Doyles at Watson's Bay

Watson’s Bay: A day walk through a Sydney Suburb

A Self-Guided Walk in Watsons Bay

Download the Walking Map

The perfect way to get to Watson’s Bay is by ferry. However, because I made a mistake with the timetable, I am on a rather crowded bus, winding through the Eastern Suburbs of Double Bay, Rose Bay and Vaucluse. There are views of the harbour, expensive houses and designer shops.

Robertson Park

Robertson's Park Watson's Bay

Robertson’s Park Watson’s Bay

Fake Flowers

Fake Flowers

The final stop is Watson’s Bay near Robertson park, so named after Sir John Robertson who was a five-time Premier of NSW. His now demolished house, Clovelly, stood in what today is a treed and grassy park. Children chatter in the playground.

A plane flies overhead and workers are preparing for the tourist onslaught, cleaning floors, sweeping pavements and unloading supplies. Watson’s Bay is Australia’s oldest fishing village. Fish and chips here, at Doyle’s, is a bucket list item for visitors to Sydney.

Robert Watson

There is a stone bench near the wharf. Words carved into the sandstone inform me that Watson’s Bay was named after Robert Watson. His career included being Quartermaster of HMS Sirius and Superintendent of Macquarie Lighthouse. Walking along Marine Parade, the clear harbour water laps the sand.

A yacht tender has the Aboriginal flag painted on its bow. A passerby asks me if I know what the colours of the flag represent. I do. Red for the earth, black for the Aboriginal People themselves and yellow for the sun.

Suburban Watson's Bay

Cute Cottage

Heritage listed

Seen on some homes

Suburban Streets

At the end of Marine Parade, a short flight of stairs leads to Pacific Street. The houses are a mixture of little old weatherboard cottages and new bigger and more modern homes. Brass plaques indicate that some of the cottages are on the National Register.

Marine Biological Station

A timeline in a little park on the corner of Victoria Street explains that this area, once a lagoon, was a source of fish for Indigenous people and the new settlers. A Russian scientist then set up a Marine Biological Station here after which it was used by the army. The Heritage Station itself is hidden behind a tall fence.

Green (Laing's) Point

Green (Laing’s) Point

Save Watsons Bay

Local Protest

Green (Laings) Point

An unclear path descends via a set of stairs to Green (Laings) Point. The water is calm. Two fishermen stand patiently on the rocks hoping for a bite. The city can be seen in the distance across the sparkling water. During WWII, an anti- torpedo and anti- midget submarine boom net stretched from here across the harbour to Georges Head. All that remains today is the floor of the winch house.

The nearby obelisk has nothing to do with the boom. It was erected in the 1850s as a navigational marker. The circular track passes Green Point Cottage, which together with a couple of other heritage cottages is the subject of local protest against turning these Watson’s Bay icons into function centres.

Camp Cove

To Camp Cove

Camp Cove

Other end of Camp Cove

Camp Cove

A set of wooden stairs take me to the beach at Camp Cove. A man wades into the water for his morning swim while another dries himself off. He tells me the water is a balmy 17 degrees.  The tide is going out, leaving a wavy line of vegetation along the sand. Bits of coloured plastic contrast against the sticks and drying seaweed. The battle to stop plastic entering our waterways has a long way to go.

HMAS Watson

The kiosk at the end of the beach is closed and I follow a path past a large black canon and other ‘tunnels’ – a reminder of the area’s military history. There are steep and according to the signs, dangerous cliffs on my left. The Military Base, HMAS Watson on my right has no public access.

Tiny little superb fairy wrens flit around on the grass. The brightly coloured male is curious about my camera. He approaches, but not close enough for a reasonable photo.

Lady Bay Beach

Lady Bay Beach

Hornby Lighthouse

Hornby Lighthouse

South Head Heritage Trail Loop

Lady Bay Beach (or Lady Jane Beach as it is also called) is one of the few nudist beaches in Sydney. On the rocks in the distance a few bronzed bodies soak up the sun. It is a fabulous day for it. This walk is called The South Head Heritage Trail Loop.

Hornby Lighthouse

It goes past one of the two Lighthouse Keepers Cottages and takes me to the red and white striped Hornby Lighthouse around the corner. It is the third oldest lighthouse in New South Wales and still warns ships to keep clear of the dangerous cliffs.

North Head is clearly visible across the water while the deep blue Pacific Ocean is flat and there’s a line of low white cloud hugging the horizon.

The Gap

The Gap

Dunbar Anchor

Anchor from the Dunbar

The Gap

Returning to Watson’s Bay Wharf along the road I pass more pretty, old cottages along the way. For lunch, I decide on the customary plate of fish and chips. That and a cup of coffee set me up for the rest of my day.

The plan for the afternoon is to walk along the cliff taking in the views from The Gap and The Gap Bluff and then to continue to The Gap Park.

The view out to sea from the various lookouts is magnificent, but I can’t help thinking briefly about the negative aspects of The Gap, a known suicide spot. An emergency phone to Lifeline (13 11 14) is prominently placed near the steps. The beauty of my surroundings, the sun sparkling on the water and the hope of seeing a whale soon distract me.

Whales

A man in a black suit and tie seems out of place among the casually dressed tourists. He is a chauffeur, waiting for his client to finish lunch. He tells me that last week there was a whale in the harbour. My eyes follow the afternoon whale watching cruises hopefully.

Suddenly there is a massive splash in the water. It is too far to make out anything more, but there are definitely whales out there.

Scout Hall Watsons Bay

Can you see the trefoil?

Our Lady Star of the Sea

Our Lady Star of the Sea

Wreck of the Dunbar

On the coastal path is the huge anchor that was recovered from the 1857 wreck of the Dunbar when all but one of the 122 passengers and crew on board perished. Interestingly the sole survivor, James Johnson, became the first Head Lighthouse keeper when the lighthouse was completed the following year.

The path meanders along the coastline to a clearing where I find a tribute to Don Richie “The Angel or Watchman of The Gap”. Don was a local man who would approach people who seemed to be contemplating jumping and ask if he could help them. His kind words saved many lives. To quote Don, ‘Always remember the power of a simple smile, A helping hand, a listening ear and a kind word ‘.

Heritage Buildings

There are three heritage listed buildings to see in Old South Head Road. The quaint sandstone St Peter’s Church has amazing views of the harbour. Further along, and back from the road, is an old scout hall and former school residence. Next door is the larger Our Lady Star of the Sea church. They are all worth a quick look.

The Pilot Station Watsons Bay

The Pilot Station

Suburban Watsons Bay

Frog’s Hollow

At the end of Salisbury street, a path leads to the site of the old Lifeboat Station (more recently a Pilot Station). Then, it’s a flat walk along the harbour foreshore to Watson’s Bay Wharf. I pass the baths (more plastic debris cluttering up the sand), the Library and Tea House, the Vaucluse Yacht Club and Dunbar House where people are enjoying lunch out on the veranda.

Watsons Bay Baths

Watsons Bay Baths

Mile Marker

Stone Marker

Taking the Ferry

My timing is perfect. The return ferry to the city is just pulling in. After a lovely day walking harbourside and along the coast, discovering history along the way, I am glad that I caught the bus here and can take the ferry back. My day has come in full circle.

For more Sydney Harbourside or beachside walks go to Bronte and Kirribilli
Next stop: Ashfield

Useful information:

The Harbourside suburb of Watson’s Bay is 11km north east of the Sydney CBD

Plan your trip at transportnsw.info

Walking Map

And a map to assist you: (You can download it here)
(NOTE that the time indicated on the map does not allow for any stops. I take an average of 4-5 hours when I explore):

Watson's Bay Walk Map

 

Comments

  1. Thanks Jo,
    I am a regular visitor to Watsons Bay when I do my tours. I actually performed a wedding at Green Point a few years ago for a couple who were both pilots on the Goodyear blimp! At the Gap I always tell people the story of Don Richie – what an amazing man! And my older daughter, Amy, was married in Robertson Park underneath that huge fig tree near the wharf! A lovely spot to visit.
    Cheers,
    Philip

    1. Author

      Hi Philip
      You do meet interesting people as a Celebrant. And have some great connections with Watson’s Bay. It was about time that I revisited it. Jo

  2. I would love to do the walk along the cliff and the coastal path. Sad to think of it as a suicide spot and also sad that so many people who wanted to live drowned in the Dunbar wreck.
    I think fish and chips at Doyle’s would put me in a good mood?.

    1. Author

      As always a thoughtful comment, Bernadette. Thanks. We’ll go there when you next visit.

    1. Author

      Yes, Albert, but I suppose I’m a tourist too in a way when photographing the suburbs of Sydney. Joanne

  3. Wonderful blog Joanne
    perhaps we can help out by referring clients to each other
    My specialty is the eastern subs X. Best wishes

    1. Author

      Thanks Jennifer. I had a great day in Watson’s Bay. I’ll contact you via email re your suggestion. Joanne.

  4. Hi Joanne,

    Very nice and informative blog. I am planning to move to Sydney soon and Watson’s bay area looks like a beautiful place to stay. I have an unusual question for you since you seem to be an expert of the area:

    I am a fisherman and have been wondering if there is access to the rocky areas below the cliffs along the coastal walk. I have been closely looking at Google maps but cannot seem to see any trails that lead down to those the rocks at the shore.

    Do you have any idea if fishermen (or adventerous photographers) ever walk down to those rocky areas that lie between say Gap Bluff all the way to Bondi beach?

    Many thanks

    1. Author

      Hello and thanks for your interesting question. I cannot answer your question definitively but I think the cliffs on the section you mention would be too steep and dangerous to access for fishing. I have seen fishermen harbourside and further south on the coastal rocks than Bondi. Other places I’ve seen fishermen when exploring Sydney are parts of Cronulla, La Perouse and even the beach at Palm Beach. I imagine most fishermen travel to their favourite spots.

      The advice for all rock fishermen is to wear life jackets at all times. There have been too many people washed into the sea and against rocks over the years.
      Sorry I can’t be of more help. You are sure to love Sydney when you get here.

  5. Pingback: Watsons Bay Walk | Plan a trip to Sydney

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