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Published: March 17th 2009
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Tower view
Someone's obstructing the view Our hotel Glenferrie Lodge is in Kirribilli a suburb just across the Harbour Bridge from the city. We bought Red passes for local train/bus/ferry and Kirribilli is just 7 minutes from the Circular Quay - very convenient.
12th Mar - decide to go up the Sky Tower to get oriented with the city layout. Fantastic 360deg views.
Next - walk to Darling Harbour, taking in Queen Victoria Building en route. Amazing restored interior.
Darling Harbour area is full of activity with numerous restaurants and bars to choose from.
After lunch visit the Sydney Aquarium where their latest attraction is the Dugongs (manatees or sea cows).
Spend a long while in the aquarium and manage to lose each other in the many dark corridors! Eventually reunited - quick ferry ride back to hotel, change and out for a super dinner on Circular Quay West where from our table we had simultaneous great views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
13th Mar - a super day with cousin Diana (Shirling). Before she came to collect us we walked up onto the bridge to watch ships of the Australian navy coming into harbour for a review of the
Great views everywhere
From our table at Wolfies restaurant Fleet. Diana collected us from the hotel and first stop was Bradley Point for further views of the harbour and flypast of a huge flag suspended under a helicopter. Diana took us on a tour of her local area and on to North Head (N of the harbour entrance) where we walked to see the dramatic cliffs. Then on via Manly and some way north to where the Shirlings have their 'weekender' cottage which is on the edge of National Park land and only accessible by boat. We took a quick water taxi ride to get there. Time for a swim and use of boards to paddle up the creek, before lunch. A great "away from it all" place.
Back to Mosman and a walk on Balmoral Beach - their local beach where the family spent so much time a s the girls grew up.
Then to their place at Curlew Camp Road - finally meet George!
Great house overlooking the bay - and a huge deck area where we enjoyed drinks and barbecue supper and watched a lightning storm in the distance!
All the best with publishing your book George!
14th March -
Quick ferry ride to Circular Quay and then spent a while watching the Navy parade through the city. On to the Botanic Gardens (past Govt House) where we spent a long while exploring the variety of flora (and in particular - magnificent trees) and had a picnic lunch near Mrs McQuaries chair (look it up on the net!)
Pm we took ferry to Watsons Bay and walked via Camp Cove and then past a nudist beach! to South Head; so now we had seen both sides of the harbour entrance.
Clouds building in an amazing rolling and rotating fashion but luckily we seemed to be in the "eye" of it and the rain missed us. That evening however there was a reeal downpour when we were inside a restaurant!
On the way bback to the hotel were surprised by a firework display at the Opera House, which we could se from Kirribilli.
15th March (Sunday)
Day trip to the Blue Mountains. Picked up by mini-coach from our hotel.
Sights included:
Nepean River (stop for refreshments)
Wentworth Falls
Viewpoint near Katoomba to see the Three Sisters rock outcrops.
To Scenic World nearby to go down cablecar into valley 'rainforest',
then world's steepest railway to comee up again!
To the 'mountain village' of Leura for lunch.
Next to King's Tableland for more amazing views of cliff faces and Blue Mountain views.
Back via a National Park to look (unsuccessfully) for kangaroos (though we did see a large monitor lizard!)
Quick tour past the Sydney 2000 Olympics sie and stadia, before finally a ferry ride back into the city! A busy but very interesting day with a very good commentary throughout from our guide/bus driver.
16th March
Explore the oldest area of Sydney near the Harbour Bridge called "The Rocks" - old buildings, narrow alley ways, lots of historical info.
Then a change of pace - a 30min ride in a Thunderjet around the harbour! All passengers were asked at the outset whether we wanted a dry or wet ride. All voted wet and our driver managed to achieve that very well (see pic to come).
In the evening we went to the Opera House and saw Madame Butterfly - a great experience.
17th March
More adventure - the Bridge Discovery Climb! Kitted out in jump suit, harness, radio etc we gradually climbed up walkways on the girders of
About to get wet!
Thunderjet is go! the harbour bridge until we eventually reached the summit. Very interesting indeed, great views all the way (and very safe!). We were again blessed with the fourth really fine day in a row so could see exceptionally far.
Lunch and pm at Darling Harbour with visit to the Nationa Maritime Museum. (one exhibit of note is the Endeavour replica)
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