When friends come to Sydney it’s compulsory to do the Bondi to Bronte walk. It’s stunning, it’s famous, it never gets old. But there’s another walk that I have on my Must List whenever visitors are in town, and it has views that give Bondi to Bronte a run for their money.
Cremorne Point is just a matter of minutes from Sydney’s Circular Quay by ferry, and we all know hopping on a ferry and cruising past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge is another compulsory tourist activity in Sydney.
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When you step off the ferry at Cremorne and look back at the perfect city views you’ll understand why so many people love living in this special part of the world, and may join me in dreaming about moving into some of the beautiful homes that look out onto it every day.
Booking.comOnce upon a time, back in 1856 to be exact, Cremorne Point was a seaside amusement park with a carousel, music stage, a shooting gallery and more. In the 1870s it had a close call with being turned into a coal mine, but fortunately people protested and those crazy greenies (if that’s what they were called back then) won the day and saved it from a horrible fate.
Today it’s a very special spot, and not just because of those killer views. The Cremorne Reserve stretches around the shoreline and is a mix of bushland, garden areas and formal lawns.
If the weather’s warm, you may want to pop a swimsuit in your bag and take a dip in Maccallum Pool, a truly charming pool with a timber deck perched on the edge of the harbour.
The Cremorne Point walk is around three kilometres, and you can take yourself on a little self-guided tour thanks to plaques sharing the area’s history as you go.
One of my favourite spots is the Lex and Ruby Graham Gardens, or “The Garden That Grew from an Elephant’s Ear”. Once a rubbish filled eyesore, things changed in 1959 when Lex Graham found an Elephant’s Ear bulb floating in the rockpool below. He planted the bulb for his new bride, Ruby, and the two of them stated clearing the rubbish out, removing mattresses, refrigerators, even whalebone corsets and a kitchen sink. They then put in garden beds and sweet winding paths. It’s now a National Trust listed spot that I love to visit.
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As you walk past this magical little garden, the carefully tended plants start to give way to bushland, and you weave your way along, crossing a little wooden bridge under the shade of twisted trees and ferns, continuing along until you find The Mosman Rowers Club, a top little spot to grab a thirst quenching drink or have a bite to eat.
While it’s not the most regular of ferry stops from here you can catch a ferry back to the city, or you can do as I did and enjoy the Cremorne Point walk again in reverse, spotting new things the second time along the path.
And if you time it right you can take a seat on the grass and watch a sunset you’ll never forget.
Yes, it’s a very special little spot. And if you find it hard to tear yourself away, you may want to spend the night in one of the oldest continually run guesthouses in the world, the Cremorne Point Manor Boutique Hotel. Found just up the road from where I took this sunset shot, it’s a sweet four star boutique hotel and the perfect spot to base yourself and continue the Cremorne love.
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While this is one of my favourite walks in Sydney, there are so many wonderful ones to do out there. If you’re the kind of person who likes to meet like minded people and learn a few things on walking tours when you visit cities, there are lots of great tours to do in and around Sydney. To check them out click here for a range of Sydney walking tours to choose from.
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Looking for more fun Sydney ideas? Check out my list of 20 great tours and things to do in Sydney for every budget.
Great post Amanda. Having lived in Sydney my whole life I am guilty of not ever having done either the Cremorne Point walk or the Bondi to Bronte walk. I’m going to change that though once this humidity disappears and the weather cools off a bit.
Oh you must do them both as soon as possible! So very beautiful and reminds you of how lucky we are to live in such a stunning city.