The Big Smoke (Sydney) - Katoomba & The Three Sisters

We headed west to visit another well known area, Katoomba in the Blue Mountains which is about 100 kms away from Sydney. Here's the blurb on the Katoomba district. We were to be very surprised at the natural beauty so close to Australia's biggest city...

A pan view of the Blue Mountains area from a cable car... the blue haze is created by eucalyptus given off by the thick forest below...

This shot is of the famous 'Three Sisters' Mimi, Gunadoo, & Wymula (aboriginal for Mildred, Janice, & Ethel)...well maybe not...

Here's the Durnies at the base of the first sister. Amazing views from this location around the valleys and hilltops of the Blue Mountain area...

Leeanne really wanted to see the Three Sisters and it's not hard to see why....

The 'Three Sisters' from Echo Point which is the main information area for visitors...

We went to Scenic World which has been set up from an previous old mine site. Visitors can descend on the steepest train ride in the world (cable) before walking the forest floor to a cable car  return that gives amazing views of the blue mountains...

The angle of descent is about 52 degrees!!

Coal Miner Sam posing for the camera (again)...

Another feature of Scenic World is the Skyrail that crosses the Katoomba Valley. Here's Joey & dad taking in the scenery...

The beautiful Katoomba Falls drop about 220 metres. This is seen from the Skyrail...

After crossing over the vally visitors can walk down to the base of the Katoomba Falls which is where this shot of Joey and Sam was taken...

A pan view of the Blue Mountain area with the Three Sisters on the left...

The Big Smoke (Sydney) - Friendly Cockatoo's @ Botanical Gardens

On our walk around Mrs Mac Arthurs Seat we passed the Botanical Garden area which is home to these very friendly Cockatoo's...here's Joey with one perched on his arm, with the Centrepoint Tower in the background!!

Well, Sam...he likes to be different!! Going 'one better' he has one perched on his head...

....not to be outdone, here's dad with four resting on his arms and shoulders!!! How cool was this, we had great fun with these little fella's...

Joey and Sam, more of the same...except Sam's guy is trying to eat him!!

The Big Smoke (Sydney) - Circular Quay & Mrs Mac Arthur's Seat

We ventured back to Circular Quay and walked around towards the Sydney Opera House for some close ups!! Here's the ferry terminal area which seems to be always busy with tourists both Aussie and International..

Another famous Sydney icon - Luna Park - unfortunately only open on weekends!! Here it is tucked under the Sydney Harbour Bridge...

Here's Samsational (Aunty J's nickname) at Circular Quay with the Harbour Bridge in the background...

Joey, Sam, & Dad on the steps of Sydney Opera House. It's quite an imposing structure, a lot bigger than we expected...

Another shot of the Harbour Bridge from further around Circular Quay...

Pan shot of Circular Quay with Joey and the Harbour Bridge & Opera House in the background...

If you continue around the Circular Quay area past the Opera House you will come to Mrs Mac Arthurs Seat which provides excellent views...

The Big Smoke (Sydney) - Bondi Beach Visit

We caught the train into town and bus to the famous New Zealander inhabited Bondi Beach. Another Sydney icon famous for surf competitions...

Here's Joey on the beach area and there was no way the wimpy Queenslanders were going to get in the water today!!

Lee, Sam, & Joey at the Esplanade area of Bondi Beach...

Here's the princess posing on the beach wall...hoping to caught on a scene from 'Bondi Rescue' a local Aussie show filmed here. She was out of luck however...

Pan view of Bondi beach with some Durnies included...

The Big Smoke (Sydney) - Manly Ferry Trip

We were blessed with another fine day and were off to the Manly Beach area via the ferry which leaves from Circular Quay. This shot is looking back towards the city...

Tom & Joey at the beach...warm enough for a swim too!!

Sam making the most of the nice day and location. It's easy to imagine this beach being packed during the warmer summer months. There was plenty of room for us today though!! There were a lot of international visitors around as different languages were easily heard (at least we thought they were from overseas!)...

Manly Beach looking northwards...

Pan shot of Manly Beach...

On the return trip we passed close to the Opera House...

Here's Joey with the iconic Sydney Opera House in the back ground...

We were also racing back to Circular Quay against this incoming storm cloud...

Sydney Harbour Bridge and another ferry from our ferry...

The Big Smoke (Sydney) - Harbour Bridge Walk & Centrepoint Tower

Here's the tourists waiting patiently for the train at Nth Ryde Railway station. It was only a 10 minute stroll from the Lane Cove National Park where we stayed. A bush setting only 10km from central Sydney which was ideal for us not having to drive into the city!!

We hopped off the train at Milsens Point and walked across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge to take in some amazing views in all directions...here's Joey & Sam at the start of the walk...

Looking east from the bridge we could see another famous Sydney landmark, the Opera House...

A pan view of Sydney Harbour from the middle of the Bridge...

This fine example of architecture is from the Mall on Pitt Street and Martin Place in the city heart...

Here's Centrepoint Tower from the ground...Joey wasn't too keen as he doesn't like heights...but he made the journey to his credit!!

From the top of Centrepoint you have amazing views of the surrounding city and sprawling suburbs of Australia's largest city, which has over 4 million residents!!

Looking down from the top of Centrepoint onto Queen Victoria building which is currently a big shopping complex...

Some interesting facts about the Centrepoint Tower...