Point 2 Point

Brays Point

Brays Point Visited in on 5 July 2009 Comment View on map -33.832012772683676;151.09051823616028

Looking east-ish to Rivendell a.k.a. the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital. And Rocky Point mangroves.
Looking east across Brays Bay to Rocky Point.
Looking north-east across Brays Bay to Putney.

All part of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway. Mmmm, interpretive. Poles speak to you as you walk past.

Rocky Point - return

Rocky Point - return Visited in on 5 July 2009 Comment View on map -33.83234252196883;151.0978889465332

Open day, main entrance, Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital.
Move over viagara.
It's quarter to one.
View north-east to suburb of Putney from caryatid balcony of the clock tower.
Looking south-east down Parramatta River to the city. On the right: Mortlake, Breakfast and Cabarita Points; on the left: Putney (tip just sticking out) and Looking Glass Points.
Looking east-north-east from the clock tower to Kissing Point and ferry wharf.
Interior.
Great hall ceiling detail.
Column detail with reflections from stained glass windows, great hall.
Composed, with Cook Pine.
Bridge to water gate. (Two of us in the photo.)
Water gate.
Dome on the water gate.
View of the main building from the balcony of the water gate.
Clock tower with caryatid balcony from the east courtyard.
Balcony, west wing.
Column detail, facade.
Stained glass in the former Joanna Walker children's convalescent hospital.

Came back to this point for the open day as we were so fascinated by our first visit. We love this place, it is absolutely beautiful. Here’s some more history. We reiterate: someone with dosh, please save the water gate.

Rocky Point

Rocky Point Visited in on 28 February 2009 Comment View on map -33.830707131268476;151.09707355499268

Land gate of Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital, facing Hospital Road.
Central block of the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital.
Caryatids supporting the roof of the three-storied tower over the main entrance.
Rather tall Cooks Pine with 4 year old.
The water gate, with Kissing Point and its wharf in the background.
North of the water gate, near start of the mangroves that envelop Rocky Point.

No actual point picture – couldn’t get through the mangroves. But easily diverted by the surrounding estate, once the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital, now called Rivendell Adolescent Unit. Built between 1891 and 1893, it’s arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in Sydney.

We especially adored the exquisite water gate. Unfortunately it’s falling into ruin. Anyone with dosh, please save it. Here’s what it looked like when it operated as the main entrance to the hospital.

The grounds are open on weekends, but the buildings can only be visited on the occasional open day held by Concord Heritage Society.

Some original plantings now tower over the garden – check out the pair of gargantuan Cook Pines. One looks like it has been split by lightning. Compare with an earlier photo.

Absolute top 5 point here.