Bus Trips

Bus trips and similar outings are always popular with the Senior Community and members of our club are no exception. So when Roula Oueik from Community Wheels Inc. (https://communitywheels.org.au/) contacted the club our members were very interested in the bus facilitated outings.

We surveyed our members about the best days for a trip and possible destinations and selected a bus trip to Fisherman's Wharf at Woy Woy as a test event.

Fisherman's Wharf Woy Woy / Etalong

The trip took place on Monday 20th June 2022. 

"We all met at the Senior Citizen's Club. Scottie the cheerful bus driver was there to meet us. When we left Scottie had a bus load of noisy, enthusiastic passengers who joked and chattered all the way to the lookouts where Scottie told us many interesting points about the area and its history."

"Scottie had drinks and snacks on the bus and when we arrived at Woy Woy Fisherman's wharf we had a huge appetite for the best fish and chip lunch. It was a quiet place with lovely views and everyone agreed that we were looking forward to the next bus trip."

Here are some pictures from the trip and we will be arranging further outings in the future.

Lily's Pad Cafe Leura 

Following the success of our test event another bus trip was arranged to Lily's Pad Cafe in Leura in the Blue Mountains on Monday 15th August 2022. Here is the trip report from our Bus Travel Correspondent, Jill.

"Another fun bus trip with Scottie. Percy brought along some CDs to play and to sing along with. We stopped at Falconbridge to see the Prime Minister's Oaks. This is a park with a tree planted for every Prime Minister of Australia, some as old as before the First World War. Then we continued on to Leura for lunch. Lily's Pad Cafe was packed to the rafters and we know why. The food was delicious! Blankets were supplied and I was very happy to use one! After lunch we saw the Three Sisters at Katoomba and Scottie told us about the well known Aboriginal story of the three sisters and about another story of seven sisters which make up the Pleiades star cluster. We also went to some lookouts with great views. The home made chocolate shop was a further treat and they did a busy trade with the group from our bus."

"Another enjoyable trip!"

Sorry there are no pictures this time, they were obviously having too much fun.

Bowral Tulip Time

Our trip to Bowral Tulip Time was on Monday 19th September 2022. Here is the trip report from our Bus Travel Correspondent, Jill.

"What a wonderful day we had boarding the bus early for a long drive through the countryside. Everything so green because of all the rain! When we arrived the tulips were a delight to behold, many different colours and varieties, some with frilled edges. The C.W.A. put on devonshire teas and there were many stores selling country fair. Some of us strolled at a leisurely pace around the local shops. We had a tasty lunch at Mittagong and then it was full speed home. Another lovely bus trip."

Blackheath Rhododendron Festival

The trip to the Blackheath Rhododendron Festival was on Monday 21st November 2022 and here is the trip report from our reporter Bev.

"Monday 21st November 13 of our intrepid Day Trippers set off under the  safe hands of Martin our bus driver for a day out in the Blue Mountains. After a comfort stop and coffees at the McDonald’s at Springwood we headed for Blackheath Rhododendron Gardens. Even though a lot of the flowering  shrub's blossoms were on the ground with all the wind and rain we have had we managed to still find some lovely specimens and had a lovely walk around the gardens. We then travelled to Katoomba RSL and had a lovely leisurely  lunch. Then back on the bus  and a safe trip back to our club. Another good and interesting day out was had by all. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in organising it. 👍🏼👏🏻💕😊

Nepean Belle Scenic Adventure Cruise

On the 7th February 2023, 18 enthusiast day trippers set off from the Seniors Club on the bus with John as our trusty bus driver bound for Penrith. After a rest  stop and coffee at McDonald’s along the way we arrived at the wharf and boarded the Nepean Belle for a leisurely cruise up the river and back. We had a lovely lunch provided on board, arriving back at the wharf at about 2.30. Then back on the bus for our trip back to the club. An enjoyable day was had by all. 👍🏼👏🏻😊

Here are some pictures from the trip.

Palm Beach for Fish and Chips

Our trip to Palm beach departed at 9am on Monday March 13th 2023. A full trip report is being written and here are some pictures from the trip.

Government House Sydney

The trip to the Government House Sydney was on Friday 12th May 2023 and here is the trip report from our senior trip reporter Jill.

" The day was sunny and spirits were high. We arrived at the majestic entrance of Government House with a panorama of beautiful formal gardens. Flavia was kind enough to take lots of photos (see below) of our cheerful group.

The tour guide had many very interesting stories about the many Governors that had lived here and who had welcomed celebrities and distinguished persons to Australia.

Antonio the friendly bus driver took us to the Botanic Gardens for a picnic lunch. Some of us brought their lunch from home while some of us went to the cafe. We were very lucky because it was not windy, the sun was shining and we had a great view of the Opera House, Fort Denison, cruise ships, war ships, ferries and small boats.

On the way home everyone was talking about how much they enjoyed the day."

The Riverboat Postman on the Hawkesbury River

This trip was on Monday 19th June 2023 and here is Jill's trip report.

"Another enjoyable bus trip! The sun came out in all its glory and the boat trip was relaxing with friendly company. What more could you ask? The scenery was lovely and the Captain's commentary on the history of the area was very interesting. We had the famous 'Granny's Anzac cookies' for morning tea - they were yummy and disappeared without a trace. Later the lunch was delicious - 'make it yourself' salad and meat rolls with condiments. Just a few crumbs left afterwards. Some of the group decided that they would make 'Granny's Anzac cookies' at home. Good luck to them! Thanks to Antonio for being such a friendly and helpful bus driver and for keeping us safe. Cheerio to all, from Jill (your bus trip organiser)."

The Norman Lindsay Gallery

This trip was on Monday 19th August 2023. Our trip correspondent sent this report !

"Everybody had a wonderful day at the Norman Lindsay Gallery. The kitchen was my favourite with all the funny utensils for cooking ! The art work was interesting, mostly nudes. Norman's art studio was very fascinating with old easels and palettes  for mixing paints. The gardens were full of statues and fountains, very picturesque. The rain stopped when we arrived at  the gallery and started again when we left. We were lucky ! We all had pies for lunch and some had dessert. The pie shop was crowded. On the journey home we had a white out and could not see as far as our nose, we were all delighted we were not driving. Cheerio from Jill."

Vaucluse House.

This trip was on Friday 22nd September 2023. Vaucluse House  is an historic and majestic mansion with the most gorgeous original gardens - a blaze of colour and perfumes in Spring . The weather put on a good show and it was sunny and warm. We had fish and chips at Doyle's Watons Bay  and explored the Gap (nobody wanted to jump thank goodness ! ) A lovely trip back with glimpses of the harbour and the beautiful houses. Everybody had an enjoyable day.

May Gibbs’ Nutcote

This trip was on Friday 17th November 2023. Here is the report from our bus trip correspondent Jill:

We might have had a small group but what a wonderful day. It was cloudy in the morning but later the sun shone. We arrived early to Nutcote so decided to go and have a cuppa in a trendy cafe at Balmoral Beach, very pleasant then a quick drive around Kirrabilli taking in the the Prime Minister's Sydney residence and Luna Park and back to Nutcote. First we saw the beautiful cottage garden, then we had a tour of May Gibbs' house, very quaint. The lounge, bedrooms and dinning room all had spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Then followed a lovely lunch of sandwiches, tea,coffee and biscuits. A short visit to the shop and then back on the bus where we decided to go to the Rocks and Botanical Gardens before making it home to Castle Hill.

Q Station North Head

This trip was on Friday 19th February 2024. For over 150 years the Quarantine Station was for many, the beginning of a new life in Australia after making the arduous & lengthy journey from their homelands. Ships suspected of harbouring people infected with contagious disease such as Spanish Influenza, Smallpox or Bubonic Plague were quarantined here so that these deadly diseases would not reach the general population in Sydney. 

Nan Tien Buddist Temple

This trip was on Friday 24th May 2024. The Nan Tien Temple is situated at Berkeley, a suburb of Wollongong. It is one of the branch temples of Fo Guang Shan, founded in 1967 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, which has over 200 branches worldwide. "Nan Tien" in Chinese, literally means "Paradise of the South". This is the biggest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere.

Vivid 2024

This trip was on Thursday 13th June 2024. The trip was arranged at short notice and all credit must go to Jill for getting everyone signed up and payed up before the inevitable deadlines for bus bookings and payments. It was a cold night but fine weather for the trip.

Blue Mountains - Katoomba

This trip was on Monday 5th August 2024. The Blue Mountains is a rugged region west of Sydney. Known for dramatic scenery, it encompasses steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages dotted with guesthouses, galleries and gardens. Katoomba borders Blue Mountains National Park and its bushwalking trails. Echo Point affords views of the storied Three Sisters sandstone rock formation. Thanks to Flavia for photographic skills.

Our public transport trip on the 12th of August 2024 to Woy Woy for fish and chips was a lot of fun.

Our public transport trip to Watsons Bay was on the 16th of August 2024.

Sister Act at the Capitol Theatre 9th October 2024

This global smash hit musical was on at the Capitol Theatre. The must-see new musical of the year starring Casey Donovan as Deloris Van Cartier, Genevieve Lemon as Mother Superior and Rhonda Burchmore as Sister Mary Lazarus with original music by Alan Menken.

Cataract Dam Monday 14th April 2025

Our trip to Cataract Dam was on Monday 14th April 2025. Here is the trip report from our bus correspondent Jill.

"Wonderful weather, wonderful company. We arrived at the Appin bakery just before the crowds and bought all sorts of delicious tasty treats.

We decided to go to the dam and some fit members decided to walk down to the dam wall, while others wanted to relax in the picnic area and watch the lovely native birds. 

Lunch was at the Appin hotel, diets forgotten for the day. Heavy traffic on the way home, but fantastic views, a sing song on the bus to. Big thanks to Antonio the driver and my helpers Flavia and Monique and Percy.

I’m delighted to say a great time was had by all on the trip.

Until the next bus trip cheerio Jill."