If you’re getting tired of chasing after your kids on the scooters, why not join in on the fun too? Scooters come in adult sizes afterall, and they’re not only lots of fun, they’re a great way to keep active! Maryka shares her favourite scooter-friendly routes on the North Shore.
I can’t believe I had never thought of this before. Scooting is such a fun family activity and great exercise for everyone.
Previously, our kids (Isabella, 7, Jake, 5 and Elliot, 3) would be scooting and hubby and I would be running to catch up with them or yelling at them to stop as they were getting too far ahead! But not anymore! We’ve decided to buy ourselves some scooters too, so we’re heading out for scooting fun quite regularly now, as it is so easy to ‘chuck’ five scooters into the car boot rather than five bikes.
Here are three of my favourite routes:
1. Kirribilli to Lavender Bay
This is a great route which allows you to experience our gorgeous harbour. Starting at Kirribilli (at the southern end of Broughton Street) we scooted on the path around the harbour, under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Luna Park, around to Quiberie Park in Lavender Bay and back again. Just watch out, though, there is a section just next to Luna Park that is a bit bumpy as you’re scooting along the wooden boardwalk. You can then end the scoot at the nearby playground at the corner of Alfred St and Fitzroy St.
2. Bicentennial Park, Homebush Bay
The paths around Bicentennial Park are fantastic for scooting. They are very flat and they’re also clearly marked out so that you stay to the left as bike riders and runners use the pathways, too. The kids really loved this route as it was different and interesting.
The track winds its way through the mangroves and, to make it even more interesting, there are two shipwrecks along the route. The kids couldn’t wait to spot them and it encouraged them to keep on scooting. There is also the 17-metre-high Treillage Tower, which you can climb to take in the expansive views. We again ended our scoot at the playground!
3. Flat Gully Rock, Willoughby
We started at the playground off Small St, Willoughby, then headed down hill and did a circular route ending back at the playground for the kids to have a play and some lunch. There are sections of this route that are a bit steep, so you do need to be careful with any younger ones. There is also a large flat area of netball courts which was very enjoyable just to scoot around on!
More scooter routes to try
Here are some other great suggestions from North Shore Mums on routes that are scooter friendly and, at the same time, allow you to explore. I can’t wait to check them all out!
4. Hyde Park to the Opera House, City
NSM Rebecca suggests to get off the train at St James Station, then scoot through the Hyde Park figtree ‘tunnel’, then head down to the Art Gallery of NSW, down through the Royal Botanical Gardens and around to Circular Quay. To extend the scoot, you can continue around to The Rocks and under the Harbour Bridge. Then jump the train home at Circular Quay.
5. Queenscliff to Manly Beach and Shelly Beach
These beachside locations are scenic and nice easy places to scoot especially for the younger kids as it is flat and there are no roads to cross. It can, however, get quite busy on the weekends (there are lots of bike riders). Simply follow the path that runs parallel to the beach from the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, down to Manly Beach. Continue around the Marine Parade if little legs aren’t tired and finish up at Shelly Beach for a well-earned rest and play.
6. Narrabeen Lakes
There is a full circuit around the Narrabeen Lakes. It’s not all scooter friendly, but there are good sections you can explore, says NSM Rachel. You can either park at Narrabeen around Pittwater Rd, or there’s a carpark on the Wakehurst Parkway just east of the Lakes near the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation.
7. Bay Run, Iron Cove
The Bay Run, which runs around Iron Cove through Drummoyne, Leichhardt and Five Dock, is a good place to scoot, says NSM Nadine. The Leichhardt side has parks every now and then, so it gives the kids a chance to stop and play and then continue on.
8. Blaxland Riverside Park, Newington
This fabulous park, near Sydney Olympic Park, has a great bike trail that can easily accommodate scooters, the largest playground in Sydney and the lovely Armory Wharf Cafe.
9. Sydney Harbour Bridge
Why not simply scoot from one end of the bridge and back again?!
We would love to hear about any other routes that would be great for a family scoot. Let us know in the comments section below so we can all check them out.
