Sydney CBD
Sydney CBD
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
Whenever we visit Sydney we rarely go into the CBD or to many shopping centres. Shopping does not really interest us. We are more interested in going to places where there is natural bushland, for my wife to look at the plants and for me to do some birding. The photos shown here are as close as we got to the CBD on this latest visit to Sydney. We were heading for the Royal Botanic Gardens for lunch and the afternoon.
Sydney CBD
Sydney Harbour
Ferries at Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
On our last day in Sydney during our recent holiday there we decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and head in to the CBD. Our main objective was to spend some time in one of our favourite spots in the city, the Royal Botanic Gardens.
We took the train into the city, changed trains at Wynyard Station and then took the next train to Circular Quay on the harbour.
Ferry at Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour
Public transport in Sydney enables one to move around quite easily compared to some cities. I regret not having taken one or more of the ferries out on a cruise of the harbour. We did this in 2000 when we visited Sydney after a long absence and we thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. Next year when we return we have already decided to do far more touring around the city and the harbour and see more of the sights of this beautiful city.
Boats at Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour
A long walk to Middle Harbour, Sydney
Middle Harbour, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
While staying with our son in Artarmon, North Sydney, he led us on a long walk from his home to Middle Harbour. This was a walk of some 3-4 kilometres and it is mostly all downhill on the way to the harbour. This meant mostly uphill on the way back. We did it in just short of four hours. My son thought we’d take longer; he does it in two hours but then he is used to the hills around here. He and his wife do a lot of walking around this district.
Flat Rock Creek, Northbridge, Sydney
It took us through some nearby suburbs along a walking and cycling trail through this part of the city. The path kept us away from busy roads and streets, sometimes passing under very busy streets and motorways.
Flat Rock Creek, Northbridge, Sydney
At one point the track dropped quickly to the creek and here we followed Flat Rock Creek until it emerged from the gully into Middle Harbour. It was very peaceful following the creek, with dense vegetation on all sides. It was hard to believe we were about an hour’s walk to Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was so peaceful along that creek you could not imagine being in the heart of Australia’s largest city.
Northbridge, Sydney
Near Middle Harbour one of the local roads passes high over the creek bed. The magnificent bridge over the creek is very inspiring and a wonderful subject for the camera.
Northbridge, Sydney
Walking around Artarmon, north Sydney
Garden flowers in Artarmon, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
While we were staying with our son and daughter-in-law in Sydney we did quite a deal of walking around the nearby suburbs. This seemed easier than driving in an area that is not all that familiar to us. Walking is good for our health too, and this holiday was an opportunity to get out walking on a regular basis.
Garden flowers in Artarmon, Sydney
While in Artarmon for ten days we walked into Chatswood several times. This is about a twenty minute stroll from our son’s home. Everywhere we walked we took great delight in looking into people’s gardens. We delight in this activity wherever we go. It is very cheap entertainment and the exercise is good for our health.
Garden flowers in Artarmon, Sydney
Around Artarmon we were constantly amazed at what people had growing in their gardens. Many of the plants we saw would be very hard, if not impossible, to grow in the much harsher conditions at home here in Murray Bridge in South Australia.
Garden flowers in Artarmon, Sydney
We even struck up a conversation with several people, and one kind gentleman gave my wife some orchid flowers.
More photos of flowers can be seen in my photo gallery (click here).
A special resident
Eastern Blue Tongue Lizard
My son and daughter-in-law live in a lovely part of Sydney, the northern suburb of Artarmon. They have an interesting array of birds that visit their garden and the surrounding district. They also have some other resident animals.
The Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard shown in the photo above is a long-term resident of their garden. It is often seen basking in the sun near the front steps of their home. When approached it will scuttle under the bottom step where there is a gap large enough to hide. Not that we are a threat to its survival but I wouldn’t be so sure about all the Laughing Kookaburras that frequent the area.
For more information about Blue-tongue lizards click here.