surprise Southern Spectacular trike – Jane + John 02.09.23

The surprise Southern Spectacular trike tour was booked by Jane. John used to ride so she thought it would be a great experience for them both. She wrote later, “Had a great time and will totally recommend the tour.”

They did the 4 hour Southern Spectacular. Also, being from Brisbane QLD, they saw different views to the average to tourist. They saw places not even many Sydneysiders have seen.

Our trike rider picked them up from their hotel in the CBD. Firstly, he rode along the Eastern Distributir and under the runway at Mascot (part of the Kingsford Smith Airport).

Brighton Le Sands

This brought them out at Brighton Le Sands. It is located 13 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD, on the western shore of Botany Bay. It has a lovely beach and some nice parks.

Captain Cook Bridge

This bridge has good views of the river. The Captain Cook Bridge is a road bridge that carries Taren Point and Rocky Point Roads across the Georges River. It’s often called the Taren Point Bridge. It consists of seven spans totalling 475 m in length, with a 506 m long deck that is 27.5 m wide with six traffic lanes and two shared bicycle and pedestrian paths. Its foundations extend as deep as 67 metres (220 ft) below water level to its sandstone base. The bridge was opened on 29 May 1965.

Sutherland

Sutherland Shire is located at the southern border of the Sydney metropolitan area, 26km from the Sydney CBD. It is home to one of Sydney’s longest surf beaches. Kurnell within the Sutherland Shire was the original landing place of Captain James Cook on 29th April 1770, making the Shire the birthplace of our modern nation.

the Royal National Park

Established in 1879 it is Australia’s first national park and the world’s second oldest national park – after Yellowstone in the USA. It features unique heritage attractions, along with fascinating plants, birds and animals.

Originally known as just National Park, it was renamed Royal National Park in 1955, in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Australia in 1954. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2006.

Stanwell Tops

They stopped for a coffee and stretch at Stanwell Tops. It rests on the Illawarra escarpment, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the neighbouring village of Stanwell Park. It is bounded on all sides by state-forest reserves and other forested crown lands.

Bald Hill Lookout

Part of Stanwell Tops, Bald Hill Lookout not only has excellent views, the area is also internationally known as a major hang-gliding point. It was on the beach below Bald Hill that Lawrence Hargrave, an Australian pioneer of flight, made a successful flight with his box kite, on 12 November 1894. A memorial cairn dedicated to him has been erected at the peak of the hill near the car park.

Bald Hill overlooks the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge which extends along the Grand Pacific Drive a 140 kilometre award-winning coastal drive beginning 45 minutes south of Sydney International Airport in the Royal National Park.

Stanwell Park

Then they drove down to Stanwell Park and pat the beautiful beach. So far, the surprise Southern Spectacular trike tour was impressive. Our passengers had seen some beautiful views and riden through the lovely National Park. Something not many people experience.

Coalcliff

Coalcliff is beginning of the famous Sea Cliff Bridge coming from the North. It is a suburb of northern Wollongong at the base of the Illawarra escarpment. Founded in 1797 when survivors of a wreck set out to find Sydney and found coal here, which they used to make a fire for warmth.

Explorer George Bass was then sent by Governor Hunter to investigate, and found several seams that extended for some distance.

Sea Cliff Bridge

We then continued onto the Sea Cliff Bridge and along the coastline. The 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive – a drive which takes in 140 kilometres worth of coastal scenery from the Royal National Park, Loftus down to Nowra.

Bulli Pass

Next, they rode north up the Bulli Pass. The original Throsby track, which lay less than a kilometre to the south of today’s Bulli Pass road, was used from 1815 to 1844. In 1867 today’s Bulli Pass was built, the maximum grade on Bulli Pass is 14.6 per cent. Wheeled vehicles began using the road in 1863.

Sublime Point Lookout

At the top is Sublime Point Lookout which offers 180 degree views over the sea, the rainforest and the 17 beaches that span the coastline to Wollongong. It’s where this photo was taken.

Princes Highway

Instead of riding back on the motorway, Fred took them along the Princes Highway. It runs parallel to the motorway but is quieter and has more of a nice atmosphere.

Newtown

This leads back through the southern suburbs of Sydney and into Newtown. Famous for its quirky, bohemian spirit, Newtown is where you’ll find eclectic vintage shopping, iconic arts and theatre spaces, and a renowned dining and drinking scene. Adorned with beautifully-restored 19th-century terrace houses and street art, this vibrant inner Sydney neighbourhood attracts artists and foodies alike.

Sydney Fish Markets

However, the 4 hours was up and the passengers were feeling hungry. Fred dropped them off at the famous Sydney Fish Markets. Here they could wander around an find something delicious to eat.

Sydney Fish Market moved to its current location at Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont in 1966. Fish were sold using the traditional ‘voice’ auction system. This system saw buyers assemble outside the sales bay fence, where inside an assistant would hold up samples of fish from each box for buyers to bid until the highest price was reached.

The history of the fish selling industry in Sydney is very interesting. Like everything else in the world, how they sell the fish has changed dramatically since it began pre-1945. Currently, there are 150 to 200 buyers each day.

In conclusion, the surprise Southern Spectacular trike tour was a fun and memorable experience. Feel the Freedom!