family holiday trike + Harley tour – Alix, Kevin, Laurie + Whit 15.08.24
This family holiday trike + Harley tour was organised because it is a fun way to see the famous icons of Sydney. From the USA, the passengers were only here for a short time. They saw a lot of Sydney in a short time from the back of the trike and Harleys. Our riders picked them up from their hotel.
Circular Quay
Firstly, they rode past Circular Quay. Often referred to as the “gateway to Sydney”. This precinct has views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. It is a common location for viewing Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks. It’s main hosts a number of ferry wharves, bus stops, and a railway station.
Opera House
This brought them to the iconic Sydney Opera House. We can’t ride close but you can see it from a different angle to the usual. The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The building was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973.
Domain
Next, they rode through the city and past the Domain. The Domain is a heritage-listed 34-hectare (84-acre) area of open space located on the eastern fringe of the Sydney CBD.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Then, they rode along Art Gallery Road which is always interesting. Past the Royal Botanical Gardens to Mrs Macquarie’s Point. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s history is no ordinary tale, despite the name, it wasn’t until 1959 that it became ‘Royal’.
They were officially recognised as a botanic garden in 1816, while only becoming ‘Royal’ in 1959 when Queen Elizabeth II visited. The site is one of the world’s oldest colonial botanic gardens and one of the most important botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere (only Rio de Janeiro is older). The area attracts around 4 million people a year.
Mrs Macquarie’s Point
Next is Mrs Macquarie’s Point. It has beautiful views looking west towards the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They ride past Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is an exposed sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench, on a peninsula in Sydney Harbour. It was hand carved by convicts in 1810, for Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of NSW.
Art Gallery of NSW
Also along this road is the Art Gallery of NSW. It’s beautiful historic sandstone buildings were built between 1896 and 1909. The Art Gallery of New South Wales began without a collection and without a building on 24 April 1871 when a group of 30 art-loving citizens established a society to support artists and promote knowledge and enjoyment of art in the wider community. In 1874 they secured government support for their project and by 1880 they had their own dedicated building, the first of its kind in Australia.
Woolloomooloo, Harry’s and Garden Island
Through the eastern part of the city, they rode to 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.
Next, 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
Heading east, through the posh suburbs of the eastern suburbs of Sydney, including the Bays: Rose Bay, Double Bay and Rushcutters Bay. So far, the family holiday trike + Harley tour is fun and memorable.
Bondi Beach
Slightly south, and it was past the world famous Bondi Beach. Here, there is a lovely view overlooking the whole of Bondi Beach. The beach was made extra famous by the TV series “Bondi Rescue” and 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. Even our passengers knew about “Bondi Rescue”.
However, time was up so the passengers were dropped off to have a surfing lesson. In conclusion, the family holiday trike + Harley tour was a fun and memorable experience. Even the drizzle didn’t dampen their spirits.
Check out the tour here.