A great Sydney day!
Aug 26th, 2011, 02:10 AM
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A great Sydney day!
We two senior Aussies travelled from Newcastle down to Sydney today on the train, in sparkling warm winter sunshine. The trip is far too slow - we need a very fast train- but it is very scenic and pleasant.
After finishing our business in the city (collecting visas) , we caught a ferry to Watson's Bay from Circular Quay. I've not found a previous mention of this trip on Fodors, and it's a beauty!
The Watson's Bay ferry goes from Circular Quay, and takes about 20 minutes - ours was a quicker hydrofoil, passing the Opera House and Garden Island, looking back at the Harbour Bridge and forward to The Heads, the entrance to Sydney Harbour. Watson's Bay is on the Southern side, the opposite side to Manly, and is famous for its posh seafood restaurant, Doyle's, but there's a cafe on the wharf which must be good if you go by the queue for the fish and chips! We crossed the road and walked up the hill to The Gap. The Gap is part of the southern headland, with a spectacular clifftop walk, with crashing waves on the rocks below, and a splendid view back to the city. The uphill walk takes about half an hour, and you can catch the bus back to the city along Old South Head Road, or go back downhill to get the ferry back to the Quay. We caught the bus via wealthy Vaucluse Heights, Double Bay and King's Cross back to Circular Quay, with great views along the way.
It would also be a great trip in reverse, catching the bus from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay, getting out at the lighthouse and walking along the cliffs, downhill, to the ferry. This would be better in summer, when the uphill treck would be very hot, but on this sunny winter's day, spring really, it was perfect!
After finishing our business in the city (collecting visas) , we caught a ferry to Watson's Bay from Circular Quay. I've not found a previous mention of this trip on Fodors, and it's a beauty!
The Watson's Bay ferry goes from Circular Quay, and takes about 20 minutes - ours was a quicker hydrofoil, passing the Opera House and Garden Island, looking back at the Harbour Bridge and forward to The Heads, the entrance to Sydney Harbour. Watson's Bay is on the Southern side, the opposite side to Manly, and is famous for its posh seafood restaurant, Doyle's, but there's a cafe on the wharf which must be good if you go by the queue for the fish and chips! We crossed the road and walked up the hill to The Gap. The Gap is part of the southern headland, with a spectacular clifftop walk, with crashing waves on the rocks below, and a splendid view back to the city. The uphill walk takes about half an hour, and you can catch the bus back to the city along Old South Head Road, or go back downhill to get the ferry back to the Quay. We caught the bus via wealthy Vaucluse Heights, Double Bay and King's Cross back to Circular Quay, with great views along the way.
It would also be a great trip in reverse, catching the bus from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay, getting out at the lighthouse and walking along the cliffs, downhill, to the ferry. This would be better in summer, when the uphill treck would be very hot, but on this sunny winter's day, spring really, it was perfect!
Aug 26th, 2011, 05:34 PM
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Thank you, Carrabella, you have just given me another activity to fill in the 4 days my sister will be working when I am over for 7 days in October - and it is a non-shopping activity, even better!! Not that I am against a little shopping, especially with a young grandson and his sibling-to-come to buy for. I do think the airlines should allow grandparents an extra 10 - 15 kg limit!
Aug 26th, 2011, 08:54 PM
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Oh Di! I didn't like to mention for the US travellers, that the whole trip, 100 miles from Newcastle and back home again by train, inner city train trips, buses and ferry came to the miraculous sum of $5A for the pair of us! The Seniors Day Ticket must be the world's best bargain, and one thing worth getting old for! I'm thinking that it probably won't last with the new state government,though.
A normal Multi-Day Pass costs $20 for adults,and $10 for child and concession fares - still a great bargain, as it is valid on everything and goes from Newcastle to Wollongong to the Blue Mountains (far too much to do in one day)
Iflaster, I wish you a lovely day too.
Mel - I always read your posts - still trying to get to WA!
I forgot to mention the treat at Circular Quay - a young woman in a pretty printed forties dress, curling hair with a flower, and with a beautiful voice singing Gracie Field and other war-time songs, whilst we waited for the ferry. Delightful!
A normal Multi-Day Pass costs $20 for adults,and $10 for child and concession fares - still a great bargain, as it is valid on everything and goes from Newcastle to Wollongong to the Blue Mountains (far too much to do in one day)
Iflaster, I wish you a lovely day too.
Mel - I always read your posts - still trying to get to WA!
I forgot to mention the treat at Circular Quay - a young woman in a pretty printed forties dress, curling hair with a flower, and with a beautiful voice singing Gracie Field and other war-time songs, whilst we waited for the ferry. Delightful!
Aug 26th, 2011, 10:03 PM
#7
Hi Carabella,
I'm a Sydneyite and that's one of my favourite jaunts, and one I take often take visitors on.
If they're fit, we take the bus from Watsons Bay to Bondi Beach and do the Bondi - Bronte walk, then catch a bus back to town.
For a late afternoon/early evening return to the city, I like to do it in reverse. Take a bus to Bronte, walk to Bondi - bus to Watsons Bay and the ferry back to the city captures the Opera House & Harbour Bridge in the sunset. Not too bad for $2.50.
(Tourists gnashing their teeth at the $2.50 may like to reflect that it's one of the very few benefits accruing to Australian Taxpayers over 60 that isn't shared with everyone who visits our shores.)
I'm a Sydneyite and that's one of my favourite jaunts, and one I take often take visitors on.
If they're fit, we take the bus from Watsons Bay to Bondi Beach and do the Bondi - Bronte walk, then catch a bus back to town.
For a late afternoon/early evening return to the city, I like to do it in reverse. Take a bus to Bronte, walk to Bondi - bus to Watsons Bay and the ferry back to the city captures the Opera House & Harbour Bridge in the sunset. Not too bad for $2.50.
(Tourists gnashing their teeth at the $2.50 may like to reflect that it's one of the very few benefits accruing to Australian Taxpayers over 60 that isn't shared with everyone who visits our shores.)
Aug 27th, 2011, 12:00 AM
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Another question to Carabella or Bokhara - do you happen to know if there are any restaurants/cafes along this Watsons Bay route that serve anything other than seafood?
I'm keen to try this as a day trip, but have to steer clear of fish, prawns etc. I've checked on Google, but can't see menus for most of the well-known venues.
BTW - I could travel from Port Stephens (400km round trip) on the same $2.50 day ticket, but would struggle to complete it in a day - wish State Rail would offer a through train Sydney-Newcastle! Di
I'm keen to try this as a day trip, but have to steer clear of fish, prawns etc. I've checked on Google, but can't see menus for most of the well-known venues.
BTW - I could travel from Port Stephens (400km round trip) on the same $2.50 day ticket, but would struggle to complete it in a day - wish State Rail would offer a through train Sydney-Newcastle! Di
Aug 27th, 2011, 02:03 AM
#9
They all serve food other than seafood, but the emphasis is on seafood at the 3 near the wharf. My pick of the bunch is the Watsons Bay Hotel, opposite the wharf and next to Doyles Restaurant. http://www.watsonsbayhotel.com.au/42...hotel-home.htm
IMO Doyles take-away outlet at the wharf is much better value than the bigger version. Different thing altogether of course, but you can collect your food from the take-away and eat at the tables on the water side. There's a bar and you can also have hot & cold drinks there.
On The Gap side (across Robertson Park) there is a little Italian place that used to be good, and I think a Thai a couple of doors along from that. A coffee shop/cafe too - but no idea of its name.
Don't quite understand your comment about wishing State Rail would offer a through train from Sydney to Newcastle. They do.
Lots of them. http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/...1#landingPoint
IMO Doyles take-away outlet at the wharf is much better value than the bigger version. Different thing altogether of course, but you can collect your food from the take-away and eat at the tables on the water side. There's a bar and you can also have hot & cold drinks there.
On The Gap side (across Robertson Park) there is a little Italian place that used to be good, and I think a Thai a couple of doors along from that. A coffee shop/cafe too - but no idea of its name.
Don't quite understand your comment about wishing State Rail would offer a through train from Sydney to Newcastle. They do.
Lots of them. http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/...1#landingPoint
Aug 27th, 2011, 03:19 AM
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Thanks, Bokhara - and apologies to Carabella for hijacking this thread. Will check out those food options when I do the journey.
I suppose I should have written non-stop trains; the trip Sydney to Newcastle stops at every tiny station & takes around 2 1/2 hours. I would make the journey far more often if it wasn't so darn long! Di
I suppose I should have written non-stop trains; the trip Sydney to Newcastle stops at every tiny station & takes around 2 1/2 hours. I would make the journey far more often if it wasn't so darn long! Di
Aug 27th, 2011, 08:37 PM
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Di, there's a train from Newcastle at 8.03 on weekdays, which has only four stops from where we get on (Fassifern) and gets to Sydney at 10.33, if you are lucky. I agree with you - it should be a lot faster! There are four stops between Newcastle and Fassi.
The trip home is more problematic - the 4.18 gets to Newcastle at 6.32 and has fewest stops ( same as 3.15, which arrives 5.54) Happy travels!
Bokhara, the Bondi walk will be next on our list! Thank you.
The trip home is more problematic - the 4.18 gets to Newcastle at 6.32 and has fewest stops ( same as 3.15, which arrives 5.54) Happy travels!
Bokhara, the Bondi walk will be next on our list! Thank you.
Sep 17th, 2011, 09:14 PM
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It is a great trip and one that has been mentioned time and time again on Fodors but unfortunately the "search" system is not particularly great with Fodors so once the post disappears it is hard to find it again - or something on a particular subject that is. By the way I don't eat seafood and Doyles does some good steaks at the Hotel at Watson's Bay.
The other great walk is on the northern side of the harbour and that is the Spit to Manly walk which offers stunning harbour views, Aboriginal cave paintings, gorgeous bays and waterside areas and a chance to have a nice lunch on Manly beach.
The other great walk is on the northern side of the harbour and that is the Spit to Manly walk which offers stunning harbour views, Aboriginal cave paintings, gorgeous bays and waterside areas and a chance to have a nice lunch on Manly beach.
Sep 18th, 2011, 12:07 AM
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Carrabella - we were in Sydney last week, and set out for the day of exploring Watson's Bay area.
We reached the Quay at 10:05, to discover that there was a ferry strike between 10am and 2pm!
Fortunately thanks to your post, we knew about the bus alternative (the ferry expert who was there to liaise with potential travellers didn't). So we managed to make great use of our Senior's Day Pass:
Bus to Watson's Bay
Walk along the headland to the lighthouse
Bus to Bondi Junction
Lunch at DJ's pasta bar
Train to Central
Walk through China Town and up into Westfield Pitt St
Bus to Circular Quay - by this time it was just past 2pm so we assumed the ferries would be back running again. WRONG!
Sat on the wharf for 30 minutes with no action, so took a stroll out to the Opera House & sat watching the activity on the water (including the arrival of a tall ship under sail)
Walked back around to the Quay - just in time to hop on the 3:30pm ferry to Watson's Bay, for a quick return trip across the water.
So all in all an excellent day out . . . even if it was a bit topsy turvy!
As an extra hint: the 324 bus travels to W B via Nielson Park; the 325 via Vaucluse - so two options for the land part of the journey. Di
We reached the Quay at 10:05, to discover that there was a ferry strike between 10am and 2pm!
Fortunately thanks to your post, we knew about the bus alternative (the ferry expert who was there to liaise with potential travellers didn't). So we managed to make great use of our Senior's Day Pass:
Bus to Watson's Bay
Walk along the headland to the lighthouse
Bus to Bondi Junction
Lunch at DJ's pasta bar
Train to Central
Walk through China Town and up into Westfield Pitt St
Bus to Circular Quay - by this time it was just past 2pm so we assumed the ferries would be back running again. WRONG!
Sat on the wharf for 30 minutes with no action, so took a stroll out to the Opera House & sat watching the activity on the water (including the arrival of a tall ship under sail)
Walked back around to the Quay - just in time to hop on the 3:30pm ferry to Watson's Bay, for a quick return trip across the water.
So all in all an excellent day out . . . even if it was a bit topsy turvy!
As an extra hint: the 324 bus travels to W B via Nielson Park; the 325 via Vaucluse - so two options for the land part of the journey. Di
Sep 28th, 2011, 05:57 AM
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I was in Sydney last week too, and as far as I'm concerned you can't beat the northern beaches, and I don't mean Manly. Newport to Palm Beach is the go, loads of restaurants, you have the still calm waters of Pittwater on one side of the peninsula and surfing beaches on the other, and an astonishing variety of birds, its an area where native trees are still maintained.
Oct 17th, 2011, 11:02 PM
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Hey, Carrabella. Thank you SO much for your recommendation. I told my sister it was one of the things I wanted to do - and she and her DH had decided if it was fine on Sunday and if I wanted to we would do this very trip!
We ferried out surrounded by sparkling waters and a very busy harbour, had barramundi at Watson's Bay Hotel, owned by a member of the Doyle family, walked to The Gap, then bussed back into Circular Quay. We even had the energy left to walk around The Rocks Markets and spend a little money before catching the train to Wolli Creek.
I also bought a 48 hour pass for the Sydney Explorer $56, but because I am on the right side of 60 it was only $40! That was a great way to look around Sydney and Bondi.
Dot
We ferried out surrounded by sparkling waters and a very busy harbour, had barramundi at Watson's Bay Hotel, owned by a member of the Doyle family, walked to The Gap, then bussed back into Circular Quay. We even had the energy left to walk around The Rocks Markets and spend a little money before catching the train to Wolli Creek.
I also bought a 48 hour pass for the Sydney Explorer $56, but because I am on the right side of 60 it was only $40! That was a great way to look around Sydney and Bondi.
Dot
Oct 25th, 2011, 01:01 PM
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I believe the Seniors' Day Pass that was referred to is available only to residents. At least that is the case in Western Aus. where it is referred to as a concession card. This only applies to government run transport and the like. Private companies may do it differently. You can get a multipass which will get you on busses, trains, and ferries over a wide area. Quite reasonably priced even without a discount. I'll see if I can find a link for you.
