Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Three-Hour Walk in Watsons Bay and Vaucluse
Tracing the perimeters of spectacular South Head,
this walk touches on the area's colonial connections
and takes in a variety of ocean and harbourside terrain,
from headlands with sweeping views and crashing waves,
to secluded coves, white sandy beaches and the streets
of one of Sydney's most desirable neighbourhoods.
reserve, and then turn right
into Cliff Street. Passing a row
of weatherboard cottages on
your left, follow the street to
its end and onto Camp Cove
Beach
6
. It was here in 1788
that Captain Arthur Phillip
first stepped ashore after
leaving Botany Bay to
explore the coastline.
Jacob's Ladder
3
. From here,
follow the descending path,
arriving at the jutting stony
ledges of The Gap
4
. The
Dunbar's
anchor is here set
into concrete, while salvaged
personal effects are displayed
at the Australian National Mari-
time Museum
(see pp94-5)
.
Taking the steps down from
The Gap, bear right into the
entrance of Sydney Harbour
National Park. This single-lane
roadway leads through natural
bushland into HMAS
Watson
Military Reserve. Follow the
road up to visit the Naval
Memorial Chapel
5
. A large
clear window inside the
chapel offers spectac-
ular views of North
Head and the Pacific
Ocean. Resume
your walk by
taking the
road out
of the
Camp Cove to
Watsons Bay
Take the wooden steps
at the northern end
of the cove to
make the 40-
minute return
walk to South
Signal Station
2
at Dunbar Head
Macquarie Lighthouse to
Camp Cove
The start of this walk is
majestic Macquarie
Lighthouse (1883)
1
. A
copy of the country's
first lighthouse built in
1818
(see p137)
, it stands
on the same site.
Take the walk north-
wards, passing by the
Signal Station
2
follow-
ing Old South Head
Road. Before the station
was built in 1848, a flag was
hoisted to warn the colony of
ships entering the harbour.
Continue along the footpath,
where a plaque marks the
location of Australia's worst
maritime disaster. It was here
that the migrant ship
Dunbar
crashed onto the rocks in a
gale in 1857
(see pp136-7)
.
The only survivor was hauled
to safety up the treacherous
cleft in the cliff face known as
Nudist Lady Bay Beach
Bust, Macquarie
Lighthouse
1
Vaucluse House
KEY
Walk route
Viewpoint
Bus stop
Ferry boarding point
Doyle's well-known restaurant at Watsons Bay
8
