River Cruise to Parramatta

Another nice day in Sydney today so we decided to catch the train into the City take the ferry to Parramatta. On the way up the river the ferry called at all stops to pick up passengers, but on the way back it missed a few stops before we got back to Circular Quay.

On the way up the Parramatta River we passed the Homebush Olympic venue before moving into the restricted upper reaches where recreational boating is not allowed and movement is limited to commercial ferries.

When we got to Parramatta we walked through the CBD on the way to Parramatta Park - but you guessed it, being Monday Old Government House was closed as was the Gatehouse Café. We walked back through the CBD and found lunch at the Sicilian Restaurant - the specials were Pizzas and a glass of wine for three and Haloumi Salad with wine for one - an excellent lunch.

Parramatta was an old stamping ground for Andy, having worked at Westpac in Parramatta, and having been involved as a player and an Administrator for the Parramatta Rugby Union Club, before moving on to various roles at the Australian Rugby Union. After our walk around Parramatta we returned to the jetty and waited for the ferry back to Circular Quay. A Police boat was waiting near the jetty having sent the junior constable ashore to get afternoon tea.

Parramatta ferry reversing out of Circular Quay

Manly Ferry leaving Circular Quay

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Narrabeen waiting to enter Circular Quay

Sydney Opera House

Extensions to the Sydney Cruise Ship Terminal

Sydney Cruise Ship Terminal

Tug waiting under Sydney Harbour Bridge

Luna Park

Sebel Pier One at Dawes Point

Sydney water taxi plying its trade

Waterside apartments

Balmain from Darling Harbour

Bangaroo development from Darling Harbour

Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour

James Craig at Darling Harbour

Harbour-side mansions

Cockatoo Island Ferry Wharf

School camp at Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island Dockyard

Gladesville Bridge

Singapore Airlines A380

Abbotsford Point Boat Shed

Sydney Rowing Club

Vela Dining and Bar at D'albora Marina Cabarita

Rivendell School

There it is - Ryde Bridge in the background

John Whitton Bridge

New apartments at Homebush

Sydney Olympic Stadium in the distance

Garbage truck emptying the bins

Shell's Clyde Refinery at Parramatta closed in 2012

7 Knot speed limit on the upper reaches of the Parramatta River

Parramatta CBD from the River

Parramatta Jetty

Weir and Footbridge on the Parramatta River

Gasworks Bridge

University of Western Sydney

Parramatta Roxy Theatre

Parramatta Court Precinct

Nyman Gibson and Stewart - 1800 Not Guilty

Heritage Building

Garfield Barwick Court Building

Tudor Gatehouse at Parramatta Park

Lady Fitzroy's Memorial

Old Government House at Parramatta

Waiting, waiting, waiting

Gatehouse Tearooms at Parramatta Park

Parramatta Riverside Gardens

Rowing across the river?

Police boat waiting at Parramatta Jetty

Here is your afternoon tea

Our ferry home - the Shane Gould