Bar Man: Jeff Hoyle on trip to Sydney, Canberra and Hobart - but what did he think of Australian beer, Blue Mountains and National War Memorial

In his weekly column, Bar Man Jeff Hoyle discusses his time in Australia and Tasmania, visiting a mountain range, a cricket ground and sampling the beer - but what did he think of it all?

First impressions of Sydney were not great.

After an overnight flight from Singapore, we arrived at our hotel which was close to one end of the ANZAC bridge and was surrounded by dual carriageways and slip roads at various levels.

Still, once we had worked out the various walkways, steps and ramps that gave access to the city and Darling Harbour, things improved, aided by an impressive fireworks display over the harbour to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

By the next day, when we had found our way to the Opera House and the views of the Harbour Bridge, it seemed much more pleasant.

There is a grand Victorian arcade in the centre which reminded me of GUM in Moscow and a beautiful walk around the Botanic Gardens from the Opera to the Art Gallery, so strolling the city was a pleasure.

Not so the beer. Craft beer was available, but it all seemed to be cold, fizzy, rather strong and taste of mango.

The next day, the rains hit the city, causing flash flooding in some places but we were out in the Blue Mountains, where the famous views had to be imagined beyond the torrential downpour, but the chance to see some of the iconic Australian animals at a farm on the edge of the city, including kangaroos, wallabies, a koala and the one that I had come to see, a wombat, made the day worthwhile.

Also ticked off my list of things to do was a tour of the Sydney Cricket Ground, one of the most recognisable arenas in the world with its double pavilion.

We were fortunate to avoid the chaos engulfing the city as weather and industrial action disrupted the trains and planes, and our railway journey to Canberra went without a hitch.

Only five coaches departing from Sydney and splitting along the way, but it had a facility for an advanced check-in for bags and a buffet car for each section from which hot meals could be delivered to one’s seat, making the four-hour ride to the capital very enjoyable.

‘Why are you going there’? was the question asked by both people at home and Australians we encountered on the trip. Unjustly so in my opinion.

True, being a planned 20th-century city, it does not have the history of more established places, but I found much of interest, not least the old and new parliament buildings, where one could watch a debate in the chamber or wander behind the scenes in the former parliament building.

The National War Memorial was also fascinating, combining remembrance of the sacrifices made by Australians with a museum comparable to our Imperial War Museum.

Alas, Canberra beer was no better, and serious consideration needs to be given to checking out the Australian wine industry, though cider might be an alternative as it is produced in copious amounts in New South Wales.

Another day, another plane. Next stop Hobart in Tasmania, for the start of a week’s tour of the island.

First impressions are that the people here are rather proud of their island and identify with being Tasmanian much more than being Australian.

Hobart is the home of the Cascade Brewery. Would a tour of one of the country’s oldest introduce me to a memorable Australian beverage?

The signs were good, with an interesting tower-style building, similar to Elgood’s, hosting some modern kit.

Now owned by Ashai, a lot of investment has been made and huge quantities of many brands produced, but was it any good?

Still cold and fizzy to me. Surely there must be better out there.

bar.man@btinternet.com.