Tag: Sydney

  • Bondi Beach Sydney – Sand Swimming and Surf

    Bondi Beach is probably Australia’s most famous  beach.  Its fame attracts visitors from Australia and overseas.  Not only is the beach fantastic and the surf amazing but its lifeguards have their own TV show, adding to its fame.

    Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Bondi Beach

    Getting There

    Getting to Bondi Beach can seem to be a little daunting. Car parking is limited and very expensive. This can be fixed by catching public transport. The problem is that the Sydney trains do not run all the way to the beach. If going by train you need to change to a bus at Bondi Junction . This bus can be packed and very uncomfortable during busy periods such as school holidays. The state government is planning to run light rail to Bondi which will fix this issue.

    Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Bondi Beach
    Rock Wall North Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Rock Wall North Bondi

    As well as the beach Bondi has an excellent range of bars restaurants and cafes on the street next to the beach. You certainly have plenty of choice here. The atmosphere is relaxed and you can sit outside, admiring the view.

    Street Art at Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Street Art at Bondi on the side of a cafe

    If you need to change to go to the beach or shower afterward there is an old pavilion with showers and change rooms for you.

    Street Art

    On the wall facing the beach by the car park is a series of great street art . These are worth checking out even if you have looked at them before because they are often changed and renewed.

    Street Art at Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Street Art at Bondi
    Street Art at Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Star Wars Street Art at Bondi
    Street Art at Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Street Art at Bondi
    Street Art at Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Street Art at Bondi

    Icebergs Swimming Pool

    To the south of Bondi Beach is Icebergs Swimming Pool. It is open to the public and if you are brave, people swim here even in winter. Icebergs also has a nice bar a restaurant, with great views over the ocean.

    Icebergs Swimming Pool Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Icebergs Swimming Pool

     

    Black Sunday Memorial

    Near Icebergs is a small memorial to those lost when a freak wave swept swimmers out to sea on what is now called Black Sunday.  In 1938 over 250 swimmers were washed into deep water by freak waves.  Due to the heroics of the surf life savers, only five people drowned.

    Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Black Sunday Surf Rescue Memorial

    Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

    The Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk is a 3 kilometer walk from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach.  It takes you past Tamarama Beach and fantastic views of the ocean. 

    Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
    Honey Comb Weathered Rock Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Honey Comb Weathered Rock
    Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

    Sculptures by the Sea

    An annual event held here is Sculptures by the Sea. This attracts artists for all over the world to display their works. Usually held in October, the event draws huge crowds to view the sculptures. If you are visiting around this time, check to see what dates it is showing. It is worth going to see as it adds another dimension to this iconic beach.

    Sculptures by the Sea Bondi Beach Sydney Australia
    Sculptures by the Sea

    City to Surf Fun Run

    Also held annually is the city to surf fun run. Starting at Hyde Park in Sydney the 14km run ends at Bondi Beach. Crowds cheer the participants along the way. Competitors range from professional athletes to people in fancy dress people pushing prams and walkers.

  • Manly Beach Sydney Australia

    Manly Beach Sydney Australia

    Manly

    Visiting Manly in Sydney, is one of the great things to do when visiting this great city.  The easiest way to get there is to catch the Manly Ferry. It departs regularly from Circular Quay and takes about 40 minutes. If you are in a hurry, take the fast ferry, it costs more but takes half the time.

    The ferry terminal has a selection of eateries, as does the walk down to the beach. We grabbed a coffee and some snacks and ate them next to the beach. There are plenty of places to sit and eat, either on the grass or numerous seats provided.

    Manly Beach Manly Sydney Australia
    Manly Beach

     As well as the excellent  beach, there is a nice walk along the foreshore to Shelly Beach. Along the way you will pass the Fairy Bower Pool. A nice little pool to swim in away from the waves. It also has some wonderful fairy statues.

    Marine Parade Manly Sydney Australia
    Marine Parade
    Fairy Bower Sea Pool Marine Parade Manly Sydney Australia
    Fairy Bower Sea Pool
    Fairy Statues Fairy Bower Sea Pool Shelly Beach Sydney Australia
    Fairy Statues

    On our return to the ferry wharf, we passed some great street art. Our favorite was the stack of surfboards set up in someone’s front yard.

    The Ferry Trip

    On the return trip you will get some great views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the mast of HMAS Sydney at Bradley’s Head.

    Surf Board Street Art Manly Sydney Australia
    Surf Board Street Art
    Opera House From the Ferry Sydney Australia
    Opera House From the Manly Ferry

    Manly Wormhole

    For something slightly different, there is a small tunnel to the north of Manly Beach. The Wormhole was originally constructed by fishermen for easy access from Manly to Freshwater, but it now makes an interesting destination.

    Access is past the Queenscliff Rock Pool followed by a short walk over the rocks towards the point. Here you will see a couple of orange hearts painted on the wall which mark the wormhole’s location. Although not very long the tunnel provides some interesting views of Manly and the beach as well as some great views out to sea and along the coast. It’s an easy walk and was fun to do.

    What Else to See in Manly?

    While at Manly, you can also see the North Head Quarantine Station and North Head Tunnels and Gun Emplacements at the North Head Sanctuary.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Museum of Fire – Penrith – Sydney Australia

    Museum of Fire – Penrith – Sydney Australia

    The Museum of Fire is in Penrith to the west of Sydney. We went there as we were looking for something to do after a trip to Katoomba the day before. Spotting the entrance is easy because of the fire engine on a pole out the front.

    The Museum of Fire Entrance
    The Museum of Fire Entrance

    As well as a first-rate collection of fire engines, the Museum is an educational centre on fire prevention. The fire prevention is primarily aimed at children, but is also relevant to adults. It highlights fire risks around the home as well as bush fire risks. There is a video that screens in the cinema which focuses on bush-fire prevention which makes excellent viewing.

    The collection of fire engines stretches back to the horse-drawn and hand pumped units of the 1800s on to steam-powered pumps and the modern fire engines of today.

    Everything is logically set out in a timeline from oldest to newest. This lets you see how firefighting techniques have advanced over more than a century.

    A fantastic place to visit, although it will help if you like fire engines.

    For other places to visit in New South Wales, please read some of our other stories.

    Photos From the Extensive Collection of Fire Engines

    Click on the picture for a full size view.

    1942 Mack Salvage Tender
    1942 Mack Salvage Tender

    1927 Essex Hose Carriage
    1927 Essex Hose Carriage

    1979 International Sky Jet
    1979 International Sky Jet

    1975 Japanese Model Landcruiser Pump
    1975 Japanese Model Landcruiser Pump

    1984 Iveco Magirus DL37 Ladder
    1984 Iveco Magirus DL37 Ladder                                                                                                                                      

    1942 Mack
    1942 Mack                                                                                                                                                                                                 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1969 Dennis D600 Pump
    1969 Dennis D600 Pump

    1973 International AACO Mk3 Bushfire Tender
    1973 International AACO Mk3 Bushfire Tender

    1923 Garford Model 15 Pumper
    1923 Garford Model 15 Pumper                                                                  

     

     

     

     

     

    1939 Leyland FT3 pump
    1939 Leyland FT3 pump

    1939 Dennis Big 6
    1939 Dennis Big 6

    1893 Robertson Hose Reel
    1893 Robertson Hose Reel

    Fire Fighting Equipment
    Fire Fighting Equipment

    1942 Blitz Watertanker
    1942 Blitz Watertanker

    1942 Blitz Water Tanker
    1942 Blitz Water Tanker

    1973 International AACO Mk3 Bushfire Tender
    1973 International AACO Mk3 Bushfire Tender

    1939 Leyland FT3 Pump
    1939 Leyland FT3 Pump

    1893 Merryweather Valiant Horse Drawn Steam Pump
    1893 Merryweather Valiant Horse Drawn Steam Pump

    1891 Shand Mason Horse Drawn Steam Pump
    1891 Shand Mason Horse Drawn Steam Pump

    1898 Shand Mason 2 Wheel Horse Drawn Ladder
    1898 Shand Mason 2 Wheel Horse Drawn Ladder

    1898 Shand Mason 2 Wheel Horse Drawn Ladder
    1898 Shand Mason 2 Wheel Horse Drawn Ladder

    1841 Tilley Horse Drawn Manual Pump
    1841 Tilley Horse Drawn Manual Pump

    1891 Shand Mason Horse Drawn Steam Pump
    1891 Shand Mason Horse Drawn Steam Pump

    1942 Mack
    1942 Mack                                                                                             

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1950ca Coventry Climax Trailer Pump
    1950ca Coventry Climax Trailer Pump

    1931 Dennis 250/400 WW2 Colours
    1931 Dennis 250/400 WW2 Colours

    1931 Dennis 250/400 WW2 Colours
    1931 Dennis 250/400 WW2 Colours

    1939 Dennis Big 6
    1939 Dennis Big 6

    Fire Engine
    Fire Engine

    1914 NSWFB Converted Horse Drawn Motorised Pumper
    1914 NSWFB Converted Horse Drawn Motorised Pumper

    Fire Brigade Control Room
    Fire Brigade Control Room           

    Fire Fighting Equipment
    Fire Fighting Equipment                                        

    Fire Fighting Equipment
    Wheeled Fire Fighting Equipment                                         

    Fire Fighting Equipment
    Fire Fighting Equipment

    Fire Fighting Equipment
    Fire Fighting Equipment