We rented a room in a friend's apartment in Glenmore Street, Paddington. Very nice neighbourhood with houses with iron lace fences, small quirky cafes and lots of slopes and cascades to work off those cakes. 10 images |
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Sydney City ... around the "Standard Tourist Attractions" 33 images |
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A day trip to the gateway town of the blue mountains national park.
We took the Cityrail to Katoomba (instead of renting a car). Offpeak (after 9am) return tickets for train were A$10.80 each. It's a 2 hours ride and the trains were quite comfy.
Had a leisure walk around the quiet mountain town of Katoomba which is the gateway to the other blue mountain towns.
Lunch at Common Ground Cafe, wonderful Barramundi burger. Followed by a long walk to Echo Point, passing some very nice houses and art gallery. Great views along the hikes on the Prince Henry Cliff walk.
Resting those tired legs at a cafe ... before catching the train back to Sydney. 56 images |
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Visited Manly twice, it stormed out and we did not even get to manly beach itself. However since we were already there, we decided to do the bush walk in our raincoats and umbrella. Great to know that we were not the only one on the track ... in the 2-3 hour walk, we only met 1 other crazy couple in raincoats.
Collins beach was nice and secluded, but no luck spotting the fairy pengiuns.
The "hanging swamp" along the Gunner's Walk trail from the former School of Artillery was actually very nice in the rain. It gave the swamp a very mystical feeling. The swamp is located where the rocks are less permeable to water, collecting rain water thus forming a swamp up in the highlands. 60 images |
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While looking for the bus stop to Watsons Bay, we stumbled upon a small market (thurs morning only) in Double Bay. Had our breakfast in the park - chocolate and almond croissant and fresh ground expresso from the market.
Took a bus to Watsons Bay (20- 30 mins), hiked the South Head Heritage trail to the Hornby Lighthouse overlooking the pacific ocean. Visited the Sydney Harbour National Park - Gap park.
Lunch at the famous Doyles Fish and Chips ... we opted for the takeway instead of the more pricey Doyle's "sit-down" restaurant. Anyway, they have seats for takeaways where you can order wines and beer by the ferry wharf.
The ferry from Watsons Bay took us back to Circular Quay in Sydney city area ... passing the harbour bridge and opera house ...
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Got down to renting a car and doing a 2 night driving trip to the greater sydney area.
23 Nov 2010 - From Sydney via the small towns alongs the Old Northern Road (Dural, Glenorie, Maroota ...) via the ferry crossings at Wisemans Ferry to the quiet historic of St Albans. The scenic drive along the Macdonald river. After 2 more river crossings at Webb Creeks and Sackville crossing, arrving at Tizzana Winery B&B for a wonderful stay, dinner and wine :>
24 Nov 2010 - On to Mt Tomah Botanic garden via the Bells line of road, then driving on to visit Grose valley and then overnight stay in blackheath motor Inn.
25 Nov 2010 - Quick drive to Evan's Lookout and then to the secluded Megalong Valley Tea room.
Visit to Leura cascade, then lunch in leura and one last lookout at gordon's falls and we are on our way back to sydney.
< Click to more trip details > 269 images |
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As with all whale watching trips ... its always expensive. Good thing we had a 20% discount coupon from one of those tourist magazine.
Good news is that its was actually a great day ... had about 1 hour with a mother and calf. The calf did 3 full breaches and 2 half breaches. Numerous fluke-up dives and tail slaps.
Bad news is that our cameras were not able to capture all that split second action. I guess you folks would have to do the trip yourself to see it ...
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Sydney's coffee culture is amazing. Starbucks does not stand a chance against the boutique roasters and specialised expresso cafe. Seeking out all the different coffee roast and the best expresso cafe became my "full time job".
Deciding on the BEST is quite impossible ... so my top list so far (in no particular order)
- Ampersand, 78 Oxford Street ( Allpress expresso )
- Beanrush, 7 Whistler Street, Manly ( Campos Coffee )
- Cherubini Caffe, 9/85 Boundary Street, Darlinghurst ( In-house roast - blend of 3 types of beans )
- Single Roast Origin, Reservoir Street, Surry Hills ( In-house roast )
Others that I tried and would rate in the above average list
- Tiger Mottel, Paddington (In-house roast)
- Luxe Expresso, Bondi Junction
- Bar Indigo, Double Bay
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Lots of weekly / monthly markets and events in Sydney
- Paddington Market
- Glebe Street festival
- Paddy's market in Chinatown
- Sydney Fish Market
- Pubs are also very important places in sydney ... where you can get less than A$20 meals.
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Around the famous beaches of Sydney .. namely Bondi and Manly beach. 32 images |
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Random shots of the flora and fauna in various gardens ( Sydney Royal Botanic Garden) , roadsides and bushwalks ... 150 images |
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Really random shots that does not fit anywhere else ... 11 images |
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