Mum’s Harley birthday present – Susan 26.04.24

Mum’s Harley birthday present was organised by her daughter. Susan was so looking forward to it and loved every second of the Harley Davidson tour. Our rider picked Susan up from Bondi Junction.

Bondi Junction

Our hearts go out to the survivers and non-survivors of the Bondi Junction stabbings, 13 days ago. Bondi Junction is a largely commercial area which has undergone many changes since the late 20th century.

The first house in the area was Waverley House, which was built by Barnett Levey in 1827, on the current site of Waverley Street. The house changed hands many times over the years before finally being demolished in 1904. When Waverley Municipality was proclaimed in 1859, the name was taken from Waverley House.

Centennial Park

Firstly, they rode through the fabulous Centennial Park. It is a lovely experience, to ride through and to stop for a short break, or photos but we’d run out of time.

With 120 fields and venues, 35+ different sports are played in the Centennial Parklands. It is the largest community sports precinct in Australia! The history is also interesting: “Originally a swamp and then set aside as land for the water source for Sydney. Centennial Park was reconstructed as a public park and opened in 1888. Sir Henry Parkes’ vision was to create a ‘People’s Park’ in which the citizens of Sydney could ‘take in the air’ away from the Sydney town centre.”

Centennial Park history

It was originally a swamp and then set aside as land for the water source for Sydney. Centennial Park was reconstructed as a public park and opened in 1888. Sir Henry Parkes’ vision was to create a ‘People’s Park’ in which the citizens of Sydney could ‘take in the air’ away from the Sydney town centre.

In it’s 130th year (2018), Centennial Park – the ‘People’s Park – has been honoured with an Australian National Heritage Listing. This elevates the Park to the status of other National Heritage places such as Bondi Beach, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Australian War Memorial.

Rushcutters Bay

Secondly, they rode north to Rushcutters Bay, 3km east of Sydney”s CBD. The area saw much activity by convicts cutting reeds as a source of roof thatching in the early days of the colony, the name became established as the ‘Rushcutting Bay’ from which the present name derives.

Double Bay

Next, they turned east and rode through the posh Double Bay. It takes its name from the bay of Sydney Harbour and refers to the two geographical formations between Point Piper and Darling Point, which are interrupted by a miniature point in between.

Rose Bay

Further east, Rose Bay is located seven km east of the CBD. Rose Bay has views of both the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge together. The name Rose Bay was used as early as 1788. So far, Mum’s Harley birthday present is fun and informative.

Bondi Beach

Of course, we had to ride past the world famous Bondi Beach to the south side. Looking from the two ends of the beach give a different perspective. This is the beach where Bondi Lifeguards of the Bondi Rescue TV series is filmed. When in Sydney it is one of the places you should visit. The beach is seriously nice (but not our favourite) and we usually stop near the lifeguard station, made famous by the TV series “Bondi Rescue”. Bondi Beach is one of the most visited tourist sites in Australia. Bondi Beach is recorded by the Australian Museum that Bondi means place where a fight using boondi sticks (nullas nullas or fighting sticks) took place.

Tamarama Beach

Then, they rode further south to the tiny but picturesque Tamarama Beach. It’s lovely to look out to the South Pacific Ocean from any of the beaches. Initially known as Dixon Bay by early European settlers, the name was changed to Tamarama in the 1800s. Tamarama is probably a derivation of the Aboriginal name ‘Gamma Gamma’ (possibly meaning ‘storm’), which appeared on maps of the coastline in the 1860s by the Military or Naval Authority.

Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve

Further south, it was to the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve. This extends from the southern end of Bronte Beach to the rock baths at Coogee Beach and out to 100 m offshore. It covers an area of approximately 40 hectares and includes 4,000m of coastline.

The objectives of the aquatic reserve is:

1. conserve the biodiversity of fish and marine vegetation
2. protect fish habitat
3. facilitate educational activities
4. facilitate scientific research.

However, the hour was up, so the Harley Davidson rider turned north and took her back to the drop off place in Bondi Junction.

In conclusion, Mum’s Harley birthday present experience was fun, memorable and showed her much of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, in a short time. Check out the Tours & Prices page for ideas.