Chasing Light by Chris Lane

The Bridges of Sydney Series: Captain Cook Bridge

Crossing the Georges River in Sydney’s south and is 506 meters in length, stands the aptly named Captain Cook bridge.

Opened in 1965 after a 3 year construction and joining the St George area to the north and Sutherland Shire to the south. The 6 lane pedestrian and vehicle bridge is a beautiful looking bridge from many different angles in many different lighting conditions.

View from the high side of Sutherland Shire

As the population grew in the Sutherland Shire, ferry’s ran between the two points initially, starting in 1911. And in 1916 a vehicular punt would take cars between the two points up until the new bridge was opened in 1965 replacing the punt.

Captain Cook Bridge is one of four bridges that joint Sutherland Shire to St George including Taren Point Bridge, Alfords Point Bridge and my favorite Como Bridge. More of the Sutherland Shire Bridges here bridges-of-the-sutherland-shire and more of Como here the-bridges-of-sydney-series-como-bridge-como-nsw

Moody ground level in the rain from Sylvania

View from the 1930s Sans Souci Bathers Pavilion

Captain Cook bridge at nighttime from Sylvania

It’s a great looking bridge and I always enjoy photographing it, as it is a bridge that I would call my local.

One that I cross myself on many occasions during the week, tied in with some great history and the length of it as it sits on top of the Georges River is just a beautiful sight to see.

It’s hard to pick which is my favorite angle to photograph it from, but I’d have to say the last image here looking back toward the Sutherland Shire is probable the best. But it’s hard to go wrong with any angle of Caption Cook bridge or more affectionately known as just Captain Cook.

Til next time!

Chris

The Last Days of Lockdown in the Sydney CBD

After more than 100 days of being in lockdown here in Sydney. It feels pretty good come tomorrow we will be able to get back to normal.

Not completely normal with a fair few restrictions in place, and you need to show vaccination proof upon entering certain venues. But due to hitting 70% vaccinations in NSW a few days ago, come tomorrow we are back.

The next target is hitting the 80% mark and that will bring in more freedoms. But a big day none the less. Tomorrow Sydney residents will be able to travel around to the various parts of Sydney without need for exemptions or permits for the first time in months.

With that, on Friday just gone, which makes it the last Friday of lockdown and also the last business day of lockdown, I shot a few pictures along the Sydney CBD’s normally most busy street, George St.

Closed, The Grounds Cafe as a mask wearing passer by is reflected in the window.

This was at lunchtime on Friday, and normally as you’d imagine Friday lunchtime in the city or any city would be chaos. A far cry from normal.

But after nearly 4 months of lockdown, the normally bustling streets of Sydney were all so quite. Most places were shut and only a handful of cafes were open and seemingly just a handful of people were out during the lunch break. It was a typical Friday in lockdown, but far from a typical Friday in our great city of Sydney.

Fingers crossed that everything goes well, and this will be the last Friday ever in lockdown.

The last Friday of Sydney’s lockdown in the normally busy George Street at lunchtime.

Til next time!

Chris

Pools of the Sea: Gunnamatta Bay Tidal Baths

The beautiful Gunnamatta Bay Tidal Baths in the heart of South Cronulla, Sutherland Shire. It’s number 10 in my list as I attempt to shoot 100 pools. The bay runs off the popular Port Hacking river which leads to the nearby beaches.

Around a 60 minute drive or train ride from the Sydney CBD. And only a few minutes walk from Cronulla train station lies the pool at Gunnamatta.

The views here are just perfect as there is plenty to look at and photograph. Between the historic club house and the views of the bay surround by boats it’s really one of my favourite places to visit in the region.

I’ve lost count of how many photoshoots I’ve done here over the years. Every time it gives a new angle or perspective. It’s a beautiful place to take some pictures at that’s for sure.

The name Gunnamatta stems from the Aboriginal term “Sandy Hills” and the area surrounding the bay was named Gunnamatta in 1899 by the government. Which later was renamed to its current name Cronulla.

The bay kept its original name of Gunnamatta though, which is the home to these baths and also the adjoining park Gunnamatta Park.

There is plenty to photograph at Gunnamatta, the deep blues of the water mixing with the sandy beach and the variety of boats on the bay makes for a great spot all round.

Not forgetting there is a great little cafe opposite the park too post swim, or the main street of Cronulla is a short walk away too.

Well worth the trip indeed.

Til next time!

Chris