WanderLex

Tag: Sydney

  • Blue Mountains and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Blue Mountains and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Day trip to Blue Mountains from Sydney is very popular given the 2 hours train ride. It transports one from urban cityscape to the historic town of Katoomba, surrounded by the natural beauty of Blue Mountains. The picturesque town is the nearest to the well-known Echo Point which offers an excellent view of the Three Sisters rock formation and Jamison Valley. It’s a good starting point for the visitor information centre is located at the same place. And so I am here to visit the Sisters with the aim of some trekking as well.

    Katoomba railway station

    Katoomba town

    Echo Point lookout of Blue Mountains

    Echo Point of Blue Mountains

    Visitor Centre of Blue Mountains

    Here’s a clear view of the famous Three Sisters from Echo Point.

    Three Sisters of Blue Mountains

    But I think the sky and clouds that morning makes it even more interesting.

    Jamison Valley of Blue Mountains

    Tree of Blue Mountains

    The plan for a leisure walk from Echo Point to Scenic World failed big time when I hurt my left ankle. Uncertain whether it’s a light knock or sprain, I decided to turn back up just in case. Sigh…I was so looking forward to taking the scenic cableway of Scenic World. Oh well.

    Leisure walk in blue mountains

    The walk in blue mountains

    Hence, I went back to Katoomba and had lunch at Old City Bank Brasserie.

    Old City Bank Brasserie Katoomba

    Lunch at Old City Bank Brasserie Katoomba

    One good-looking Bridal Veil Mural at one corner of the street.

    Bridal Veil Mural at Katoomba

    SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    So, I am back at Darling Harbour and paid a visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. It is located in the same building together with Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney. I suppose SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium will be one of the things to do with kids in Sydney. That’s especially when there are plenty of interactive learning stuff here for the young ones.

    But hey, I found the child in me while being surrounded by the marine life. LOL

    Marine life tank

    Marine life tank view

    Alley of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Marine fish tank view

    Hey Dory

    The most impressive part of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is perhaps walking through the underwater tunnel of Shark Valley.

    Shark Valley at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Shark of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Shark at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Sunset at Darling Harbour

    Since I can’t really do much with a hurting ankle, I stayed around Darling Harbour in hope for a nice sunset view. It did not disappoint.

    Girls and Darling Harbour

    SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Sunset at Darling Harbour

    Evening at Darling Harbour

    Reflections of Darling Harbour

    I had a great dinner at Pancakes on the Rocks before heading back to the hotel for resting. This also marks the end of my short visit to the lovely Sydney. Australia, I will be back!

    Pancakes on the Rocks

    Desserts at Pancakes on the Rocks

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    What are your thoughts about the Blue Mountains and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Sydney Fish Market and Circular Quay

    Sydney Fish Market and Circular Quay

    The second day started with a visit to Sydney Fish Market aka Sydney Seafood Paradise. The main building of Sydney Fish Market includes fresh seafood retail stalls and eateries. It is among the largest fish markets in the world which mean there will be a wide variety of seafood available. I was hoping to avoid weekend’s lunchtime crowd by turning up earlier for brunch. But it’s already jam-packed with people. It’s difficult to move around and the queuing time at each stall is crazy. Hence, choosing a stall with the shortest queue is the best option for me.

    Sydney Fish Market

    Crowded Sydney Fish Market

    Stall at Sydney Fish Market

    Sydney Fish Market stall

    And so I grabbed my seafood and chips from Doyles. The meal costs around AUD 40 which I cannot say it’s exactly cheap. But I suppose it’s the experience that counts and the taste were good enough for me. I would probably avoid weekends totally if I were to visit the Fish Market again.

    Doyles at Sydney Fish Market

    Doyles Sydney Fish Market

    Brunch at Sydney Fish Market

    Some fresh strawberries from this gentleman’s fruit stall.

    Strawberries at Sydney Fish Market

    Fruit stall at Sydney Fish Market

    Circular Quay and Pylon Lookout

    Thereafter is a visit to Circular Quay where the 2 iconic landmarks of Sydney are located: Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The Circular Quay is a major transportation hub of Sydney Harbour and it’s interesting to see the ferries in action.

    Circular Quay Sydney

    Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney

    Harbour Bridge view from Circular Quay

    Opera House view from Circular Quay

    Views from Circular Quay

    There’s also the popular Rocks Market during the weekends. The stall owners sell things like chocolates, artsy stuff, clothing, jewellery and among many others.

    The rocks market sydney

    The rocks market stalls

    Walking on the pedestrian path of the Harbour Bridge for the panoramic view is a must. It’s also possible to get the view at higher levels via the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk Tour or the Pylon Lookout. Cameras are not allowed for the Bridge Climb hence I opted for Pylon Lookout, which is a cheaper alternative too.

    Harbour Bridge of Sydney

    Pedestrian path of Harbour Bridge

    Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Tour

    These are the views which I got from the Pylon Lookout.

    Pylon Lookout view of Opera House

    Pylon Lookout view of Circular Quay

    Pylon Lookout view of Harbour Bridge

    Ferry ride to Watsons Bay

    I wanted to capture the harbour view from the ferry so I board the one heading for Watsons Bay, with the intention to visit The Gap as well. Climbing the stairs and following the coastal path brought me to The Gap. It’s a cliff overlooking the ocean with an exceptional view. Not forgetting the rough waters below that send constant reminders through powerful crashing waves.

    The Gap at Watsons Bay

    View from The Gap at Watsons Bay

    Watsons Bay Sydney

    Boats at Watsons Bay

    I did not stay long enough to explore the rest of Watsons Bay before heading back to Circular Quay. It’s a pity but I am glad to have captured the sunset behind Sydney Opera House.

    Sunset at Sydney Opera House

    Sunset in Sydney on a ferry

    Harbour Bridge view from a ferry

    Harbour Bridge and the bench

    Sydney Opera House

    Sydney Opera House is easily among the most recognisable structures in the world with its bold and unique roof design. The curved shell-shaped sails roof is indeed mesmerising and one-of-its-kind. It’s too bad that I am not a theatre person.

    Sydney Opera House walkway

    Sydney Opera House

    Unique Sydney Opera House

    Sydney Opera House sideview

    Sunset around Sydney Opera House

    I also went over to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in Royal Botanic Gardens for a blue hour view of the Opera House.

    Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House

    Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

    I had a sandwich dinner and went over to Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café for some sweet stuff before heading back to the hotel.

    Sandwich dinner in Sydney

    Chocolate at Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café Sydney

    Dessert at Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café Sydney

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    What are your thoughts about Sydney Fish Market or Circular Quay? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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