Sisters 50th birthday tour – Maree + Trish 19.05.24
The Sisters 50th birthday tour around Sydney was a celebration. They have both turned 50 over the last few years but haven’t had time to celebrate until today. Then, they chose us to take them on a fun and memorable tour. Work got ‘in the way’ so the start time was changed a few times. However, it was sorted and our trike rider picked them up at Circular Quay. He took them on the 2 hour Major Beaches tour.
Circular Quay
Circular Quay is a part of Sydney Harbour, it’s a former working port and now international passenger shipping terminal, public piazza and tourism precinct and heritage area. From here you can walk to the Rocks, the Sydney Opera House, the city and Botanical Gardens.
Opera House
Firstly, they rode past the Sydney Opera House. We can’t get very close but we know some good angles which give some great scenic views. Even as “forever Sydneyites” we never get tired of looking at the Opera House.
Woolloomooloo, Harry’s and Garden Island
Then they headed east through the city, to the inner eastern suburb of Woolloomoolloo. Woolloomooloo is known for Finger Wharf, an old cargo dock that attracts a trendy clientele with fine dining, hip bars and water views on all sides. It also has the famous Harry Cafe De Wheels which has been serving customers for over 80 years. They make delicious pies, hotdogs and more. Lots of interesting photos are on the walls, mostly of famous celebrities who have visited over the years.
They rode past Garden Island which is the location of a major Royal Australian Navy base. Then it was up the hill and into Potts Point.
Kings Cross
Continuing on, they rode through the infamous Kings Cross, though it has calmed down a lot since it’s heyday – home of the famous and huge Coca Cola sign. Kings Cross is also home to nightclubs and ladies of the night though it is not nearly as raunchy as it was in the 1970s (apparently).
Eastern suburbs
They headed east through the posh suburbs of the eastern suburbs of Sydney, including the Bays: Rose Bay, Double Bay and Rushcutters Bay. Already, the Sisters 50th birthday tour experience on the trike, has shown our passengers so much of the interesting areas of eastern Sydney.
Bondi Beach
Next, they rode south and past the world famous Bondi Beach to the south side. Here, there is a lovely view overlooking the whole of Bondi Beach. When in Sydney it is one of the places you should visit. The beach was made extra 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. This is where the photo was taken.
Then it was back through the city and over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
After that, they rode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We always tell our passengers to look up and enjoy the unique view. he more than 6,000,000 rivets are so interesting and the arch is so iconic. It’s nicknamed ‘The Coathanger’ because of its arch-based design. It is the largest steel arch bridge in the world. This bridge is the eighth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 m (440 ft) from top to water level. It was also the world’s widest long-span bridge, at 48.8 m (160 ft) wide, until a bridge in Canada was completed in 2012.
Kirribilli
Then, they rode past Kirribilli House. Kirribilli House is the secondary official residence of the Prime Minister of Australia. After that, they rode around the corner to Jeffrey Street Wharf. From here, the views across Sydney Harbour towards the Sydney Opera House and the CBD are magnificent. In addition, it also has an up-close view of the side and underneath of the bridge. A perfect place to stop for photos.
The Kirribilli Loop
They rode under the north side of the bridge and continued on their tour. The underside of the northern end of the SHB – Sydney Harbour Bridge – is very interesting. The Kirribilli Loop was finished by riding past Luna Park and the North Sydney Olympic Pool.
Bradleys Head
Similarly, Bradleys Head has wonderful views across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the CBD. Bradleys Head in Mosman is one of Sydney Harbour’s most prominent natural features. First Fleet officers observed and named it, almost every ship entering Sydney Harbour has sailed past it, it possesses Aboriginal, military and naval associations, and it has for many years been the location of various recreational activities.
Riding on, they rode past the lovely posh Balmoral Beach. Everyone who comes here loves it! Balmoral Beach is not so well known by visitors and tourists, but the stunning natural beauty of the beach and surrounds make it well worth a visit. Crossing the Spit Bridge is fun, it has great views of Middle Harbour.
After Balmoral Beach they continued on past, Seaforth and Clontarf before stopping at Tania Park. Tania Park is on Dobroyd Head with stunning views looking across Sydney Harbour and through North and South Heads. Arabanoo lookout at Dobroyd Head is named in honour of Arabanoo, the first Aboriginal man to live among European settlers. It’s a great spot for whale watching, offering views over North and South Head and the Pacific Ocean.
Manly
Then, they rode past the main beach of Manly. Manly has several claims to fame; it was the birthplace of surfing in Australia, the first place to legalise all-day bathing in 1903 and one of the world’s first Surf Life Saving clubs. Manly Beach was the location for the first World Surfing Championships held in 1964.
However, the 2 hours was up so our rider dropped them off in Manly. They were going to wander around, have fish and chips and catch the ferry back into Sydney.
In conclusion, the Sisters 50th birthday tour was a success. Trish emailed later, “it was great thanks”.
Check out the tour here. It probably won’t be exactly this but similar, all our tours are unique!