It seemed like we were in Sydney for just a clutch of days, half of them whizzed by helplessly when the daughter fell ill. Still, looking back, we magically managed to do so much & more. My travelogue continues…
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It was a NIGHT ON THE ROCKS. The only day we managed to fix the kids at home with take-out (pizza, what else?), got them a bunch of films & drove for a trip out downtown. We’ve done The Rocks during the day before, on our last trip, but Sydney downtown at night is sensational. I’m glad we did it when we did, coz even though we thought we’d hit The Rocks at least once again, another night, it was not to be!! (Yes, the daughter fell ill).
The Rocks, a 19th century village hemmed in by Sydney Cove, Campbells Cove and Walsh Bay, lies in the shadow of the southern end of the Harbour Bridge.
This is the birthplace of modern-day Australia, Captain Arthur Phillip having settled here in 1788. From this, today’s Sydney has grown. across Sydney Cove from the Opera House, The Rocks district is a must for visitors to Australia. Here, buildings exuding the country’s historic past combine with today’s amenities to provide a unique precinct that caters almost completely to the visitors’ needs. There are restaurants, bistros, pubs, souvenir shops, weekend markets, music and entertainment along its main streets and squares.
If it’s a weekend, walk through the Rocks Market which may also be opened at night on special occasions. The Rocks Market is a great place to buy small pieces of art, knickknacks and souvenirs.
DHs friend knows the roads downtown like the back of his hand, so we first drove around a bit to take in the sights, & then parked near the Shangri-la. From there we ascended a flight of steps that took us up to the hotel, located in the historic Rocks district between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. We went up to the Blu Horizon Bar on the 36th level … a beautiful, elegant, non-fussy place…that leaves you free to take in spectacular, panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House & the rest of downtown from different sides.
Uliana had gone all the way for her fave drink, the lethal sounding B-52. Unfortunately, it had been discontinued (I think because they aren’t flambéing drinks anymore). She was pretty disheartened & said, “If no B-52, then just anything else will do ; it doesn’t really matter”. What eventually came was nothing to write home about ( in her words, “just a bad choice with too many leaves”, …ha ha), but the views & the ambiance more than made up for it.
Next, we descended & walked down the Rocks to a lovely bar, Cruise Bar, in Circular Quay, which offered stunning views across Sydney Harbour to the Opera House and beyond. Their tag line…‘relaxed, waterfront style’…how true! The Cruise bar is a contemporary pub/bar, with outdoor seating offered as well as indoor; a popular weekend haunt. That night was a week night (Tue night), so thankfully no crowds to battle… just beautiful scenic views of the Opera House, ferries & downtown in light rain. We enjoyed refreshing fruity cocktails here, one was a raspberry base, & the other a passion-fuit. Very very nice…though I cannot for the love of me remember their names!
Time to trot again, we took a leisurely walk back over The Rocks, through the light drizzle, with the hair now frizzzzzzzy. Finally, & somewhat gladly, got back into the car, quite famished. It was the bewitching hour of midnight…& we headed for Harry’s for a bite.
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels Not a restaurant, but a waterfront meat pie stand, Harry’s has been serving the Aussie staple of pies with peas, mash and gravy to sailors, hoodlums and late night party casualties since 1945.
In December 2004, Harry’s was classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and included on its Register. Per the National Trust of Australia, Harry’s is a ‘quintessential Sydney icon’ and in the Trust’s opinion, falls within the following definition: ‘Those places which are components of the natural or the cultural environment of Australia, that have aesthetic, historical, architectural, archaeological, scientific, or social significance or other special value for future generations, as well as for the present community.’
Consequently, it has become a tourist attraction, decorated with photographs of famous visitors, including, strangely enough, Colonel Sanders. And the pies? Bloody good tucker, mate. Harry’s is open until 4.00 am Friday and Saturday.
Yes, the grub was good … while the men had hot dogs with the works, gravy & all, the ladies had pies with peas & mash. The atmosphere was festive even well past midnight. Harry’s located in Woolloomooloo…what a great sounding name. I love it.Which takes us onto another of Sydney’s landmarks, The Finger Wharf, just a stones throw from Harry’s. We sauntered across for a late night stroll, marvelling at the sturdy timber woodwork, the well maintained wharf….& of course, stunning views!
The Finger Wharfor Woolloomooloo Wharf is a wharf in Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, Australia. The structure is the largest timbered-piled building in the world and was completed in 1915. During its working life for around 70 years it mainly handled the export of wool, but also acted as a staging point for troop deployment to the World Wars as well as a disembarking point for new migrants arriving in Australia. Today it has been redeveloped as a fashionable complex housing a hotel, restaurants and residential apartments. Woolloomooloo’s famous old Finger Wharf plays a leading role in Sydney’s contemporary lifestyle. The Woolloomooloo Wharf boasts a range of restaurants, bars and accommodation, but is perhaps best known for its A$14 million penthouse at the top, owned by Russell Crowe!
Hard to believe we managed to touch on so many beautiful & memorable landmarks in the span of 4-5 hours. It was possible…yes…obviously sans kids! Was a wonderful night on The Rocks. We wound up the night with steaming hot coffee at a 24 hour cafe in Parramatta called City Extra. There are two City Extra restaurants in Sydney. This one is on the western side of Sydney is a suburb called Parramatta, where locals go for vibrant night life and great gourmet eats. Their menu is presented characteristically in the form of a newspaper. And the restaurant’s international menu includes Aussie icons of meat pie and fish and chips, to pasta, to steak to a sweet mid-night dessert of ice cream.
No pictures taken there coz we just wanted to sit & unwind with our lattes & flat whites!
Returned home to find the kids in lala land. Bliss!!!
~ Thanks for being here…if you are still here that is! ~
