One of our original planned activities in Sydney, way back in 2020, was to do the “Sydney Bridge Climb”, where you put on a harness and then hike up to the top of the bridge span. After Covid shut everything down, this company was the absolute worst to deal with to try to get a refund. They even went so far as to try to change the terms and conditions on their website, but I had screenshots that I shared with our credit card company, so we got our refund. Needless to say, no way I was going to deal with those assholes again!
So, if you end up in Sydney, I highly suggest you simply hike up 200 steps into the Pylon Lookout, where you spend a lot less $$ and get the same views! The lookout is on top of the right Pylon in the below photo. Our hotel, the Park Hyatt Sydney, is right below it.
Once again, an Opera House view! Don’t worry, we are leaving Sydney soon!
The lookout has a direct view down onto the bridge lanes. Look how light that traffic is today!
The opposite view looking at the bridge itself. If you enlarge the photo you can actually see people hiking up the span.
In the middle of Sydney Harbor is Fort Denison, which appears incredibly small. At one point the island was much larger, but the new British colony used convicts to quarry the island for the building of Circular Quay. In 1857, what remained was reinforced as a military fort and had gun emplacements.
In May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney Harbor. The USS Chicago fired on the Japanese, and some of the shells hit the small tower on the Fort, causing minor damage that remains visible. Unfortunately the fort is currently closed to the public.
Inside the Pylon is the Sydney Harbor Bridge museum. Another tidbit of WWII history is this Pylon was closed to visitors as it was used as a placement for anti-aircraft guns.
One last bit of history on the bridge. The 4 pylons only support the bridge from the deck level down. The upper portions of the pylons, despite the additional weight and cost, were only added to make the bridge “appear” more structurally sound. Sounds like an American project!
The next morning we took an Uber to Coogee Beach so we could hike along the ocean on the “Bondi to Coogee Walk”, only in reverse. We had an additional reason we wanted to visit Coogee. Back before Covid, during our first planned trip to Australia, we watched an Australian TV show called Wonderland, which I’d describe as an Aussie version of Melrose Place. The cast lived in an apartment building right next to Coogee Beach (like they could have afforded that). Here is the cast in front of the building.
Here is that same apartment building today. It was a central part of the show. Gotta admit, it is looking a little worse for wear. Word has it the building is slated for demolition so something more modern can be built. Time marches on.
This sign with “Baths” is also featured in the show numerous times.
Oddly enough the actual baths below it were not. The place was packed, but for good reason, as it was hot AND humid!
Here is the view of Coogee Beach as we start our hike up the coast to Bondi.
There are beautiful ocean sights around every turn!
I was a little amazed that this spot was as crowded as it was, as it’s just a concrete dock. Kim did say this has the benefit of not being sandy. Still, laying on cement? The building across the way and the beach nearby were also used in “Wonderland”, Episode 1. See, now ya gotta watch it! In all honesty, it wasn’t produced well (terrible audio mix issues) BUT it has one our favorite actors, Michael Dorman (of “Patriot” fame). Patriot is definitely a “must watch”! You’ll thank me later!
In the middle of this beautiful walk along the ocean is the massive Waverly Cemetery. It was shocking to see so much valuable land being used as a home for the dead!
Just opposite the cemetery was this Osprey, surveying the water and looking for his next meal.
As you reach the northern edge of the cemetery, Bondi Beach starts coming into view (far right).
The views are incredible in both directions. This hike is a “must do”!
Just around the corner from Bondi is this unusually carved rock.
Just behind this unique rock is a rugged looking sandstone cliff face. Kim was just happy for the shade!
You then climb up some stairs and there it is, Bondi Beach, one of Sydney’s most popular tourist traps! In the foreground is the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, which has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows. For about $20 we went for a swim in the saltwater pool, and after how hot and humid it was, it was well worth every penny! At high tide the waves actually crash over the side and into the pool…unfortunately we missed that.
After our swim we took a stroll along Bondi Beach, as we had some time to kill before we had dinner at the Icebergs Restaurant overlooking the ocean.
The Icebergs Restaurant is on the top floor of the building adjacent to the pool.
The food at Icebergs Restaurant was better than expected, and the views are unparalleled! The moon was just coming up as we were finishing dinner. Despite the heat and humidity, this was a great final day in Sydney.
Coming up next, we pick up our rental car and drive to Blue Mountains National Park, 1.5 hours west of Sydney. Yippie, I get to start driving on the wrong side of the road again!