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Published: July 17th 2012
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Julian & I have recently decided that we need to explore more of Sydney to get to know it better. So the Saturday before last, we purchased a day pass from our local newsagents for $21 (about £14) each which allows unlimited trips on Sydney's buses, trains and ferries so brilliant value and a great opportunity to explore.
The first part of our journey was a 45min very easy bus ride into the city. These are regular, pretty much on time and always really well used by ALL ages (in sharp contrast to my recent bus trips in the UK that only seemed to be used by those with free bus passes, probably due to the fact they're so blinking expensive).
We got off at the nearest stop to Circular Quay which was just a short walk and where we then caught a ferry to Balmain which was a beautiful trip in itself as great harbour views.
Balmain is a very trendy, lively little suberb with lots of fantastic individual coffee bars and restaurants, many being French & Italian. I have read that it is home to many writers, actors, etc, etc. and it has that feel about
it. Our first stop was Adriano Zumbo's famous Patisserie which turned out to be the tiniest little shop and really narrow, but I had to wait ages to take a photo as most of the time it was completely hidden behind a long queue of people. So a thriving business and can say that our shared savoury tart and almond croissant that we had for our lunch were very, very scrummy. Loads of lovely old Australian buildings here with many examples of the beautiful heritage ironwork verandahs. Visited 'The Watch House' which was the old lock up and lots of art deco style buildings. Stopped for a fab cappuccino at 'Ciao Thyme' which we could easily have eaten a second lunch at as the food looked so amazing (oh well, one for another day).
At this point, I ought to say that when we first arrived in Oz I had no idea what a Barista was. For those like me, I have since learned this is not a fancy lawyer, but someone actually trained in the art of coffee making and employed by nearly all coffee shops/ restaurants etc here, so coffee is nearly always amazing and cappuccino's usually
sporting a very artistic heart/leaf design etc. I have tried many times to copy these at home without any success whatsoever.
After a good look around and logging in several more restaurants to try another time, we then walked to the next suberb of Roselle where we came across a group of people in Santa gear (Yuletide being celebrated here by some pubs/restaurants etc in June, July & August) which was very weird. A big Saturday market, vintage shops, more lovely cafes etc etc. Quirky but more of a thorough fare than Balmain with a busy road through some of it. Our mission was to find one of the original pubs of this area that had been in my 'Rough Guide', but pretty disappointing when we got there as now full of pokie machines etc and not the quaint image we had in mind.
So, we hopped on a bus back to the city and caught another ferry which stopped at the very lovely Double & Rose Bays. We stayed on until Watsons Bay where we got off for a Doyles famous Fish & Chip supper. The actual restaurant is quite pricey, but Doyles also have a quiosk
on the harbour just where the ferry comes in. Here you can get take away Fish & Chips with the option to eat this in an inside cafe area complete with bar which we did. It was lovely and topped off by being able to watch a beautiful sun set over the Harbour as we ate. Being winter here, it is getting dark still at about 5.30pm.
After this we then caught the ferry back to Circular Quay but weren't ready to head home. So we walked the short distance round to the end Quay to Sydney Opera House's, Opera Bar which was a fantastic end to the day. Drinks here are not cheap, but ihard to find a better setting with the Opera House lit up as a backdrop and the night views of the Harbour & city. Its a really bussling area and a great atmosphere. Most evenings they have live music there too.
We got talking to a couple on holiday from Christchurch, New Zealand who were telling us how the husbands work offices had been completely destroyed in the earthquakes last year with 3 members of the staff being killed. They still only had
half a roof on their own home and their daughter and little grandchildren still couldnt return to their house as the whole area they lived in was still unsafe. It was very sad. We may have rain & cold in UK, but not those sort of extremes! And what we have experienced time and again here is that after just an hour chatting, they had given us their email address and an open invite to use their holiday home in Queenstown if ever in NZ😊
Well, being on public transport, it was great not having to worry about driving and the bus back to Narrabeen was as straightforward as the one in so a very successful and enjoyable day.
See below for more photos😊
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Nigel
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Day trips in Sydney
Nice one Matilda. What you need to do next is the night tour of the city, King's Cross etc....some pretty good bars down that way. Still raining back here in UK, but no earthquakes!