4.1.2  

Glebe Island and White Bay used to be a major part of the Sydney Port, very busy with container ships carrying mainly imported cars and bulk cargo.

In the last few years most of the facilities are being dismantled. 

The future development of all of Glebe Island and White Bay and has not yet been decided. 

There are planes

              











                                         and protests.

4.1.3  

On the old dock site apartments have been build 

and the old amenities block has become a gym with pool.

Adjacent is a Birrung Park with an Art Space.

There are some great old houses,

 including at Grafton Street the one time residence of Henry Parkes, 'The Father of Federation'. 

There are also many little parks tucked away, 

like Ewengton Park with the Water Police next to it, 

and further on some vacant land were once an incinerator stood. 

Up and down some lanes and narrow streets and back to the waters edge. 

There I saw a pelican swimming slowly for a while and then take off. 
Such a beautiful sight. 
I love pelicans.

And onto Peacock Point, where the coast line of the Balmain Peninsula turns sharply to the north. 

Now we are back at Darling Harbour.

At Illoura Reserve are great views of the Harbour Bridge and the City. 

At the end of the park  stands a decaying1880s sandstone building, the Bell Store, 

it is currently being restored and will become a community facility.

Right next to it is Balmain East - Darling Street Wharf, ferries go from here to Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.

Also busses leave here to the City and suburbs.

Harbour Walk 4.2: 

April 2012 

approximately 4 km  

2 hours 

BALMAIN PENINSULA

EAST BALMAIN - BIRCHGROVE

This is my second Balmain Peninsula walk,

 from Balmain- East Wharf at Darling Street to Birchgrove Park. 

4.2.1  

Balmain Wharf is always busy, ferries go to Circular Quay and to Darling Harbour. 

There is a little park right at the wharf, ideal to sit and watch the activities on the harbour. 

Balmain is one of the oldest suburbs of 

Sydney with lots of history.

It is not always possible to walk right at the waters edge, so I keep as close as possible by walking along the nearest streets and often in little lanes, discovering interesting places.

It is not easy to find your way to Simmons Point, but it is worth it, even if getting a little lost on the way.

 It is so tranquil there and the view is superb: Harbour Bridge, Goat Island, Mort Bay, Ballast Point. 

There is an old Wharf and Workshops, 
classified by the National Trust. 

4.2.2  

Up some steps again, a short way along Nicholson and Duke Street, and down to another little foreshore park.

At Mort Bay are the Tug Boat Berths and Ferry Depot.

The Colgate factory used to be there, the building have been converted to apartments. 

More up and down some more little streets and lanes, a short distance even along Darling Street, and always keeping as close to water as possible takes you to Balmain-Thames Street Wharf. 
And then onto Mort Bay Park. 

This was the site of the first large scale dry dock and engineering workshop in Australia. it was established in 1855 and operated till 195. During WW2 Naval vessels were build here.

Mort Bay Park is a large waterfront park with a big playground. 

4.2.3  

Where Mort Bay Park ends Ballast Point Park starts. 

Here, like at many headlands sandstone was quarried but not for building but as ballast for the ships going back to England after delivering supplies to the colony in 1788 - 1806.

Ballast Point was used till 1990's a Caltex crude oil storage facility. 
In 2002 the site was returned to the public and the park was opened in 2009. 

It is amazing how much the trees then planted have grown since. 

The remnant of Tank 101 has been kept. 
There is a lot of information about the history of this place on display. 

I spent a lot of time in this beautiful park with great views.  

From here walking all the way along Wharf Street one gets only a few glimpses of the harbour in between the houses. 

At Birchgrove Park I stop for the day. The 441 bus goes from here via Balmain and Victoria Road back to the City.

Waiting for the bus I noticed a tiny castle built from sandstone in the park. 

Must be lovely for kids to play in a 'real' castle.

Harbour Walk 4.3  

April 2012  

almost 5 km   

over 2 hours 

BALMAIN PENINSULA

BIRCHGROVE

 The last stretch along the Balmain Peninsula will take me from Birchgrove Park to   Iron Cove Bridge.