Bayview to Church Point
BAYVIEW TO CHURCH POINT (RETURN)
Distance 7 km Steps 11000
Time 2 hours Level of Difficulty Easy
This is an easy out and back walk that you can take in either direction. We started at the Bayview end in Winnerremy Bay Reserve (technically Mona Vale).
Free street parking is available on Mona St or you can park in the reserve near the Flying Fox Playground for a fee.
The Path
Much of the walk is along Pittwater Road which can get busy at times. But the traffic is mostly local and there’s plenty to distract along the way. The path winds past parks, bays and small beaches and some pretty impressive waterside real estate.
The path is mostly pram and wheelchair friendly though there are a couple of short steep sections.
Along the way, keep an eye out for some curious little sea-themed sculptures, presumably made by locals. You’ll also likely notice a variety of birds, drawn to the vegetation that lines the path on one side and the mangroves on the other.
Highlights
Winnererremy Bay is a a small inlet off Pittwater, peppered with sailing boats. It’s a favourite local picnic spot, especially popular with families. There are barbecues and picnic tables and the playground and nearby Flying Fox Cafe are big drawcards.
Winnererremy Bay
Rowland Reserve is a hive of activity especially on weekends. It’s where fishermen launch their boats and gut their feeds and where dog owners can let loose their charges which they do in large numbers.
This area used to be a tidal flat. The reserve was created when the area was dredged to create a navigable waterway. The mangroves along the water’s edge help to fight erosion, and rare salt marshes create a valuable nesting and feeding habitat for small fish, crabs and, consequently, waterbirds.
Church Point is the half-way point and you’ll turn around here to return. If you want to grab a drink or bite to eat before heading back, there are a couple of options.
The Waterfront Cafe & General Store serves breakfast and lunch daily, with dinner and live music on the weekends (subject to seasonal changes). They also make picnic boxes (which can be ordered in advance) and serve coffee and the usual takeaway fare.
Pasadena next door, is more restaurant than cafe and you’ll need to order food with your drinks in order to enjoy that appealing waterfront seating area.
In the area
The Church Point Ferry Wharf is near the cafe. If you fancy exploring the local area the ferry will take you over to Scotland Island and around the Western Foreshore of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, including Lovett and Elvina Bays There’s not an awful lot to do in the area but it is a pretty waterway with some interesting history, and it can only be explored by boat.
If you’re up for a longer walk you can extend this one by continuing about 3 km along the main road to Mc Carrs Creek Reserve. The reserve is surrounded by bushland and it’s a pretty spot for a picnic and a swim on a hot day.