5 Sydney Ideas for Active 55+’s Pre/Post Your Cruise Holiday
Explore and experience the stunning beauty of Sydney before embarking or disembarking from a cruise boat holiday. Here are five ideas for those who would like to actively explore this beautiful harbour-side city. This list provides options for walking and e-bike riding; some combined with the easy use of ferry’s, buses, trams and trains All activities are based on a start and finish at the cruise hub of Sydney; Circular Quay.
Bondi to Bronte Beach and return Coastal Walk. Experience spectacular coastal scenery and iconic beaches. (walk 5 kms, allow 4-6 hrs).
Sydney Harbour E-Bike Tour. Cycle Sydney’s famous bridges and explore hidden parts of the harbour foreshore. (ride 17 kms, allow 6-7 hrs)
Sydney Harbour and Lavender Bay Harbour Walk. Discover Wendy’s Secret Garden and McMahons Point Village. (walk 4 kms, allow 3-4 hrs)
Walsh Bay Wharfs, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and Maritime Museum Walk. Experience the old, bold and beautiful of Sydney Harbour. ( walk 5 kms, allow 3-5 hrs)
Opera House, Botanic Gardens, NSW Art Gallery and QVB Building Walk. Experience built grandeur; natural beauty, world class art and enjoy some retail therapy. (3.5 kms, allow 3-5 hrs)
The five activities all have an element of public transport built in although activities 3-5 can all be done without using public transport and more walking or of course catching a cab. To pay your public transport fare it is simplest to tap on using your debit or credit card (Visa, Master Card or Amex).
Bondi to Bronte Beach and return Coastal Walk
From Circular Quay, Alfred St, Stand B, catch the 333 bus to Bondi Beach, Campbell Pde, Stand C stop. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 45 min. Walk to the southern end of the Beach and up past the famous pool at Bondi Icebergs. Pick up the Coastal Track and follow for 2 kms to Bronte Beach. Highlights include McKenzie’s Point Lookout, Aboriginal Rock Engravings and the beautifully enclosed Tamarama Beach. At Bronte Beach take a swim (between the flags) and on Bronte Rd the cafes sell good coffee and lunch incl. fish and chips. Return following the same route to Bondi Beach and back to Circular Quay. Fitness required: good health for hard surface walking including stairs.
For more information: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
2. Sydney Harbour E-Bike Tour
This 17 km guided small group (2-4 People) Sydney bike tour includes many of the highlights of Sydney’s beautiful inner harbour. Cycle across the Sydney Harbour and Anzac bridges enjoying spectacular views over the famous waterway. Enjoy coffee and depending on the group inclination, visit a boutique public art gallery or the National Maritime Museum. Meander around the beautiful harbour and your choice of a tasty café lunch or sea food at the famous Sydney Fish Market. The tour starts/finishes outside Milsons Point Railway Station (Northern Line) on the north side of Harbour Bridge: two stops from Circular Quay Railway Station via Wynyard Railway Station. Fitness required: good cycling skills riding primarily on bike paths and shared footpaths. E-bikes are quality Moustache step-through design. Joining instructions: Tues, Wed and Thurs or by request. See Bespoke Cycle Tours
For more information: Bespoke Cycle Tours - Sydney Harbour Day Tour
3. Sydney Harbour and Lavender Bay Harbour Walk
A charming 2.5 km walk combining art, natural beauty and village culture. Take the F4 ferry from Circular Quay to the first stop at Milsons Point. Disembark and walk left on the waterfront past the iconic Luna Park fair ground. Pass Peter Kingston’s lovely mini sculptures then at the first steps, head up and right into Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden; a delightfully lush and randomly planned green haven. Continue back up the steps and cross onto Walker St and up to The Royal Art Society Gallery of NSW with has regular exhibitions (open 7 days 10-4pm). Head to Blues Point Rd via Lavender St. Enjoy a street-side coffee or lunch with the locals at Piato’s Restaurant. Continue down to the end of Blue to Rd for Sydney’s best views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Conclude the walk following the shore line for 150m to McMahon’s Point Wharf to catch the F4 with one stop back to Circular Quay. (Option: add 3 kms by walking from Circular Quay to Milsons Point Wharf across the Harbour Bridge). Fitness required: good health for hard surface walking including stairs.
For more information: Royal Art Society of NSW .
4. Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and Maritime Museum Walk.
Experience some of the Harbour’s best waterside historic sites and the waterside dining vibe around Darling Harbour before visiting Australia’s best maritime museum. Commence by following the shore line towards the Harbour Bridge and then west on Hicksons Rd footpath. Walk into the historic Walsh Bay wharfs: a great example of adaptive re-use and now housing for example the Sydney Theatre Co and good restaurants. Continue west exiting the wharfs and right onto Towns Pl; continue west into Barangaroo Reserve. Pick up the seaside walking path and follow for 2.3 kms to Pyrmont Bridge; on route passing the imposing Crown Casino, many outdoor restaurants and the Sydney Aquarium. Take the elevator up onto the Pyrmont Bridge and walk west to the National Maritime Museum on your right. Explore historic sailing craft or learning about Australia’s facinating maritime history. Regular special exhibitions are a feature. Return to Circular Quay by catching the F4 ferry at Pyrmont Bay Wharf: located at the northern end of the Museum building. Fitness required: good health for hard surface walking but no stairs.
For more information: Sea Museum
5. Opera House, Botanic Gardens, NSW Art Gallery and Queen Victoria Building Walk
A wonderfully varied 3.5 km walk taking in some of Sydney most unique attractions and buildings. Follow the waterfront to the famous Sydney Opera House, opened in 1973. Consider taking a 1 hour guided tour (pre-book on line) or walk right around the building following the waterside walkway. Enter the gates of Australia's largest botanic garden; a 416-hectare horticultural showcase of Australian flora. The Botanic Garden is home to the National Herbarium of NSW and the Australian Plant Bank. On entering the gates you will soon see on your right the Australian Rockery Garden: a great way to identify some of Australia’s unique indigenous plants. Follow the path to the Lotus Pond then on to Botanic House; go upstairs to the restaurant for a good coffee, Australian wine or meal. Next head to the SE corner of the gardens exiting onto Art Gallery Rd with Sydney Modern opposite and NSW Art Gallery to your right. Free entry to both these world class galleries with a strong focus on indigenous and Asian art and regular major exhibitions. Leaving the Gallery continue SW along Art Gallery Rd and cross over into Hyde Park. Follow the path to the impressive 1930’s art deco Archibald Memorial Fountain; then head west exiting the Park onto the left hand side of Market St. On your left after crossing Pitt St is the fabulous State Theatre building with its Gothic, Italian and Art Deco architecture. At the next junction is George St and the QVB Building is opposite on your left. This impressive multi story shopping mall is built in a Romanesque style and houses some high quality retail stores. To return to Circular Quay catch to tram outside the building on George St. Fitness required: good health for hard surface walking but few stairs.
For more information: Sydney Opera House
