Part 5 Sydney and the Novotel Sydney Central

I caught the Airport train into Sydney's central station. The price was $17.40 and if I remember correctly only takes about 20-30 minutes. I was at Central station and using google maps managed to locate the Novotel Sydney Central within 5 minutes of stepping off the train.

The staff said I couldn't check in till 1400 so I had just about 8 hours to kill. Thankfully they gave me a towel and allowed me to use the shower in the pool area to freshen up. I left my bag at reception and headed out into Sydney. My plan was to walk as much as I can which is exactly what I did.

First off I headed down to the opera house, it had always been an ambition of mine to see it in person. I got down to the harbour area just about 0730 as the sun was starting to rise, I checked into Sydney Harbour on facebook with this picture and the caption 'not a bad way to start a sunday morning! Watching the sunrise with a bottle of water and a breakfast sandwich I'd bought was an amazing way to start the day, the adrenaline and excitement from it got me full of energy and I set off to walk round the bridge and the surrounding areas.

Sunrise over the opera house


Later that day I was meeting my mate Dave who had emigrated to Oz several years before so I only walked round the botanical gardens to chill out. After meeting Dave we walked around for hours and hours. Dave showed me all parts of Sydney that I would never have found by myself. We visited the 2 oldest pubs in Sydney, one claims to be the oldest and the other counter claims. The really interesting part was looking at the buildings which are 'old' but aren't even as old as some houses or pubs in the UK! After a good 8 hours of walking we headed to china town and got some grub.

After saying goodbye to Dave and Matty I headed back to my hotel to checkin. After a shower and freshen up I fully intended to head out somewhere and get some tea but fell asleep and that was that for my first day in Sydney.

Novotel Sydney Central








I woke up at 0600 feeling extremely fresh and headed out for breakfast again, after a small bite to eat and walking back down to the opera house to watch the sun rise again, such a beautiful sight.

The Opera House again, sunrise from a different angle this time.


The Sydney Harbour Bridge


After watching the sunrise and walking round for a bit longer I headed back to the hotel to get changed and go for a run. I was determined to see more of the city with the extra energy this trip seemed to be providing me before heading to the SCG for a tour of the ground and to tick it off my bucket list.

A quick 6 miles later round the botanical gardens and other roads stopping for a selfie at the opera house and I was back to the hotel, showered and off to the SCG!

My ugly mug at the opera house mid run.


I loved sitting near the opera house and just watching the ferries come and go.




I set off to the SCG using google maps to find my way there. Walking up some steep hills and through residential neighbourhoods. I passed a hotel called Captain Cook Hotel, with him being a local hero back home I made a mental note to call in on the way back after the tour.

Out of the morning sun I could see the Sydney Cricket Ground coming into view. I was again at this point getting excited as it was a ground I'd always wanted to visit and there it was and I could almost touch it!

I went straight to the ticket office and purchased my tour ticket. This morning there was only 12 of us on the tour which made it much more personal and I was literally like a kid at christmas. The ground is underground a multi $m upgrade modernising alot of it however some of the older parts of the ground have been saved and incorporated into the new design such as the old clock tower and the long room. All that can be said is I'll let the pictures do most of the talking for me.

Old Clock tower






At this point we got to see out onto the field, unfortunately some heathens were running round playing a stupid sport! A cricket pitch is for cricket only!











A fitting memorial to a up and coming player for Australia, it was a major shock and tragedy when on 25th November 2014 Phillip Hughes was hit on the back of the head by a 'bouncer' he stumbled and collapsed a few seconds later before dying 2 days later. Because of his death cricket helmets have been improved and hopefully such a tragic event won't happen again. He today remains '63 not out' and will remain that way forever. RIP Phil.


One of the best cricket players ever to grace the field of play!




After seeing the inside of the ground we headed to the museum and got to see a replica of the famous 'Ashes'. This really topped off the tour and I hope to one day be able to come and watch an ashes test in Oz.

Leaving the SCG thrilled at seeing it but also disappointed to not have got to go onto the grass (due to the heathens) I headed back towards my hotel ready to call into the Captain Cook Hotel. Upon entering I ordered a beer and spotted the special they had on steak. $22 for a 12oz steak! That was quickly ordered, it came lovely and rare. I had a chat with the barmaids and discovered it was a hostel. After another 2 pints it was time to head back down the hill as I was due to meet Tom911 and Penegal later that evening so headed back to the hotel to freshen up.



Having freshened up I headed to Tom911's hotel and we had some beers in the hotel bar for happy hour ^ After that we managed to find Penegal in a different pub where we settled down for food. After several pints we moved to a different pub and Tom then left us to headback to his hotel. I'd arranged for another friend to meet up with that night so he joined me and penegal in a decent little pub. This is where penegal explained to me about the stupid lockout laws abound in Sydney, it's a good way to put pubs and clubs out of business though if that's what your into.

Needing to call it a night as I had a flight the next day we said our goodbyes and I headed off to my hotel for some much needed sleep before heading to Brisbane the next day to continue my tour of the colony!