HWe read that there were markets at the old Defence site where Silverwater Rd crosses the Parramatta River, so we headed down early to beat the heat and check them out.
We parked in John St and walked past what is fast becoming a rare site this close to Sydney… heaps of old fibro houses. Lots of old Housing Commission houses as well.
We combined this with a walk along the Parramatta River along the great path that’s been built there.
Thomas is our youngest son.
Thomas St runs from Liverpool Rd near Ashfield shops to The Strand at Croydon; The Strand being a traditional strip shopping village near Croydon Station.
Croydon is an older suburb and so has an interesting mix of old houses – some renovated, others ready for a lick of paint and a few that will likely be bulldozed in the near future.
Thomas St
Croydon NSW 2132
Emily is our oldest daughter.
Emily St, not far The Forum at Leichhardt. Pretty little street. (And as an aside, hasn’t The Forum changed in the past 10 years? I remember taking the kids there and it was a thriving Italianate courtyard packed with restaurant goers creating a real buzz. Now it’s all a bit sad; virtually deserted, shops up for lease etc.)
On a walk in the surrounding streets it’s evident of the haphazard way some of these older streets and suburbs were settled and grew… some terraces have rear (dunny lane) access, others a side passage, others no access to the old privy at all. Shop fronts scattered through the residential areas, larger houses (the original estate house?) with generous yards. Really interesting.
Emily St
Leichhardt NSW 2040
We started with breakfast at The Coal Loader Cafe. in Balls Head Rd at Waverton, where we were a few weeks ago.
Beautiful spot – have to remember this as a venue for a 60th or similar.
From there we headed west, making our way around Balls Head Bay and Oyster Cove, around Berry Island Reserve and on towards Greenwich above the fuel tanks at Gore Cove, some of which have been removed, but some are still in use today, pumping fuel from here to Clyde near Parramatta.
Coal Loader Cafe to Greenwich Rd
Coal Loader Cafe. Lovely.
Coal Loader Cafe
Old wharf fallen into disrepair at Waverton below the Coal Loader Cafe
Old street signs art installation below the Coal Loader Cafe
Looking west towards Wondakiah Dr
Tunnel under the old Coal Loader site
Oyster Cove at the end of Wondakiah Dr at Waverton. Dense housing around, but lots of parkland maintained. Nice!
Remnant of the old gasworks at Oyster Cove at the end of Wondakiah Dr at Waverton. Dense housing around, but lots of parkland maintained
Berry Island – the point where land was filled to connect it to the mainland and make it no longer an island as such,
Berry Island
Berry Island
Looking back towards the Coal Loader
At the point off Berry Island
Along the path between Berry Island and Greenwich
Along the path between Berry Island and Greenwich
Hollaway Park
Hollaway Park, at the end of Vista St. Beautiful little park with a view
Vista St Greenwich
THE spot to watch the fireworks in Sydney! Greenwich Rd, above Gore Cove.
So, this weekend, we... 