Harley tour in memory – Nina 23.11.24

The Harley tour in memory of her friend, was for our passenger from Finland. Her friend used to ride a Harley so Nina decided this would be a good way to honour her friend’s memory. She booked the 4 hour Southern Spectacular tour and part of the email she wrote afterwards says, “…Had a fab day!…” . Our Harley rider picked her up from her accommodation in Surry Hills.

Surry Hills

Surry Hills is old established and very interesting, area of inner Sydney. The first land grants in Surry Hills were made in the 1790s. Nowadays, Surry Hills has a mixture of residential, commercial and light industrial areas. It remains Sydney’s main centre for fashion wholesale activities, particularly on the western side.

Sutherland Shire

Firstly, they rode 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

Then, they did a scenic cruise through the historic Royal National Park. The second oldest national park in the world. 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.

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.

Our passenger saw some beautiful sights while riding through the lovely National Park. Something not many people experience.

Stanwell Tops and Bald Hill Lookout

The first stop was Bald Hill Lookout, with sweeping views before heading across the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge and onto Wollongong’s lighthouses—yes, there are actually two side by side! It rests on the Illawarra escarpment, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the neighbouring village of Stanwell Park. It is bounded on all sides by state-forest reserves and other forested crown lands.

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. A 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 drove down to Stanwell Park and saw the beautiful beach. So far, the Harley tour in memory of her friend was an impressive experience with plenty of fab views.

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, they 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.

Figtree

Then, they stopped for a stretch and a drink before riding through Figtree. Figtree is an inner western suburb of Wollongong. The suburb is named after a giant fig tree that once stood on the eastern side of the highway. It was a mountain pass used in early days of settlement built by subscription in 1821 before completion by convict labour. At Figtree, they turned west.

Mt Kembla

Next, they rode through the charming village of Mt Kembla, 100km south of Sydney CBD. The suburb, a semi-rural township of Wollongong, gets its name from the mountain, located on the Illawarra escarpment, is derived from an Aboriginal word, kembla, meaning “plenty of game”. From, here, they headed north.

Mount Keira

Further north, Mount Keira is a local landmark of Wollongong, towering 463.9 metres high. The Harley roared as they climbed to Mt Keira Lookout, where the clouds added a mystical touch to the stunning scenery.

However, the 4 hours was almost up. So they headed north to the drop off point in Surry Hills. The ride back offered a perfect mix of freeway and old highway—yin to the coastal road’s yang.

In conclusion, the Harley tour in memory of her friend was memorable and fun experience. Feel the Freedom!

Information about the Southern Spectacular tour.