A discovery of the beauty of Sydney Harbour from the northern side, finishing across the harbour bridge at circular quay. This ride generally follows quiet urban streets, providing plenty of hilly challenges, and at least as many places to rest and enjoy the views. Take a bike lock as there are many places of interest along the way: walks, historic sites, the zoo, cafes and restaurants, and parks with shady trees.
From Balmoral Beach, start your discovery of the bushland reserves, lookout points and wharves following the harbour towards the city of Sydney. First lookout is at Middle Head and the Old Fort, part of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and Sydney Harbour National Park; then its down to Land’s Edge.
Ride back up and around to Clifton Gardens, a peaceful suburb and a sheltered beach on Chowder Bay, but watch the climb back out – David St is steep – take Kardinia Rd if you don’t want the challenge today! Then its on to Bradley’s Head and Taronga Zoo with the first wharf on the ride. Near the Taronga Zoo wharf is a good place to watch Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks.
A quick visit to the little known Cirius Cove, then South Mosman wharf to peak between the trees at the water below. Up and around to Mosman Bay wharf, and the vessels moored in this safe cove. Up and around again to Cremorne Point wharf and views of the city skyline.
Up again, to enjoy the downhill of Wycombe Rd to Kurraba Point, the city skyline and of course another wharf. Now its up Ben Boyd Rd, to enjoy the downhill of Bent St, and around to North Sydney wharf, past Milsons Park to Kirribilli wharf and Kirribilli House, the Sydney home of the Prime Minister.
Ride around Milsons Point, past Jeffrey St wharf, under the harbour bridge and its giant hinges, past Milsons Point wharf and Luna Park, to McMahons Point wharf. This is one of the most popular places for television reporters and photographers looking for a ‘classic’ photograph of Sydney – OK, we did it too!
Balls Head is the last of the bush retreats on this ride to the city, and provides views of the Parramatta River over Goat Island and back to the city skyline. It is hard to believe you are so close to a capital city yet amongst all the bush in the Balls Head Reserve.
Back towards Kirribilli and the walk up the stairs onto the Harbour Bridge cycleway (yes, this is the only access, and sees around 1900 commuter cyclists every day!) Take your time to ride over the bridge, for photo opportunities of the harbour towards Balls Head, Balmain and Darling Harbour.
Once off the bridge, a quick circuit of Observatory Hill Park, then down around the waterline and under the bridge again to Circular Quay to the end of the ride.
How many wharves? How many hills? But how much fun!
Food and drink
There are many places to eat along the way, including at the start and at the end. Perhaps time the ride for lunch at ‘The Sydney Flying Squadron‘ (at 35km) and enjoy a meal on the deck overlooking the cove.
Many parks with water suitable for drinking, and toilets, are located along the route, as well as cafes and shops.
How to get there and home again
Unfortunately there is no public transport to the start that will take a bike, so riding to the start is the only way unless you have a friend that will drop you off. It is approximately a 7km ride from St Leonards railway station, or catch a ferry to Mosman wharf and ride the 3km from there.
The ferries are happy to take bicycles; travelling home from circular quay has a choice of trains or ferries. See www.transportnsw.info for trip planning, or phone 131 500 for assistance.
