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!...