No trip to Australia would be complete without a visit to Sydney, and it’s a perfect place to start your adventure. We arrived in the middle of a rain storm, and it rained pretty much the entire first day, limiting my photo opportunities. We stayed at likely the nicest hotel in the city, the Park Hyatt Sydney.
While this hotel isn’t cheap, it’s in an excellent location, and has amazing views of Sydney Harbor and the Opera House. We were lucky to be able to check in early as our flight arrived at 0900.
After getting settled, we took a walk around the harbor area and over to the adjacent harbor, Darling, where we got a bite to eat. We walked back along the waterfront between rain showers. This imposing building is the Crown Towers Sydney, a rather modern looking hotel.
We walked directly under the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Quick note, watch out for joggers…Sydney is jogger crazy!
Another shot of the famous Sydney Opera House! There is a constant stream of ferries running in and out of this harbor.
The next morning we woke up to some actual blue in the sky!
After an amazing included breakfast we took a walk over to the Opera House. The dark clouds over the city made for a dramatic photo! Unfortunately, as you can see on the right, a cruise ship pulled in overnight.
The best view of Sydney Harbor Bridge is from the Opera House. We hope to get up onto the bridge at some point during our stay. Oh boy, more photos of the Opera House!
Speaking of which, the exterior looks quite a bit different from up close, almost like a partially filled hot air balloon.
The dark skies were threatening, but we didn’t see any rain the rest of the day.
Adjacent to the Opera House are the Royal Botanical Gardens. This huge tree is an Illawara, the bark of which was used by the Aboriginal people to make string, fishing nets and traps.
Kim ventured through this bamboo forest.
Just as we were exiting the park we came across this statue to the first governor of New South Wales, Captain Arthur Phillip. I thought the juxtaposition of a governor from 1788-1792 against these modern buildings was interesting.
They love their statues here! This is the Archibald Memorial Fountain, built according to his will to commemorate the association of Australia and France in WWI. It was built in 1932 by French artist Francois Sicard.
We particularly liked the spitting turtles!
In the background behind the fountain is the Sydney Tower, our destination for lunch.
Right across the street from the Archibald fountain is the beautiful Saint Mary’s Cathedral.
This Gothic Cathedral was started in 1821.
The views from the previously mentioned Sydney Tower are well worth it! Avoid the crowds and head to the bar, where they require you to spend $19 each on drinks and food. If you can’t do that you aren’t trying!
Looking down on Archibald Memorial and Saint Mary’s Cathedral.
Every Wednesday afternoon the harbor is filled with sailboats for their weekly regatta. Such a lovely sight! That’s the open ocean in the background.
Coming up next, we take a famous local hike, Spit to Manly!