On a beautiful Autumn day 28 of us gathered at the 2 Doors Down Coffee shop in Gladesville for a most delightful morning coffee/tea before heading off past the Tennis Ranch sports shop (it’s been there for years!), down Punt Rd, through the Looking Glass Bay park, finally reaching the A B. (Banjo) Patterson Park.

Once in the park we were able to take in simply delightful views of the Parramatta River and surrounding natural areas.  Of interest was the history of the Harold Meggitt Limited vegetable oil processing plant that existed on this site from 1923 to 1973.  Read further at : The Meggitt Family and Parramatta | Parramatta History and Heritage

Additionally, we saw Rockend Cottage, a 19th century sandstone cottage built in a style which architectural historians refer to as “Victorian Georgian”.  During the 1870s it was the home of Banjo Paterson while he attended school at Sydney Grammar.  It also used to be a restaurant (very well known), and although there is an application to restore the restaurant, progress is slow, and the area is heavily overgrown.

Our walk then took us past Bedlam Point and into the grounds of what once was known as the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum.  These grounds contain some beautiful old buildings, some of which are run down.  However today the precinct is still actively used by NSW Health and many not for profits in the Mental Health arena.

Continuing on we eventually reached the Huntleys Point Ferry Wharf, where most of us caught the ferry to Abbotsford for a delightful lunch at the Watergrill restaurant, Sydney Rowers Club.

After lunch it was homeward bound, with some taking the ferry to Meadowbank and the train home while others took the longer route via ferry to Barangaroo, then the metro / train home.

A terrific day out!