We love Funday Sunday, it’s the day when NSW public transport cap their prices on travel to anywhere in the state of NSW to $2.50 each. All you need is an opal card and you are on your way!
The other week we took the opportunity of combining our interest in hiking and the cheap Sunday public transport to tackle the 11km hike from Cowan Train station to Brooklyn train station called the Jerusalem Bay Track.This hike was to take us between 4 1/2 hours and 5 1/2 hours and is part of the Great North walk, a hike that runs from Sydney to Newcastle.
Accessing the trail is easy, on the eastern side of the Cowan train station you will find a well marked start of the trail. Surprisingly there was another two groups that disembarked the train at the same time as us, ready to set out along the trail. (the track seems very popular). The beginning of the trail crosses over the pacific highway before heading steeply over rocks, down into to lush under growth, before coming out an hour later to beautiful views of Jerusalem Bay. If you wanted to have a short hike, with a paddle in the water at the end, then this might be enough of the hike for you. You could hike down, have a picnic and a swim in the water before heading back! But we wanted to continue, so after a short break we left the look out area to tackle more of the hike.
The next part of the Hike was more challenging, straight up for about half hour no stop, before continuing to head up intermittently for another half. It was hard on our legs and its here that we realised that we were alive! This part would be challenging for younger kids, in fact we didn’t see any kids on the trail all day… definitely a sign of how difficult it is. Along the way on this section, there is small sections that you can catch your breath, but basically we just kept on plodding up and up till we got to a plateau.
Another break to look out along the valley, gave us some more beautiful views, and a chance to catch our breathe. We were also getting a bit banked up behind some other walking groups so it gave time for all of us to spread out a little, so we weren’t on each others tails. From this point the trail continued to go up a little bit more, with a part that required a small ladder to climb up and over a large rock face, before it flattened out again just before the sign in book. looking through the book we could see the variety of people who had tackled the track before us.
The trail continued before turning right and for the rest of the track ( another hour) it basically followed a fire trail, not the most exciting part of track even if it did have some water glimpses and a view over Brooklyn. It was welcome in the fact that I gave our legs a break of all the climbing over rocks and also allowed us to walk side by side. Before the track came to an end we approached Brooklyn dam, an oasis of water in the bush and a place to camp for travelers along the Great North walk.
At the conclusion of the track there was an almighty slope, a grooved cement path, that was again tough on the legs and a reminder that the track was a difficult one! We finished in four hours and 45mins and very proud of our achievement. We are keen to have a go at a few more of the tracks that from the Great North Walk… so keep tuned for more!
Where: From Cowan train station to Brooklyn Train Station, NSW, Australia. Check out the NSW National Parks Website for more details.
How much?: Only $2.50 return for the train, FREE for the track.
Need to know: This is a challenging and hard walk, bring plenty of water, food, hats and sunscreen, check out any alerts on the NSW National Parks Website before heading off, check that there isnt any track works via the State rail website before you head off.
Check out my YouTube on the hike by clicking here…
( sorry for the sound quality… I have no idea what went on there or how to fix it!)
This looks like a fabulous walk/hike. I love getting out and about on the weekends doing this type of thing. Thanks for sharing. #TeamLovinLife
It was challenging for us but so worth it!
The great north walk hey? Will have to show this to the hubster, ever since we saw “Wild” with Reese Witherspoon he has liked the idea of hiking the PCT but this is a bit shorter, easier and closer to home!
So true!! That movie and book has really inspired me too! Love it!
Oh it looks lovely and tranquil. And very pretty. I love that there aren’t gazillions of people around either which can often happen on a weekend.
And it’s a great idea for transport services to cut prices on weekends. I have a feeling Brisbane transport did something similar when I lived there. Otherwise the cost for a family to traipse about could be exorbitant – so you’d drive instead. #teamlovinlife
Yes the price is awesome! Makes you get out on the weekends and explore more!
Wow – what an achievement! Sounds like that walk was quite challenging in parts. You had to climb a ladder to get over a rock face? Well done! It looks beautiful there – great photos! Good luck with the other tracks you plan to try. #TeamLovinLife
Yes for us it was quiet challenging! It was uphill for alot of it!
Sounds like a great hike!
Good to know about Sunday capped Opal prices. My daughter moves to Sydney in 3 weeks so I will make sure she knows she can go on Sunday adventures for next to nothing.
#teamlovinlife
She will get great use of it!
The Hawkesbury certainly is beautiful – & you got great weather for your walk. It really is the best time of the year for walking – cool, no snakes, wattle just starting to come out, & the colours as clear as a bell. #TeamLovinLife
You are so right!! Its a beautiful time to hike!
What a great spot to explore!
Yes, I too am a fan of Sunday Funday… I really should use it to travel to more exciting places than I do.
SSG xxx
Its a great reason to use the cheap travel!
I love that NSW encourages public transport use with $2.50 fares. What a fantastic way to get out and about. I’d love to see it happen in QLD. That hike though… I am so not fit enough for something like that right now haha.
Travel on a Sunday is so awesome because of it!
How did I not know about Sunday Funday cheap transport? That’s amazing! Is it a new thing or am I just terribly out of the loop? I love Ku-ring-gai National Park, it’s beautiful. Sounds like you had a fantastic day out.
Its been around for a while!! Great way to get around for cheap!
Well look at that! As we drive on the M1 we see the sign that is of the road for the Jerusalem Bay road. And we had no idea what was above us. That walk looked very challenging but also very beautiful. Good use of $2.50 fare too. Thanks for linking up this week for #lifethisweek. Next week: Ideal Meal
i kept wondering where it went too! Now we both know!!