Neilsens Park to Rose Bay

My second walk took me further down into the harbour on the Western side. I started at Nielsen’s Park in Vaucluse and walked along the Heritage foreshore path to Rose Bay. Its only about 2km in length but the path is uneven and lots of carved stone steps so not good for grandma or pushchairs.

The swimming area at Nelsons Park was busy for a week day but I’ve since discovered is Yom Kippur which would explain the boys sporting their copolas, along with their beach towels. The path itself though was quiet and apart from the odd fisherman, a drunk under a tree and a fashion shoot, I saw nobody.

Heady with the scent of jasmine, which seems to be pumping through Sydney at the moment, this part of the harbour boasts the only perfect growing conditions for two types of plants that survived the European settlement. Spring was beginning to show with what appeared to be freesias and baby orchids in the undergrowth.

Aside from the pretty private bays, the highlight was Carrara House, now known as Strictland House, which was built in 1854 and now sits with its shutters firmly closed. Such a shame as it appeared to have the best view of Sydney Harbour I’ve seen so far. Named after Carrara, the marble-producing town in Italy of which the fireplaces are constructed, along with two large guard dogs, who unluckily for them, sit with their backs to that view.

Back at the park, I had a cold but delicious swim, as the ferries passed me by, and art students took advantage of the golden hour with their cameras on the beach.