scrb11

I was studying the Manly ferry timetable and noted that there is no service from 12-3 PM on Sunday, 26 December.

Is this event worth watching? What are the best vantage points and will it be crowded, probably need to get there an hour or two before the event starts?

Or will it be better to avoid the harbor area around this time because of the crowding and congestion?

MaryD2

"Is this event worth watching? What are the best vantage points and will it be crowded, probably need to get there an hour or two before the event starts?

Or will it be better to avoid the harbor area around this time because of the crowding and congestion? "

Its very difficult to avoid the HarbOUR in Sydney 'cause its everywhere. Is it worth watching? - depends if you like that sort of thing. Will it be congested? Again that depends on where you are on the HarbOUR. If we knew if you liked that sort of thing perhaps we could give you a better answer.

scrb11

Well that day turns out to be my first day in Sydney, will be arriving in the morning.

So I was planning to take a walking tour until the early afternoon and then possibly do the Harbour Bridge walk itinerary posted here, go to Manly, return, go to Milsons point, walk across the Bridge, go up the Pylon, then get food.

Don't know anything about sailing. If there are big ships in the harbor, guess it could be interesting to take some pictures and so on.

Would people be able to stand on the Bridge to view the boats? There must be some people who've gone to previous races to see what kind of a crowd it draws.

Geordie

From the bridge, the yachts are far away, even the maxi's look small.

I was at Mrs Macquarie's chair at the Harbour last year and basically saw nothing.

Manly would be a good place to see it, but you would need to go to North Head to see anything, that place will be packed

scrb11

OK, so the action is mostly east of the CQ/Harbor Bridge area then.

Found an article, talking about North Head, South Head, Nielsen Park and such but those are pretty distant so I'd have to figure out the bus or train to get out there.

margo_oz

There are ferries that follow the yachts to the Heads. Must be private ones - I couldn't see anything on the Sydney Ferries webste.

scrb11

Yeah there are packages for charters to be closer to the race.

MaryD2

If that is your first day then what about getting a bus to either Bronte or Bondi Beach and doing the walk to Watson's Bay where you can get a nice seafood dinner - do that at the Pub there and not the restaurant - the food is good and the setting is lovely. Then perhaps you can either get the bus or a ferry back into the city. You would see the boats then from the cliff tops going into the ocean and heading south - plus its a great walk and it won't matter if the boats are or are not of interest. Get the smell of the sea into your lungs after the long flight.

lavandula

The boats leave from Rushcutters Bay (about 3-4 km east of the city). You can see the yachts east of there as they head out. A vantage point I have been to in the past is Nielsen Park, at Vaucluse. But I would probably take Mary's advice and head out to Watson's Bay. There are ferries that go there, as well as buses (I think they leave from Circular Quay - maybe 324, 325?). Get your fish and chips at the takeaway on the wharf or at the pub as Mary suggests. There is also the possibility of Doyle's, which is the expensive restaurant on the beach, but there is little advantage in eating there when you can enjoy the same view and good quality food from the other alternatives.

Lavandula

scrb11

OK, I would get into town around 9:30 AM, drop off my luggage, then look for a way to get to Nielsen's Park or Watson's Bay (via Bondi/Bronte).

Which would be the easiest to get to? Are there trains or buses would be better?

Only concern is by the time I got out there, may be crowded and not be able to get much of a vantage point?

Bokhara2

You will have the same chance as the rest of us, Scrb.
The race starts at 1pm.

We're going to Watsons Bay & aim to get there about 11:30 - 12 and will either have lunch at the Watsons Bay Hotel or a picnic in the park, either with take away or something we've brought ourselves. It's never so crowded that you can't see the fleet either from the bay, Camp Cove, the park on the headland or The Gap walk.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en...ed=0CBkQ8gEwAA

http://www.sydney.com/town/Sydney_Ha...Race/info.aspx


You may well have time to take the ferry to Watsons Bay. It stops between 11:30 and 1pm. I wouldn't leave it until the 11:30 departure - unless they put a bigger one on for the day, they're not huge ferries.

http://www.sydneyferries.info/news/7...nformation.htm


Otherwise, your best bet is a bus to Watsons Bay, IMO. There is no train to Watsons Bay. However, you could take a train to Bondi Junction and a bus to Bondi or Watsons Bay from there. Personally, I'd be taking the route with fewest changes.

Bondi, Watsons Bay etc. are in the Eastern Suburbs (will save you a bit of time looking up timetables etc). I think there may be discounted day tripper tickets on Sundays. Ask at the Information booth opposite the bus stands at Circular Quay. You can buy tickets there or at newsagencies & convenience stores.

If you'd like to check out Nielsen Park, just ask which bus to take which goes to Watsons Bay via there at the Information booth.

This link is quite informative and was updated 29/7/10, so info should be current relating to fares etc. http://www.bondivillage.com/location.htm

We've been watching the start of the Sydney-Hobart either from the water or from Watsons Bay most of the last 25 years.

Transport MO varies, but I always take a sarong (doubles as picnic rug/wrap,carry bag), some water, plastic glasses, corkscrew and something to eat in case the Hotel or Take Away are too busy when we want to eat. That's only happened a few times and we've made a very good picnic with a bottle of wine from the bottle shop and whatever everyone has brought to eat. There are other shops & restaurants/cafes in Watsons Bay, but don't know whether they're open on Boxing Day.

Make sure you take and use plenty of sunscreen & a hat & sunglasses. Even if it's an overcast day, you can get burnt very easily. We're not called the "Sunburnt Country" for nothing.

Relax & have fun - with just a couple of things in your bag, you'll have all the options you need to go with the flow of one of our great Boxing Day traditions.

Bokhara2

Forgot to emphasise - all public transport on Boxing Day will be on Sunday/Holiday/Special Event timetables, which may not all be published on websites yet.

scrb11

OK, I'll be looking for the special event timetables.

Here's there regular timetable:

http://www.sydneyferries.info/upload...tsonsBayTT.pdf

So if I can get to the CQ by 10:30 or so, it should be possible.

I plan to get a MyMulti for a week so shouldn't need the Day Tripper.

Are there as many restaurants and takeaway places out in Watsons Bay or would it make more sense to get something around the CQ before getting on the ferry?

MaryD2

I have been to Watson's Bay on an event day and the restaurants and Pub seems to cope very well. They tend to have a sort of BBQ at the Pub which makes it easier to serve everyone.
I would be doing what Bokhara is doing and either have a picnic in the Park or lunch at the Hotel and if you get there early enough you will get a seat I am sure. The food at the Hotel is great and you have a wonderful view of the water etc. You will probably ( and should) want to explore the cliffs on the Ocean side too so if you took food with you and got a spot at the park that too would be great. Perhaps just take some food which you can still keep in case you get a great seat in the Hotel. It will be a great day and there will be a great choice of seafood and other things so I am sure that you will have a lovely day. As Bokhara says we do not know what restaurants will be open that day so just go with the flow - at least you will be able to get drinks.

MaryD2

I just thought that another wonderful place to see the Harbour and the race would be the Taronga Park Zoo. The zoo itself is in one of the most beautiful spots for a zoo anywhere in the World and on the Harbour too. If you had not planned to go to the Zoo perhaps that would be an idea and then if you get bored with the race you can look at the animals and/or just look at the Harbour. You would have to check that it is open on Boxing Day though.

Bokhara2

That's a great idea, MaryD2. The Zoo is open on Boxing Day

http://www.taronga.org.au/taronga-zo...nga-zoo-sydney

Scrb: Get your emergency rations at Circular Quay.

scrb11

Great, hoping for a clear, sunny day.

Thanks all.

scrb11

BTW, how do restaurants handle turning over tables?

Is it like Europe, you stay as long as you want, after you finish the meal?

Or more like the US, where they want to get you out unless you keep ordering so that they can use the table for other customers?

Bokhara2

In general, restaurants are very happy for you to enjoy your meal and linger, at least for a reasonable time. If you finished eating and drinking at 3, they would probably not be all that thrilled if you were still there at 5. I'd want at least another glass of wine or a coffee in that time, anyway.

A few have seatings, normally of 90-120 mins, more often at at dinner. If this is the case, they will tell you when you book, or arrive if you don't book ahead.

In more casual,cafe style places, turnover is important to their profitability, but no one will ask you to leave. It's just courtesy & common sense not to sit for hours if all I've had is a coffee and a sandwich, which I've long finished.

If you're waiting for a table, you'd probably appreciate it if the people who had finished moved on fairly soon afterwards, wouldn't you? I know I do.

I suppose a mantra could be, "the more you pay, the longer you can stay"

Just thinking about Watsons Bay again for a minute. If you buy take-away from Doyles on the Wharf, you're welcome to use the tables & chairs in the cafe behind the ordering & serving counter at the front. It's right on the wharf, so fantastic views, and it's licensed & serves tea & coffee. If you see a spare seat at a table on Boxing Day there or at the Watsons Bay Hotel, don't be afraid to ask if you may share. Many people are happy to do so on busy festive days like that.

Bokhara2

BTW, the only places you will be handed the bill/check with your order, are very casual cafes, mostly when you order at the bar.

In other places, you ask for the bill when you are ready to leave. If they happen to bring it after you've been sitting there for sometime after you've finished, it's a subtle hint.