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Our catchment comes alive!
Saturday September 24 to Sunday October 9, 2016
Click here to see the calendar of events.
Dozens of events you can get involved in … right on your doorstep … most of them free!
Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment’s inaugural Spring Celebration features two weeks of activities showcasing many community and sporting groups based in this beautiful part of Sydney. No matter what your interests are, you’ll find lots to do and fun to be had. Meet new like-minded people and learn about the area. Half the catchment is natural bushland and Friends’ objective is to secure the permanent protection of this land for the benefit of future generations. It is home to 39 listed threatened species and has a rich Aboriginal history.
So come on, get involved and watch our catchment come alive!
Judith Bennett, President
Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
Take one 1957 Leyland bus, fill it with two lifetimes of maritime collecting! Display features a giant White Shark, whaling artifacts, fossils, shark jaws and hundreds of other amazing exhibits.
There’s even a sea dragon, samples from The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and pieces of the US space station Skylab!
Parked at Berry Reserve, near the Pittwater Rd bridge. Admission $5. No need to book.
Sustainable living can be fun! Discover edible plants (herbs, veges, native bush tucker), plus pink chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, bunnies and quails. Treasure hunt for children. Mum and dad can try out an old honkey-tonk piano, while enjoying coffee or tea.
Free – no need to book
Blossoms in Bloom will have a special display of Native Flowers in their window during the Narrabeen Spring Celebration.
Take a walk past 1466 Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen and enjoy them. No need to book.
Discover one of Sydney’s great day walks! Start from Manly and finish at Palm Beach, visiting 14 of Sydney’s best beaches, following the well-established Bicentennial trail. Beautiful bush, spectacular coastal views (some hilly bits), with BYO lunch at Narrabeen Lagoon. Walk as far as you want – 5km, 10km or the full distance of about 25kms. Exit at any time and catch the bus back. Organised by National Parks Association of NSW. Free but booking essential.
On this favourite walk led by Conny Harris, you will proceed into Garigal National Park and explore some of the area’s best bush tracks, visit the Deep Creek waterfall and identify flora and fauna. Grade medium with some inclines and beautiful views. Carpool back. Bring snacks. Meet next to 27 Morgan Rd, Belrose.
Free but booking essential.
Welcome to the world of replica aircraft! See power planes, helicopters, gliders and electric scale models. Have a go – fly with the aid of an instructor on the club’s safe, dual control buddy box system. Freshly cooked BBQ sausage sizzle and cold drinks at $2 each. Location Morgan Rd, Belrose.
Free but booking essential.
Lots to do, heaps to see. Bring the kids down to the Centre on the shores of Narrabeen Lagoon, at the Ocean Street bridge. Wildlife displays, guided kayak tours (10am and noon), face painting, sea creatures touch tank, sausage sizzle, native plant giveaways, headland tours – and more.
Take a look around the largest kayak club in NSW – famous for developing the skills of young people so they can compete in the Olympic Games (currently 5 members are medalists). Bring your surf ski or K1 and take part in a race with the best of them (7.50am registration).
Free but booking essential.
Grab your paddleboard (or hire or for $20) and take part in a fun event on Narrabeen Lagoon. Do 2kms to Split Rock or 5kms to the Academy of Sport and back. Young, mature – anyone can paddleboard. Stay on for breakfast afterwards – just $10.
Touch footy is a creative and free flowing game that’s fun to play and watch. It’s suitable for men, women and children from 10 years of age. Join the club for Grand Final day – see the top players in action, with commentary by a senior referee. Meet the players at the post game barbecue.
Venue St Matthews Farm, Cnr Middleton & South Creek Rds.
Free but booking essential.
Guides from Pittwater Natural Heritage Association will conduct a bird-watching walk through this 26ha sand plain wetland, the largest remaining in the northern Sydney area. Over 150 bird species identified. Morning tea will be provided at 9.30am.
Free but booking essential.
Join Pittwater Natural Heritage Association for morning tea (provided) and a talk on birds of the Warriewood Wetlands. Established in 1996, the Wetlands are well-known as one of the best bird habitats in Sydney.
Free but booking essential.
Children aged 5 to 12 will love discovering some of the living wonders of nature that call our catchment home. A hands on, engaging, interactive and fun program. Activity will take place in bushland.
Free but booking essential.
Over 50 beautiful Black Swan have returned to the Lagoon and Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment knows where they are. Join us on this 2-3 hour Eco-Paddle to Middle Creek, Deep Creek and more, led by Tony Carr.
Free with your own kayak or hire for $68. Suitable for beginners – tuition given.
Come and have a go at sketching – bring a friend or sketch one of her models. Talented local artist Heidi Lee will show you how. Choose charcoals or pastels and some quirky props, supplied by Heidi. Donation to cover materials appreciated. One of her Gicle prints will be raffled.
Free but booking essential.
Never kayaked before or only been out a few times? This is for you. Top Instructors will show you how to paddle effectively and sustainably, with correct posture. Paddling is a fantastic sport that will take you to very scenic places – get into it now. Stable, comfy boats easy to steer.
$98pp includes kayak hire.
Relatively easy walk beneath the towering domes of Ingleside, from the Baha’i Temple to St Sava Serbian Cathedral. Admire the magnificent ceiling frescoes in St Sava, wander the gardens at the Baha’i, see a colourful exhibit on the history and teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Meet in carpark at Baha’i Temple.
Adults $10, children $5 includes refreshments. Bookings essential.
Tai Chi is a gentle, natural form of exercise that benefits mind and body and is suitable for all age groups. This beginner’s class will be held at the Narrabeen Junior Rugby Club, cnr Lake Park Rd and Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen.
Free Introductory Lesson. Participants must be over 18yrs of age.
Join this energetic bush care group as they plant native species along the banks of the Wheeler Creek bush care site. The area has been worked on for some time by these skilled volunteers. No experience necessary – come and learn how it’s done. Morning tea provided.
Free but booking essential. Limit 20.
Starting from 177 Morgan Rd Belrose, (about 250m from Hilversum Cres), Conny Harris and Russell Beardmore will take you along the 5 mile track to the top of the water course that becomes Deep Creek. A beautiful rock platform will provide a great spot for BYO morning tea. Plants will be identified throughout the walk.
Free but booking essential.
This demonstration by Russell Beardmore and his team will demonstrate the basic techniques required to grow many native plants suitable for the home garden, from seeds or cuttings. Only simple tools and equipment will be used.
Venue Apex Park, cnr Morgan Rd and Kelly’s Way, Oxford Creek.
Free but booking essential.
Work in tick-free, recently burned bushland and learn techniques you can apply to your own garden. Enjoy morning tea afterwards. Bring your gardening gloves, tools provided.
Meet near 27 Morgan Rd, Belrose.
Free but booking essential.
Peter Rutherford, Senior Ecologist at the Eco House and Garden, is keen to show you how the principles of permaculture are used in the Eco Garden, introducing you to the meaning of the word Ecology and to show you how, by simply changing a few things, you can be an ecologist. Includes guided walk around the garden. Free but booking essential.
Your pet will enjoy a morning of agility training in the company of other dogs and their owners. It’s social, fun and educational. You and your dog will take on a number of obstacles which involve your dog climbing equipment, running, jumping and having the most fun. You’ll build your dog’s confidence and bond with you. Activities on and off lead. Qualified instructors will show you how. Session is free. Starts promptly at 9am.
Join yoga expert Fernando Charnis and paddle the lagoon to an ideal spot among the shady trees for a relaxing yoga session. The yoga session will be hatha style and last about an hour (do as little or as much as you want). If you are new to yoga, Fernando will show you how. Double kayaks available for hire for the trip across the lagoon – paddle tuition and life vests will be provided. Bring your yoga mat and towel. Limited numbers so booking essential. You must be at least 14 years of age.
$48pp with your own boat, $68pp to hire.
Mosques are something of a mystery to many people. Here’s your chance to see inside Dee Why Mosque, 12 South Creek Road. Learn a little of the faith of Muslim people. Faris Bawazier looks forward to welcoming you, showing you around and answering your questions.
Free but booking essential. Bookings close by the end of Saturday, September 17.
Who’d have thought rubbish and composting could be such fun! A highly interactive and enjoyable live 45 minute show for toddlers to year 6 & adults too. There will be music, laughter and a crazy recycling race.
Admission $5 per adult or child.
The Northern Beaches Dragon Boat Club invite you to join them at Jamieson Reserve for a fun training workout. No charge, no experience necessary – everything is provided. Best suited to 18 to 55 year olds who are looking for a competitive team sport. It’s a great way to get fit. Wear shorts and a Tee shirt and bring a water bottle. Free but booking essential.
How many kayaks, skis, OC1s and paddle boards can we get on the water at one time?
Paddle Narrabeen Lagoon from Pro-Kayaks to Middle Creek Reserve and back and you could win one of 10 nifty prizes.
Free but booking essential. BYO boat or hire for just $10.
A special showing of Aboriginal artifacts that are rarely seen on public display. Hosted by the Aboriginal Support Group. Karleen Green will be making Paper bark bowls (this will be hands on, make your own). There will be didgeridoo playing plus the Budawa Signage Group will be showing ideas for Aboriginal signs in the area. Free Boomerang painting for the kids.
All will be held in the Elanora Scout Hall at Bilarong Reserve Narrabeen.
Free Event. No need to book
Tai Chi is a gentle, natural form of exercise that benefits mind and body and is suitable for all age groups. This beginner’s class will be held at the Narrabeen Junior Rugby Club, cnr Lake Park Rd and Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen.
Free Introductory Lesson. Participants must be over 18yrs of age.
Work in tick-free, recently burned bushland and learn techniques you can apply to your own garden. Enjoy morning tea afterwards. Bring your gardening gloves, tools provided.
Meet near 27 Morgan Rd, Belrose.
Free but booking essential.
Easy, flat walk around Narrabeen Lagoon on the new, multi-purpose trail, visiting interesting landmarks like a ‘secret’ creek and waterfall. Learn a little history of the area dating back to 1770, when Captain Cook noted in his log a broken land forming a bay. Bring snack and water, wear comfortable shoes. Meet at end of Narrabeen Street.
Free for women seniors (particularly over 55) but booking essential.
Take a look at one of the largest retirement villages in Australia, where most residents are ex-military service personnel and their partners. Enjoy a conducted walking tour round the village ending at the impressive Gallipoli Building, where you can stop for a coffee or delicious lunch or enjoy a wine and cheese platter as you gaze out over the lagoon. A highlight will be your visit to the War Museum, which features memorabilia from the Boer war to present day conflicts – photographs, artworks, private papers, diaries, models, uniforms, dioramas and more.
Kevin Murray will lead this discussion in the Banksia Room at Nelson Heather Senior Citizen’s Centre in Warriewood. This is a University of the Third Age (U3A) event to which all are welcome. This will be a friendly forum on environmental issues where participants are free to express their views openly. Limit 10 visitors. Bookings essential.
This walk, led by Conny Harris, takes in the high grounds of the catchment on the southern side, with beautiful views and surprisingly different vegetation to the northern section. Visit Warringah’s most endangered vegetation, the heart-leaved stringybark community and examine Aboriginal carvings.
Free but booking essential.
Enjoy the barbecue at the tidal rock pool, North Narrabeen Beach. You are invited to join in the fun and excitement of Narrabeen Amateur Swimming Club’s weekly competition and barbecue. Distances 25m to 200m. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Don’t forget your bathers! Free but booking essential.
Join us for a fun and informative family day, learning about Bushcare and the natural environment around Narrabeen Lagoon. Interactive games, educational displays and talks as well as a free sausage sizzle are just some of the actives to be enjoyed on the day. Free but booking essential.
Visit Heidi Lee’s magical art studio at Rainbow Palace on Collaroy Plateau. Soak up the charming, arty environment, enjoy some tea and chat with Heidi and her students. There will be original artworks and Gicle prints on display. Find out about Heidi’s art classes for adults and children. Raffle for Gicle print will be drawn. Free but booking essential.
The Northern Beaches Dragon Boat Club invite you to join them at Jamieson Reserve for a fun training workout. No charge, no experience necessary – everything is provided. Best suited to 18 to 55 year olds who are looking for a competitive team sport. It’s a great way to get fit. Wear shorts and a Tee shirt and bring a water bottle. Free but booking essential.
Demonstration of the latest in fitness training led by Mark Patience, former Mr NSW and owner of Animal Kingdom Gym, Cromer. Come and try some new moves and meet several of Sydney’s top fitness professionals.
PLUS: All attendees at Wheeler Reserve will receive one week free Gym Pass at Animal Kingdom Gym – 27 Middleton Rd, Cromer. Free event but booking essential.
Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
is associated with National Parks Association of NSW.
