The Tower & Northern Sydney

I feel that many cities that dot the world have jumped onto a specific tourist trap bandwagon: an observation tower. Just build a high altitude structure that gives 360-degree views of the surrounding area and let the money flow in. The Sydney Tower is one such structure.

Downtown Sydney happened to be crowded with shoppers, venders, and several buskers when Roman & I chose to visit the tower which happens to stand near a large street mall similar to Ottawa’s Sparks Street.

Bundled with a standard $20AUS ticket is a 3D virtual ride called OzTrek where you explore the nature & culture of Australia. Just don’t get motion sickness when the chairs start moving. For an extra $40AUS & called the SkyWalk, you step onto the roof of the tower and get over your fear of heights. There’s also an expensive classy restaurant for those who enjoy high dining but you have to make reservations first and ride in a separate elevator.
The OzTrek ride was alright and the panoramic views were worthy of photographs. I always get a kick when seeing entire cities from the sky; they all look like giant termite mounds. If the tower had a glass floor, the experience would be even better. I would only avoid buying snacks and drinks up there because of inflated prices & not much of a selection.
For our last full day, Roman & I decided to study the Sydney Harbour Bridge (SHB) closely before exploring more of Northern Sydney. Construction on the steel arch bridge began in 1923 and completed nine years later, officially opening in 1932. It's been nicknamed 'the Coathanger'. The bridge is an important transportation artery, catering to pedestrians, vehicles, and trains, while commercial & passenger ships pass beneath it every day.

If you’re travelling across the bridge via car, be prepared to pay a toll – I’m guessing the money goes towards maintenance costs. For thrill-seeking tourists, there is the option of partaking in a Bridge Climb – tramping up to the very top of the steel bridge to get an amazing panoramic view. Originally, I was planning on doing the climb but the $189AUS per person price made me reconsider.

Northern Sydney is mostly filled with condos & apartments, especially along the waterfront. If I were living in this city (and have $1 million AUS), my residence would be in this neighbourhood along the waterfront. That way, I could just simply hop over to the opera house via boat for an evening performance. The neighbourhood sits on several hills, with narrow streets moving up & down, and snaking around large tropical trees. Despite being close to the city centre, these residential areas are surprisingly quiet.
One of the main attractions on the northern waterfront is LunaPark, a family fun centre built in the style of an early 20th century fair. Delicacies such as hot dogs, Coke, and hamburgers are hidden behind loud ragtime music & coloured murals from the past. The park reminds me of the Ex that comes to Ottawa every August except it is smaller. Roman & I just walked around and let the hyperactive kids enjoy the rides.

For the evening, we decided to thank our hosts by ordering locally made pizza from a restaurant called DaVinci’s. The pizzas were devoured within an hour and we shared some of our experiences with the brothers. Before going to sleep, I packed my suitcase because we would be flying to Brisbane the very next day. Sydney certainly is a fun place in the southern hemisphere.
To Be Continued . . .