Taronga Zoo on a Winter's Day July 2014

It's the NSW school holidays, so I took the younger children to the Taronga Zoo.  My plans to go last week were put on hold do to illness in the household.  First Zoe, then Tristan and finally Neo were each sick. Zoe required antibiotics and missed 3 days of school.  Everyone has returned to health, thankfully.

We endeavored to see different displays, and we were successful.  The highlight of the day was the QBE Free Flight Bird Show.  The California Condor, with a wingspan of 3 metres, flew directly over our heads (and quite low).  We also sat along the side where the white doves landed in the nearby tree.  Lovely.

Tasmanian Devil

Bilbys

Victoria Crowned Pigeon.
This bird is both beautiful, and large.

Sydney Opera House
as seen from the Taronga Zoo Ferry

Sydney Harbour Bridge
as viewed from Taronga Zoo

Sydney Walk About

Harbour Bridge from Circle Train Platform

It's Easter Holidays. In fact, most of Australia closes down to observe Good Friday, so Dave had off from work. Dave also had Easter Monday as a holiday from work. During this time, we saw the aboriginal drawings and went on other excursions near our home.

The kids have 12 days off school. So we are taking this time to do some exploring. We looked into having some time away from the area, but there's a minimum number of nights required and a premium for overnight bookings, so we're going to stick to day trips.

On Tuesday, we bought a DayTripper transportation ticket with the Family Deal. The Family Deal is 1 adult can take up to 4 children for the price of 1 adult fare plus 1 child fare. Neo is under 4, so he is free. The DayTripper one price with unlimited rides on buses, trains, and ferries. For the cost of a return train ticket to Sydney (which means round trip ticket), we could also ride the ferry.


Bronze Plaque

We arrived in Sydney's Circular Quay at 10:45. There's a great view of the Harbour Bridge from the train platform (see picture). It was the children's first time in Sydney. On the Quay, are bronze plaques commemorating individuals. Also markers where the original Circular Quay was - before the most current.


Harbour View of the Sydney Opera House

We walked by the Sydney Opera House at the end of the Circular Quay and across from the Royal Botanical Gardens.


Zoe at the gate of the Royal Botanical Gardens

We had packed a lunch and drinks, so we decided to dine in the Royal Botanical Gardens. A couple of ibis birds kept us company while we ate. Neo enjoyed chasing one around the park for a while.


Harbour Bridge from the Royal Botanical Gardens

Near to where we ate was a wonderful view of the famous Harbour Bridge. If you look closely, you can see people climbing up the arch of the bridge - it's a sight seeing trip. One we won't be taking.



After lunch, we walked around the Government House, which is inside the Gardens but fenced off. The grounds are available for touring daily. The interior has tours on the weekend. As we walked through the gardens, we noticed a large colony of bats roosting in the trees.


Tristan on one of the stones

Outside of the Gardens, we found this interesting Art display. It apparently is unique pieces of a building that once stood.


Zoe playing on the stones


Zoe and Tristan outside a restaurant in Darling Harbour

We walked back to the Circular Quay and took the ferry to Darling Harbor. Darling harbour is a tourist destination. The Sydney Aquarium is there. There are many hotels and restaurants.


Crane water fountain


We walked past many water features.


We walked past the Chinese Gardens.


Wall of Water, water feature

We walked on the outskirts of China Town, and the Paddy Markets, on our way to the Central Train station, so we could catch our train home. We arrived back in Woy Woy about 45 minutes before Dave.

Palm Beach, New South Wales

Barren Joey side of Palm Beach - sheltered bay

Palm Beach NSW is home to many famous, infamous, and wealthy people - according to the Sydney Morning Herald. On Sunday 22 March, Clara, Zoe, Neo and I set out via ferry to explore Palm Beach. Tristan and Dave had a day with just the guys. Tristan enjoyed that very much.

We drove up the scenic road to Wagstaffe to catch the 10:50 ferry. We were surprised to see friends arrive minutes later. They also live in Macmasters Beach and their youngest daughter is in Zoe's kindy class.


Our ferry at Palm Beach Wharf

The catamaran ferry was good sized. It had a view deck on the top and an enclosed lower cabin - with windows all around that opened and the back deck was open too. Clara sat on the back deck. We sat behind the glass to be spared the sun - and the splashing waves.


Neo in front of an interesting tree on the streets of Palm Beach

The ferry crossed from Wagstaffe to Ettalong Beach - where a long line of people was waiting to board. From there, it went tp Palm Beach. The boat was only briefly in open ocean, but even during that brief trip, with the boat fully loaded, the waves really tossed us.


We arrived in Palm Beach in time for lunch. We enjoyed our fish and chips meal at this cafe with outdoor seating.



Palm Beach is a suburb of Sydney. It's the furthest point of the peninsula. On one side is Barren Joey with it's lighthouse and bay. That's where the ferry dropped us off. On the other side is Ocean Beach - a beach that faces open ocean.


Barren Joey side of Palm Beach - as seen from the trail

When I suggested a walk about in Palm Beach - I imagined we would do some "city" walks. What I didn't imagine is a "bushwalk". When Clara and Zoe asked to go to Ocean Beach - I asked a local about the steps going up the side of the hill. I was assured that it was only a 15 minute walk.



Despite our climbing 386 steps on a steep hill and through the bush, the trail put us out on a road with a sign that did not lead us to another path. We asked a passing motorist for assistance and they assured us the path to Ocean Beach was difficult to find from the road and was a far way yet. The recommended we retrace our steps. So we did.


Ocean Beach, as seen from the road


This sign was a warning to us as we set out. Classic Australian sign!