family’s holiday in Sydney – Polish Family 11.10.26

Our family’s holiday in Sydney was for a Melbourne family. They hadn’t been to Sydney before so wanted to do something fun and see a lot, in a short period of time. Yes, we could do that! We picked them up from their accommodation in the CBD.

Darling Harbour

Firstly, they rode past Darling Harbour. For more than 7,000 years Darling Harbour was a frontier; a boundary between the Wangal and Gadigal clans of the coastal Eora people. There is so much history between then and now. 1788 the Europeans arrived and developed the area. In 1984 the premier of NSW, Neville Wran, announced the Government’s decision to redevelop Darling Harbour and “return it to the people of Sydney” in time for Australia’s 1988 bicentennial celebrations.

It was a white elephant before the redevelopment. Now, the Darling Harbour precinct is home to a number of major public facilities and attractions. The Darling Harbour Woodward Water Feature (officially named Tidal Cascade) is a heritage-listed water fountain. Worth a visit!

Darling Harbour may be a hotspot for dining, drinking, events and luxury hotels today, but centuries ago it was a hub for shipping and manufacturing. It was here that the first steam engine in Australia started work in 1815 and right here where the world’s first freezing works opened.

In the late 1800s a full iron wharf was built where Tumbalong Park is today, which was at the time the largest steel structure in the world (until construction of the Eiffel Tower years later). The Pyrmont Bridge built in 1902 still stands as the oldest electrically-powered swing span bridge still operating in the world.

Rail yards exploded in Darling Harbour during this time and eventually came to handle most of the country’s export produce. There is so much more history on the Darling Harbour website if you are interested.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Secondly, they rode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We always tell our passengers to look up and enjoy the unique view. The 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.

McMahons Point / Blues Point Reserve

Thirdly, they rode on through Milsons Point, did a left hand turn and rode up a few streets. This leads to Blues Point Reserve. The views over Blues Bay towards the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the CBD are just stunning. Already, the family’s holiday in Sydney trike tour has shown our passengers some major Sydney city sights. It’s where this photo was taken.

Fig Tree Bridge, Tarban Creek Bridge, Gladesville Bridge

The next bridge is an old but smallish bridge – the Fig Tree Bridge. It opened in 1963 and spans the Lane Cove River. After that bridge, they continued on and crossed the second of the bridges Tarban Creek Bridge. This spans Tarban Creek, likewise, it has nice views east to the Harbour Bridge. Then they got to bridge #2 of the main 3 Bridges, the Gladesville Bridge. It has wonderful views along Parramatta River towards the Harbour Bridge and the city.

Gladesville Bridge

Next, the Gladesville Bridge is a heritage-listed concrete arch road bridge that carries Victoria Road over the Parramatta River, from the western suburbs to the city (or vice versa). It was the first 305-metre (1,000 ft) span concrete bridge in the world and had a substantial number of engineering and technical elements that made it a world-leading bridge design and construction achievement. It was also the first bridge to utilise computer programming in its construction.

This bridge is on the main arterial thoroughfare of Victoria Road – from the western suburbs to the city (or vice versa).

Bay Run

Then, they did a detour off the main arterial road through the inner west suburbs of Rozelle, Lilyfield, Haberfield, Five Dock and Drummoyne. They followed part of the Bay Run. It is a 7km long (4.3 mi) shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians that encircles much of Iron Cove. It never deviates more than 20m from the water so the views are pretty nice. Our passengers have seen so many places the average visitor doesn’t get to see on this family’s holiday in Sydney trike tour.

ANZAC Bridge

After a couple of turns, they rode over our favourite bridge, the ANZAC Bridge. We think it is incredible, a work of art and design. It is main bridge #1 of this tour. Similarly, it is also great to see without a roof over your head inhibiting the view.

Most noteworthy, the stay cable design concept development and final design for the new bridge were carried out by the Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW. Finally, the bridge was opened to traffic on 03 December 1995 as the Glebe Island Bridge.

The bridge was given its current name on Remembrance Day in 1998 to honour the memory of the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (known as ANZACs) who served in World War I.

However, the hour was almost up, so the rider dropped them back at their hotel.

In conclusion, the family’s holiday in Sydney trike tour was fun, memorable and unique. A real way to celebrate friendship!

Feel the Freedom!

Check out a description of the tour here. Don’t forget every tour is unique so may not be exactly as stated but you will always see the icons mentioned.

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