Final day in Sydney

There was another view of Sydney we’d been talking about all week but had not got around to exploring, so this being our final day in the harbour city, we had it as our number one priority. For around $300 we could have done the iconic and popular Harbour Bridge climb… but how could we justify $1500? We couldn’t. So we decided to do the poor man’s version of a bridge climb and climbed one of the stone pylons. This set us back around $50! That’s more our budget!

After catching a bus to Circular Quay, we wandered through the rocks, up the Argyle Stairs and found ourselves on the footpath that leads right across the bridge.

Arriving at the pylon we paid for our tickets and climbed the 200 or so stairs (all inside) to the top. On the way up there were some displays on the history and the building of the bridge. It was mind blowing to consider that the workmen had no safety gear and would clamber on steel girders hundreds of feet above the harbour! Sixteen workers died – not all from falling off, which was unfortunate for them, but it is surprising there were not more. Today’s Workcover people would have a coronary at the lack of concern for workers safety in the 1920’s and 30’s.

The view from the pylon, once out in the open air was brilliant! Not quite as high up as the bridge climbers, but the view was no worse. We enjoyed it for quite some time on this lovely, sunny, summer’s morning.

After this trip highlight, we explored the Rocks area. Today was market day, so was quite busy. Enjoyed some lunch at ‘Dare’ which was just lovely.

Had a look at the Museum of Modern Art right alongside Circular Quay, but was a little disappointed as it was in such a grand old building but felt quite small and limited inside. So we went back to the apartment for some packing up and a bit of down time... with the kids having a final dip in the pool.

In the evening we decided on one last exploration – by walking around Macquarie Point, checking out Mrs Macquarie’s chair minus the bus load of tourists and enjoying another dusk overlooking the harbour. By the time we walked back, it was dark.

Early the next morning we got up and did the last minute packing before walking back up to Central Station for our 7:30am train back to Melbourne.

The trip was great, it seemed a lot quicker than the trip up. Have ticked that journey off the bucket list – would we take the train to Sydney again? Well, the answer depended on which family member you asked!... 

National Maritime Museum

We let our feet do the walking again this morning, wandering back towards Darling Harbour. On the way we took a walk through the impressive QVB (Queen Victoria Building). Nice on the outside, but quite spectacular on the inside would be the way I’d describe it.

Once at Darling Harbour we made our way to the National Maritime Museum. A smorgasbord of options greeted us at the ticket counter and we went for one with the lot – opting to check out all aspects of the museum and board all ships.

We went and clambered all over the retired Navy ship, the HMAS Vampire first. This is touted as the last of Australia’s ‘big gun’ ships as after Vampire they have carried and used missiles. Vampire is a destroyer and in her day was ‘home’ to over 250 sailors. Her day was more like quite a few years, between 1959 and 1986.

Next to Vampire is the submarine HMAS Onslow which circumnavigated the world some 16 times across 30 years of service.  Climbing down into the sub and walking the single corridor from end to end made the Vampire seem like a spacious cruise ship! You would not want to be claustrophobic or not get along with your crewmates who were always at close hand! Can’t go up on deck for fresh air and a break too often!

The Patrol boat, HMAS Advance was not open, but is usually the third navy vessel open to the public.

Before it got too hot we next went and had a good look over the replica of Captain Cook’s Endeavour! Even though it was a replica, it was great to see what his voyages and living conditions must have been like. There were volunteers onboard who explained a lot of the detail about what different areas were used for and what life on his voyages would have been like. We were shown a piece of iron that is supposed to be ballast from the original ship that was salvaged from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Cook kept very detailed records, so they knew where to look the guide told us.

Much of the area below deck required us to stoop and even wander around on hands and knees – even the kids, that’s how cramped it was!

There was one more tall ship, the James Craig which was first launched in 1874. It became a rotting hulk in Tasmania and was restored to its original glory by a group of very dedicated team of people over a thirty year period. It is one of only four 19^th century ships of its type that can sail! If she has all sails up, there is 21 of them!

As we were walking from the James Craig back to the main museum we spotted the new Sydney ferry dubbed 'Ferry  McFerryface'... much to the kids excitement. It's a temporary name but has been quite controversial! To celebrate we went to the cafe for a snack...

These ships were the highlight of our visit. We also went to the 3D cinema, browsed the museum and checked out a travelling polar bear display. The only real polar bear was stuffed though! Kate Cottee’s yacht tells a great story of the first woman to circumnavigate the world solo.

Once we'd finished looking at everything, including the obligatory giftshop, we walked back to Hyde Park and the apartment.

After a relaxing late afternoon at the apartment, we enjoyed an evening swim in the rooftop pool, watching the sky change to darkness and the emergence of the city lights.