Tuesday April 15 2014

We left Wollongong on a lovely bike path that took us all the way to Thirroul.  Wollongong redeemed itself with the bike path that left the Town.  The path is a multi-use all the way, and for the most part well signed.

When we took these photos of the steel works and the port area there were 9 tankers waiting to get into the port.  This port ships Australian coal to China.

Allan and Paul (warmshowers host) had recommended that we take the train from Kiama into Sydney – primarily because the route gets progressively more urban and the car drivers more aggressive.  We decided that we really wanted to see the Seacliff Bridge and we would deal with the car drivers.  Once again the majority of drivers were courteous and gave us ample room.

We were first told about the Seacliff Bridge from Noel (the Information Centre Volunteer) in Orbost.  Ralf at some time saw a photo of the bridge and really wanted to cycle along it.  The Seacliff Bridge was constructed so the piers and bridge deck are well away from the rock fall hazard.  It is 665 metres long and took 18 months to build.

Unfortunately, the Seacliff Bridge does not have a  cyclepath along it.  We decided to ignore the “No Cycling” and cycled slowly across it – giving way to pedestrians.  Share the road, that is the most important thing to remember.

Ralf and I on the pedestrian way, with a cyclist on the road!

After the Seacliff Bridge we headed into Coledale and then up the hill to Stanwell Park where we caught the train into Sydney.  The train cost us about $6.00 each for an hour and a half on the train.  There were no dedicated carriages or areas for the bikes, we had to stand and hold the bikes all the way.  New Zealand trains had dedicated carriages and on the train from Wellington a dedicated area that passengers had to give up if a bike commuter needed the space.

Once we got into Sydney we needed to find a hostel as we were unlucky finding a warm showers host.  We found a lovely YHA in the Glebe area of Sydney – a nice bohemian area with boutique shops and lots of little restaurants and coffee shops.  Easy access on the bus into the City or to the beach.  We have finally decided to sign up for YHA membership.  It saved us $55.00 for the 5 nights and we also get discounts at some attractions while we are in Sydney and possibly other places where we will be staying.  We will also be able to use it throughout Europe and the rest of Australia.