Sydney Mono Rail

Mono Rail, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Mono Rail, Darling Harbour, Sydney

A few years ago while on a holiday in Sydney my wife and I took a ride on the mono rail. We didn’t go on it on our most recent trip to Sydney. Instead we walked under it so I was able to get several good shots of this transport system.

The Sydney Mono Rail takes passengers through some of the CBD and links with several railway stations on the subway system. It also links with both trains and light rail trams at Central Station.

This is an excellent way of seeing some of the highlights of the city, with stops at some of the main features of interest, such as Darling Harbour where I took these photos.

Mono rail, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Mono rail, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Sydney Harbour Water Taxis

Water taxi on Darling Harbour, Sydney

Water taxi on Darling Harbour, Sydney

One of the fascinating things about places like Sydney Harbour is the constantly moving water traffic. There are boats of all sizes, from great sleek cruise ships with several thousand passengers through to small dinghies with one passenger out fishing. And everything in between. All shapes and sizes, colours and purposes.

One of the common types on Sydney Harbour are the water taxis, like the one shown above. This morning I checked out some websites because I knew very little about them. The few companies I checked out claimed that they will pick up passengers almost anywhere, including beaches. They will likewise take you almost anywhere on the harbour much faster than public transport or even driving there yourself.

That’s probably true and they do look very convenient. There’s only one catch: you need a very deep pocket as they are relatively expensive. Yes – they might be quick, but it will cost you. Mind you, it would be a great way to have a private cruise of the harbour if you had a large group of people, say 20-30 to share the cost.

Metro Light Rail, Sydney

Metro Light Rail, Sydney

Metro Light Rail, Sydney

On one of our excursions into the CBD of Sydney during our recent holidays  we took the Metro Light Rail to the Sydney Fish Markets. Until we took this tram  I was not aware that Sydney had a light rail system. Metro Transport runs the Metro Light Rail and they also run the Sydney Monorail which intersects with the light rail and then loops through parts of the CBD.

We didn’t take the monorail on this trip; you have to leave some fun for our next holiday in Sydney. We took the train from Artarmon, which is a five minute walk from our son’s home. We alighted at Central Station and then caught the light rail to the Sydney Fish Markets. These trams are quiet, quick, clean and arrive every few minutes throughout the day. On some sections the trams run for 24 hours a day every day of the year. My only criticism is that they are quite expensive to the length of the ride. Still, it saved a lot of walking.

The track goes from Central Railway Station and terminates at Lilyfield, going through Haymarket, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont Bay and Glebe.

Metro Light Rail, Sydney

Metro Light Rail, Sydney