A Rainy Morning at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Sydney Harbour

This is part of my 2023 Australia travel series.
After visiting Gap Park, we took the bus to a beautiful park overlooking Sydney Harbour, home to the well-known sandstone bench called Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Rain kept us from fully enjoying the walk, but the place itself still left a strong impression.

Ancient Trees and a Quiet Green Park

The first thing that caught my eye was the number of massive, old trees spread throughout the park.
Wide green lawns stretched in every direction, making it easy to imagine how pleasant this place must be on a sunny day.
It felt peaceful and timeless, as if nature itself was offering a quiet moment of rest.

Walking Toward the Sydney Opera House

My Australia trip had three must-see goals: kangaroos, Nemo, and the Opera House.
After checking off the first two, I was finally on my way to meet the last one.

Following the path through the park, the shape of the Sydney Opera House slowly came into view across the water.
Even through the rain and under an umbrella, the sight was moving.

It was like looking at a beautiful piece of art, perfectly placed on the sea.

I will share a more detailed story about the Opera House in the next chapter.
For now, I simply enjoyed that quiet, rainy moment.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair — A Bench Carved in 1810

The highlight of this park is Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a sandstone rock carved into the shape of a bench.
It was created in 1810 by convicts for Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie of New South Wales.

According to local stories, she often sat on the rock and watched ships arriving from England.
Knowing its history added depth to what would otherwise seem like a simple stone bench.

Lunch by the Harbour — With Navy Ships and City Views

For lunch, we headed to a restaurant located near the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Tall buildings, the harbour, and passing boats created a lively city scene.
Navy ships and a submarine were also docked nearby, adding to the unique atmosphere.
I couldn’t tell whether they were on display or simply visiting the port, but the view was striking.

A Curious Seagull and the Colours of Sydney

Around the restaurant, seagulls wandered casually between visitors.
At first glance one of them looked like a statue because it stood so still, but it was very much alive.

Flags fluttering from tall masts against the blue sky made the scene even more memorable.
Everything blended naturally — the sea, the sky, the wind, and the city.

The Third Day Reaches Its Midpoint

With lunch finished, the third day of the trip was already halfway over.
Although the weather was rainy, the morning around Bondi Beach, Gap Park, and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair felt refreshing and meaningful.

This day marked the final full day of sightseeing before the trip’s final highlight.
After enjoying a warm meal, we prepared to move on to the next destination.

More to come in the next chapter of my Australia travel journal.

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For Your Dream Life
by Dream Max