Demi’s Dad George, organised the Harley transfer Christmas voucher for his daughter. She used it today when her Dad organised lunch for them both in Sydney city. George drove to the restaurant so they had transport home. Our Harley Davidson rider picked her up from home in Dee Why, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Dee Why

Firstly, they rode to Dee Why which is a very popular beach, it has been done up over the last decade. A park for concerts, a playground and restaurants across the road make it very popular with locals. It also has lovely clean sand and good waves. It is 18km NW of Sydney CBD. The reasons for Dee Why’s name remain unclear. The earliest reference to it is a pencil note in surveyor James Meehan’s field book, “Wednesday, 27th Sept, 1815 Dy Beach – Marked a Honey Suckle Tree near the Beach”. What it meant to him is not clear.

Curl Curl

Then, they rode south past Curl Curl Beach. This is one of our favourite beaches in Sydney! The name Curl Curl may have been derived from a Dharuk Aboriginal phrase curial curial, meaning river of life. It’s such a lovely beach to ride past as it’s easily seen from the road. It was first settled by Europeans in 1858.

Freshwater

Freshwater has a very interesting history. This is a very small part of the history:

In December 1914, Duke Kahanamoku, the world sprint swimming champion, was touring Australia. He selected timber from a Sydney firm to fashion a board modelled on those used in his native Hawaii. He gave a demonstration to the press of surf board riding at Freshwater Beach. It was the second recorded time that anyone had surfed the clean waves beyond the break in Australian waters using this Hawaiian-style surfing technique. The first known surf board rider was Manly local Tommy Walker who rode a board at the 1912 Freshwater surf carnival. (wikipedia)

Manly

Next, 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. Already, beaches disability trike tour, has shown our passengers some beautiful beaches.

Sydney Heads

The Sydney Heads (also simply known as the Heads) are a series of headlands that form the 2 km wide entrance to Sydney Harbour. Here on the north side of the harbour, it is known as North Head.

North Head is a headland south-east of the suburb of Manly. It is part of Sydney Harbour National Park. The headland is a promontory of sandstone and is 3.85 square kilometres in area.

The heritage-listed former Quarantine Station is located on North Head and is one of the few facilities that operated in each state of Australia from the mid-to-late-1800s until the 1980s. From 1828, Spring Cove, on the western side of North Head, was used to quarantine new arrivals to Sydney to minimise the spread of communicable diseases such as cholera, smallpox and whooping cough.

After checking out the stunning view over the Harbour to the city, they hopped back on the Harley and headed west.

Seaforth

They rode through Seaforth which was named after Loch Seaforth and Seaforth Island in Scotland. The land in this area was once owned by Henry Halloran, who subdivided it in 1906. The Seaforth library was built in 1887 and protected by heritage listing by Manly Council in 1995. The Harley transfer Christmas voucher has already been a fun experience and shown our passenger so many beautiful sights.

The Spit

Then, it was through Spit, which is a suburb in its own right. It protrudes off Beauty Point and is home to the Spit Bridge, a bascule bridge opened in 1958 over Middle Harbour. The bridge opens at set times to allow yachts with high masts to pass. Crossing the Spit Bridge is fun, it has great views of Middle Harbour.

Then it was through the lower north shore and over the SHB.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

We love this bridge and 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.

Sydney CBD

However, the hour was almost up so they rode through the CBD. The Sydney Central Business District is the vibrant, skyscraper-filled heart of Sydney, blending iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with major shopping (Pitt Street Mall, QVB), dining, cultural institutions (Art Gallery NSW, museums), and green spaces (Royal Botanic Garden, Hyde Park). It’s a busy hub for business, shopping, and tourism, offering a mix of historic precincts like The Rocks and modern waterfront areas like Barangaroo, all highly walkable and known for stunning harbour views

The rider dropped Demi off at the restaurant. In conclusion the Harley transfer Christmas voucher was a success, the best Christmas present ever! She may be a local but seeing the area from the back of a Harley, gives a totally new perspective.

After the ride, George emailed:

Hi Katrina,
She absolutely loved the ride. 
George

Feel the Freedom!

Check out a description of the tour here. This our most popular tour at the moment. Don’t forget every tour is unique so may not be exactly as stated but you will always see the icons mentioned (unless the fireworks are on so half the roads are closed).

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

It was fun organising the 50th birthday surprise Harley ride. We love surprises! Emma’s Mum talked to us about the Harley ride and what they were thinking. After it was organised, the details changed a few times, thankfully we could accommodate, usually we can but not always.

Our Harley rider picked Emma up at Balmoral Beach, where she had just eaten breakfast with her family.

Balmoral Beach

Riding on, they rode past the lovely posh Balmoral Beach. Everyone who comes here loves it! Balmoral Beach is not so well known by visitors and tourists, but the stunning natural beauty of the beach and surrounds make it well worth a visit. The Beach Beauty trike ride was showing our passenger some beautiful and unique places and views!

Balmoral Burn

Amazingly, the Balmoral Burn is the next experience. Phil Kearns AM, came up with the idea of running up Mosman’s Awaba St as a way to raise funds. It was to say thank you to the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) after one of his sons received emergency care, for suspected meningococcal. It started 22 years ago and is now called The Balmoral Burn.

At its steepest the gradient is nearly 30%, and over its length it rises about 70 metres (230 ft). So far, $33.7 million has been raised! Wow!

Taronga Zoo

They stopped at Kirribilli for a look but couldn’t do the usual Kirribilli Loop. Then they rode past Taronga Zoo. They stopped to watch the koalas feeding in the trees – this won’t happen on every tour. Taronga Zoo, officially opened in October 1916, began as a project of the NSW Zoological Society in 1881, eventually moving to its current location on Mosman in Sydney Harbour. The zoo’s history extends back to 1884 when the first public zoo in Sydney was established at Billy Goat Swamp in Moore Park.

Taronga has an absolute commitment to the conservation of wildlife in Australia and around the world.

“We are committed to the conservation of native species, with active involvement in breed and release programs, habitat recovery and the rehabilitation and release of injured or orphaned wildlife.”
Taronga is a not-for-profit. Every dollar you spend saves wildlife.

Interestingly, Taronga is an Aboriginal word meaning “beautiful view”. Divided into various zoogeographic regions, the 28-hectare (69-acre) Taronga Zoo Sydney is home to more than 5,000 animals of approximately 350 different species. Well worth a visit!

Bradleys Head

Continuing on, they rode down the hill to Bradleys Head. It has wonderful views across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the CBD. It’s in the suburb of Mosman and is one of Sydney Harbour’s most prominent natural features. First Fleet officers observed and named it, almost every ship entering Sydney Harbour has sailed past it. It possesses Aboriginal, military and naval associations, and it has for many years been the location of various recreational activities. The 50th birthday surprise Harley ride was a fun, memorable and interesting experience.

The Spit

Then they headed backand past Balmoral Beach. Through Spit, which is a suburb in its own right. It protrudes off Beauty Point and is home to the Spit Bridge, a bascule bridge opened in 1958 over Middle Harbour. The bridge opens at set times to allow yachts with high masts to pass. Crossing the Spit Bridge is fun, it has great views of Middle Harbour.

The Spit Lookout

Up the hill from the Spit Bridge is a fab lookout, it’s where this photo was taken. It has beautiful views over Middle Harbour towards the Heads.

However, the 1 hour was almost up, so the rider took Emma back to her family at Balmoral Beach. In conclusion, the 50th birthday surprise Harley ride was the best present ever. It was a fun experience and unique experience.

Feel the Freedom!

Check out a description of the ride here. Don’t forget every tour is unique so may not be exactly as stated but you will always see the icons mentioned (unless something like the Sydney Fireworks are about to happen, when roads are closed).

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

It’s still school holidays in Australia! Bill decided to organise a fun northern beaches trike transfer for his family. We picked them up from the home in the lower north shore of Sydney. Then, our trike rider took them the scenic route to Palm Beach. Here, they were going to have lunch. Bill drove up to have lunch with them and drove them all home.

Cammeray

Cammeray takes its name from the Cammeraygal people, an Aboriginal clan who once occupied the Lower North Shore. It’s just 6 km north of the Sydney CBD.

Northbridge

Firstly, they rode through Northbridge. The Suspension Bridge, linking the suburb to Cammeray, has become a recognised symbol of Northbridge, completed in January 1892 and purchased by the state government in 1912. It’s so beautiful, the style is Federation Gothic, with medieval motifs as “unexpected embellishments”.

Mosman

Secondly, they rode through Mosman. It is named after Archibald Mosman (1799–1863) and his twin brother George, who moved onto a 4-acre (16,000 m²) land grant in the area in 1831. They were involved in shipping, and founded a whaling station on a bay in the harbour, which became known as Mosman’s Bay.

Curl Curl

Then, they rode north past Curl Curl Beach. This is one of our favourite beaches in Sydney! The name Curl Curl may have been derived from a Dharuk Aboriginal phrase curial curial, meaning river of life. It’s such a lovely beach to ride past as it’s easily seen from the road. It was first settled by Europeans in 1858.

Dee Why

A little further north, Dee Why is a very popular beach, it has been done up over the last decade. A park for concerts, a playground and restaurants across the road make it very popular with locals. It also has lovely clean sand and good waves. Already, the northern beaches trike transfer, has shown our passengers some beautiful beaches.

Avalon

They had a quick stop at Avalon Beach. It is a fantastic spot for surfing, swimming, or simply enjoying the coastal views. The surf here is less intense compared to some of the more famous beaches in Sydney. The sand here is a cool orange colour. This is because of iron oxide, which is like rust.

“Home and Away” – Palm Beach – Summer Bay

Ending up at Palm Beach which 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 northern beaches trike transfer had come to an end. The passengers were dropped off at a cafe so they could eat lunch. What a great experience!! In conclusion, according to the passengers, it was so much fun!

Memories were made!

Feel the Freedom!

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

The trike tour experience, Sydney was organised for our interstate passengers. Their main aim was to go over the Harbour Bridge, so we did that first.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Firstly, 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

Secondly, 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. It’s where this photo was taken.

Kirribilli

Thirdly, the riders took them through the back streets of Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, and into Kirribilli, to the Prime Minister‘s residence and Admiralty House. Kirribilli House is the secondary official residence of the Prime Minister of Australia.

Next door 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 and Harbour Bridge!

The Kirribilli Loop – Harbour Bridge north side

From there, 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 SHB. Already, the trike tour experience, Sydney has shown them some major Sydney city sights. Then it was south over the SHB.

Woolloomooloo, Harry’s and Garden Island

Further on, 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).

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 2016, and uses a lot less power. It is the single largest controllable LED sign in the Southern Hemisphere and can change colour.

St Mary’s Cathedral

Along William St 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 experience, Sydney to show our passengers major sights and have some fun as well!

Art Gallery of NSW

Further on they turned left, along Mrs Macquaries Road. The Art Gallery of NSW has beautiful historic sandstone buildings which were built between 1896 and 1909. The Art Gallery of New South Wales began without a collection and without a building on 24 April 1871 when a group of 30 art-loving citizens established a society to support artists and promote knowledge and enjoyment of art in the wider community. In 1874 they secured government support for their project and by 1880 they had their own dedicated building, the first of its kind in Australia.

Domain

Also, this road goes through the Domain. The Domain is a heritage-listed 34-hectare (84-acre) area of open space located on the eastern fringe of the Sydney CBD.

Macquarie Street

Next, they rode down 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.

Sydney Eye Hospital

Further on, they rode past The Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital. It is steeped in history, with a legacy of nursing and medical firsts to its’ credit, both nationally and internationally. 

The Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital operates as one hospital in Macquarie Street in Sydney’s central business district. Sydney Hospital is Australia’s first hospital and dates from the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.  It has been located at the Macquarie Street site since 1811, and celebrated its Bicentenary in 2011. The building is beautiful.

Mitchell Library

Then they did a loop and went across Macquarie St, and past the Mitchell Library. The Australian Subscription Library, established in 1826, was renamed as the Australian Library and Literary Institution in 1853. In 1869 the NSW Government purchased the collection and building to form the Sydney Free Public Library, the first truly public library for the people of NSW. Free Public Library was renamed in 1895 as the Public Library of NSW. In 1907 David Scott Mitchell bequeathed his collection to the NSW government and the Mitchell Library, built to hold the extensive collection, opened in 1910.

1975 saw the Library renamed as the State Library of NSW. We all still call it the Mitchell Library! The State Parliament of NSW had its flags at half mast for the renaming.

However, the 1 hour was up so the rider dropped the passengers back at their hotel. In conclusion the trike tour experience, Sydney was a huge success.

Feel the Freedom!

Check out a description of the tour here. This our most popular tour at the moment. Don’t forget every tour is unique so may not be exactly as stated but you will always see the icons mentioned (unless the fireworks are on so half the roads are closed).

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

An email after the ride;
“Hi Katrina,

We had the most fantastic time cruising around Sydney & seeing places we’ve never seen before. Fred was so lovely & showed us many spots we wanted to see & more. 

Shane will do a review when we are home but we thank you & Fred very much as it was the best experience & one we would love to do again.

Many thanks for sending the photo through too.

Take care,
Jacqui & Shane 

The family trike & Harley tour around Sydney was for a family from the UK. They wanted to see Sydney a fun way and it sure was.

The Rocks

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.

Centennial Park

They also rode through the huge Centennial Park, which 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.”

It’s where these photos were taken.

Tamarama + Bronte

Riding north, along more beautiful, though possibly less well known, beaches. The suburb of Tamarama has a small ocean beach about 1 kilometre 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 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.

Bondi Beach

At last, they drove past the world famous Bondi Beach to the 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) and we usually 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.

Eastern suburbs

Heading east, through the posh suburbs of the eastern suburbs of Sydney, including the Bays: Rose Bay, Double Bay and Rushcutters Bay. The family trike & Harley tour around Sydney was fun, memorable and unique.

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 2016, and uses a lot less power. It is the single largest controllable LED sign in the Southern Hemisphere and can change colour.

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).

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.

However, the 1.5 hrs was almost up so the riders drove through the city and dropped the passengers back at their hotel. In conclusion, the family trike & Harley tour around Sydney, was so much fun. Memories were made!

Feel the Freedom!

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