Australia - The Land Down Under

Situated in the historic Rocks area, it looks to be a renovated older building. The foyer inside is very large, with a high glass roof. The restaurant is on a balcony overlooking this foyer, and passageways to rooms run along two sides, making it look as if it is set around a courtyard which has had a roof put on.

We arrived at 7:30am and, of course, our room was not ready. We had to wait until 1pm before it was ready, and by this time, we were drooping, so we went straight to bed. The room consisted of two twin beds, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibar, and bathroom with wash basin, toilet, and shower over the bath. There was also an iron and board.

The swimming pool was on the roof, and the deck area was quite small and could have done with more sunbeds. The first day we went to the pool, there were no beds at all, and the floor was very hard. We realised afterward that, as it was New Years Eve, the sunbeds had been cleared in preparation for the celebrations.

There was an offer whilst we were there whereby we got two free breakfasts, which we took advantage of. Breakfast was a buffet where you could help yourself to hot and cold dishes, squeeze fruit or vegetables for juice, and make your own toast. There was an abundant supply of everything.

As it was New Years during our stay, we also received a bottle of champagne. The hotel allowed the fireworks to be viewed from the roof, and on our way up, we were presented with a glass of champagne.

The foyer was equipped with plenty of leather sofas, and there was a small bar in one corner. There is also free Internet access in this area. A room on the eighth floor was turned over to the laundry, with coin-operated machines. Everywhere was spotlessly clean, and all the staff were very polite and friendly.

This place was about five minutes' walk from the Old Sydney Holiday Inn. From the outside, it looked like a bakery, but it had a courtyard out the back with tables. Some of the tables were in the alley and could be cool if there was a breeze in the evening. It was open at about 7:30am for breakfast, right through to between 7 and 8pm, depending on when they had sold out of food. The food was good and plentiful, and the servers were quick and friendly.

It was 7pm on New Years Eve, and we were very lucky to be let in, as all the tables were reserved for later. We were told we had one hour, but we were never hurried over our meal. The waiter stood and chatted with us as if we had all the time in the world. We had steak and chips with a glass of draught Budweiser, and it was very enjoyable.

We paid Aus$4 each for this trip. It was a round trip which only lasted 10 minutes, but we were able to get on or off as we liked. We did the round trip first to see what was on offer. The journey went across Pyrmont Bridge, where we glimpsed Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour, Sydney Convention Centre, China Town, and the Chinese Gardens. We chose to alight at Cockle Bay (where the aquarium is) and spent an enjoyable few hours wandering round.

All day, the Rocks area had been closed off to traffic to prepare for the celebrations. Our view from the roof of the Old Sydney Holiday Inn must have been one of the best. There were two sets of firworks, one at 9pm for the children and one at midnight for the New Year. We were given a bottle of champagne in our room and a glass of it each time we went to the rooftop. Everyone was in good spirits and chatting whilst we waited for the start, and we met some interesting people.

The thing that puzzled me was that at midnight, there was no wishing everyone "Happy New Year"; we were all too occupied watching the fireworks and photographing them. The ships in Circular Quay were illuminated and all hooted after the fireworks. It seemed strange, but it was a wonderful experience to be in Sydney at New Years.

We opted for the evening cruise to see Sydney from the water. We set off during daylight and were able to watch the sun set under the harbour bridge and the lights of the skyscrapers light the city. It also gave us a good view of people on the bridge climb.

There was a commentary on board which pointed out all the highlights, including the apartment block in Darling Harbour where Russell Crowe is supposed to have an apartment.

Trips were advertised from Aus$61 per person from Sydney. We researched at the Information Centre on George Street and found we could go by train (Aus$6.40 each return) from Circular Quay to Blacktown, then #725 bus (Aus$1.80 each, one-way) to the wildlife park. We found a discount coupon which gave one free adult entry so the whole trip cost us just over Aus$25 for the both of us, and we could stay as long as we wanted. The journey took just over an hour.

Featherdale is full of native animals, such as koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, flying foxes, and birds such as kookaburras, emus, etc. For me, the best part was being able to pet the koalas. They are so cute and soft to the touch. They just cling to the trees, fast asleep, and you expect them to fall off, but they don't. One was in a special area (still fast asleep, clinging to the tree) where you could pet it and take photographs at no extra charge. Later in the day, when we returned (about 3pm), they seemed to be waking up, and another was put by the side of the first one in the petting area. After three people had taken photographs, it climbed down--it had obviously had enough--and was taken back to its pen. They are not kept in cages, and the pens are open at the top, with a wall about halfway up.

The kangaroos and wallabies were also free, but areas with shade and huts, surrounded by a small wooden fence, were available for them to escape attention if they wanted to. For a small charge, food can be bought to feed the kangaroos and wallabies.

Some animals and the birds are caged, but there were plenty of wild birds visiting for a free feed. Wombats were chasing through tunnels in their pens, penquins were swimming, the giant lizards/iguanas were lazing in the sun, and the dingos were asleep. Unfortunately, the Tasmanian Devil, which is nocturnal, was nowhere to be seen.

It was a very enjoyable day for animal-loving adults and children alike. We were there approximately 4 hours and enjoyed every minute. There is a cafe on-site where sandwiches and drinks can be bought, as well as a souvenir shop. Instead of getting the bus, we decided to walk back to Blacktown for the train, which took about 30 minutes. It is quite easy--just turn left out of the car park and go straight on--but it was a long walk in the hot sun.

Your Aus$36 gives you a round-trip journey from Circular Quay visiting beaches, bays, districts, the racecourse and the cricket ground on a hop-on, hop-off basis. The buses run everyday from 8:45am, with the last round trip beginning at 4:15pm and arriving back at Circular Quay at 6:15pm. The complete journey takes two hours. You don't have to return on the last bus, though, as your ticket allows you free travel on the regular Sydney buses up to midnight of the same day. We booked our tickets through the Tourist Information Centre on George Street, but you can just hop on and buy a ticket from the driver.

At the start of the journey, the driver starts an audio tape which gives information on areas being passed on the way to the beaches, like Woolloomooloo Bay, Kings Cross Rushcutters Bay, where the Yacht Club is, and Double Bay, an exclusive shopping area, to name a few.

We chose to alight at Gap Park, where there are views of the harbour, the Heads, sandstone cliffs, and the sea. We made our way back to the bus stop through the grounds of HMAS Watson Naval Base and continued our journey on the next bus to Bondi Beach. Alighting again at Bondi, we sat on the beach and watched the surfers and famous lifeguards, then continued our journey on foot via the cliff walk with panoramic views of Bondi to Tamarama Bay (or Bronte on certain days) to await the next bus back to Sydney.

As we were tired, we decided to do the complete journey again, and this time was so much better--the driver did his own commentary and was so funny. He also stopped at different places for photo opportunites, pointing out the pelicans waiting to be fed on the restaurant roof at Rose Bay and the babies on another roof waiting for their parents. He detoured from the route to show us his favourite house, the area where he was brought up, and also gave his views on the Kings Cross area and some of the unsavoury characters. This was a realy enjoyable trip.

We chose to visit in Australia's summer(?). We arrived at 6:30am via an overnight flight from Singapore in sandals, summer clothes, and no coats--it was absolutely freezing cold. The sky was dull grey and overcast. We were told it was quite cool for that time of the year! Lucky for us, this was the only day of cold--after this, the days were hot, but the evenings were cool.

Sydney is a wonderful city with plenty of varied things to occupy the tourist. Just to sit in Circular Quay, with its entertainers, ferries, restaurants, cafes, etc., and people-watch is entertainment. The view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the climbers, like ants making their way up, across, and down again, and the Opera House are wondrous sights.

The Botanical Gardens have beautiful flowers, trees, and birds in the centre of the city with sea views. The ferries and buses take people further afield to the beaches or trips round the city.

Take a walk across Harbour Bridge and view Sydney from the other side. Yes, there is plenty to occupy the tourist.

A ferry ride (Aus$12 return) away from Sydney is the small town of Manly. It is a busy little town, but obviously quieter than Sydney. It has one main street, with lots of shops and two beaches--one each end of the main street. There are also lots of restaurants offering fish and chips--we felt quite at home!!

One of the beaches seemed to be used by surf schools and activity groups, as there were children being taught to surf. This beach has a wide promenade with shelters and benches. At one point in the day, there seemed to be a shark alert. Everyone came out of the sea and stood, looking out to the horizon. We watched for a while but could not see anything.

The other beach--at the side of the harbour--is quieter and also has benches along the promenade. At the far end is a small waterpark, cafe and restrooms.