From Central Wollongong to Cronulla via Bundeena: A perfect day
Day 6 Friday 27 May
House to House cycle-tour
From Central Wollongong to Cronulla via Bundeena
Today was my version of an excellent day of cycle touring. Weather conditions were perfect, the 18 km exit route north from Wollongong City to Thirroul was a zero-car, mostly easy gradient path with constantly changing views of beaches, the ocean, headlands, parks, small towns and the dramatic Illawarra escarpment. There were cafes at just the right locations. Even from the end of the official path, the ride had more paths and relatively little, slow and courteous traffic right through to Bundeena. And there was ample scenic variety.
The ride from Bald Hill lookout (the Lawrence Hargrave memorial) through the Royal National Park to Bundeena is one I would classify as a 'must do' for any cycle tourist. I found it an exhilarating ride.
From Bundeena, there is an hourly ferry service across the bay. For about $7, it delivered me and the bike to Cronulla wharf from where I rode 1.5 km to the Cronulla Beach YHA hostel well ready for a rest. There was also an option to camp near Bundeena at national park campground.
The main challenge for the day was the ascent from Stanwell Park to Bald Hill. It is steep but the view at the top on a day like today is truly spectacular and was completed with paragliders decorating the sky.
A highlight of today was riding the 665 metre, $49 million Sea Cliff bridge which curves out from the land over the sea. It is a neat feat of engineering.
The CatEye gadget says a total of 68 km; average 13.3 km/hr; 5 hrs 7 mins riding. Max.speed 55 km/hr.
Tomorrow my aim is to conclude this ride at the Sydney Opera House steps. It is tempting to train it from Sydney's seaside outer suburb where I am now. Cronulla is a terminus for one of the Sydney metro lines so it would be easy to jump aboard and head in. However, the interests of travelling all the land route from Australia's Parliament House steps to the Sydney Opera House steps by loaded bicycle, I will cycle in using the RTA maps of Sydney cycleways.
Sunrise and sea baths: looking north as I leave Wollongong on the bike-path
The road here used to have regular landslip problems. A fall this big would challenge the average bike helmet, and even a Thorn Sherpa touring bike with the personality of small truck would have to detour. What was the solution? It cost $49 million, it is 665 metres long and was finished in 2006...
The view from Bald Hill (Stanwell Tops) near the Lawrence Hargrave memorial is exceptional. Lawrence Hargrave was a pioneering Australian aeronautical researcher who did much of his work in this area. Astute readers will be aware that there is an historical link between bicycle manufacture and flying machines. I am quietly proud of this photo which brings the silent partnership of cycling and flight into the frame.
This ferry service will take the bike and me across the bay to the southern Sydney suburb of Cronulla. It's a short trip, costing about $7 with the bike.
