Echo Point Park

My family invited me on a nice walk through Echo Point Park, located close to our house in Roseville Chase, for a bushwalk.   

Aussies are outdoor people who love to get out and enjoy nature, which is plentiful in Sydney.  

I was a bit cautious upon entering because I'm not especially fond of woods, and the entryway looked a bit ominous, but I took a leap of faith and entered because I do like to walk.

Creepy side entrance to the bushwalk

Bushwalk - nowhere to go but straight ahead.

I kept reminding myself it was just a walking trail but couldn't stop thinking, this is Australia! 

Echo Point Park vegetation

My caution paid off because I was on high alert when the path narrowed and exposed a cliff - without guardrails! 

Then and there, I knew this would not be a walk for the faint of heart!

One of Echo Point Park's uphill footpaths.

My son-in-law was clever enough to bring along his walking stick, which is very helpful when navigating rough bush terrain.

No one told me!

Bushwalking was new territory for me, so I focused on him instead of worrying about critters that may be lurking.  

Son-in-law leading the way through Echo Point Park

Large rocks, broken branches, leaf debris, aggregate stones, uneven footpaths, and fallen trees waited for me ahead on the forest floor.

Pathways lead to more paths.

I would have reported the fallen trees to the Ku-ring-gai Council, Echo Point's local government, if I could pronounce it.

It all made me think about the Haunted Forrest in the Wizard of Oz, but just like Dorothy, I forged ahead.

 

My family & I climbed hills, walked on higher and lower paths, winding roads, raised stones, and narrow footpaths.

Daughter and grandson, climbing a hill.

Native ferns are everywhere throughout the walk.

A few of the footpaths were concrete and pleasant to walk on.  The trees and landscape of the park are typical of Sydney.

There are a lot of outdoor stone and wood staircases in the park, some with 100 steps or more.

This staircase is just one of many at Echo Point Park.

I looked for landmarks to avoid getting lost if separated from my family and found a good one.  

However, I kept forgetting where in the park it was located. 

The twin Creeks Track nature walk was tempting, but I wasn't up to another 8.2 miles through Garigal National Park.

Some areas near and around the park are bushland reserves protected by the North Sydney Council to ensure they are not disturbed by urbanization or careless visitors.

There are thousands of grass and bush fires each summer in and around Sydney.  

Foresters post signs in the bush to remind guests to obey fire prevention laws and help to protect natural bushlands.

Beautiful sandstone outcrops are everywhere in Echo Park. A trip to the park is worth it to see them.   

Echo Point runs alongside the Middle Harbour, a tide-dominated estuary which you can see through the clearing of the Eucalyptus tree (Gum).  

The water in the Harbour comes from the Tasman Sea, which is part of the South Pacific Ocean, the same body that supplies the Sydney Harbour.  

My daughter and grandson overlook Middle Harbour.

Echo Point beach.

Seashells were plentiful, which was shocking. I live in Virginia Beach and haven't seen a shell along the shoreline for years.  I love collecting them and find the sense of discovery satisfying, not to mention the joy I get whenever I come across an interesting one.

Currents push oyster shells onto the beach all along the coastline.  The water is pristine and rich in sea life.

Fishing is allowed, and if you're good, you can catch kingfish, squid, mulloway, and bream.

My granddaughter, fishing at Echo Point Park.

Echo Point Picnic Area near the fishing spot.

Secluded picnic area.

Along the water, there are great hiding places and secluded spots.

The park has a lot of breakaway pathways leading to the entertaining areas of the park, like secluded pavilions, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a cafe!

A  playground for children makes a lot of sense because children don't have to go bushwalking just because they are at Echo Point. 

Echo Point Park playground

The cafe attracts a lot of locals meeting up for breakfast (brekkie) or brunch; however, it was hard for me to find, even with the signs.

The cafe is an excellent attraction and a brief distraction from the lumps and holes on the dirt road. 

But you can't escape the bush, it's all around you in Sydney, so it is best to learn to enjoy it.

There is a lot going on at Echo Point Park. 

It's a great place to fish, hike, dine, picnic, dog walk, visit a playground, or take a dip in the harbor. 

However, there have been some small shark sightings, so I'd skip the dip if I were you.

For travelers to Sydney who are looking to break away from the tourist locations, you must put Echo Point Park and Cafe on your "to see' list!

Bushwalking . . . 

Aussie & their walking sticks . . .

Rocky trails, cliffs, and oysters . . . 

I am Not in Kansas!