Darling Harbour | Diary of an Adventurous Retiree

Our second last full day in Sydney and the weather looked promising – still overcast but definitely clearing so no need to drag jackets out with us. We had a light and early breakfast at Kantine Cafe, met up with Bruce and Ella who were heading to Bondi and got a lift to Circular Quay with them. Just outside the cafe we spotted two sulphur crested cockatoos in a tree. One seemed to be making a nest in the hollow while the other kept guard.

Sulphur Crested cockatoo keeping guard while his mate makes a nest in the hollow?

Moored in the harbour Earl was delighted to find a big cruise ship. I am not keen on cruised but I must admit this one looked exciting and I just could have been tempted to board her. Instead we settled for a River Cruise to Parramatta Wharf.

Isn’t she magnificent – the ship I mean!

Maybe I’ll give in to a cruise one day – when I’m very old

Can’t get enough of that fabulous bridge

Earl as I have mentioned many times before just loves boats, ships, fishing, the sea, lakes, rivers, dams – so long as there is water he is a happy man so he was in heaven on this almost 3 hour round trip which took in Darling Harbour, Cockatoo Island, Kissing Point, Sydney Olympic Point among other harbours and ports. The last stretch up the river becomes quite shallow and narrow and passes through mangroves which was lovley. We spotted birds like white-faced herons, ibises, pied cormorants, darters and ducks.

A beautiful neighbourhood

You can spend the night in a tent on Cockatoo Island

Good fishing in the river

Prime Property

Mangrove Swamps

Some bird life

On the return trip we disembarked at Darling Harbour, had lunch at a coffee shop then visited the quiet, shady and gentle Chinese Gardens before walking back to our penthouse for an afternoon nap! We might be having a night out later so have to get our strength up!

Darling Harbour

Peace and Tranquillity

Terrapin tanning

The Ducks love it

A gushing waterfall

Earl in the bamboo forest

Imperial visitors? No but you could pretend for a day

In the evening we went to Wayne and Tamara for dinner. Wayne took on the role of Jamie Oliver and cooked up a storm – veal with a berry sauce followed by baked chocolate pudding. Afterwards he raided the ark and found his slides from his 1984 trip to South Africa which brought back some great memories. His son, Alexander, didn’t know what a ‘slide’ was and was completely fascinated by the old fashioned projector! We’d all forgotten which way to load the slides and fell about laughing when they appeared upside down on the screen! Finally we got it right and enjoyed the show!

Earl shows Alex some ancient technology

Wayne’s delicious dessert

So, we asked our hostess after another delicious breakfast at her wonderful Kantine Cafe, what bus do we catch to get to Darling Harbour. “No bus,” came the reply, “you walk!” Thank Goodness I topped up with her excellent continental style coffee – a good strong Long Black as they call it in Oz land. Because we walked and walked and what did we see. We saw lots of people, cars and buildings, got lost and almost went to tell the Wizard that the yellow brick road needed better signposting but finally we found Darling Harbour in spite of the inadequate directions of some of the Wizard’$s followers.

What a beautiful place which almost had the feel of Cape Town’s waterfront but one shouldn’t compare because nothing is quite like it! We took a ride on a kiddie like train at a ridiculous fee of $5.00 but hey we’re on holiday and it was enormous fun! While standing in the aquarium queue Bruce rang and said he and Ella were at the Fish Market so we abondoned our place and took a 20 minute walk to join them. Wayne and his tots joined us soon after and we enjoyed a delicious lunch while on quayside in spite of the overcast and cool weather.

One would expect the fish market to be a noisy and smelly place but the aroma was fresh and the fish fare fascinating. My fisher husband found it all amazing and schemed how he could get his yellowfin tuna to Oz at these amazing prices.

Darling Harbour

Earl getting tickets

Boats moored in Darling Harbour

Sydney Fish Market

Yum

Note the prices

Lunch Spot – Anzac Bridge in the background

After taking in as much as we cold of the amazing fish market, Bruce drove us back to Darling Harbour. En route he took us to see the vessels owned by the rich and famous. Earl saw one that he promised to get me for my next birthday.

Cousin Bruce and me at Darling Harbour

My Future has my name on it.

We then met up with Wayne and his tots by which time we were hanging for a cup of coffee – rather we’d given it a miss because at a pub next to the aquarium I had the worst coffee I’ve had to date in Australia – Kantine – you have spoiled us with your fantastic brew!

Wayne booked us all into the aquarium on line which was way cheaper and got us to through fast track – no queueing! It was amazing and the little ones just loved it. Adelaide lost her Dad and was just about to burst into tears when I called her name. She then stayed close to me till the end of the tour and only asked for Dad again at the exit!

Photo of us all at the Aquarium

See the leaf? It’s a type of see horse

Adelaide and me checking out the aquarium album while we wait for Daddy

Ella having fun on the stepping stones

We did not have to do the marathon walk home as Bruce drove us back to 437 Bourke Road, Surry Hills. We dropped into the local bottle shop and for beers and wine and found they had a small deli so got salami, brie and olive and rosemary bread for supper. Perfect end to a brilliant day!

PS Here are some stunning shots that Earl took last night – from the balcony of our lodging on the 7th floor of St Margaret’s Bourke Street – Just a little history – it used to be a maternity hospital and my cousin Wayne was born here!