My Australian holiday - you asked for it !

[Bobj]

Another splendid offering, mate. Well done.

The lizard is the eastern water dragon.

 

http://rainforest-australia.com/Eastern_Water_Dragon.htm

[Snatcher]

The Queen Victoria Building circa 1900

 

The QVB site was once home to the George Street Markets, and was selected for the construction of a grand government building. Architect George McRae designed the QVB in a Romanesque style to employ a great number of skilled craftsmen who were out of work due to a severe recession. The building was completed in 1898 and named the Queen Victoria Building after the monarch.

 

We arrived before xmas and was well impressed with its Xmas tree and these stats!!

 

 

The completed building included coffee shops, showrooms and a concert hall. It provided a business environment for tradesmen such as tailors, mercers, hairdressers, and florists. The concert hall was later changed to a municipal library and offices for Sydney City Council. The building steadily deteriorated and in 1959 was threatened with demolition. It was restored between 1984 and 1986 by Ipoh Ltd at a cost of $86 million, under the terms of a 99-year lease from the City Council and now contains mostly upmarket boutiques and "brand-name" shops.

 

 

A $26 million refurbishment in 2008 to keep pace with other commercial buildings in the 21st century. The changes include new shopfronts, glass signage, glazed balustrades, new escalators connecting ground, first and second levels and new colour schemes. The modern changes have been described by critics as kitsch and threatening the heritage values of the historic building. They believe that the new glass and mirrored escalators intrude into space of the original architecture and that the frameless shopfronts, glass signage and new colour schemes have lowered the heritage significance of the whole building.

 

 

The dominant feature is the central dome, consisting of an interior glass dome and a copper-sheathed exterior, topped by a domed cupola. Smaller domes of various sizes are on the roofline, including a pair overtopping each end of the rectangular building.

 

Stained glass windows, including a cartwheel window depicting the ancient arms of the City of Sydney, allow light into the central area, and the roof itself incorporates arched skylights running lengthways north and south from the central dome. The intricate colonnades, arches, balustrades and cupolas make the exterior a visual feast of Victorian fussiness.

 

Inside, the building consists of four main shopping floors, the top three pierced by voids protected by decorated cast-iron railings. Much of the tilework, especially under the central dome, is original, and the remainder is in keeping with this style. Underground passageways lead off to Town Hall Station at the southern end, and to a food court at the north.

 

 

Two mechanical clocks, each one featuring dioramas and moving figures from moments in Australian history, can be seen from the adjacent railed walkways. The Royal Clock, designed by Neil Glasser and made by Thwaites & Reed of Hastings in England, shows scenes of English royalty from King John signing the Magna Carta to the execution of King Charles I. The Great Australian Clock, designed and made by Chris Cook, weighs four tonnes and stands ten metres tall. It includes 33 scenes from Australian history, seen from both Aboriginal and European perspectives. An Aboriginal hunter circles the exterior of the clock continuously, representing the never-ending passage of time.

 

The building also contains many memorials and historic displays. Of these, two large glass cases stand out. The first display case contains an Imperial Chinese Bridal Carriage made entirely of jade and weighing over two tonnes, the only example found outside China. The second is a lifesize figure of Queen Victoria in historical costume on her coronation day, and surrounded by replicas of the British crown jewels of the time. Her enthroned figure rotates slowly throughout the day, fixing the onlooker with her serene and youthful gaze.

 

It was a fine building indeed and after that we had a strollo down George Street to Observatory Hill

 

In 1803 Governor Hunter ordered a fort to be built on the site of Windmill Hill to defend the colony from rebellious convicts and possible French attack. The fort called Fort Phillip, was never fully completed and never fired a single shot in anger. In 1825 the eastern wall of the fort was converted to a signal station. From here flags sent messages to ships in the harbour and the signal station on the South Head of the harbour.

 

 

n 1840 the fort was partially demolished. A new signal station, designed by the colonial architect Mortimer Lewis, was built on the east wall in 1848. This is now the oldest building on the hill.

 

Plans for Sydney Observatory began as a simple time-ball tower, to be built near the signal station. Every day at exactly 1.00pm, the time ball on top of the tower would drop to signal the correct time to the city and harbour below. At the same time a cannon on Fort Denison was fired. It was soon agreed to expand the tower into a full observatory.

 

Designed by Alexander Dawson, the observatory consisted of a domed chamber to house the equatorial telescope, a room with long, narrow windows for the transit telescope, a computing room or office, and a residence for the astronomer. In 1877, a western wing was added to provide office and library space and a second domed chamber for telescopes.

 

 

After federation in 1901, meteorological observations became a Commonwealth government responsibility, but astronomy remained with the states.

 

Sydney Observatory continued working on The astrographic catalogue, keeping time, making observations and providing information to the public. Every day, for example, the Observatory supplied Sydney newspapers with the rising and setting times of the sun, moon and planets. By the mid 1970s the increasing problems of air pollution and city light made work at the Observatory more and more difficult.

 

In 1982, the decision was made to convert Sydney Observatory into a museum of astronomy and related fields.

 

From Observatory Hill we had to walk back through the "rocks" district past this masterpiece wall painting

 

 

Cool or what!!

 

 

It was onto the Fish Market at Pyrmont next,we picked totally the wrong day - Bank Holiday Monday - I honestly thought I was in China!!

 

 

Edited January 18, 2009 by Snatcher

[Snatcher]

We continued our walk from the fish market to Glebe Bay

 

 

You could just smell the money by looking at the boats!!!

 

 

You got a fine view of Anzac Bridge from their

 

 

And the city

 

 

Amanda was keen to take us on a tour around the "Rocks" !

 

The Rocks is one of the most-visited parts of Sydney. It is not hard to see why. Nestled at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and on the western shores of Sydney Cove, The Rocks is the foundation place of Sydney and Australia, and of enormous historical signifiance. It is often described as "Sydney's outdoors museum".

 

 

It is often described as "Sydney's outdoors museum".

 

The Rocks is the oldest area of Sydney and has recently undergone an amazing metamorphosis, the old district being transformed into a vibrant pocket of cafes and restaurants and interesting tourist shops and stalls. This has been achieved without destroying the area's Old World charm and historic buildings. Sydney's town planners have put in place a sensitive conservation program that has preserved the heritage and character of The Rocks and brought about an interesting fusion of modern amenities in an old and valued setting.

 

 

Most activities centre around walking, looking and eating. The Rocks is Sydney's oldest preserved colonial district so the main emphasis is on the historical importance of the area. The Sydney Visitor Centre, Corner, Argyle and Playfair Streets, The Rocks (Open daily 9.30am to 5.30pm [Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day]), is a logical and excellent starting point. This centre has a wealth of information on points of interest around The Rocks and provides free information and literature, as well as having souvenirs and momentos that can be purchased.

 

 

On weekends and at festival times, there is usually free entertainment, with outdoor concerts and street theatre. Many of The Rocks' pubs offer live music - jazz, folk and pop. The Rocks Market operates every weekend, from 10am to 5pm each day, and until 6pm in summer months. Some 100 stalls are set up under a series of sail-like canopies, filling the lower end of George Street . The stalls are filled with a wide range of Australian gift ideas, homewares and collectibles.

 

 

homewares and collectibles.

 

Of special interest to children is the Puppet Cottage, in Kendall Lane, while grown-ups may be more interested in taking a look at the colony's first windmill, up on Observatory Hill, or dropping in to Sydney's oldest remaining pub, the Lord Nelson, built in 1844.

 

 

We "stumbled" !!!! into the "Australian Hotel Bar after our tour of the Rocks with Amanda and I was creased up with food menu - check this out!

 

 

Guess what,we tried the lot and had to wash it down with copious amounts of ale - luxury

 

l to r Linda,Amanda,Jen

 

 

Same squad plus Dorothy and the old man

 

 

Moderation was not the theme that night. Next up is a walk over the Harbour Bridge and also a walk around Rose Bay

Edited January 18, 2009 by Snatcher

[Hellbelly]

LMAO. Great stuff my friend!! Love how you signed off too with the bit about moderation not being the theme, then talking about walking the bridge. Love it, keep em coming.

 

Mick.

[Snatcher]

LMAO. Great stuff my friend!! Love how you signed off too with the bit about moderation not being the theme, then talking about walking the bridge. Love it, keep em coming.

 

Mick.

 

Walking the bridge Mick ? I meant using the pedestrian footpath - not doing the climb NO WAY. Well we only had a week of our holiday left so Dorothy and I decided to walk over to the other side of Sydney Harbour Bridge and walk down to Luna Park,the funfair on the north side of the harbour.

 

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of both Sydney and Australia. The bridge is locally nicknamed "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design.

 

From the bridge we got a good shot of two of the pubs we had been drinking in

 

The Glenmore Hotel

 

 

and the Australian

 

 

The bridge was designed and built by Dorman Long and Co Ltd, MiddlesbroughTeesside and Cleveland Bridge, Darlington, County Durham and opened in 1932. Until 1967 it was the city's tallest structure.

 

Circular Quay - Sydneys ferry terminal

 

 

Here is a view of the Opera House and the busy ferries

 

 

 

Nearly 1.5 million people have made the three-and-half-hour climb to the top of the famous bridge and back down again since BridgeClimb opened in 1998, fast becoming a top attraction in Sydney—at least for those game enough to try an unusual adventure that can't be replicated anywhere else in the world on a bridge this big. That's probably why this climb has won a slew of tourism awards.

 

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, perhaps the most recognized symbol of this beautiful city, opened with great fanfare in 1932. It took several thousand men, 52,800 tons of steel, and six million rivets to complete. It's still the world's largest (but not longest) steel-arch bridge.

 

And here they go!!!! I felt ill just watching them.

 

 

Letting the public climb it was the idea of Australian entrepreneur Paul Cave. After arranging a climb for a group of international businessmen in 1989, he spent the next nine years convincing officials that this could be a safe and successful venture.

 

 

Today, the climb is on the "to-do" list for locals as well as tourists.

 

 

When we arrived on the north shore we headed off to Luna Park fairground

 

The origins of Luna Park go back to Coney Island, U.S.A., part of metropolitan New

York, where in the late 1800’s a number of competing amusement parks sprang up.

Elmer Dundy and Frederick Thompson developed an amusement called A Trip to the

Moon which was extremely successful. In 1903 they opened their own amusement park

on Coney Island and called it Luna Park in acknowledgement of their successful ride.

Soon Luna Parks spread throughout the world. American showmen, brothers Herman,

Leon and Harold Phillips with J.D. Williams, opened Australia’s first Luna Park at St.

Kilda in 1912. Showman David Atkins noticed its enormous success and convinced the

Phillips to open a Luna Park in Glenelg, Adelaide in 1930. Ted Hopkins an electrical

engineer joined the Park just prior to its opening to complete the electrical and

mechanical installation. Despite several successful seasons, the Glenelg park was forced

to close because of friction with the local residents and a local council that resisted any

changes or expansion of the Park.

 

 

Herman Phillips and David Atkins commenced a search for a suitable place to relocate

the South Australian Luna Park and found the vacant Harbour Bridge factory site at

Milsons Point. Under the guidance of Ted Hopkins, Luna Park Glenelg was dismantled,

packed up, transported by ship and unloaded onto the Dorman Long wharf and

reassembled in Sydney.

 

 

Herman Phillips planned the layout of the park, Rupert Browne a scenic artist from Luna

Park St Kilda gave the layout artistic imagination and Ted Hopkins made everything

work – physically, mechanically and electrically. The whole Sydney site was constructed

in just over 3 months and involved the employment of 800 structural workers, 70

electricians and 35 artists as well and many others.

 

 

When the doors opened at 8.00pm on 4 October, 1935 it cost 6d to enter (3d for children)

and 6d for most rides. The Big Dipper and Coney Island cost 9d. The Park was an instant

success. After the first year, the admission charge was removed and Luna Park proudly

advertised “Admission Free”

 

When we got there the place was absolutely packed with schoolkids so decided against going

inside.We just went on a brief photoshoot before returning back over the bridge again.The

conditions could not have been worse for photography,grey leaden skies.Not to worry,we had

a great time anyway

 

Edited January 19, 2009 by Snatcher

[Snatcher]

Amanda had told us that Bellevue Park had great views and it was only a few minutes walk from her apartment.We had a wander over,cameras in hand and here is the view from it

 

This aspect looks down to Bondi

 

 

This quiet suburban park has brilliant views over Bondi and all the heads - North, South and Middle. When the early Irish convicts named it Vinegar Hill, after a battle in the 1798 Irish Rebellion, Governor Macquarie renamed it Bellevue Hill, after the beautiful views. The surrounding neighbourhood is home to a large Jewish community and some of Sydney's richest and most famous - including the Packer media clan and actress Toni Collette.

 

This is looking towards the harbour

 

 

 

Next up we got the bus to Rose Bay,a bay to the east of the Harbour Bridge.What a lovely walk.The pictures speak for themselves

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a shot of Shark Island

 

 

Next up we walked to Shark Bay and had some food at this cafe

 

 

Surrounded by bushy Nielsen Park and a part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, this tidal beach is a lovely popular place for it has plenty of green shaded space, calm water with a hint of a swell and a shark proof net. Kiosk, toilets, picnic tables, barbecues, drinking water and proximity to the City make it one of the preferred places for family and corporate picnics.

 

Check out the shark net on this next photo !!!

 

 

Well what a great place Rose Bay had been.The next installment sees us hiring a car and driving to the famous Blue Mountains for a weekend.

Edited January 19, 2009 by Snatcher

[Bobj]

Nothing but quality, mate!!

[Snatcher]

Our last weekend in Australia seen the 5 of us hire a car and drive to the Blue Mountains.Amandas boyfriend Paul said that he was quite happy to do the driving so it was fine by me. We had all heard so much about them and had purposely planned this trip for our last weekend in Australia.

 

The Blue Mountains National Park lies on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range. The plateau slopes gently down from west to east from a height of around 1100m near Mt Victoria to less than 200m around Glenbrook. There are four major rivers that have most of their catchment inside the park: the Wollangambe River in the north, the Grose River in the centre, and the Coxs and Wollondilly Rivers in the south. The latter two flow into Warragamba Dam, which is located just outside the park and is the major source of drinking water for Sydney. All of the major rivers flow from west to east. The Blue Mountains are part of the Great Dividing Range.

 

We had also been told a must was to go on the cable car and "steep" railway - the steepest in the world!!!!! referee !!! Now heights and I do not go well together but I held it together - just!

 

The steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere!

 

The Scenic Cableway takes you on a 545 metre ride into - or out of - the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Jamison Valley.

 

Once at the bottom, you can take the Scenic Walkway to the base of the Scenic Railway. In all, there are over two kilometres of elevated boardwalk, 380 metres of which is accessible by wheelchair.

 

The Scenic Cableway can carry up to 84 passengers and is completely wheelchair accessible.

 

 

 

These next two shots I took from inside the cablecar

 

 

 

We had a stroll around at the bottom and very pleasant it was too

 

 

We then had to ascend back up to the top on the worlds steepest railway !!! oh no !!

 

 

 

The Scenic Railway can carry up to 84 passengers and operates every 10 minutes.

 

The Term 'Scenic Railway' dates back to late 19th century English amusement rides at funfairs and seaside amusement parks that were, by today's standards, very tame roller coasters. They consisted of a freely running carriage on rails that was raised to the top of a slope by various means, including horse drawn, pushed manually, or later, steam driven. The carriage, which carried 8 or 10 passengers, then rolled past a series of backdrops painted with exotic scenes - usually Swiss alpine, Egyptian Pyramids, jungle scenes with tigers, elephants and so on. Hence they were known as 'Scenic Railways'.

 

The use of the term widened as time passed and by the 1930s was readily accepted as a name for what was to become the steepest incline railway in the world, at Scenic World, Katoomba.

 

 

Oh well too late to change my mind now.Just noticed a small disclaimer sign as the train began its steep ascent.The company cannot be held responsible for any deaths that may occur - WHAT?? Still managed to take a picture in my trembling state though

 

 

At the top I posed with a friendly native

 

 

From their we found a pleasant stream to walk down

 

 

Check out these cuties behind their mother

 

Edited January 20, 2009 by Snatcher

[Snatcher]

Structurally, the Blue Mountains are part of the greater Sydney Basin. The Sydney Basin consists of layers of sedimentary rocks laid down over the past 300 million years. The Blue Mountains were formed during this time by earth movements which uplifted the western part of the basin. More recently, volcanic flows covered large areas of the mountains in basalt. These have largely worn away, leaving only occasional outcrops on the high peaks.The Three Sisters was one of these said outcrops and we drove there next.

 

Here is a shot I took of the Three Sisters. On the left hand sister you can just see the pedestrian access bridge

 

 

It was a long way down

 

 

We walked down to it anyway

 

Amanda and Paul walking down to it

 

 

Smile please

 

 

The lodge we had hired was much the same as the rest we had been staying in on our trip,very pleasant. It had an outdoor heated pool,barbie area and an outside communal shelter next to the barbie area with the option of stoking up a log fire.That was my job.Paul cooked the grub whilst I got the fire going and started on the wine and beer.

 

 

 

 

Seem to recall the girls retired at about midnight but Paul and I stayed to finish off all the booze and put the world to right - as you do on these occasions!

 

Next morning we continued our tour of the area

 

 

We did see some birdlife

 

 

 

There were quite a lot of waterfalls in the Blue Mountains

 

 

This final shot was taken at one of the many viewpoints just before we boarded the car to head back to Sydney again

 

 

What a great time we had in the Blue Mountains and only two days left for us in Australia now

Edited January 20, 2009 by Snatcher

[Snatcher]

For our last night in Australia we decided to have a bit of a party/shindig and Amanda suggested Manly Wharf Bar as the ideal place to hold it.It was only a short ferry ride from Sydneys Circular Quay and some of Amandas friends live over on the north side of the harbour .

 

Dorothy,Lillian and I had not been to Manly before so decided to get a ferry over at lunchtime to explore the place before meeting everyone in the pub.The ferry from Cicular Quay departed every 30 minutes and as we had just missed one decided to have a walk around to kill the time before the next one.

 

Here is a zoomed shot of Luna Park that Dorothy took from Circular Quay

 

 

A large cruise ship and ferries

 

 

The Opera House

 

 

Opera House and the city

 

 

The weather was very overcast and threatening and it started to rain very heavy as we boarded the ferry to Manly.And we were off.The girls stayed inside but I stayed outside looking to take a photo or two.

 

 

On the way over to Manly passed this rather pleasant beach

 

 

Now it had taken me literally weeks to understand the layout/topography of Sydney Harbour,there are that many harbours and turns within the main harbour itself!!.It has to be amongst one of the worlds best and biggest natural harbours.This was the last piece in the puzzle for me,the harbour mouth,beyond is the Pacific Ocean.

 

 

Manly is Sydney's original seaside resort. Only minutes from Australia's largest city, Manly (known for decades as one of Australia's greatest surfing beaches), combines the relaxed atmosphere of a holiday resort with the cosmopolitan feel of a major destination. Manly is a peninsula, bounded by the sea on three sides.

 

 

We alighted at Manly Wharf after about 30 minutes on the ferry and that is where the bar was that we would be meeting everyone about 4 hours later.First off we headed to the main beach which faces onto the Pacific Ocean

 

 

 

Check out the surfers

 

 

I just wish I could do that!!

 

Edited January 21, 2009 by Snatcher