Bundeena Mystery Run
04 April 2024 / Words: Senia Gaunson Photos: Brigid McCarthy and Senia Gaunson
Bundeena Mystery Run 2024
Wednesday 20th March, thirteen eager explorers met at Bulli Beach Tavern on a drizzly morning, eager to explore the mystery of Thirroul and beyond. And we certainly had an amazing journey, starting with a great surprise! John and Chrissie were bona fide members of the MX-5 Car Club again, they brought along their beautiful black 2014 NC! Thanks for going to so much trouble to lead us on a run, hope the next one won't be as expensive for you, haha.
John and Chrissie, long term residents of Thirroul, knew every street in the area, and why wouldn’t they, they’d lived and restored homes in most of them! Who knew there were MX-5 roads through the back streets of Thirroul? Certainly not me! While we all love the nifty little shops and restaurants of Thirroul, we’re not too fond of the traffic jams getting through it. John took us to Thirroul pub, turned left into Phillip Street and the traffic congestion was gone. In its place we found winding roads surrounded by trees, some parts you couldn’t even see the houses (although Chrissie did point out at least 6 or 7 they had lived in and restored), just the mountains and greenery. Somehow or other, we came out near Coledale, it’s still a mystery to me how, but I kept the run sheet and will try to re-enact that route next time I head into Thirroul, no wonder it’s a popular residential area.
From Coledale we headed off to Stanwell Park where we were thwarted from enjoying a coffee at the beach reserve cafe as it was now a police station. A movie set had taken the cafe over, filming the Australian spin-off of “Death in Paradise”, “Return to Paradise”, so we snooped around for a little while before heading off to Bundeena via Otford and the Sri Venkateswara Temple at Helensburgh. We were running late by this time so didn’t visit the temple (note to self - go back and explore).
A zoom through the National Park is always a treat, so much greener than the last time we drove it. Lunch at the Bundeena RSL, with beautiful ocean views, lots of chatter and laughs, that’s what a Wednesday run is all about. Thank you John and Chrissie for showing us another side of our “back yard” and congratulations on your new black baby, we're sure you'll have lots of wonderful adventures together.
