family Sydney trike tour – Becky, Ben + Max 16.12.24

The family Sydney trike tour was organised by Becky from the USA. They are here on a holiday and thought this would be a fun experience. It is also a good way to see many Sydney icons in a short space of time. They booked 2 hours so they saw quite a lot!

Our trike rider picked them up from their hotel in the Sydney CBD.

Opera House

Firstly, they rode further to the iconic Sydney Opera House. We can’t ride close to it 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. It’s where this photo was taken.

Circular Quay

Next, they rode through Circular Quay. Often referred to as the “gateway to Sydney”, the precinct has views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House and is a common location for viewing Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks. It hosts a number of ferry wharves, bus stops, and a railway station.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

First on the passengers list of icons to do, was to ride over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. So that’s what we did. 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

Then, they rode off the north end of the SHB and 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. A perfect place to stop for photos with a great view of the Sydney Opera House!

The Kirribilli Loop

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. Then, it was back over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Already, the family Sydney trike tour has proven a fun experience – unique, interesting and informative.

Mrs Macquarie’s Point

Next, they rode to Mrs Macquaries Point which has wonderful views across Sydney Harbour. From here, look towards the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They stopped for photos and a look at the gorgeous view. Mrs Macquaries Point is a peninsula which was named in 1810 after Elizabeth, Governor Macquarie’s wife. Luckily, being the bosses wife, she could order a seat to be chiselled into the rock from which she could view the harbour. Mrs Macquaries Chair, as it’s known, is still here today. It’s in the Domain but is effectively an extension of the Botanic Gardens.

Woolloomooloo, Harry’s and Garden Island

Further east, not far from the city, is the inner eastern suburb of Woolloomoolloo. Woolloomooloo is known for 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. 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

They headed 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 Sydney trike tour was so much fun and informative as well.

Vaucluse

Down the hill, they headed north through the posh eastern suburb of Vaucluse. The first European activity in the area took place not long after settlement, when a makeshift signalling station was set up on the ridge overlooking the ocean. Its role was to signal the colony if a ship was approaching. Pilots based at Camp Cove, Watsons Bay, could then meet the ship and guide it through the harbour. A formal signal station was established in 1790, serviced by a bridle trail that later became Old South Head Road in 1811.

Macquarie Lightstation

Completed in 1818, Macquarie Lighthouse was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway for Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of NSW. Owing to crumbling foundations, it was reconstructed in the 1880s. Standing at 26 metres tall, the replacement tower was designed by the state’s Colonial Architect, James Barnet, to closely resemble Greenway’s original.

Watsons Bay and The Gap

Heading North through some upper class suburbs, they rode to “The Gap” and stopped for photos. The view is towards North Head and out to the South Pacific Ocean. Watsons Bay sits on the end of the South Head peninsula. The Gap is an ocean cliff which faces the Tasman Sea, and is located in the suburb of Watsons Bay. Although the cliff is a popular tourist destination, it is infamous for suicides.

Gap Park is located on a coastal escarpment on Sydney Harbour’s South Head. It has spectacular views of both the harbour and the ocean. A weather worn memorial to an officer killed in the Boer War, is at the entrance to Gap Park.

Bondi Beach

Heading south, they drove past the world famous Bondi Beach, the south side is closed for the moment, due to Sculptures by the Sea. 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) and often we stop near the lifeguard station, made famous by the TV series “Bondi Rescue”. 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.

However, the 2 hours was up so quickly. Our trike rider rode through the city and dropped them off back at their hotel. What a wonderful way to start an memorable international holiday!! In conclusion, the family Sydney trike tour was fun and memorable. A great way to start a holiday.

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