Australia 2017

Sydney

Arrived Sydney 7:30am local time. The 15 hour flight, San Francisco to Sydney, started and ended with chocolates, and had a wine tasting during dinner. The flight was on a Boeing 787 - the higher humidity helps with improving my flight experience. I met with some people in the group and hung around Darling Harbour for a few hours before taking the train to Newcastle.


After 2 days in Newcastle, returned to Sydney. I stayed at Intercontinental Sydney, near Circular Quay and close to the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Royal Botanic Gardens. At night, there was Vivid Sydney which is a light show. Several Sydney landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and a museum were transformed to a spectacular colorful display.


I climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge. Yep, from the bridge base to the top of the arches. You are given a suit to wear during the climb, then attached to the railing. You start off walking on a platform under the bridge, climb a ladder to the road level of the bridge, then climb a bunch of stairs on the arch. I did the bridge climb during sunset, so got daytime and dusk views of the Sydney skyline. As a bonus, we got to see the bridge color lights turn on for Vivid Sydney. There is also a small museum in the southeast pylon of the bridge. The Pylon Museum has 200 steps to an observation deck and exhibits about the history and construction of the bridge.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a harbour city about 2.5 hours train ride from Sydney. Once a coal mining hub, Newcastle serves as a vacation spot for Australians (with its beaches and natural attractions) as well as a transportation hub for boats. I stayed at Crowne Plaza Newcastle, in the middle of the waterfront. There is a walking trail and many restaurants along the waterfront.


Activities in Newcastle:
* Day trip to Hunter Valley to visit wineries and taste many different wines
* Newcastle Museum - great information about the history of Newcastle
* Visit to Australia Air Force museum - lots of fighter planes and an observation deck to watch planes land and take off at Newcastle airport.