Maureen's Meander to Melbourne

SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE WALK

STAGE 8 (7 JANUARY 2009)

Coalcliff - Bulli

Garry and I started out at about 0715hrs and met up with the group at around 0850hrs at Coalcliff which, with us, made a number of 13 to start this walk. The start of this walk took us along Lady McKell Drive and across the magnificent Sea-Cliff Bridge. The history behind this bridge was that the original road had a history of collapsing and eventually the RTA had this magnificent structure built. The name of the bridge was decided by a competition which was won by an 11 year old local girl who indicated that she decided on the name because the bridge ran across the sea and joined up two areas of the cliff along this area. Magnificent views were had looking both north and south. The extremities of these views were a bit clouded by a sea mist which did evaporate during the day.

After crossing the Seacliff bridge and on the southern side we scarpered down the “cliff” and made our way along the sea front over rocks and some platform areas where the sea, at high tide would wash in. Some interesting rock forms and colours were observed. In some area coal seams were observed along the cliff face with some large pieces of coal lying at the base of the cliff. Besides these sights there were some interesting rock pools with the remnants of crustaceans and other shell life adding to the colour of the vegetation in the rock pools.

A short stop was had around Coledale where several of our group had a cooling swim. Pressing on over more rocks and platforms we arrived at Austinmeer where we stopped for lunch. The day was very warm and finding shade was very competitive. At this point we had some beach walking and soon arrived at Thirroul where some of our group left us to catch a train back to Sydney. Pushing on we eventually arrived at Bulli where another four of our group left the party and headed to the station. Four of our members decided to push on a little further so that they could have a swim before heading back to Sydney. Garry and I were two of the group who headed for the station at Bulli and with a bit of effort we managed to catch a train back to Coalcliff, via a stop at Thirroul. Well, back to the car and another 1.5 hr trip back to Emu Plains and start contemplating the next stage of Maureen’s Meander to Melbourne.