Wharf extension OPT

[gbenjo]

Family are dropping us off on 16th November for The Diamond. After reading all above I think we will get them to drop us off near circular Quay station and walk around the corner.

 

You should not have a problem being dropped at the terminal. Pick ups are a bit slower but drop offs are OK

Edited October 8, 2014 by gbenjo

[Sparky74]

Gae,

 

Thanks for trying out the OPT for all of us and for reporting back. It's much appreciated.

 

Graham,

 

We're boarding Celebrity Century on Friday (2 sleeps! :D ) so we'll look out for you. Cathryn and I should be easy to spot as we'll be wearing matching shirts featuring tropical fish!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[The_Big_M]

Are they building the whole wharf out? I thought they were just infilling at the end, but the last photo makes it look like that part comes out from the old wharf line.

[gbenjo]

Are they building the whole wharf out? I thought they were just infilling at the end, but the last photo makes it look like that part comes out from the old wharf line.

 

No, the "front" of the wharf has not changed, the wharf length has been increased by sixty metres out into Campbell Cove

[MicCanberra]

We have been advised by Sydney Ports that air conditioning will hopefully be installed in a couple of weeks....fingers crossed.

 

Good to know.:D

[MicCanberra]

So I won't then! Let everyone do what I had to do, look at every male's name tag looking for one that read Graham! :D:D

 

Good move, wouldn't want to give the game up to easily.:D

[MicCanberra]

No, the "front" of the wharf has not changed, the wharf length has been increased by sixty metres out into Campbell Cove

 

That will sure come in handy for the larger ships.:D

[goodycruising]

So I won't then! Let everyone do what I had to do, look at every male's name tag looking for one that read Graham! :D:D

 

You are mean Gae! (but that is fair enough too!) I like the idea of Graham asking strangers if they are Gae. Should have asked if they were Gaechann!

 

Good pics of the OPT area. Hoping it isn't too hot in a couple of weeks, but really hoping they have air con by Feb next year.

[Tara Jane]

Great idea about the trolleys from circular quay, a good money maker for someone.

In Venice they have many men taking trolleys of luggage over the bridge from the railway station to the port. I wasn't sure if they were legit so wasn't prepared to let go of my luggage but our friends did and had no problems. Next time I would avail myself of their service.

[MicCanberra]

Great idea about the trolleys from circular quay, a good money maker for someone.

In Venice they have many men taking trolleys of luggage over the bridge from the railway station to the port. I wasn't sure if they were legit so wasn't prepared to let go of my luggage but our friends did and had no problems. Next time I would avail myself of their service.

 

Those pavers are complained about by so many, and having seen these type services elsewhere, thought that it would be useful.:D

[gbenjo]

Great idea about the trolleys from circular quay, a good money maker for someone.

In Venice they have many men taking trolleys of luggage over the bridge from the railway station to the port. I wasn't sure if they were legit so wasn't prepared to let go of my luggage but our friends did and had no problems. Next time I would avail myself of their service.

 

It would be interesting to see how many passengers arrive by train (or ferry) but I don't think it would be enough to warrant a porter service although I could be wrong. Venice is/was a different case with a couple of ships or more turning around almost daily. We arrived at the Venice terminal by water taxi ("awesome" ) and they had porters at the taxi wharf as well but the Venice terminal is a much larger operation than the OPT.

Edited October 8, 2014 by gbenjo

[MicCanberra]

It would be interesting to see how many passengers arrive by train (or ferry) but I don't think it would be enough to warrant a porter service although I could be wrong. Venice is/was a different case with a couple of ships or more turning around almost daily. We arrived at the Venice terminal by water taxi ("awesome" ) and they had porters at the taxi wharf as well but the Venice terminal is a much larger operation than the OPT.

 

I have always arrived by Train for the OPT, however, I can handle my luggage easily so am not worried about the pavers. If a service was available however, I would use it. Not sure how many people would use the trains/ferries and then use the service but I am sure that with the right permissions, a business could be profitable.:D

[happysnapper]

Reminds me of a so called porter grabbing our bags from a bus in Milan as we were on our way to Kiel to do Trans Atlantic crossing. He showed us where to get our train tickets then took our bags off his trolley. As our bags were rather heavy DH gave him 20 euro. He proceeded to call DH a donkey and kept coming and annoying us for about 1/2 hour calling us names. We obviously did not give him enough! Italians in the crowd said not to give him any more. He left when DH said he would call the police. Wouldn't like to see anything like that in Sydney.

[MicCanberra]

Reminds me of a so called porter grabbing our bags from a bus in Milan as we were on our way to Kiel to do Trans Atlantic crossing. He showed us where to get our train tickets then took our bags off his trolley. As our bags were rather heavy DH gave him 20 euro. He proceeded to call DH a donkey and kept coming and annoying us for about 1/2 hour calling us names. We obviously did not give him enough! Italians in the crowd said not to give him any more. He left when DH said he would call the police. Wouldn't like to see anything like that in Sydney.

 

Something in the translation perhaps or just rude. I suppose if tit provided by the ship or the terminal than a standard fee would be put in place and there would be no reason for that sort of behaviour.:D

[Tara Jane]

Similar thing happened to our friends in termini rome. this very "kind" lady wanted to escort us to the train, help put our luggage on, find our seats etc.

hubby and I are fairly well travelled but our friends on their first trip to Europe thought she was just being kind and didn't want to be rude. I told them to ignore but nope they didn't and consequently she had her hand out asking for money once they were on the train. we manage quite well travelling but they were not wanting to offend the kind lady. they learnt the hard way. Same in Rome airport, instead of following step to step instructions I had given them they found themselves being whisked away by a man to a shuttle. On being dropped at their location, shuttle off and away they found they were one bag short........ farewell never to be seen again, fortunately it had dirty laundry, our friends underwear, shoes and a few other bits and pieces and not full of photography or computer equipment. still caused them a lot of grief as we had to go hunting to replace the items on our first day in rome rather than be out exploring.

 

There are quite a few buskers around circular quay, I think a luggage service would bring in a lot more $$ than standing as a statue in the scorching sun painted in silver/gold. of course it would take a lot more energy to walk the luggage to and from the ship but hey saves on a gym membership, good way to keep fit.

 

Wonder if anyone has ever tried to start up the service. could be good for backpackers to make a few extra $$ to fund their travels.

Edited October 9, 2014 by Tara Jane

[gaechann]

Here's another photo of the renovations / extensions being undertaken on the Southern end of the OPT:

 

 

 

I can't find how to add more so will have to post them one at a time!:(

[MicCanberra]

There are quite a few buskers around circular quay, I think a luggage service would bring in a lot more $$ than standing as a statue in the scorching sun painted in silver/gold. of course it would take a lot more energy to walk the luggage to and from the ship but hey saves on a gym membership, good way to keep fit.

 

Wonder if anyone has ever tried to start up the service. could be good for backpackers to make a few extra $$ to fund their travels.

 

I was thinking that they would have proper trolleys, etc. so that the luggage doesn't need to be dragged along the way. Yes, casual labour would probably do best but then, there may not be enough of a demand.:D

[gaechann]

Here's another of the Northern end of the OPT showing how they are extending into the sea to lengthen the wharf:

 

[gaechann]

This is a bit blurred as it was taken from inside the Departures Tent showing work on the southern end. There is a picture showing what the end result will look like but I didn't have a chance to get any closer to take a clear shot:

 

[GUT2407]

Something in the translation perhaps or just rude. I suppose if tit provided by the ship or the terminal than a standard fee would be put in place and there would be no reason for that sort of behaviour.:D

 

 

But then tipping will kick in.:eek:

[gaechann]

This final one shows the escalators inside the OPT as it looks now!

 

[goodycruising]

So you still go up the same escalator? The pictures are great. That extension towards the harbour bridge doesn't look real big, and then you notice the people in it! Wow, that is big :)

 

I may be better off this time with my luggage, as I have been reading lots about minimalist packing, and have cleared out quite a bit at home also. I was putting a skirt in the donation bag, and hubby said "that is such a nice skirt", and then I told him it had travelled on 3 cruises and never been worn as it goes with nothing else I have. Time for some things to move on so that I can more easily drag my bag along the pavers! :)

[The_Big_M]

I was thinking that they would have proper trolleys, etc. so that the luggage doesn't need to be dragged along the way. Yes, casual labour would probably do best but then, there may not be enough of a demand.:D

 

Really wouldn't be a fan of bulky luggage trolleys running up and down the concourse.

 

Turns it away from a scenic, relaxing spot, to a busy traffic zone. Keep it as it is.

[gbenjo]

So you still go up the same escalator? The pictures are great. That extension towards the harbour bridge doesn't look real big, and then you notice the people in it! Wow, that is big

 

Yep those escalators are staying and the area to the right which has the black screening around it will be for new elevators There will be six or seven lifts and some new travelators as well.

[goodycruising]

That sounds good Graham. It is a big project, and should be great. Moving more people through more quickly by the sound of it? Should make being at the coal face a happier place. :)