On our 2nd day in Sydney, we went out to the beaches. We purchased an Opal Card and took public transportation. Tap as you enter and exit and the fare is subtracted from your card. You never pay more than A$16.80 ($10.70) per day on the Opal Card. What a great idea! Sometimes, it's a shame to buy a day pass for just 1 or 2 rides but with this system, you pay as you go and have a cap on the max that is spent each day. More cities should adopt this system.
We started at Bondi Beach, the closest beach to the city center. It was a 5-minute walk to Circular Quay, where we took Bus 333 for 23 stops and 37 minutes to Bondi Beach. From there, we followed the coastal trail to Coogee Beach, a walk that took about an hour. The walk passed Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Waverley Cemetery and Clovelly Beach before arriving at Coogee Beach.
We caught the Express Bus 373 back to the Rocks and followed the Lonely Planet Rock-Quay Road walk, starting at Cadman's Cottage, Sydney's oldest house. In the 1840s, it was used to detain criminals. Today, it's not used for much.
Next was the Overseas Passenger Terminal, where our cruise ship docked. We climbed up to the Level 4 Observation deck on the north turret for a beautiful harbor view.
The Campbell's Storehouses date from 1839. Buildings like these were common into the early 20th century but most have been destroyed. After that, we stopped at Dawes Point near the Park Hyatt to take a beautiful picture of the Opera House.
Passing under the Harbour Bridge, you can see Luna Park's clown-faced entrance and ferris wheel on the opposite shore. Rounding the point, you'll find a sculpture "Still Life with Stone & Car"--a car crushed by a huge stone. Next, climb up the stairs to Windmill Street, just before the Roslyn Packer Theatre and you'll find The Hero of Waterloo, Sydney's oldest pub.
Next is Garrison Church, the military's first place of worship in the colony and Argyle Cut. It was excavated by convict laborers to create a canyon-like section of road. This is why the area is known as the Rocks.
We walked through Foundation Park to Suez Canal, the narrowest of the Rocks lanes and then through the Museum of Contemporary Art to arrive back on the wharf.
We then headed to the Customs House before arriving at the Sydney Opera House. I was surprised that it is actually several buildings.
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