Hermitage Foreshore Track

We woke early Tuesday morning to leave for the Melbourne Airport. Just like we did a few days before we wanted to avoid using the expensive Skybus ($18 per person!). This can be done with regular train and bus public transit; it just takes a little more time. Proudly, we successfully navigated two trains and a bus to the airport for just $3! Hurrah! 

Our flight from Melbourne to Sydney went smoothly. We then successfully navigated the train and bus systems from the Sydney Airport to our Airbnb stay in the suburb of Rose Bay. We found the apartment building, but unexpectedly our host was not there. Thankfully a kind neighbor offered to let us keep our bags in her apartment so we could wander around Rose Bay. 

Rose Bay is a lovely, resort-looking, eastern suburb on the Sydney Harbor. There are nice sidewalks lining the bay and several beaches. Yachts and sailboats are plentiful in the harbor. There are crazy expensive looking mansions, stately Victorian era houses, and modest apartment buildings. 

Rose Bay Beach

As we walked we came upon the Hermitage Foreshore Track which is part of Sydney Harbor National Park. We didn't know when our host would arrive, so we decided we had time to explore. The trail was a mix of dirt, stone, natural boulders, and boardwalk. The trail hugged the shoreline on one side and the backyards of mansions on the other. Thankfully it had a fair bit of shade, and the flowering vegetation was lovely. We came across several little beaches and saw many interesting rock formations that were tempting to climb. We took several breaks on the way to enjoy the scenery, including the Opera House and Harbor Bridge afar, and to rest as the weariness of our travels set in. 

View of the bay from the backside of the mansions

Zooming in on the Harbor Bridge and Opera House

Another view of the Harbor Bridge and Opera House along the rocky trail edge

A nice shady part of the boardwalk

More incredible coastline

There were so many natural bouldering areas along the way that were tempting to climb

Another beautiful section of the trail 

Twisting, peeling tree branch

A view toward the city center with Shark Island to the left

The trail ended at Shark Beach (not the same as Shark Island) 1.5 kilometers later. Shark Beach was a much more exposed part of the harbor with higher winds and waves. The swimming area was surrounded by thick netting which we wondered, given the name of the beach, if it wards away sharks. Upon a google search we discovered that the netting was indeed to keep out sharks. I'm not sure if this comforts me or not. 

Shark Beach

People enjoying Shark Beach. They're unconcerned by sharks. 

Cool boulder I had to climb up at Shark Beach

Look at the neat way the rock has formed! And there's a pretty flower. 

After further enjoying the views and breeze, we walked the 1.5 km back along the trail and then onward to our Airbnb. Our host had arrived and apologized for not being there earlier. She moved to Sydney less than a month ago and had some issues with the bus today. We can definitely understand confusion when it comes to public transit systems. Regardless, now we're all settled in and ready to explore Sydney for the next couple days. 

View of Rose Bay on our return trip

Intricately molded, high ceiling in our bedroom. We're in an old, Victorian-ish house divided into four apartments. 

Brandon resting in our room after a long day