Ramblers out and about

Our Rambles are easy walks in or near Sydney metropolitan area.

The Ramble nominally begins at 10:00 on the Fourth Thursday each Month [excepting January]: we may convene earlier at say Epping Station if travel to the start-point is involved. The Rambles take about 2-3 hours typically, followed by optional lunch together.
Details are noted on our Home Page and in our Newsletters. Partners are always welcome. Ramblers are reminded that it is necessary to observe COVID-19 rules, i.e. maintain 1.5m social distance and wear masks if this is not possible.
Rick Collins took on the role of activity leader in May 2021. Thanks Rick!
Please call or text Rick Collins on 0411-611-338 if you would like to come or if you have any queries!

Our Rambles were disrupted awhile by COVID-19 restrictions. Examples of current and recent Rambles are:

• Our next Rambles will be on Tuesday 22 August 2023: Ross Beattie and Rick Collins will lead a combined Rambles and Day Outing this month: a casual walk aroung central Maitland to view some of the town's amazing colonial architecture. A map (1997) will be provided which details some 35 properties (some now gone!) but there are many others such at the Maitland Court House and the Gaol: participants are also referred to other resources such as an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald (24nov2008). The nominal walk, starting and ending at the Maitland Railway station, is about 3 to 3.5 km, but can be shortened - or extended! Lunch is planned to be at Lavenders Cafe, 1/418 High Street, Maitland [menu]. "Centrally tucked away at the top of the The Levee, Lavenders Riverside Café is a quiet and peaceful riverside destination, providing alfresco dining, overlooking the Hunter River".
  
  Car-pooling is suggested to travel to and from Maitland, but the 11:30 start time at Maitland allows travel from Sydney by train.
  *** Driving? — consider car-sharing (journey ~1hr 45mins each way).
  *** Train? — catch the 08:40 from Epping (platform 3) train to Hamilton Station platform 2, arriving at 10:46, then cross quickly from to platform 1 for the 10:50 train to Maitland, arriving there at 11:26 (there is another train from Hamilton at 11:31, arriving Maitland at 12:00. Return by say the 15:39 train from Maitland, changing at Hamilton and arriving at Epping at 18:34.
  
  You may want to stay overnight: there is much more to see both in Maitland and also in East Maitland, Lorn, Morpeth and other nearby towns.
  Please call or text Rick Collins on 0411-611-338 or Ross Beattie on 0402 350 481 if you would like to come or if you have any queries!
• EXAMPLES of RECENT Ramblers are:
• Thursday 20 July 2023: 10 Ramblers enjoyed some really lovely weather for a 5 km stroll along the Brisbane Water foreshore from Hardys Bay along Pretty Beach towards Wagstaffe and back, then enjoying a nice lunch at Hardy Bay's Fat Goose Café. Many photographs were taken, including by drone.
• Thursday 29 June 2023: a group of some 1o merry Ramblers took a train from Epping to West Ryde then a bus to Birkenhead Point to enjoy an interesting ramble along Iron Cove by Hawthorne Canal reserve to Marion Street Leichardt for lunch at Little Sicily Restaurant for lunch, returning by Light Rail to Central and train to Epping
• Thursday 18 May 2023: 11 Ramblers took the train from Epping to Meadowbank for an interesting 4.5 km ramble over the John Whitton [historic rail] bridge pathway accross the Parramatta River, along the Mill Park waterfront pathway at Rhodes, across the new public-transport/foot/cycle Bennelong Bridge to Wentworth Point, and then in a loop along the Riverside Walk and the Louise Savage Walkway back to the Sydney Olympic Park wharf for the ferry to Meadowbank, where they had a most delightful lunch at the Fork and Spoon Restaurant before catching the train from Meadowbank back to Epping.
• Thursday 27 April 2023: eight Ramblers took the 09:04 fast train from Epping to Central Station, thence the light rail to the Exhibition Centre, from where they enjoyed an interesting 5 km ramble from Tumbalong Park through Darling Harbour to the Maritime Museum and then a waterfront ramble with spectacular harbour views around the redeveloped finger wharfs at Pyrmont Bay, Darling Island and Jones Bay to Pirrama Park and on to the Anzac Bridge and our way back to the old Pyrmont Bridge. Along the way they passed discovering the historic Paradise quarry which operated for some 80 years until 1931 producing some of the best building stone available in Sydney. Lunch after the Ramble was at The Laneway, Pyrmont, 84 Union Street, Pyrmont, after which they caght the light rail from Pyrmont Bay to Central Station for the train back to Epping. Perfect autumn weather.
• Thursday 30 March 2023: nine Ramblers met on Epping Station concourse to catch the 10.02 a.m. train to Rhodes to undertake an interesting 5 km ramble along the scenic Parramatta River foreshore along Brays Bay to Concord West, including the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, the Concord Foreshore Trail, the heritage Yaralla House and Estate, and the Wilga Street heritage precinct. Lunch after the ramble as at Bar Briscola on Victoria Avenue, Concord West before boarding a train at Concord West Station to travel back to Epping.
• Thursday 2 March 2022, 10:00: for our February outing 14 Ramblers (nine members and five guests) took the 09:10 train from Epping to Woy Woy, and then by Route 50 bus to Umina Beach to start a lovely 4 km ramble at low tide along the foreshore and the beach (firm, moist sand, perfect for a comfortable, leisurely ramble) to Ettalong Beach, enjoying stunning views across to Lion Island, Pittwater and Bouddi National Park, ending at the Ettalong Diggers Club (where we were joined by another member and his wife) for lunch on the Alfresco Terrace, after which ramblers caght the bus back to Woy Woy thence the train back to Epping!
• December 2022 January 2023: there were no December 2023 or January 2023 Rambles - too hot!
• Thursday 1 December 2022, 10:00: for our November outing, six Ramblers (five members and one guest) caught the Metro from Epping to Chatswood, then the Route 144 bus to Manly, thence the 10:42 Route 161 bus to North Head for a lovely 5 km, mainly downhill, ramble back to Manly along sealed or well made paths and boardwalks, for lunch at Fins and Ribs (33 South Steyne, Manly) before rambling along the Corso to catch the Manly Ferry to C’Quay and trains to Epping. 
• Tuesday 25 October 2022, 10:00: six Ramblers met at Dooley's Bar and Grill Waterview at 214 Silverwater Road (off Clyde Street), Silverwater for a 5 km Ramble along the south side of the River to Newington Armoury, returning via Blaxland Riverside Park to the Club for a great lunch.
• Tuesday 29 September 2022, 10:00: a group of 14 Ramblers (seven members, six guests and one prospective member) enjoyed an exploration of the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden followed by lunch at Bellini’s Restaurant at St Ives.
• Tuesday 01 September 2022, 10:00: our August outing: 11 Ramblers travelled by train and ferry to explore South Head Peninsula, visiting Green Point, Camp Cove, South Head, The Gap, and Macquarie Lighthouse, before looping back across the Peninsula to Gibson’s Beach from where they followed the harbour shoreline back to Watson's Bay where an additional duo joined them for lunch at Doyle’s Fisherman’s Wharf before heading home.
• Tuesday 19 July 2022, 10:00: our Ramblers meet at the Parramatta Leagues Club car park (enter from Eels Place, Parramatta) for a 5 km ramble from the Club, around historic Parramatta Park, then along the Parramatta River Walk towards the ferry terminal, and looping back to the Leagues Club for lunch at the Bistro.
• Thursday 7 July 2022, 09:15: our 'June' Ramble, postponed twice (due to weather, then due to railway industrial action): our Ramblers gathered at Epping Station for a train to Circular Quay, thence the 10.25 a.m. ferry to Neutral Bay for a delightful 5 km ramble along the Cremorne Reserve waterfront via Cremorne Point to the Mosman Rowers Club at Mosman Bay, where they lunched at the Archie Bear Café, thence completing the ramble around to Mosman Bay wharf for a ferry back to Circular Quay and train to Epping.
• Thursday 2 June 2022, 10:00: our 'May' event: eleven Ramblers met at Western Sydney Parklands (Richmond Road carpark) for a flat 5 km scenic Ramble along the Binyang Matta [Dharug:‘Place of Birds’] Trail, all joining in for lunch at Sawmillers Restaurant, Quakers' Inn, 7 Nirimba Drive, Quakers Hill. Easy and pleasant walk and a great lunch!
• Thursday 5 May 2022, 09:00: our 'April' Ramble: 12 Ramblers met on the concourse at Epping Station catch the 9.10 a.m. train from platform 3 to Woy Woy for the Route 64 bus to Blackwall Point: thence a very easy, enjoyable, flat scenic 4 km ramble along the Brisbane Water waterfront reserve back to Woy Woy, with lunch after the ramble at SaTanG Thai, 4/1820 The Boulevarde, Woy Woy. Trains from Woy Woy back to Epping
• Thursday 24 March 2022, 10:00: 6 intrepid Ramblers (5 members, 1 spouse) met in wet conditions at the far end of Sugarloaf Crescent, (off Eastern Valley Way), Castlecrag, NSW 2068 for a lovely 5km Ramble along the Harold Reid Foreshore Track around Castle Cove and Crag Cove. The Harold Reid Foreshore Track is well formed easy/medium grade track with some stone steps, and lots of leeches. Lunch afterwards at The Incinerator café, 2a Small Street, Willoughby, was very nice indeed.
• February 2022: no Ramble currently scheduled! Our event Leader is away!
• Thursday 25 November 2021, 10:00: seven Ramblers met at Lane Cove River bridge on Delhi Road, North Ryde (i.e., next to the now closed Lane Cove River Steak House) for a Ramble through the bush along the Lane Cove River Track from Mowbray Park to Epping Road and then back to Delhi Road along a section of the Great North Walk on the other side of the River. Lunched afterwards at the Lane Cove National Park Café.Just beat the rain!
• Thursday 27 October 2021, 10:00: 14 Ramblers met at the carpark at Sommerville Park on Blaxland Road, Epping, for a walk along the beautiful Terry’s Creek on the tracks and boardwalks to Epping Road and return to Sommerville Park via Dence Park. 15 fine folk lunched afterwards will be at North Ryde RSL Sports Club [formerly Eastwood Rugby Club], 146-150 Vimera Road, Eastwood!
• Thursday 24 June 2021, 10:00: a 5 km generally flat Ramble along Bicentennial Park’s paths and boardwalks; met at Waterview Café car park; lunched afterwards at Waterview Café
• Thursday 3 June 2021, 10:30: [walk delayed from May]: nine Rambled ~4 km along Cheltenham bush trails (Devlins’ Creek), lunching afterwards at ‘Play Coffee’, Beecroft. A little rain was no impediment, the lunch was well regarded.
• Thursday 29 April 2021, 10:00: seven Ramblers wandered through bush and around the Looking Glass Bay and Bedlam Bay foreshores of Parramatta River, then around the grounds of Gladesville Hospital and its historic buildings [~4 km], lunch afterwards in the reserve near the Banjo Paterson Restaurant. Beautiful weather resulted in a very enjoyable and interesting day.
• Thursday 27 February 2021, 10:00: leader: Col Jones: We kicked the year off walking wise with a Ramble circumnavigating a lesser known area of North Rocks – around some light Industrial complexes, the North Rocks Korean Church complex (Sydney Saesoon Presbyterian Church) and Muirfield Golf Club: ~5 km. 
  We’ll walk: down North Rocks Road to Loyalty Rd. and Trent Rd to enter bush track that took us across Rifle Range Creek to join the end of Perry St., returning to Blackburn Ave along Barclay Rd, through Don Moore Reserve. We stayred on for our packed lunch at Blackburn Ave.
• Thursday 19 November 2020, 10:00: leader: Ross Beattie: a Ramble set out from Carlingford Bowling Club to walk down the Ponds Walk from Eric Mobbs Lookout and through Galaringi Botanic Parkland, basically along The Ponds Creek in Carlingford, Dundas Valley and Telopea. The track was good; there are some 85 avian species logged recently in Galaringi. we will see the remains of an old sandstone pioneer bridge in Fitzgeralds Forest, and visited the site of Dundas/Pennant Hills Quarry, a quarried diatreme, now an oval. 14 Ramblers, 12 of whom partook lunch at the Carlingford Bowling Club, joined thereat by 3 late-comers.
• Thursday 22 October 2020, 10:00: leader John Peters: starting and finishing at 81A Cheltenham Road Cheltenham, walking anti-clockwise around the route rambling Creeks of Cheltenham: we will traverse some of Cheltenham and Beecroft’s surviving bushland, including the Pioneers’ Trail, which includes many plaques commemorating the district’s early agriculture and industry. The distance is around 6.6 km and walking time is around 2.5 hours. We suggest bringing refreshments, water, and a picnic lunch. The track is a little uneven in parts, so a stick or stock may be helpful. We have arranged for the Roselea community centre to be open, which should offer a setting for a morning snack and a comfort stop. Coffee can be bought at the BP Wild Bean cafe over Pennant Hills Rd, which also provides toilets but nowhere to sit. On our return, lunch with provided tea and coffee by our hosts.
• Thursday 24 September 2020, 10:00: leader Brian Haywood: Subject to the weather being dry, we meet at 35 Cheltenham Road for a 10am start, crossing the bridge at Cheltenham station, turn left and follow Sutherland Road, turn right into Kethel Road and pick up the track along Byles Creek at junction with Malton Road. From there we follow the track along Byles Creek to Day Road picnic area – those who want to cut the Ramble short can return via Day Road to Cheltenham Station, the rest continue to on to meet the Great North Walk track, turn right and continue down to the southern end of Sutherland Road where it meets the M2; we then return to Cheltenham Station via Sutherland Road
  The track is mostly flat and easily negotiable, but if you have any query about stability bring a stick or walking poles. It should take about 2 hours and on our return, all are welcome to have a picnic in the garden (cold/hot water and coffee provided).
• Thursday 27 August 2020, 10:00: leader Tony Chaine: meet at 15 Chester Street, Epping, to proceed north-east along Oxford Street, turning left into Norfolk Road. Continue along Norfolk Road passing the oval, turn right at Malton Road and walk a short distance to North Epping Shopping Centre for a 15-minute coffee break at the bakery. Continue along Malton Road to All Saints' Church and turn left (still Malton Road) walking to cross over Boundary Road. Then continue to the end of Malton Road which is where we enter the bush for a quite a short walk – (noticed some wild flowers there on Monday!). Leave the bush at Down Street – it is then a five minute walk to Beck Street on the right which takes you to the back of Boundary Road oval (the Steamroller park). Leave the oval area and walk through to Malton Road and then back to Boundary Road. Turn right and continue to the end of Boundary Road passing the Bowling Club; a little beyond there is the entrance to Whale Rock walk. Suggest just walk to the rock and then come back out onto Boundary and then start the return up Norfolk Road stopping for lunch at the oval which has a picnic area. So besides water have a bite to eat with you. All in all this would take approx. 2hrs.
• Thursday 30 July 2020, 10:00: leader Col Jones: After meeting at our start point in Blackburn Avenue, North Rocks, twelve members, partners & friends signed the official Covid-19 declaration/sign-in sheet and commenced Rambling – Both the walking and talking type. Another member’s daughter and dog meet us on the path along Hunt's Creek. At the end of the first section Jane and four others continued to ramble back to the starting point while the rest accepted the challenge of walking to the Balaka Falls and home without incident apart from some wet feet. A few socially distanced at our start/finish point for lunch and a drink.
• Thursday dd July 2020, 10:00: leader Jack Lee: a short and thoroughly enjoyable Ramble took us from Ridge Street, Epping, down the Pioneers' Track along Devlins Creek to Midson Road, where we turned back to deviate along the northern section of the Pioneers' Track to Roselea, before returning to Ridge Street via Ray Park. A very interesting Ramble with much to learn of.