trike tour for Sydney locals – Jenni + Michael 09.03.24

The trike tour for Sydney locals was just for fun, for something to do. They didn’t mind where they went so our trike rider took them to explore the east of Sydney. He picked them up from Circular Quay.

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.

Moore Park and Centennial Parklands

Famously, Moore Park is home to Sydney (Alliance) Stadium. It’s where Rugby is played. This entertainment, dining and leisure hub spans 115 hectares and includes the serene Centennial Park, all only a stone’s throw from the city centre. From watching a major sporting match and browsing farmers’ markets to going horse riding, playing golf and enjoying a range of fun indoors activities, including wine tasting.

They rode around most of Centennial Park, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Make sure Fred tells you the story about the incredible eels here.

Coogee

Thirdly, they rode east to Coogee Beach. It’s a beautiful beach and slightly more famous than most other beaches, due to a well know hotel in Coogee. The name Coogee is said to be taken from a local Aboriginal word koojah which means “smelly place”. Another version is koo-chai or koo-jah, both of which mean “the smell of the seaweed drying” in the Bidigal language, or “stinking seaweed”, a reference to the smell of decaying kelp washed up on the beach. Coogee was gazetted as a village in 1838. The first school was built in 1863, and the building was converted into the Coogee Bay Hotel in 1873 (Wikipedia).

Bronte Beach and Baths

Next, they rode north to Bronte Beach.

Contrary to the popular misconception that Bronte Beach was named after the Brontë sisters, or Bronte House, Bronte Beach was in fact named after the British military figure Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, Duke of Bronté. Horatio Nelson was awarded the title of the Duke of Bronte from the King of Naples in 1799 and from that time signed his name as “Nelson and Bronte”. (Wikipedia).

The Bronte Baths story begins in 1883 when Waverley Council set aside 150 pounds to build sea baths at Bronte. Before the Baths there was an existing swimming spot in this location, known as ‘the bogey hole at South Nelson Bay’. Construction of the Baths commenced in 1887.

Tamarama Beach

Then, they rode further north 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. So far, the trike tour for Sydney locals was a lot of fun.

Bondi Beach

Even further north they came to the famous Bondi Beach. Here they stopped for photos (where this photo was taken) and why not with this view! On the left of this photo (not in view) is the the world famous tower of the Bondi Lifeguards of the Bondi Rescue TV series. 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.

Eastern suburbs and Kings Cross

Heading west and through the posh suburbs of the eastern suburbs of Sydney, is interesting. These include the Bays: Rose Bay, Double Bay and Rushcutters Bay. 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).

Woolloomooloo

Finally, they rode down the hill and past the famous Harry Cafe De Wheels. Harry’s Café de Wheels has been serving customers for over 80 years. They make delicious pies, hotdogs and more. However, the 1.5 hours was almost up so they rode through the inner eastern suburb of Woolloomooloo, through the city and back to Circular Quay.

In conclusion, the trike tour for Sydney locals was fun, scenic, relaxing and memorable. Feel the Freedom!

Check out the Eastern Sydney Panorama page for a description. Each tour is unique so we may not do exactly what is written here but we will still take you to see the major sights.