Blogger: Lauren Lucy Crowley
It was time for another adventure, and so we headed down to Circular Quay (one of the main ferry terminals in downtown Sydney) to catch a ferry! We weren’t quite sure where we were headed for….but as it happened the Watsons Bay ferry was about to depart so we decided to hop on and see what the place had to offer!
We chose rooftop outdoor seats on the ferry, perfect for a spot of sunbathing! The view was fantastic as we moved out of the harbour down past the Opera house into the glistening ocean! I was pleasantly surprised when we pulled up at Watsons Bay, with a picturesque coastline and gorgeous beaches I knew we were in for a very enjoyable day trip!
Watsons Bay is one Australia’s oldest fishing villages and as a result remains a popular local inlet famous for its fresh seafood. Doyles restaurant and takeaway on the beach has long been a fine dining Sydney institution for those looking to experience fresh fish, lobsters, prawns and more…. And so we couldn’t resist a seafood picnic on the beach! It was simply delicious!
One of the best ways to enjoy the harbour views around Watsons Bay is to take a coastal walk. There are two walking paths from Watsons Bay wharf – one which takes you north past Lady Bay Beach, and then on to South Head where you can see the Hornby Lighthouse. The other walking path meanders south past ‘The Gap’, an ocean cliff facing the Tasman Sea, and then along past the Signal Station and Macquarie Lighthouse!
Steeped in history, Watsons Bay is home to several buildings that date back to the 19th Century. St Peter’s Church on Old South Head Road is a tourist favourite, while on the same street there is also a Scout Hall and a former school residence designed by the prominent 19th century Sydney architect George Mansfield. The southern coastal walk will also take you past the site where the fully-rigged passenger ship, “The Dunbar”, was famously shipwrecked in 1857!
Accessible by boat or land, and not too far from Sydney CBD (approx.. 11km) I highly recommend taking a day trip to the beautiful Watsons Bay! I assure you, you won’t be disappointed!
