

In Rozelle we saw the artistically decorated motorway exhaust stacks wrapped in planters and a web like steel structure. In Pyrmont, we walked past and discussed the migration processing wharfs 12 & 13 through which most of last century’s migrants passed. Di proudly showed us her father’s name on the migrant’s Welcome Wall. We saw dancing bobbing ladders (abstract dynamic art), wooden riverside promenades, the site of the old CSR sugar refinery & related industries, an old distillery site with outlines of the settling tanks, and sites & escarpments of old sandstone quarries that supplied stone to most of Sydney’s grand old buildings. The area would have been very rough, dirty and industrial in its heyday with 12 or more quarries operating. Three notable ones were called Pergatory, Paradise and Hellhole !! The area now is a quiet and peaceful residential area on the city fringe with a mix of quaint old cottages, rejuvenated wharfs, and modern apartment blocks, most enjoying amazing city or bay views.

We left the Pyrmont area via the old Fish Market, bustling as usual with tourists, and we walked past the site of the new Fish Market that is rapidly growing out of the water. Next time we pass, we’ll probably be walking through it. The Glebe waterfront that followed was peaceful, picturesque and dotted with industrial relics of boating industries of the past.

Special thanks to Di who offered interesting historical insights throughout our adventure. She grew up in the Pyrmont area and worked in the area for 20+ years. She also met her husband here.

Towards the end, we called into the historic Tram Sheds for a bite to eat before walking the final kilometer back to our original rendezvous spot. After a final chat, hugs & farewells, we parted.

Thanks for a great day and great company Carmel, Cathy, Di, Diana (newbie), Haidee, JennyA, Marian, Marina, Mary-Lou, Narelle, Rob and Susan !

Yours in adventure … Nick

DETAILS
A 10km loop walk from Pyrmont to Rozelle exploring the back streets of Pyrmont, Jacksons Point, the new and old fish markets, Blackwattle Bay and the beautiful Glebe waterfront. Easy walk on concrete and gravel paths; several staircases and ramps in Pyrmont. Expect to take 2-3 hours. Towards the end, we’ll pop into the historic Trams Sheds for refreshments.

Meet at the Rozelle Bay Light Rail Station. Park near here in Railway Pde or Bayview Cres nearby (tap the Meetup button below for directions). From there we’ll take a tram into Pyrmont, and walk back. Don’t forget to bring your Opal card. Given it’s a loop walk, car pooling is recommended to minimize carparking issues.

CHANGE OF MEETUP POINT
Meet at the corner of Mary St & Denison St, Rozelle. There is plenty of parking along Dension St. Tap the Meetup button below for directions. From there we’ll walk through a part of the new parklands above the Rozelle Interchange to the Rozelle Light Rail Station. We’ll then catch a tram into Pyrmont, and walk back. Don’t forget to bring your Opal card.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS FINISHES ON THE MORNING OF THIS WALK
Be sure to check your time is correct on a radio or tv. It finishes at 3am on the 07 Apr 24. Clocks go back an hour. We get an extra hour sleep in 🛌💤