SYDNEY CITY TOUR
It was our 3rd day and since our itinerary that day was just to tour sydney city which was not very far from our accomodation, we woke up a bit late. We spent time together that morning to prepare breakfast and packed lunch for our trip to the city later.
After breakfast, we set out to explore around 10.30pm. The weather so far was perfect compared to yesterday. It took around 15-20mins driving from the Bass Hill Park to Sydney City.
It was an enjoyable moment and with lots of great view along our journey. To see local houses, the small towns and buildings was among one in a lifetime experience. Then the view started to change once we saw the Pacific Ocean on the left hand side. It's a sign that we were heading to the harbour. There's also a bridge connecting suburbs to Sydney City.
(i) The ANZAC Bridge Spanning Johnstons Bay
The ANZAC Bridge spanning Johnstons Bay is one of Sydney's outstanding landmarks. Opened in December 1995, it provides a key link between Sydney City and the suburbs to the west. There is no toll on the ANZAC Bridge.
The bridge has a main span of 345m, a total length of over 800m with the two towers supporting the 128 cables 120m high. It is the longest cable-stayed span bridge in Australia and amongst the longest concrete cable-stayed span bridges in the world.
On the 80th anniversary of Armistice Day (11th November 1998), the premier of NSW, Bob Carr renamed the bridge as the ANZAC Bridge as a memorial to members from both sides of the Tasman who formed the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - the ANZACs. Flags were placed on the tower tops, an Australian flag on the eastern tower and a New Zealand flag on the western tower.
So where was our first destination?
(ii) Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is one of the busiest, entertaining, and attractive locations in Sydney. Located right next to Sydney’s city centre, Darling Harbour is a mecca for fun, activities, and never-ending entertainment. The harbour is a large pedestrian-friendly area of the city that is bordered by Chinatown and the Rocks neighbourhood of Sydney. Darling Harbour is home to hundreds of restaurants, bars, and clubs for any appetite, interest and music genre. It’s a fantastic spot for a night out, a walk along the harbour, or just to people watch. But Darling Harbour isn’t just about the nightlife, it’s just as buzzing during the day.
We reached Darling Harbour around 11am and parked our car at Harbourside Car Park and from there we entered the Harbourside Shopping Complex. Located on the waters edge of Darling Harbour, you can directly exit to Pyrmont Bridge from the shopping complex.
We had a quick stop to the toilet, refreshed ourselves. Changed Baby Musa's diaper and I found this vending machine toiletries. Quite interesting and the items very usefull too!!
We went out from the Harbourside Shopping Complex and started our walk through the Pyrmont Bridge.
(iii) Pyrmont Bridge
With all its glitz and glamour it is easy to forget that Sydney is a working port. Our fascinating walk begins at the State Heritage Registered Pyrmont Bridge.
Pyrmont Bridge stands at the entrance to Darling Harbour is one of the world's oldest surviving electrically operated swing bridges. The current swing bridge opened in 1902 using electric power from Ultimo Powerhouse at a time when Sydney's streets weren't yet lit by electricity and replaced the first Pyrmont Bridge which began operating in 1857. The swingspan allows access for vessels that are too tall to travel under the bridge.
With the introduction of container shipping, the southern end of Cockle Bay was no longer commercially viable and the area gradually fell into decline. Freight services were moved and the railway goods yards closed in 1984. In the same year, the Darling Harbour Authority was formed and commissioned to redevelop the area as a leisure, entertainment and commercial venue, giving part of the harbour back to the people of Sydney.
The new Darling Harbour opened in 1988, with Pyrmont Bridge's swingspan restored to full working order and a new addition, the Monorail, running above.
Presented to you.... The Pyrmont Bridge. It was a nice and peaceful morning, plus the weather was prefect for a stroll there.
Such a busy port
Spectacularly located at the Sydney's waterfront at the northern end of Darling Harbour, is the Australian National Maritime Museum which a distinctive indoor/outdoor attraction and a great day's entertainment for the whole family. However as we had a very limited time to spent here, we didn't manage to visit the museum.
We took a slow walk here and snapping photos whatever that were interest to us.
We took photos like no body business!!
One of the biggest draws to the Darling Harbour is the Waterfront itself. This tourist hot-spot has so much to offer, defenitely a no-brainer to visit when coming to Sydney. Darling Harbour has it all - or at least, it has a Sydney Sealife Aquarium, Manly Sealife Sanctuary, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Wildlife Zoo and The Sydney Tower Eye, which is pretty close to have everything. These five attractions are the must-dos in this charming harbourside destination.
Located in the heart of Sydney at Darling Harbour, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the world's largest aquariums; with over 700 different species and 13,000 animals in an impressive six million litres of water. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium will also become home to the world's largest variety of sharks and rays, as well as Australia's most famed marine animals, including the iconic platypus, little penguins and the famous dugongs.
Not enough time to visit Sydney Aquarium also, so I just posed in front of it. Been in quite a few of underwater attractions before (Aquaria KLCC, Langkawi Underwater, Singapore Underwater World), I was not so frustrated to skip Sydney Aquarium in our itinerary as I have the thought that the marin life exhibited here would be similar like other places.
As the Sydney Sealife Aquarium and also Manly Sealife Sanctuary Sea Life already listed out in our plan, which of the 5 attractions we visited? Read my next post for info. Till then stay tuned peeps!!
Sydney, The Land of OZ Fast Link Here
1) Day 0 – The Journey KL to Sydney and 1st Night at Ibis Hotel
2) Day 1 – Pick up Rental Car and Start of Grand Pacific Drive
3) Day 1 – GPD (Otford Lookout, Stanwell Park and Cliff Bridge)
4) Day 1 – GPD (Wolonggong & Kiama)
5) Day 1 – Night at Windang Beach Tourist Park
6) Day 2 – Trip to Blue Mountain
7) Day 2 – Echo Point Lookout and Scenic World, Blue Mountain
8) Day 2 – Night at Bass Hill Holiday & Residential Park
10) Day 3 – Sydney Wild Life Zoo
11) Day 3 – Madam Tussauds Sydney
12) Day 3 – Ferry Ride, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge at Night
13) Last Day – Checked Out and Shopping Paddy Market
14) Last Day - Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
15) Last Episode Sydney
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