The Bridges of Sydney Series: Anzac Bridge at sunset

Name: Anzac Bridge

Opened: December 1995

Replaced: Glebe Island Bridge

Length: 805 meters

Best angles: Sydney Fish Markets, on the footpath of the actual bridge.

Anzac Bridge

I’ve been working away on a Bridges of Sydney Series for a little while now, and I’ve wanted to shoot the awesome looking Anzac Bridge at sunset since the beginning. With with all of these Sydney lockdowns we’ve had it’s definitely put a dampener on the travels.

But now we are out of lockdown finally and with some beautiful springtime weather, last night I was able to tick this great place off the list.

Starting out with a bit of a plan to shoot the Anzac Bridge at sunset and pretty much winging it from there. So my journey started out near the Sydney fish markets about an hour before sunset.

It’s a pretty great view of the bridge at the fish markets so with the setting sun it looked pretty great at that time. From there I continued on foot through the backstreets of Pyrmont which eventually lead me to a ramp heading up the the bridge.

On a Sunday evening in Sydney, it was still pretty busy on the bridge with plenty of cars crossing over and the pedestrian footpath that is on the bridge was pretty busy too.

Plenty of cyclists and a whole bunch of deliveroo riders as well, so as I walked across the bridge and shot along the way you really need to keep an eye and ear out for the passing bike riders and they move pretty quick. And the risk of getting nailed by a cyclist as you focus on taking a few pictures is pretty high. So there’s a fair bit to think about.

But once I crossed the bridge to the western side it’s a different story and there are plenty of cool angles and it was surprisingly pretty quite on the western side. The views there are some of the best and it was quite peaceful in some spots unlike the chaos that’s on the bridge itself.

On the western side they also have two Anzac statues that are really impressive and also make for a cool picture. I really liked it on that side.

So after spending some time there as the sun was starting to set I headed back to the eastern side with the aim of the glory shot of the bridge siloetted against the golden Sydney sunset.

It was pretty awesome to see the sun set behind the bridge as car whizzed past and the constant flow of cyclists ringing their bell.

There’s nothing quite like twilight in a city, and it’s such a great time to be on foot, camera in hand with the changing light from golden to twilight to night time all in about an hour. It really adds a intensity to a shoot as the sun sets.

So after a little bit of photo wandering around the back streets of Pyrmont and it was time to head home. A few more pictures on the walk back to the car from where we started back at the Sydney Fish Markets and it was mission accomplished.

A fun shoot all round and some pretty cool pictures to go with it.

If I had my time again I’d definitely spend more time shooting the setting sun from the eastern side of the bridge as I think that’s the best angle. But I’ll save that for another day.

Good times in the big city.

Til next time!

Chris

The Stunning Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park

Name: Figure Eight Pools

Where: Royal National Park at the end of Burning Palms beach.

How to get there: Park in the Garawarra Farm car park in the Royal National Park and follow the signs.

How long: Around a two hour return trip.

Pools of the Sea series: #3/100

Tips: Only go during low tide, check the National Park website before heading out.

Figure Eight Pools

Deep in the heart of the beautiful Royal National Park in southern Sydney, lies a remarkable sight that you need to see with your own eyes.

Sunrise over the Figure 8 pools.
The Figure 8 pools looking towards the ocean.
The rock shelf just near the pools.
The view looking towards Burning Palms beach and Figure 8 pools.

The Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park is exactly what you’d expect, a small pool that forms a number 8 in the rocks along the coastline of Burning Palms beach in the Royal National Park.

If you didn’t know any better you’d think that this perfect looking structure was made by man. It’s almost too perfect to be made a nature. But as with the beauty of nature, it’s often more amazing than we could build ourselves.

The first time I came to this site was pretty early in my photo expeditions and it really planted the seed for this website and to explore as much as possible and to photograph and document as many places as I could. Some more information on the pools here from another trek https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2020/10/06/figure-8-pools-in-the-royal-national-park/

So this particular spot holds a special meaning to myself, as it really was a turning point in my photography. That was the moment when I thought this is what I need to be doing. So whenever I look at the pictures it really brings up a lot of positive emotions and the first time here was a moment I’ll never forget. It’s also number 3 on my list of my quest to shoot 100 rock pools. More on that here https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2021/07/10/pools-of-the-sea/

As awesome as it is, it’s also pretty tricky to get to and it also comes with a bit of risk. So I definitely wouldn’t recommend it to everyone as the trek there can be pretty tough and if your fitness isn’t the best I’d say give this one a miss.

The rocks between Burning Palms and the Figure 8 pools.

But if you are keen to visit the Figure Eight pools here is the best way to get there.

You can park in a small carpark 100 meters north of the Otford Bakery in Otford and head into the Royal National Park and then follow the signs to Burning Palms beach.

It’s about an hour’s hike to the beach. And once you hit the beach of Burning Palms, you will then walk along the water’s edge until you hit the southern most point of the beach.

From there you’ll have to walk/climb along the rocks for another 20 minutes or so until you hit the flat rock self. Continue for another few minutes and once you hit the end of the rock shelf and then aim towards the edge of the rocks to where the ocean meets the flat rock. With a little bit of scouting you’ll find this remarkable structure.

Another way to get there is to head into the Royal National Park and aim for the Garawarra Farm car park near Gaire. Once in the carpark follow the signs again til you hit Burning Palms beach and follow the same directions as above.

The main trick to see the figure eight pools is to make sure you get there at low tide. In high tide you won’t be able to see the pools as it will be covered by the waters high tide. Also it is far to dangerous to cross the rocks between the beach and the pool. So follow the tide via the Royal National Park website and as always stay safe out there.

Burning Palms beach looking towards the rocks of the pools.

It definitely is a great spot to see and also to take some pictures of. On a warm summers day there will be plenty of people around so you’ll have no trouble finding the pool but getting a shot on your own will be the bigger challenge as it can get quite busy at times.

The beautiful Figure 8 pools looking towards the escarpment.

It’s a special place and one I hold dearly as it really was a great moment I’m my life to see it for the first time. It really did change my life. So tread lightly and stay safe on your travels to this beautiful natural wonder known as The Figure Eight Pools in the Royal National Park.

Til next time!

Chris

Bulli and it’s Awesome Rock Pool

Name: Bulli Rock Pool.

Where: Bulli Beach, Wollongong NSW.

Pools of the Sea series: #2/100

Tips: The weekends are quite busy, so if possible aim for a weekday. A great spot for a sunrise photoshoot.

Bulli Rock Pool, Bulli Beach

As apart of my ongoing quest to photograph 100 Ocean pools, today is number 2 on the list and also the one my dad took us to the most growing up. So this one holds a little more meaning.

For number 1 on the list see https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2021/10/28/pools-of-the-sea-bondi-icebergs-pool/

The beautiful Bulli Rock Pool in the heart of Wollongong on Farrell Rd, Bulli. Around 1 and half’s hours drive from the Sydney CBD.

With spectacular views of the surrounding Wollongong region and its headland. The pool at Bulli is definitely worth a visit.

It’s one of the more picturesque pools I’ve photographed and I think what makes it such a great spot is the surrounding headland that engulfs the town of Bulli.

With two pools, a main pool and one for kids. It’s a great spot for either a family day out like when I was a kid or just for some picture taking, it’s a great pool and area all round.

It’s also not as busy an area as the other parts of Wollongong to the north or south so you are probably a better chance of getting a carpark and a coffee too from some of the awesome cafes that are a short walk away.

It was probably a good 20 years between visits but I’m glad I made the early visit to the town of Wollongong and it’s pool in beautiful Bulli.

There are many great things about photography and taking pictures, one of them is definitely visiting some great places from your past and reminiscing with a camera in your hand.

Til next time!

Chris