60th Harley birthday present – Elyse 31.10.25

The 60th Harley birthday present tour was given to Elyse from her sons. It was such a great present, very fun, memorable and unique. Our Harley rider picked her up from her home in the inner west of Sydney. They began their ride by riding through more inner west suburbs of Sydney.

Newtown

Firstly, this fab suburb in the inner west of Sydney is famous for its quirky, bohemian spirit. Newtown is where you’ll find eclectic vintage shopping, iconic arts and theatre spaces, and a renowned dining and drinking scene. Adorned with beautifully-restored 19th-century terrace houses and street art, this vibrant inner Sydney neighbourhood attracts artists and foodies alike.

Sutherland

Secondly, they travelled through the Sutherland Shire. It is located at the southern border of the Sydney metropolitan area, 26km from the Sydney CBD. It is home to one of Sydney’s longest surf beaches. Moreover, Kurnell within the Sutherland Shire was the original landing place of Captain James Cook on 29th April 1770, making the Shire the birthplace of our modern nation.

The Royal National Park

After that, they rode along some other roads and through the historic Royal National Park. Established in 1879 it is Australia’s first national park and the world’s second oldest national park – after Yellowstone in the USA. It features unique heritage attractions, along with fascinating plants, birds and animals.

Interestingly, originally known as just National Park, it was renamed Royal National Park in 1955, in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Australia in 1954. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2006.

As the one of our riders once wrote to us after the fun tour; “the weather was perfect and just magical. Riding through the Royal National Park with the temperature dips and changes as you go through the various wooded dense areas.”

Stanwell Tops

Next was Stanwell Tops. Here is where the hang gliders do their thing, so they stopped for a coffee and stretch at Stanwell Tops. They hung around longer than usual because it was so interesting to watch.

Stanwell Tops rests on the Illawarra escarpment, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the neighbouring village of Stanwell Park. Bounded on all sides by state-forest reserves and other forested crown lands. Already, the 60th Harley birthday present tour is showing our passenger some interesting and unique sights.

Bald Hill Lookout

Above all, parts of Stanwell Tops, Bald Hill Lookout not only has excellent views but the area is also internationally known as a major hang-gliding point. It was on the beach below Bald Hill that Lawrence Hargrave, an Australian pioneer of flight, made a successful flight with his box kite, on 12 November 1894. The memorial cairn dedicated to him has been erected at the peak of the hill near the car park.

Bald Hill overlooks the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge which is where we are heading after here.

Stanwell Park

After that, they rode down to Stanwell Park and saw the beautiful beach. So far, the Southern Spectacular family tour on the trikes was impressive. Already, Elyse has seen some beautiful views and ridden through the lovely National Park. Something not many people experience.

Originally, the area was inhabited by the Wodiwodi Aboriginal clan of the Tharawal people. It was traversed by 3 shipwrecked sailors in an epic journey of survival along hundreds of miles of coastline until rescued at Wattamolla, north of Stanwell Park. Two of their companions were unable to negotiate the Coal Cliffs where the Sea Cliff Bridge is today, and their remains were found by explorer George Bass, who also reported on the rich coal seam apparent in the cliffs.

Coalcliff

Coalcliff is beginning of the famous Sea Cliff Bridge coming from the North. It is a suburb of northern Wollongong at the base of the Illawarra escarpment. Founded in 1797 when survivors of a wreck set out to find Sydney and found coal here, which they used to make a fire for warmth.

Explorer George Bass was then sent by Governor Hunter to investigate, and found several seams that extended for some distance.

Sea Cliff Bridge

Continuing on, we rode onto the Sea Cliff Bridge and along the coastline. The 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive – an award-winning drive which takes is a 140 kilometres worth of coastal scenery from the Royal National Park – Loftus down to Nowra.

Bulli Pass

Next, they rode north up the Bulli Pass. The original Throsby track, which lies less than a kilometre to the south of today’s Bulli Pass road, was used from 1815 to 1844. In 1867, when today’s Bulli Pass was built, the maximum grade on Bulli Pass is 14.6 per cent. Wheeled vehicles began using the road in 1863.

Sublime Point Lookout

At the top is Sublime Point Lookout which offers 180 degree views over the sea, the rainforest and the 17 beaches that span the coastline to Wollongong.

Princes Highway

Instead of riding back on the motorway, the rider took her along the Princes Highway. It runs parallel to the motorway but is quieter and has a nicer atmosphere. However, the 3 hours was up, so they kept riding and dropped the passenger back at their home. In conclusion, the 60th Harley birthday present ride was a success. A memorable experience and a lot of fun. Not to mention the beautiful scenery Elyse saw along the way.

Check out the Southern Spectacular tour here!

or just email us: trevor@trolltours.com.au