Katoomba

Katoomba- The Blue Mountains

Katoomba is a small town and popular tourist destination in Sydney’s Blue Mountains. Just over 100 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, Katoomba initially came to fame for its heavily populated coal mining. Today, Katoomba attracts thousands for its beautiful scenery of the national park and Blue Mountains.

What’s on offer?

Scenic World

Scenic world is the name for the railway incline, the steepest of its kind, which takes you down a cliff face. In doing so, you also pass through a tunnel and visit Sydney’s famous Orphan Rock. All of this is done at a steep and rather scary descent!

Cableway

Adjacent to the railway is the Cableway, which is the largest of its kind within Australia. This cable car takes you deeper into the Blue Mountains, through Jamison Valley.

Skyway

The Katoomba Skyway was Australia’s first which allows you to visit Jamison Valley from large heights. If heights are not your thing be careful! The glass bottom floor is sure to get your heart rate up!

Lookouts

West of Scenic world you will find Eaglehawk lookout and Landside lookout, both provide you with stunning views of the Blue Mountains.

Three Sisters Echo Point

The Three Sisters is the final spot that every tourist must see! The pick of the lookouts, The Three Sisters is 2.5km from the Great Western Highway and is well marked out by signs within Katoomba. This is an amazing rock formation that through feedback must be checked out when visiting Katoomba!

Getting There

The following provides details on duration and how to get there.

Car: Direct from Sydney, a car will take only 90 minutes. Following the Penrith signs and continuing on the Western Motorway.

Train: Directly from Central station, there is a direct train line that arrives in the Blue Mountains. The double Decker train takes roughly 2 hours however is the recommended mode of transport.

For more information: www.sydneytrains.com.au

Bus: Tour buses run direct to the Blue Mountains from Sydney’s CBD in Circular Quay. If following a tour guide is your thing then personally we recommend taking a bus. Be sure to visit Sydney buses departing from Circular Quay.

IMG 1

IMG 2: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/16882736.jpg

Hunter Valley: A Guide to the Famous Wine Tasting Tour

Hey Sydney fanatics!

If you’re tired or the entire intense bustle Sydney has to offer and want to enjoy a chilled and relaxing day around the people you enjoy, head to Hunter Valley, and more specifically, embark on a guided wine tasting tour in Australia’s oldest and richest wine production region! This tour guide offers exclusive highlights of the production of Australia’s finest wine and has a range of activities outlined for a whole days trip.

Before we go on to the tour, lets cover a little background information.

The price per person for this tour is at $175. But this includes a lot of features! For this price you get to enjoy a 10 hour calm and relaxed region of Sydney, you will be provided ith free quality lunch and complements, a free pick up and drop off from the company shuttle bus to make transportation much easier, an informative, professional and fun guide, and most importantly the Wine!

The day starts of with the pick up from your hotel in the morning, travelling along Hawkesbury River, before reaching Hunter Valley. 

Next, you will enjoy a private, yet social wine tasting with the various wine producers surrounding Hunter Valley Gardens. Where afterwards, you head towards the resort for a lunch from a election of a variety of meat dishes, vegetarian dishes and many deserts!

After lunch, you have the opportunity to sample various beers, wines and alcoholic beverages (again..) at the brewery, which is followed up with another wine tasting at McGuigan Wines! (don't get too drunk)

Finally, to wrap up the day, you get to relax and have a walk through the Hunter Valley Gardens, where you are able to witness the famous grape vines which produce the most famous assortment of Australian Wines. After this full day of unwinding, you a escorted back to your Sydney Hotel. 

If you decide to take a part of this guide, I sincerely hope you enjoy yourself! Until next time...

-Carlos

Top 3 things to do in Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour has so much that you can do and this is my list of the top 3 things you can do at Darling Harbour.

SEA LIFE Aquarium

The aquarium has more than 13,000 different animals from over 700 different species all swimming around in 6 million litres of water. At the aquarium there are a number of themed areas and attractions. These include the tropical bay of rays, the hands on rockpool, mangrove swamps and my personal favourite, the new attraction, Shark Valley. This easily puts the aquarium in my top 5 things to do at darling harbour.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

The Sydney WILD LIFE Zoo is the best place to go and meet Australia's most iconic wildlife. From the butterflies to the Tasmanian devils the zoo has it all. You’re even able to get your picture taken holding a cute koala or a giant snake.

The zoo also offers a unique Koala Breakfast (not what you think), where you will be treated to a hot buffet breakfast and informative koala talk on the rooftop, surrounded by gum trees and the cute animals themselves. This unique experience definitely puts the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in my Darling harbour top 3.

Australian National Maritime Museum

Last but definitely not least we have the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The Australian National Maritime Museum offers traditional exhibits and films about a wide variety of naval cultures from viking to pirates but also give the unique experience of being able to explore actual Australian war ships including an exact replica of Captain James Cook’s ship the HMS Endeavour. Other ships include a destroyer and a submarine. The museum has many children's activities and offers sailing excursions. This is why it makes my top 3.

So now you know my top 3 things to do in Darling Harbour. Hope you have a fantastic time when you're next there.

The Rocks, Sydney's Colonial Time Machine

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Sydney_The_Rocks.jpg

Stewie here again! 

If you need a little break from the excitement of modern Sydney, than The Rocks is for you. This incredible slice of history is one of the city's most treasured locales, a hub of amazing sights and experiences that you will not want to miss!

Quick Info

Cost: Free, with varied food and retail opportunities

How: get in from the CBD, getting off at Circular Quay Station or the buses that stop there. Or even walk from Milson's Point via the Harbour Bridge!

What to do: explore the restored colonial streets, observe architectural fusion of old and new, enjoy the many cafes, bars and food markets, diverse shopping, art and culture, nightlife.

Time: a few hours during the day, and possibly all night if you're planning some fun!

There are hotels in The Rocks - budget YHA for the young ones, or The Harbour Rocks Hotel if you want something a bit nicer. 

Location

It is right in the CBD and perfectly located near the Harbour Bridge, so if you're short on vacation time, hit two birds with one stone.

History

http://derwombatdotnet.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/lon08_spb_0005.jpg?w=800&h=624

One of the earliest parts of Sydney, The Rocks has over 200 years of history in its sandstone buildings. You will be transported back through the ages and be able to put yourselves in the shoes of the many settlers and slumdogs that called this place home.  Wait, slum? Yep, The Rocks was once a destitute part of the city, beset by plague and poverty, but has since been majorly transformed into the destination it is today. You can walk down the marked cobblestone laneways, read the plaques and observe the before/after photographs, squeeze through Smuggler's Lane, and think what it might have been like here when the larrikins and The Push ruled these streets. If I just confused you, then you'll have to visit the The Rocks Discovery Museum to learn more, or go on a guided tour. Be sure to check out The Big Dig archaeological site - if you stay at the YHA, it is actually under the hostel, which is pretty amazing:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8456/8038687279_db73a5d578_z.jpg

Markets

http://www.rockpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/The-Rocks-Market_1-1024x731.jpg

Avoid the tourist trap shopping and stick to the incredible Markets, which are actually really good and not junk like a lot of other Markets! Food is a particular highlight, such as the Foodie's Market on Fridays. Or, come back for the Weekend Market for all sorts of other quality products! Both happen in Jack Mundey Place.

Art and Culture

http://www.archello.com/sites/default/files/MCA.jpg

Apart from attracting trendy folk for the coolness of the architecture and lifestyle, The Rocks is home to a variety of world-class cultural landmarks. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), above, hosts exhibitions and has quite the collection. The extension of the stone building into the new concrete section was a little bit of a controversy, but hey, what good art isn't?  Festivals, pop-up art, galleries, live music - The Rocks has it all. On the other side of the Harbour Bridge you can pay a visit to the Sydney Theatre Company in Walsh Bay and catch a show. 

Nightlife
You haven't seen The Rocks til you've tried it at night! It's a popular hotspot due to its great bars, dining, and atmosphere! The way that contemporary light works on colonial stone will give a timeless quality to your antics.

The Argyle's a popular spot:

http://www.theurbanlist.com/sites/default/files/resize/wysiwyg/ArgyleXchange-food-festival-Sydney-The-Rocks-550x365.jpeg

Lowenbrau Keller Bavarian Bier Cafe (below) is another awesome place to hang and drink some absurdly large beers. See if you can smuggle a glass out past security, they're good (if heavy) keepsakes of what should be an amazing time!

http://www.drinkspot.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/bar_slide/public/Lowenbrau%20(Uber%20Bar)%20-%20The%20Rocks%20-%20Sydney%20-%20Photo02.jpg?itok=inaQEp8B

The Final Word

If you're in Sydney, or heading up to walk/climb the Harbour Bridge, don't forget to take a stroll through the incredible historic Rocks.

- Stewie

**********************************************

Want to learn more?

• The Rocks - Sydney.com
• The Rocks - official site
• The Rocks - Wiki

Bubbles, anyone?

Everything you are looking for is all around you!

Take some inspiration from the kids playing in this cool video- sun, blue sky, classic Sydney!

Cafe Sydney

Café Sydney

Looking for an up market bite to eat? Do it in style and visit Cafe Sydney! It will certainly fit your needs. One of Sydney’s premier restaurants, Café Sydney encapsulates the beauty that Sydney has to offer. Blessed with the perfect location overlooking Sydney Harbour with pleasant views of both the Sydney Opera House as well as The Harbour Bridge.

The Food

Café Sydney has an assorted menu with a range of selections.

The kitchen staff provide delicate meals. Whether it’s their highly talked about seafood platter filled with fresh oysters and ocean trout, or their delicious beef tenderloin, Café Sydney insists that quality remains constant throughout.

Cocktails, wine, beer and spirits are all served.

Need more information? Visit http://www.cafesydney.com

Getting There

Café Sydney is on the edge of Sydney’s CBD. Conveniently, directly opposite Circular Quay with an approximate 1-minute walk from the ferry wharf.  Café Sydney is easily accessible via both buses and ferries. With limited parking in the CBD it is recommended to travel using Sydney’s public transport or alternatively by taxi.

Cafe Sydney, 5th Floor, Customs House, Alfred Street, Circular Quay +612 9251 8683

Wet n Wild

Wet'n'Wild Sydney

With Sydney’s weather skyrocketing this summer, why not come down and take the entire family to Sydney’s Wet’n’Wild! This fun-blasting water theme park offers a range of exciting rides which is guaranteed to provide fun for all family members.

Wet’n’Wild is located at 427 Reservoir Road, Prospect, NSW 2148. If you’re visiting Sydney and not a local, we recommend renting a car or small van to get to and from the water theme park, as there are no direct public transport routes. However, if you couldn't obtain a rental, you can take various methods of public transport to get as close to the park as possible, which can be found here.

Directions to here

Again, with all theme and amusement parks, they are pricy! Wet'n'Wild's admission prices are a little on the expensive side, with a general admission fee at $79.99. This can be quite expensive if you are travelling with a moderate size family. A closer look at the parks admission fees can be found here.

Once you're in the park, you can go around and explore a day full of fun and adventure! Wet'n'Wild offer a range of activities and more importantly; rides, for the entire family to enjoy. With various exclusive rides including the, 360rush, Half Pipe, Sydney Sky coaster and the T5, the fun will continue until you are forced to leave by park closing times!

Finally, before you go out and enjoy a day of fun and excitement, we want to give you some quick tips. Pack plenty of sunscreen and sun protection clothing, have your own food which won't spoil (you know because parks are already expensive), and leave early! Get there first so you don't have to wait in line! Have fun!!

For mor information visit Wet'n'Wild

- Carlos