FIELD TRIP TO MUSEUM OF SYDNEY & CUSTOMS HOUSE - 30 August 2013

Caught the train into Parramatta early today, boarded Parramatta's Free Bus to Parramatta River Jetty.......

.... and with other members of our Club boarded the Rivercat.

Cruised down narrow Parramatta River to Rydalmere where more club members boarded. Then a relaxing cruise non-stop to Circular Quay. The sun was out, it was a warm 26c, and the River was sparkling.



                                                     We met up with other Club members at the Quay,

and walked up Phillip Street to the Museum of Sydney for our booked tour.

The modern Museum is on the site of one of Australia's most important places, the first Government House, the home and office of Governor Arthur Phillip, built in 1788.

We entered the Museum and were greeted by our two guides, who talked about the origins of the site and the museum, before we split into two groups.

This is our guide, Niomi who showed us the outlines of the original Government House.

Niomi then took us into the Museum to view models of the First Fleet ships and peer at the archaeological remains of first Government House and the objects uncovered by a number of digs on the site.

At the end of the tour, I spoke to Niomi about a nearby building, Transport House, where I started work in 1949 for the Department of Road Transport and Tramways. The building is now privately owned has been restored, and the original Registration Hall is now open office space, with the Mezzanine above.

The building was constructed in 1937 and still has the original wooden escalator, that is the oldest in Sydney.

It is a wonderful building. It is art deco influences inside and the exterior is an impression of authority.
                                             

 Niomi was intrigued as she had often walked past this front door of the building and had wondered about its origins. She was also interested in what we staff saw when looking into the nearby windows of the adjacent police station.

                                                                                          
At the end of the tour, we walked to the nearby AMP Building......

....... for lunch in the food court.

After lunch we visited nearby Customs House for a quick visit................

It has relaxing lounges,  with newspaper and magazines on hand, a number of bars and restaurants, as well as the Customs House Library, with reading rooms overlooking Circular Quay.

Then it was time to board the Rivercat again for our trip back up the river and home.

Many thanks to our Club President Deborah for organising the day out.....the weather was perfect and Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour is always a wonderful place to be, especially with fellow club members....................