There’s not much snow in the Australian summer and now the government is saying “there’s little chance of any International Travel…(maybe to ‘kiwiland’) until later this year”?
But there is plenty of beaches to get your toes into the sand and the state border to New South Wales had finally opened.
And although my home in Queensland has a pristine eco foreshore and beach bay, a trip to Australia’s iconic beach city seemed a much needed and ideal ‘travel treat’
After jet jumping (using a cheap ticket) two hours on the friendly and comfortable JETSTAR flight from the Whitsundays, I calmly arrived to the Covid 19 restricted pace of Australia’s biggest city…SYDNEY.
Sleeping in a Vintage Railway Carriage in Sydney Central Railway Station is FUN and this YHA Hostel is very conveniently located for city and further journeys.
It also attracts an interesting mix of Solo and International travellers who are well looked after by the friendly and professional staff during these frustrating times.
Thank you Polly from Raro, and Sylvia for accommodating me with my late booking.
Sunday in Sydney was Covid 19 calm and walking Central Sydney started with a very casual brunch at the delightfully ‘cool’ St James Cafe in Hyde Park.
Then after an eerie & vacant city stroll down George Street, the bustling Sydney Quay burst into life, with glistening waters and hooting ferry’s ‘framed’ by the truly iconic Opera House.
Sydney’s outstanding beauty is definitely it’s harbour and stunningly accessible beaches, but there is also a valuable ethnic mix in the Western suburbs which gives this heaving gargantuan tangle it’s multi cultural and global blend.
Supper was a great nosh in my favourite ‘hole in the wall restaurant’, Satang Thai (it seats about eight) near the bustling Paddy’s Market. Then I hit the sack in the Vintage Carriage, to be brutally woken next morning with the early suburban trains shunting!
My new day began with a decent coffee in the hostel lounge and then a calming Covid 19 spaced train ride to the city of Liverpool. To enjoy its comfortable social mix and flavours of central European’s, middle-eastern Arabs, Indians, Asians and Pacific nations…and many more?
It’s an Opp Shoppers paradise and is slathered with cool Coffee shops, Vape bars, Tattoo parlour’s, Krishna energy, Colourful fabrics and Central Asian bric-a-brac stuff.
Only blighted somewhat, by the massive but convenient Westfield Shopping Centre which divides the original and attractive Macquarie Street Boulevard and outdoor market place.
Breaking my original travel plan…(Central Sydney Station to Liverpool, then Parramatta and back to Sydney Harbour Quay by ferry) we travelled south and through the endless Suburban Zoo to the popular and casual Coogee Beach. To enjoy the fresh beach breeze, a salty dip in the ocean pool, sand in our toes and eventually a healthy “Sushi Train” lunch and juice.
From Liverpool to Parramatta takes about an hour on a bus and requires the convenient and necessary Opel Travel Card used on most of Sydney city travels.
Parramatta City is all Glass and Concrete, with some Historic Sandstone buildings and parks, (with the inevitable Westfield shopping centre) and the river which meanders back to Sydney Harbour.
Coffee and cake and a Beer or two, was a comfy prelude in the Port Bar above the ferry wharf and eventually we were on a ‘fast cat’ to Sydney Quay, and new digs in the historic Rocks area beside the famous coat hanger (Sydney Harbour Bridge).
The Rocks, including Walsh Bay, and Millars Point is the place to stay in Sydney.
The best value being : Rydges Sydney Harbour or the Sydney Harbour YHA. for their excellent locations and value. Or the twee (tinny)Sydney Harbour BnB, or perhaps a lux Sebel Quay App. suite on the point.
And Ventuno Enoteca on Walsh Bay Wharf gets my vote for…‘stylish everything’ including (menu, wines and view) and opposite the trendy Wharf Theatres and the Roslyn Packer Theatre.
Sydney shopping is great. All those in your face “Glamour Brands” are there of course… and more, but my pleasure was in the city’s beautiful Queen Victoria Building’s four balcony floors and the dainty boutiques in the basement.
High morning tea was very relaxing in the Palace Tea Rooms and a late lunch at the popular Sushi Hub below the historic Strand Arcade balanced my Yin and yang, before buying Lush Soaps for presents completed the day.
Most Sydney Ferry’s start and finish at Circular Quay and my first ‘Ferry to Beach’ trip was to Manly Beach and the petit Shelly Beach tucked in the southern corner.
And after all that fresh sea air on the ferry and ‘huff n’ puff’(walking) the delicious fruit punch at the Boat House Restaurant and Bar was well worth the $$.
Followed by a refreshing swim in the clear waters off Shelly Beach and down the glassy and lazy waves beyond.
Manly Beach is very ‘surfie and casual’ and a good spot to enjoy true-blue Aussie Beach Culture. Gelato’s and the Ice Creamery, Fish n’ Chips or Sushi and salad, and of course Aussie Pub Grub is every where… along with Beer, Chardonnay, Prosecco and some pretty flash offerings at the stylish Manly Wine-Cafe and Restaurant on the path to Shelly Beach.
It was a great day out and after the fast ferry back to the Quay my day was NOT done! I walked the Bridge (on the foot path) from The Rocks to Kirribilli and then spied the historic ‘Church by the Bridge’ and a congregation ready to enjoy evensong.
Covid check this, and that, and then I was in…to my first ever “Modern and Hip” church service, with 3 guitars, drums, and a cool singer in the former choirs cloisters.
An amazing service, with a full house of obviously ‘mobile and more’ Guys and Gals singing, swaying and listening to a modern take on the Christian Faith with a broad community focus.
On my last day of being a “city n’ beach tourist” I visited the Modern Art Museum centre stage at the Rocks… (closed on Mondays), then jumped a fast ferry from the Quay to Watson’s Bay.
The view from the upper deck is spectacular, passing the Opera House, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, Rose Bay and eventually into the calm and beauty of Watsons Bay gardens and inner harbour swimming baths. “Togs On”! Then enjoy the laid back facilities of this salubrious enclave.
Finally finish your morning with High Tea on the gracious Dunbar House verandah or with Coffee and Cake in the Tea Gardens above the Sea Baths.
Bondi Beach is just over the hill!…well, it’s a simple 15 minute bus ride from the Bay Village on the 308, then get off and walk from the North Bondi Beach stop.
“I love Bondi” and it’s more than Iconic. Westies, Locals, Tourists and Drovers, they are all here and it really is THE classy aussie beach, and and, …all those Micro-bikinis and Speedo’s will make your eyes water!
Centre stage…is the popular Bondi Rescue TV. program’s Life Guard Tower with Boards and Surf boats, Hunks and hour glass Lass, keeping you safe to enjoy all that intoxicating FUN in the SUN and Surf, even in Covid 19.
There’s plenty of beachy shopping, bars and restaurants on the promenade. It’s hardly Nice or Saint Trop (thank goodness) but very aussie-cool and casual. Check out the Speedo Shop and enjoy lunch in the Macelleria Restaurant with it’s pedestrian hustle and Bondi Beach vista.
Choices…was it the train from Bondi Juction Station (near the dreaded Westfield Centre) or the bus back to Doyles Restaurant on the Beach at Watsons Bay, or Fish n’ Chips in the relaxing park?
As this was my “Last Supper” in Sydney and being solo….the Picnic Pack of fresh Fish n’ Chips and a freshly squeezed Jumbo Juice savoured the moment.
Our ‘fast cat’ stopped at beautiful Rose Bay and it was here I spotted another adventure for inquisitive visitors. A Float Plane for Hire, including one way Taxi Flights to the exclusive tip of Sydney’s northern beaches…Palm Beach.
Enjoy.
