Lauren bought the Northern beaches birthday tour, on the trike, for her Mum’s 60th birthday. A few months ago, Lauren bought a Gift Voucher and today was the perfect day to use it. They did the 3 hour Northern Beaches trike tour. They met our trike rider at Manly Wharf, we emailed instructions and a map of where to meet.

Manly

Firstly, 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.

This leads past Queenscliff, which is actually “northern” Manly.

Freshwater

Secondly, they rode through Freshwater. Swimming at Freshwater Beach started back in the early 1900s when campers would holiday close to the beach. A small creek running out the north end of the beach provided fresh water for the campers and gave the beach its name.

Freshwater’s unique claim to fame is that this is where surfboard riding was popularised in Australia by Hawaiian “Duke” Kahanamoku. Duke famously carved a board from a piece of local timber and demonstrated surfing for an enthralled crowd on 10 January 1915. A life-size statue of Duke Kahanamoku on the northern headland commemorates the historic day.

Curl Curl, Dee Why etc

Then, they rode past the beautiful beaches of Curl Curl, Dee Why and Long Reef.

Collaroy

Following those beaches, they rode through Collaroy. The name Collaroy is aboriginal for “big reeds”. In 1881, the steamer “Collaroy” ran aground on Long Reef at the southern point of the suburb. Crowds came from all around the district to see the wreck that subsequently gave its name to the suburb.

Narrabeen

They rode further north to Narrabeen Beach. It is one of Australia’s iconic surfing and swimming beaches. Over 3 km of sand stretches from Long Reef in the south to the Narrabeen Lagoon entrance in the north, with 4 surf lifesaving clubs along the beach.

Narrabeen Lagoon

Next, they rode via a part of Narrabeen Lagoon (also referred to as Narrabeen Lake). It is Sydney’s Northern Beaches largest estuary system located just behind the world famous surfing beach at Narrabeen. It is a haven for wildlife.

Mona Vale

Further north, is Mona Vale. The main beach is one km long and very beautiful. The area was known as “Bongin Bongin” by the Aboriginals. The initial land grants in the district of Pittwater were not made until April 1813.

Newport

Continuing north, the 1.3 kilometres long beach at Newport has with reddish golden sands and faces east. So far, Sydney’s Harley Davidson beaches tour was a lot of fun. So far, on the Northern beaches birthday tour, our passengers have seen so many of the beautiful places. Places that many visitors or locals to Sydney don’t get to see.

Bilgola Beach

Bilgola Beach was next. The name “Bilgola” is derived from an Aboriginal term Belgoula meaning “swirling waters”, or perhaps “a pretty beach with steep slopes, studded with cabbage palms”. The word Belgoula was noted in Surveyor James Meehan’s records of 1814. It’s another fabulous beach and is 33 km NE of the Sydney CBD.

Whale Beach

Then the tour went via Bilgola Plateau, Clareville, Careel Bay and Avalon before reaching Whale Beach. Whale Beach is a 600 metres long, and one of our favourites. Between Whale Beach and Palm Beach is the Palm Beach Bible Garden. It has spectacular views over Palm Beach (next beach).

“Home and Away” – Palm Beach – Summer Bay

Palm Beach is the home of the long running TV series “Home and Away”. Home and Away has been on our TV screens since 1988 and the famous Aussie soap is set in a fictional town called Summer Bay. Did you know most of it is filmed here? Palm Beach is a beautiful location for the show and if you’re lucky, you may even spot the show being filmed!

We cannot guarantee it but many of our passengers have seen it being filmed. The narrow peninsular is surrounded by water on three sides: Pittwater, the Pacific Ocean, and Broken Bay, making it perfect for surfing, swimming, sailing and lots more.

However, the time was two thirds of the way through, so our trike rider rode back to Manly and dropped Deborah and Lauren off. In conclusion, the Northern beaches birthday tour on a trike, was a success 😊. They loved the whole experience and will remember it for a long time, if not forever! The best present ever as they wrote later on.

Design your own ride!

or just email trevor@trolltours.com.au and tell us what you would like to do. Or ring 0410 46 47 40.

Greg’s daughter contacted us about taking her dad and another person in the Gosford ANZAC Day March, on a trike. They are the president of the Gosford RSL sub-branch and the president of the RSL. Discussing it with the rider, we decided we could arrange it and do it free of charge. These two and so many others, fought for the freedom we experience today! 🙏🏻

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a significant day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand, stemming from the First World War and recognising conflicts both past and present. Essentially, it’s a chance to reflect and pay respect, and hope for a future without such conflicts.

Our trike rider met the passengers at the Gosford Cenotaph at 10am. Police had been notified ahead of time so waved them through the blocked streets to where the march was starting. They led the march which went for about 15 mins. The march finished back at the Gosford Cenotaph.

Gosford Cenotaph

This sandstone cenotaph is located within Gosford Memorial Park in Gosford, NSW. It bears several inscriptions and two large honour rolls for the First and Second World Wars. Decorating the top of the memorial are several laurel wreaths and the emblems of the three service branches of the Australian Defence Force.

Adjacent to the memorial is a 25 pounder cannon.  

Inscription

Front

Their name liveth for evermore.

Side

Our glorious dead

Boer War 1899–1902
World War I 1914–1918
World War II 1939–1945
Korea 1950–1953
Malaya 1948–1960
Borneo 1962–1966
Vietnam 1962–1972
Iraq, East Timor, Afghanistan

Honour roll

1914–1919
Our glorious dead
[Names]

Honour roll

1939–1945
Our glorious dead
[Names]

Plaque

This cenotaph was restored
upgraded and dedicated
as a tribute to all veterans by
Gosford RSL Sub Branch
April 1988
Hon. Sec. R. C. Sturgeon Pres.

Taken from: warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au

Lest we forget.

In conclusion, the Gosford ANZAC Day march on the trike was a memorable and respectful experience. Feel the Freedom!

Design your own ride!

or just email trevor@trolltours.com.au and tell us what you would like to do. Or ring 0410 46 47 40.

Pauline organised the trike tour 60th birthday for her husband Graeme. It was a fabulous surprise, that’s for sure!! Our passengers live about 1 hour SW of Sydney. They came to Sydney for the weekend to celebrate the special birthday. Pauline saw our fab tours and booked with us. Our trike rider picked them up from their hotel in Darling Harbour.

Barangaroo Reserve / Marrinawi Cove

Firstly, they rode past/through Barangaroo. In January 2023, the NSW Government opened a swimming enclosure at Marrinawi Cove, located at the northern end of Barangaroo Reserve. A lovely sheltered spot, the natural sea pool has safety netting to enclose the swimming area. A great alternative to Bondi Beach! The whole Barangaroo area has had a spectacular transformation. From a disused container terminal on the edge of Sydney’s CBD into a spectacular 22-hectare waterfront precinct.

However, you can’t see all of this from the back of the trike (or Harleys). We are just giving you an idea of what Sydney has to experience.

The Rocks

Secondly, they rode through the Rocks, such an interesting place in/of Sydney. It’s the most historic place in Australia! It is a neighbourhood of historic laneways in the shadow of Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rocks became established shortly after the colony’s formation in 1788 so it is the oldest residential, developed area in Australia – the birthplace of modern Sydney. With the arrival of European settlers in 1788, it was here that the convicts first set up house and shop.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Thirdly 😂, 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

They turned off the Sydney Harbour Bridge and rode past Kirribilli House. Kirribilli House is the secondary official residence of the Prime Minister of Australia.

Further on is Admiralty House. It is the Sydney residence of the Governor-General and one of the most historic and important residences on Sydney Harbour. The house – originally called ‘Wotonga’ – was built in the mid 1800’s.

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. What a great view of the Sydney Opera House! This is where the photo was taken.

The Kirribilli Loop – Harbour Bridge north side

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. As usual, the trike tour 60th birthday suprise, was showing some beautiful sights and icons of Sydney.

Opera House

Then, they rode on the Cahill Expressway and past 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, but completed by an Australian architectural team headed by Peter Hall, the building was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973.

Macquarie Street

Next, they rode up Macquarie St. This street, is the location of the main governmental institutions of NSW: Parliament House, Government House, and the Law Courts Building (which houses the Supreme Court of New South Wales). There is so much history behind Macquarie St. and the buildings that front it.

In the years since its founding in 1788, Sydney had developed organically, and by the early 1800s was lacking in major public buildings, and had a complex network of narrow streets. The supply of drinking water and waste management was also becoming an issue. Governor Macquarie initiated the construction of Sydney’s first public buildings of any real permanence and set the boundaries of Sydney’s grid of streets, laying out the street in 1810.

St Mary’s Cathedral

Further on, they rode through the city and past St Mary’s Cathedral which is very impressive, even when riding past. It’s a Gothic Revival architectural building which opened in 1928. It took from 1866 to 1928 to build and has a height of 75m. It didn’t take long for the trike tour 60th birthday experience to show our passengers major sights and have some fun as well!

Woolloomooloo, Harry’s and Garden Island

Then, they rode into the inner eastern suburb of Woolloomoolloo. It has 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. Lots of interesting photos are on the walls, mostly of famous celebrities who have visited over the years.

Also there is Garden Island. Garden Island is the location of a major Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base.

Kings Cross

Riding through the infamous Kings Cross is always interesting. It has calmed down a lot since it’s heyday – it’s home to 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). The trike tour 60th birthday adventure is fun and interesting!

Coca-Cola billboard

Look up to see the famous “Coke Sign”. It is an advertising billboard erected in 1974 by the Coca-Cola Company. More often regarded as an iconic landmark than as an advertisement. The new Coca-Cola sign was officially turned on, on 15 September 2024, and uses a lot less power. It is the single largest controllable LED sign in the Southern Hemisphere and can change colour.

Eastern suburbs

Continuing on, they headed west through the posh suburbs of the eastern suburbs of Sydney, including the Bays: Rose Bay, Double Bay and Rushcutters Bay. The passengers have seen so many beautiful places.

Bondi Beach

Heading east, they drove past the world famous Bondi Beach, both the north and south side. 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) but it’s good to say you have seen it – even in the rain 😊. 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.

They stopped near the Lifeguard Tower to have a look and take photos. They also stopped at the famous Bondi Icebergs and swimming pool. The waves were very high and rough, no one was surfing which is highly unusual.

Tamarama

Riding south, along more beautiful, though possibly less well known, beaches. The suburb of Tamarama has a small ocean beach about 1 km south of Bondi Beach and a couple of hundred metres north of Bronte Beach. It is an extremely narrow beach and deceptive for its size. Tamarama Beach is often referred to as Glamarama (or Glamourama), owing to the alleged abundance of glamorous people who sunbathe (often topless), on what must be one of the smallest strips of sand in the state (Wikipedia).

Bronte

Then, they rode further south to Bronte Beach. Bronte Beach sits on Nelson Bay, surrounded by Bronte Park. Bronte offers scenic cliff-top walking paths south to Coogee via the Waverley Cemetery and north to Tamarama and Bondi Beach.

Clovelly Beach

Further south to Clovelly Beach. Clovelly Beach is a small and tranquil beach, located the mouth of a narrow bay between two rocky ridges.

Queens Park

Next, the trike rider turned west and past Queens Park. It is a 26-hectare urban park, set in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of dramatic sandstone cliffs, with panoramic views of the Sydney region. It’s right next to the famous Centennial Park so they rode through the gates and into Centennial Park.

Centennial Park

It is interesting riding through the huge Centennial Park is a lovely experience. 120 fields and venues, and 35+ different sports 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.”

Oxford Street

There was enough time to ride down the famous Oxford Street. The western section of Oxford Street, which runs through the suburb of Darlinghurst, is widely recognised as Sydney’s main gay district and Oxford Street is closed to traffic once a year in early March for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Then they rode through the suburbs of Paddington and Darlinghurst.

Sydney Fish Markets

However, the 1.5 hours was up and the passengers were feeling hungry. Fred dropped them off at the famous Sydney Fish Markets. Here they could wander around and 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 trike tour 60th birthday in Sydney was a fun and memorable experience. Feel the Freedom!

or just email trevor@trolltours.com.au and tell us what you would like to do.