Jan 21 2009
Sunday Fun Day in Woy Woy
As it was a bright sunny day with a nice breeze, we decided to go to Woy Woy, a town north of Sydney, last Sunday (18th January).
When we arrived our local station, we found out that there was a special promotion called ‘Family Funday Sunday.’ You could travel anywhere in the Sydney area, on trains, buses and ferries, for just A$2.50 per person for the whole day. So, the tickets cost us just A$7.50 rather than the normal cost of around A$20.
The train ride to Woy Woy is a treat in itself. After gliding over the Hawkesbury River on the railway bridge, the track runs alongside the water. On the other bank, there are houses with corrugated iron roofs perched high on stilts. A houseboat floats peacefully in the middle of the river.I am always fascinated by the houses that are built on the edge of the water. The only means of accessing them is by boat – there are no roads in the dense bush land behind them. Some people live there all year round, going to work in their boats, and returning with groceries.
It is surely a very beautiful and peaceful place to live but the practicalities of life must be quite difficult. What happens if you need a plumber? Presumably, you would have to meet him in your boat and take him to your house!
When we arrived in Woy Woy, we walked to our favourite part of the town – Brisbane Water. Brisbane Water is nowhere near Brisbane but is a beautiful stretch of water. A one-hour long boat tour around it departs from the public wharf. We went on the boat tour last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.
There is a little enclosed park overlooking Brisbane Water. It houses a war memorial, commemorating those who lost their lives in several wars that Australia was involved in.
On the wall behind the war memorial, you can see small square white tablets of stone. Upon each of these is inscribed the name of a veteran and his or her dates of birth and death. I think that it is wonderful that each individual person who served their country should be remembered in such a personal way.
The Australians consider it very important to remember those who fought for their country and that is why I am very surprised that there will not be a separate public holiday for ANZAC Day in most of Australia this year. ANZAC Day is the day on which those who gave their lives at the Battle of Gallipoli during World War I are officially remembered. You can read more about this here on Lis’ Australia blog.
I’ll write more about our trip to Woy Woy tomorrow.
Thanks for the link Roz - as a New Zealander where we NEVER get a holiday if ANZAC Day falls on a weekend I totally agree with you? Woywoy sounds nice - I admit to not knowing Sydney very well you are educating me ! Doing anything fun for Australia Day?
We’re planning to go to the local swimming pool (where they have free entrance for Australia Day) and a sausage sizzle outside! How about you?
I’ve considered living on a houseboat before, it seems so idyllic…but the practicalities, as you mention, could be daunting!