For our Sydney Spring trip to see our son Jay, and his partner Kaede, we took a late flight up. Not because we wanted to but because we had been stuck in the Domain Tunnel on our way to the airport due to an accident. As a result we were $360 poorer because of paying for the difference in cost in our original flight and the one we ended up on. Once in Sydney we collected our luggage and took an Uber to our accommodation in Cremorne, an apartment in the Park Regis Concierge Apartment complex.

The next morning we grabbed a few things for breakfast in the nearby IGA. As we went out to take a bus into the city we noticed Minskys Hotel. For many years an old high school friend, John Watson, had played in the piano bar at Minsky’s but now he was semi-retired and was no longer living in Sydney so it was interesting to see it.

A bus 100 arrived soon after and once over the harbour we alighted at Wynyard and took the short walk via Circular Quay to the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden from there.

Royal Sydney Botanic Garden

As we came into the gardens we passed the gate to Government House.

From there we crossed a lawn area and we had a better view of the castle like building.

We continued to walk across a large expanse of lawn. As we made our way we noticed we had a good view through the trees to the Opera House.

Heading back to the water we stopped for a photo which a passing lady helped us with.

We continued our walk passing a small lake/pond.

Next we came to a short section of the path covered in Wisteria.

Further along the path we passed the Westpac Open Air theatre area which was being packed up from a recent event. We took a breather beneath this statue.

We passed a few plants in bloom; stunning flowers.

As we came to the end of the little peninsula we had a great view across the water to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Looking directly out we could see one of the many ferries which criss cross Sydney Harbour each day.

The renowned Mrs Macquarie’s Chair was nearby.

Walking back down we passed some more lovely paper daisies

and this spike of a Xanthorroea nicely lined up with a light pole and the Sydney Tower Eye.

As we came to a the Eucalyptus Walk, a section of the gardens devoted to Australian native plants, we stopped to admire many of our favourites.

Next to this massive fig one could feel quite small.

Leaving that section of the garden we found spring colour everywhere along the edges of the paths

and even in disused fountains.

Even one of the statues was adorned with flowers.

The next section we explored was the cactus and succulent garden.

Lots to see, all shapes and sizes.

As we moved into another part of the gardens Karen was pleased to see a Hoya australis flowering.

We had clearly been absorbed with the range of plants and lost track of time as we noticed how late it was. We left the gardens

and visited a nearby cafe and bought some lunch which we ate back in the gardens. After lunch we took another short walk in the gardens before exiting near the Art Gallery. I know some readers would expect us to take advantage of the free entry and go into the gallery but we are not great gallery/museum fans and the weather was too good to be inside.

So we made our way back through the Domain and down to the Circular Quay area. Even though we have taken numerous ferries over the years what I hadn’t noticed before were a series of plaques in the pavement honouring famous Australian writers. Here are a few of the plaques.

At school we studied Judith’s poems.

Clive is probably equally well known in Britain and Australia.

After checking a timetable board we made our way to a ferry terminal

so we could take a ferry back to Cremorne Point.

As you can see you don’t need to take an expensive harbour tour to see some of the iconic views of Sydney and it’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

After leaving the ferry we took a bus up to Military Road and it was a short walk back to our apartment for a rest before heading out to dinner at Ryo’s Noodles, a Japanese ramen restaurant in Crows Nest where Kaede, our son Jay’s partner was working.

Next post we do one of Sydney’s best day walks.