Sydney anniversary trike tour – Dave + Fraser 11.10.24

The Sydney anniversary trike tour was organised as a surprise by Dave for Fraser. It was their first wedding anniversary so Dave wanted to make it a special experience. Our trike rider picked them up from their home in Cremorne. He was very sensitive to such a fab celebration, so left them to wander off on their own at the stops.

Cremorne

Cremorne is a suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney. It was named after the Cremorne Gardens in London, a popular pleasure ground in England, which derived its name from the Old Irish words Crích Mugdornd (modern Irish: Críoch Mhúrn), meaning ‘boundary’ or ‘chieftain’ of Mugdornd.

Prior to the arrival of the First Fleet, the area in which Cremorne is situated was inhabited by the Cam-mer-ray-gal group of the Ku-ring-gai Aboriginal nation. The group, which inhabited the north shore of Port Jackson, was one of the largest in the Sydney area – Wikipedia.

Bradleys Head

Firstly, they rode east along a couple of back roads to Bradleys Head. While riding past Taronga Zoo to Bradleys Head, make sure you look for the koalas eating and sleeping in the gum trees.

Bradleys Head 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.

Mosman Wharf

Next, it was down to Mosman Wharf, with beautiful Sydney Harbour views. The first regular ferry service was arranged by property developer Richard Harnett in the early 1870s. A tram service to the wharf commenced in March 1897.

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. Already, the Sydney anniversary trike tour was showing our passengers 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!

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.

Manly

Of course, they had to ride 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.

Queenscliff

The northern end of Manly Beach is actually called Queenscliff Beach. It was named in honour of Queen Victoria (England). The area was popular with holiday-makers from the early 1900s to World War I, who stayed in holiday shacks on the headland. The suburb is famous amongst the Australian surf beaches for its “heavy” waves (bomboras) that break out at sea.

Freshwater

Swimming at Freshwater Beach started back in the early 1900s when campers would holiday close to the beach. A small creek running out the north end of the beach provided fresh water for the campers and gave the beach its name.

Freshwater’s unique claim to fame is that this is where surfboard riding was popularised in Australia by Hawaiian “Duke” Kahanamoku. Duke famously carved a board from a piece of local timber and demonstrated surfing for an enthralled crowd on 10 January 1915. A life-size statue of Duke Kahanamoku on the northern headland commemorates the historic day – Sydney.com

McKillop Park, Freshwater

Finally, they rode to McKillop Park. This is a beautiful park on the headland overlooking Freshwater Beach and out to sea. McKillop Park is a beautiful park located on a hill north of Freshwater Beach in Australia.

It is dotted with plaques depicting former world surfing champions, and it is overlooked by a bronze statue of King Kamehameha of Hawaii. The park offers a great view of the ocean and is a popular spot for picnics and relaxation (taken from localista website).

However, the 1.5 hrs was up so our trike rider dropped them off at Freshwater Beach (Dave’s prearranged choice). In conclusion, the Sydney anniversary trike tour was a memorable way to celebrate a marriage milestone!

Design your own ride!