Sydney
On our way driving up to Sydney we also stopped for a night in the capital city, Canberra. It didn't really feel much like a capital as it was so quiet compared to Melbourne (and later Sydney). Our day in Canberra was spent at the Australia War Museum, and then we went for dinner and a few drinks in the centre. We stopped off at a few places in the Blue Mountains on the journey from Canberra to Sydney the next day, and were met with some amazing views across the hazy blue mountains.
On New Year's Eve we took a wander to Sydney's harbour, catching our first glimpse of the opera house and harbour bridge. We got ready fairly early in the afternoon and made our way down to the bridge ready for the fireworks, as everywhere was getting busy very quickly. Some of the areas where it was best to see the fireworks had people queuing since 3am! We watched the family fireworks at 9pm, just a taster of what was to come, and then had a few drinks in a harbourside bar that we'd bought tickets for. We managed to push our way back out to somewhere we could see the bridge for the midnight fireworks, and see in the new year! On New Year's Day there was stunning weather, so we went to Bondi beach and spent the day relaxing, sunbathing and swimming.
The next day we visited the Koala Park on the outskirts of Sydney, which turned out to be a bit of a mistake! It was a nightmare traveling there, and when we arrived we couldn't help but compare it to Steve Irwin's zoo. The animals seemed really unhappy and didn't have much to graze on, so we left there pretty quick. In the evening we had dinner at BBQ King, a Chinese restaurant where the pork is recommended by Rick Stein, and then watched a pretty impressive lightening storm from our balcony.
In the morning it was time for our bridge climb, which was a fantastic experience. The first 70m or so was quite scary as you could see through what you were walking on to the ground below, but once we'd reached the top of the arch it was fine, and the views over the harbour were brilliant. We had lunch by the opera house and then got a short ferry ride across to the harbour we were staying near. We went for one of our only nights out that night, meeting up with one of Matt's friends from home for a few drinks.
In the morning it was time for our bridge climb, which was a fantastic experience. The first 70m or so was quite scary as you could see through what you were walking on to the ground below, but once we'd reached the top of the arch it was fine, and the views over the harbour were brilliant. We had lunch by the opera house and then got a short ferry ride across to the harbour we were staying near. We went for one of our only nights out that night, meeting up with one of Matt's friends from home for a few drinks.
As an early birthday present for Matt I booked us on to a Thunder Jet boat ride round the harbour. It was great fun and we were glad we did it, though we got absolutely drenched! In the afternoon we watched some of the last Ashes test from the live site, and then got ready back at the apartment for our very last night of the honeymoon. We had booked a dinner cruise as something special to do, and the food was really nice as we watched the sun set over the harbour.
The next morning we had one last ice cream in the sun, took one last walk along the harbour and then made our way to the airport to come home. The whole honeymoon was a whirlwind, but we loved every second.
The next morning we had one last ice cream in the sun, took one last walk along the harbour and then made our way to the airport to come home. The whole honeymoon was a whirlwind, but we loved every second.
Many thanks to:
Dad & Cheryl, Nan & Pops, Graham, Jonathan & Melissa, David & Trish, Rosemary & Clive for money towards
accommodation in Sydney
Vicky, Nicky, The Peru guys, Stacey & Dave, Alex & Jason for money towards our New Year's Eve night out
Phil & Doreen, Peter & Cheryl for money towards our meal at BBQ King
Anneka & Matt, Anna & Andy, Caroline & Paul for money towards our dinner cruise on the last night of the honeymoon
Dad & Cheryl, Nan & Pops, Graham, Jonathan & Melissa, David & Trish, Rosemary & Clive for money towards
accommodation in Sydney
Vicky, Nicky, The Peru guys, Stacey & Dave, Alex & Jason for money towards our New Year's Eve night out
Phil & Doreen, Peter & Cheryl for money towards our meal at BBQ King
Anneka & Matt, Anna & Andy, Caroline & Paul for money towards our dinner cruise on the last night of the honeymoon