Australia

Brainache said:
Yep. The Easter Show was never the same after they moved it to Homebush.

They had to do something though, crowds and traffic were ridiculous.
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Just for old time's sake, this is how my Mum remembers it:

EasterShow.jpg

That was 1935. It wasn't a lot different when I started attending in the late fifties.

If nobody posts "Pics or it didn't happen!" I'm going to be extremely disappointed.
 
Akhenaten said:
Just for old time's sake, this is how my Mum remembers it:

[qimg]http://www.yvonneclaireadams.com/HostedStuff/EasterShow.jpg[/qimg]​

That was 1935. It wasn't a lot different when I started attending in the late fifties.
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And it looks a lot like how I remember it from the mid seventies when I started going.
 
Shiner said:
And it looks a lot like how I remember it from the mid seventies when I started going.
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I started going in the early 60s. I saw the very young Bee Gees in Sideshow Alley at the show in about 1963, before they recorded any songs. They were next door to the Headless Woman. The audience was me and two others.

To me, the Show was second to Christmas, and just ahead of Easter and Cracker Night......maybe the Pharoah might want to do an article on the dangerous pyromania (and fun) called Cracker Night in Australia. I must say that I enjoyed the Tupenny Bungers, which could take a finger off, more than the pretty fireworks.
 
Another old picture from the Royal Easter Show.

This is Prince Charles, HM The Queen and Princess Anne about to enter the Members' Stand to watch the 1970 Grand Parade.

I was in the crowd just out of the picture on the Princess Royal's side. (I'm fairly sure she blew me a kiss)


EasterShow1970.jpg
 
So, any of you aussies experts on the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks?

I was born in Sydney but have never seen them and have it on my bucket list. I'm bringing the family down under for the first time (and my first visit in 14 years) and we'll be there for NYE before heading north to visit the family in QLD.

I'm wondering about recommended viewpoints that are accessible with small children (3 and 8). Any thoughts?
 
icerat said:
So, any of you aussies experts on the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks?

I was born in Sydney but have never seen them and have it on my bucket list. I'm bringing the family down under for the first time (and my first visit in 14 years) and we'll be there for NYE before heading north to visit the family in QLD.

I'm wondering about recommended viewpoints that are accessible with small children (3 and 8). Any thoughts?
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Mrs Macquarie's Point is the best spot ever but because of this you need to get there mega-early which means the kids are going to be totally bored by the time the fireworks happen. Same goes for any of the areas in the city proper, really.

I'd recommend somewhere a bit further from the action like Darling Point - either Yarranabbe Park or McKell Park.

A lot depends on where you're staying because the traffic/crowds on public transport are a nightmare on a long journey, especially with the littlies. Don't even think about driving from one side of the harbour to the other.

If you happen to be on the North Shore, there are still tickets available for Bradleys Head at Mosman but this is the last children-friendly ticketed site with tickets still available so I'd get in quick if that's your choice. Phone 13000 72757 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/nye for more details.

Here a couple of sites you might find useful:

 
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Yeah, we're staying in North Ryde. Only hotel available after my darling cousin fell through as an option :(. Only 150m from the train station though.

I'd checked out those websites, but thought I'd get some personal advice, thanks!

ETA:
Why do you recommend further from the action? Just because of the crowds?
We're only in Sydney 2 days so have to fit in the Opera House, Darling Harbour etc on either 31st or 1st, so if we go for bradley's head we'll probably come from the south side anyway
 
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icerat said:
Yeah, we're staying in North Ryde. Only hotel available after my darling cousin fell through as an option :(. Only 150m from the train station though.
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Hmmm. North Ryde is pretty convenient, actually. You can catch a train to Waverton (it's only five stops) and then either walk down to Waverton Park (400 metres) or walk/taxi to Balls Head Reserve (1200 metres). There isn't normally a bus service to Balls Head, but they might do something special for NYE.



icerat said:
I'd checked out those websites, but thought I'd get some personal advice, thanks!
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No wuckers.



icerat said:
ETA:
Why do you recommend further from the action? Just because of the crowds?
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Yes. I've done it a couple of times with a toddler and it's horrific. You daren't put them down for a second if you carry them and a stroller is a terrible idea.

This is Mrs Macquarie's Point in the late afternoon on NYE:


MrsMacquariesPoint.jpg

Note the lack of children​


Now imagine it in the dark with about 1.5 kilometres of that crowd between you and Circular Quay station.

This is Circular Quay itself:

CircularQuay.jpg



icerat said:
We're only in Sydney 2 days so have to fit in the Opera House, Darling Harbour etc on either 31st or 1st, so if we go for bradley's head we'll probably come from the south side anyway
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Geeze. Darling Harbour and the Fireworks in one day. You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! I'd at least leave the Opera House for the 1st, because it'll be jam packed from very early on the 31st.


OperaHouseCrowd.jpg

Not a good place to be with a tired three-year-old​
 
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Akhenaten said:
Geeze. Darling Harbour and the Fireworks in one day. You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! I'd at least leave the Opera House for the 1st, because it'll be jam packed from very early on the 31st.
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It gets worse, since we get in from Europe about 23.30 on the 30th, so we'll probably all still be on Swedish time! :)

Thought is to get out of the city mid to late afternoon. Might be worth heading back to the hotel for a nap and then coming back on the train as you suggest
 
icerat said:
It gets worse, since we get in from Europe about 23.30 on the 30th, so we'll probably all still be on Swedish time! :)

Thought is to get out of the city mid to late afternoon. Might be worth heading back to the hotel for a nap and then coming back on the train as you suggest
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I've been assuming that you know there are two lots of fireworks - one for the barn at 9:00 pm and the main display at midnight.
 
Akhenaten said:
I've been assuming that you know there are two lots of fireworks - one for the barn at 9:00 pm and the main display at midnight.
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yup, aware of that. Going to play it by ear. I'd love to see the main display but going to depend on what timezone our (and the kids!) bodies think we're in. Hopefully it will be completely screwed up and midnight will be fine for the kids :D
 
icerat said:
yup, aware of that. Going to play it by ear. I'd love to see the main display but going to depend on what timezone our (and the kids!) bodies think we're in. Hopefully it will be completely screwed up and midnight will be fine for the kids :D
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Sounds good!

Please don't hesitate to ask if you think there's anything else we can help with.
 
Go to Watson's Bay no matter what. Its a way from the Bridge, but you will have a great view of the fireworks.

But it's well worth the trip during the day, if only for the ferry ride.
 
lionking said:
Go to Watson's Bay no matter what. Its a way from the Bridge, but you will have a great view of the fireworks.

But it's well worth the trip during the day, if only for the ferry ride.
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Yes. Absolutely.

It might even be like this:



Minus Hokulele...
 
Brainache said:
Yes. Absolutely.

It might even be like this:



Minus Hokulele...
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You bugger! I didn't even notice you taking this. Zep, Athon and family, Hok, Arth.....A day that will last in my memory forever..

Tell me, who recommended Watson's Bay?
 
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