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Published: December 8th 2014
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The trip from Sydney airport to our airbnb was a great introduction to the place....first a train to Central Quay, and then a 10 minute ferry ride from Central Quay past the Harbour Bridge and Opera House to Neutral Bay. (Both important tourist sites viewed before even arriving at our accomodation!). Only difficult part was lugging the cases up 100 or so steps from the jetty. The place was easy to find and close to the jetty, and the key hidden exactly where our host had told us.
Sydney is easy to get around, using ferries in addition to buses and trains ; but Australia is not cheap. (short ferry ride $6 and train from airport $16). The ferry ride is however an absolute treat, and it is great to see the landmarks lit up at night as well as during daytime. Also nice to see the little sailing boats bobbing in the harbour and look at the nice houses and gardens as you pass. The weather in Sydney was dissapointingly 'british' while we were there. Changeable, often overcast, and some drizzle. But also some sun.
First day we walked round through the residential area where we were staying
to the north side of the harbour bridge. It is a very nice quiet area with little parks and brightly coloured flowers, trees and palms. Nice little corner shops and cafes. There are several unusual birds that we saw on our walk.
Then we walked across the bridge admiring the views, and climbed the lookout and museum to get an even better view. From here we had a good view of the people in blue suits and harnesses climbing the bridge. (I had researched this online - but we decided against as it is quite expensive and has to be booked in advance. Anyway, we climbed over the top of the O2 in London last year, which is slightly similar as you wear the suit and harness and get a good view). The south side of the bridge is the Central Quay and Rocks area. The Rocks is the historic old area which was first settled. We checked out the museum and had lunch here, but for us this area was less interesting as it has old stone and brick buildings cramped together looking more like home.
After lunch we jumped on a free shuttle which took us
through town towards Darling Harbour. Here the plan was to visit the Australian Wildlife Encounter where you can have a photo taken with a koala. The wildlife was interesting to see, and we heard the talks about the crocodile, the kangaroo and the koalas while there. Actually got to see a live possum in the zoo twighlight exhibition. (Kris will understand this comment - in NZ I had looked for one with a torch at night but not seen one. Had only ever seen dead ones by the road because in NZ they are killed with poison because they are an invasive foreign species which eats the native bush). The koalas were all fast asleep. Apparantly they spend between 18 and 22 hrs per day sleeping. Apart from this they spend their time eating eucolyptus leaves. These are so indigestible that it uses all their energy to eat and digest. Bit of a dull life, but they look fairly content and cute. We didnt bother having the photo taken with the koala, since you don't actually get to hold it or touch it at all. (All that happens is that you stand beside it while the keeper props its arm
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The tiny beach at Neutral Bay. I am pointing at our airbnb. away from its sleeping face.) Apparantly the zoo have tried to breed from the crocodile there, but he had attacked and killed 2 prospective mates! I take away from this wildlife encounter that I will not be in a rush to encounter any of this wildlife alone in the actual wild.
The following day we had hoped to take a ferry to Manley beach, but it was not beach weather. We went by ferry into town instead, and wasted a lot of time making enquiries about left luggage (thinking to go by ferry to Manley the next day before heading to the airport). Leaving luggage proved to be a complicated idea. Then we took a walk around through the botanical gardens, admiring more views, unusual birds, ferns, cacti, brightly coloured flowers and views. The gardens are very central and fronting onto the harbour beside the Opera House. Next was a visit to the Opera House. Close up we could see that the Opera House is made of a chequerboard of cream and white tiles. It is a magnificent building and a wonderful setting. It would have been pleasant to have something to eat or drink in the restuarant there....but
unfortunately this was closed for a private function. There was another posh private function going on in a marquee on the riverside terrace. A nice venue for a private function...but no amount of cash could buy the weather, and their event must have been really spoilt by the drizzle.
Final day we got lucky with the weather. We had breakfast on the little garden terrace overlooking the bay. Then we took the bus to Manly from Neutral Bay (thanks again internet....discovered this option which meant we didnt need to leave baggage in central Sydney. All the guide books say to take the ferry, but we have had quite a few ferry rides past the Opera House now, so bus is fine and actually cheaper and more convenient from our place)
Manly was all we had been led to expect. A very nice suburb with a sheltered harbour on one side, and a lovely sandy surf beach a short walk through town on the ocean side. There were numerous school groups at the beach taking surf lessons. We did not attempt surfing on this occasion as we had a plane to catch later. Just a paddle, a walk and
fish and chips. The arc of sandy beach is lined by Norfolk pines, and it would have been possible to walk on up some cliffs at the end of the prom if we had had time. The town itself had a nice pedestrianised street with seating, fountains, and (incongrous to us in the sunshine), a large christmas tree.
We got the bus back, picked up the luggage, and had one last ferry ride en route to the airport for our flight to Perth.
Since being in Perth we have heard on TV that the weather over on the east coast of Australia has been stormy and gales. We were pretty lucky to leave when we did!
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