Hosted by the Sydney Tramway Museum and the Valley Heights Steam Tramway
Welcome to Sydney,
The Sydney Tramway Museum and Valley Heights Steam Tramway are pleased to welcome the wives and partners of Tramway Museum volunteers from around Australia and New Zealand. An exciting program, developed by the wives of Sydney museum members, will showcase the best of this cosmopolitan city and we look forward to seeing you in October.
Thu. 9 October – Registration and welcome function
Conference and partner program registration will be open from 5pm at our main accommodation venue, the centrally located Rendezvous Suites Hotel at Railway Square. Our exciting program begins this evening with welcome drinks and nibbles hosted by the Rendezvous Hotel. This will be a relaxed opportunity to catch up on old acquaintances and make new friends.
Fri. 10 October – Sydney Opera House and Doyle’s at Watson’s Bay
Our partner program begins at the iconic Sydney Opera House where we will enjoy a guided tour of this architectural gem. You will see the large Concert Hall, the Opera and Drama Theatres as well as the intimate Playhouse. Delight at the vistas of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and gaze across the harbour to Admiralty House, the Sydney home of Australia’s Governor’s-General.
Following morning tea in East Circular Quay, we board a ferry for a trip down the harbour to Watson’s Bay. For lunch today we visit a Sydney institution; Doyle’s on the Wharf. Doyle’s has been at Watson’s Bay since 1885 offering some of the best seafood in town. With a reputation for the freshest and finest seafood, we can guarantee you will enjoy traditional fish and chips al-fresco with magnificent harbour views. Our mini-bus will pick us up in the afternoon for the return to the city. On the way we will see South Head and the Macquarie Lighthouse (1883), Dover Heights and some of our wonderful beaches, including famous Bondi. Tonight we join our partners for dinner at the Rendezvous Hotel. This will be followed by a chance to test your skill and knowledge during COTMA’s famous Trivia Night. Not just for tram trivia buffs, our trivia night will test the mettle of anyone who enjoys trivia! (Friday meals: Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner.)
Sat. 11 October – The Rocks Market and the MCAA.
Sydney’s Rocks precinct, in the shadows of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is steeped in history. From Australia’s first European settlement in 1788 a ramshackle community developed around the rocky bluffs of Dawes Point and many of the buildings in The Rocks date from these halcyon days. Today we visit The Rocks Outdoor Markets. Set amid convict- carved sandstone and along quaint cobblestone laneways, these colourful outdoor markets are home to more than 200 eclectic stalls. Here you can buy dresses and bags designed by the stallholder, one-off jewellery, original artworks and prints, in a place where you can feel the sun on your face and catch glimpses of our gorgeous harbour.
Lunch today is just a short stroll from the Markets at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCAA). Dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting contemporary art, both from across Australia and around the world, the Museum’s Sculpture Cafe overlooks Circular Quay and the Opera House. You will also get a chance to visit many of the fantastic exhibitions the Museum hosts including the “Motion/Emotion”; the works of French artist Annette Messager and “Martu Art – aboriginal art from the far western desert”.
In the late afternoon we travel to the Sutherland United Services Club (‘the SUS Club’) at Sutherland for the Conference’s Annual Dinner and Awards Evening. Our night concludes with a spirited run in a classic double deck bus back to our city accommodation. (Saturday meals: MT, L, D.)
Sun. 12 October – The glorious Blue Mountains.
Join us for a day in the magnificent Blue Mountains. Our modern coach will follow the same route pioneered by the first explorers to cross the mountains in 1813. We will leave our partners at the Valley Heights Steam Tramway, while we head on to Faulconbridge and the home of renowned artist, cartoonist and writer Norman Lindsay (1879-1969). Following morning tea at the Norman Lindsay cafe, you will have time to explore the Lindsay home, filled with examples of the artist’s prolific works in pen and ink drawing, etching, woodcuts, watercolours and sculpture .
Following a Spit Roast lunch back at Valley Heights, we travel to Katoomba and the world heritage listed Echo Point where you will have time to see the famous Three Sisters and gaze in awe across the Jamison Valley. Next we visit Leura, a classic mountains town and community with a real 1920’s ambience. Here you will have time to explore the antique and curiosity shops along the main street, or perhaps take some afternoon tea in one of the many cafes that Leura has to offer. The coach will then return us to Railway Square in the city where you are free to make your own arrangements for dinner. (Sunday meals – MT, L.)
Monday 13 October – ‘South Steyne’ and Harbour Cruise.
This morning you have a choice of relaxing and enjoying Sydney at your leisure. Maybe do some shopping in Galeries Victoria at Town Hall, stroll through the historic Strand Arcade (pictured) between Pitt and George St or wander through the elegant shops in the Queen Victoria Building. (Perhaps you could get a small party together and pre-book High Tea at the “The Tea Room, QVB”). Alternatively, you are welcome to join conference delegates for a ride on a scheduled Sydney Light Rail service to Dulwich Hill, the latest tramway extension in Sydney.
Around midday, we will meet at Darling Harbour and board the famous ferry ‘South Steyne’ now permanently moored adjacent to Pyrmont Bridge. Lunch is aboard this 1938 Glasgow built steam vessel. There may even be a chance here to see the 1902 Pyrmont Bridge swing span in action.
In the mid-afternoon, we bid farewell to ‘South Steyne’ and join the classic 1938 built ferry ‘Proclaim’ for a four hour cruise around Sydney Harbour. As we enjoy afternoon tea and an open bar, the sights of Sydney will unfold in front of us; the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Cove, the Opera House, Farm Cove, Garden Island and some of Australia’s most expensive real estate. West of the Harbour Bridge we will see the old working class suburbs of Abbotsford, Drummoyne and Balmain, once home to former NSW Premier, Neville Wran who famously quipped “Balmain boys don’t cry!” Our cruise ends back in Darling Harbour, where you will be free to make your own arrangements for dinner. Choose from the cheap and cheerful at Harbourside Food Court or try one of the many restaurants that Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay has to offer. Just about every taste and palate is catered for, from spicy Thai and Indian to seafood and from exciting Chinese to the mellow flavours of the exotic Lindt Chocolate Cafe. (Monday meals – MT, L, AT.)
Tuesday 14 October – Conference ends.
Our partner program wraps up today with free time in the city for last minute shopping and sightseeing. On Wednesday, 15 October, the Post Conference Tour departs for a wonderful few days in southern NSW. This will be a trip not to be missed….
Download the Partners Program Brochure.
