The Bundeena and Maianbar Art Trail in Sydney's South is open for visitors on the first Sunday of…read moreevery month from 10am - 4pm. There are 20 or so artists that are part of this unique and insightful walk. Plan some time to get there as there are two options to journey over to Bundeena. You can choose to drive to Cronulla train station and catch the ferry from Gunamatta Bay to Bundeena. The ferry runs every half an hour however check the timetable before your trip. We chose to drive which is a 25k drive from Cronulla and headed towards the Royal National Park. It's easy to follow all the signs through to Maianbar or Bundeena wherever you fancy starting the walk from. The trail is easy to follow with big green and yellow art trail flags which are displayed outside studios which are usually the artist's own homes. We were pleasantly surprised to meet so many of them who love to discuss the inspiration behind their work and a few even provide tea, coffee and snacks to encourage conversation. One of the artists we enjoyed was Peter Mulder who is the creator of this art trail, he has a beautiful home with Australian native wildlife sculptures and vibrant paintings of the Kimberley's to where he is regular visitor. John Kepeski was also a favourite. He creates these beautiful little sculptured wooden boxes that curve and twist unexpectedly and can custom make upon request. My husband and I first learnt about this art walk when we watched a documentary on Shen Jai Wei a celebrated propaganda painter in Maoist China. By the 1980's Shen Jai Wei lost his faith in communism after watching soldiers open fire on student protestors in Tiananmen Square in 1989. That same year he migrated to Australia on an English study visa. This appraised artist found himself drawing portraits for tourists in Darling Harbour. His works can be found in the MCA in Guggenheim in both New York and Bilbao. He joined the Bundeena community of artists with his wife who and daughter. Fascinated by his story we were excited to meet him in his home and see his art although we had to turn our 'star struck' enthusiasm down and he is a quiet man by disposition. After the trail we enjoyed a drink at the Bundeena RSL which has a stunning view back over to Cronulla. It was a privilege to meet these artists personally and to be in their homes to see their works. Sydney is very lucky to have such a cultural walk created for everyone to enjoy, our only regret is that we did not seek out accommodation to enjoy Bundeena for the weekend.

Nice space and on the whole the produce is what should be available at Farmers…read moreMarkets.......but.....'Batlow Apples' ??? I know Batlow intimately. It is right in the middle of picking season at the moment and one of the two 'Batlow Apple' stands was an utter hoax. Apples bought from Flemington no doubt and the bloke who was manning it did not even know where Batlow was. The other stand was marginally better promising unwaxed apples and at least he had some of the varieties correct. Fuji were picked at least a month ago so these have been in coolstore which is fine. Indeed some apples improve in coolstore, but don't mislead people! Thirlmere Chook is very nice but $18 a chook? My final grizzle - Bar Pho didn't have any phumplings. Bugger! I think some of the stands here are having a lend.

You know the Promised Land Moses was leading his people to but after 40 years they never got there…read morethey just kind of pfaffed around in the desert? Well I just found it, and it's in Carriageworks every Saturday from 8am-1pm, and it's the land of milk and honey... ... and goat's cheese and coffee and fresh fruit and vegetables and stunning flowers and bacon and egg rolls that will kill hangovers stone dead and bush shrub cordial and wood ear mushrooms which I only just found out existed and a hundred other things besides. And people bring their dogs just for you (YOU!) to play with. I wandered around with a cup of bone broth and a giant fig, date and raisin sourdough buying up radishes and bunches of herbs and flowers for mum and only left when I literally could not carry another thing, not even a single currant. See you next week.

Parramatta Lanes was a great experience with plenty of food options to satisfy anyone. We did get…read morelost a couple of times, but I do think they did the best that could be done with the streets and locations. Different themes in different locations, but also a mix of cuisines all around the place. Some popular names were there such as Butter, KOI and also a few food trucks like Happy as Larry and Eat Art Truck. Plenty to see and listen to as well, with a magical hanging garden and jazz depending on where you go. Definitely worth checking out when they're back on again.

Atty Gallery Art…read moreGallery in "the Rocks" found these wooden carved Australia animals in the shop, so nice and I love little trinkets from our travels. First saw the Koala Bear, then the Kangaroo but loved the Wombat. If you buy 3, then they are $90 AUD. Well worth it. Located in "the Rocks" a great area by the Sydney Bridge, so many shops, restaurants and street fair on Sunday

Hazelhurst Gallery has a modern & funky cafe/restaurant that is popular with the locals. They have…read morea fully licensed menu & an array of menu options to suit everyone. The cakes & sweet things are tasty, as are the substantial eats. They are also child friendly, having a large grassy area with a sandpit & area for children to play without constant supervision, making it a popular spot for groups with children to meet on weekends or mum's groups with children throughout the week. I enjoyed a tea smoked chicken salad on my most recent lunch outing at Hazlehurst, it was a meal that I enjoyed down to the last mouthful & will be returning to have it again. The menu makes choosing just one thing difficult with everything so good. Don't forget to save room for a cake!

How to order at Hazelhurst Cafe: You are obliged to find the menu at the front table and take it…read moreto a table you find in the cafe. I found the menu difficult to read - it's in restaurant-speak, and it was hard to find anything I thought I might like. Once you've decided what you want, you then have to take your order to the front to place it - no waiters come around and ask or explain the specials. Most mains cost $25, and portions are small. Kids' mains each cost $12. The fish and chips come with two strips of fish 2 cm wide, and about a third of a cup, loosely packed, of salad. Depending on your order, your food comes in boxes or on slates or in other weird receptacles - Hazelhurst Gallery Cafe is far too trendy to be appropriate for the whole family. There is no warning on the menu that dishes will come in certain objects, so if this is important to you, specify when you order that you would like your meal on a real plate. Meals are delivered by waiters, but hot meals can also come to the table barely warm. The place is far too noisy. There are beautiful lawns, and the gallery itself is interesting, but the cafe really feels like it's trying too hard to be edgy when it doesn't have the basics of good food and good customer service in hand. Very disappointing.

Walking into Warwick Farm racecourse, for the first time in my life I know what it would have been…read morelike to live in the early 1900s. Yes, it's obviously quite old but to be honest by the end of the day I'm quite smitten. Located in Sydney's busy west, even if you're a local you'll need to fight your way through the traffic to get there but once into the course itself there is a certain country feel to this small metropolitan track. Not as big as Rosehill or Randwick you feel up close and personal with the horses as they race by whilst you try locate the number on your beasts saddle cloth. If you're like me, it's usually one of the ones towards the end. There are enough food options to suffice, there are obviously enough places to place a bet and there is a nice relaxed feel to this day and place. Sure it's old and run down but I've enjoyed my day out at 'The Farm'. I'll be back!

This historic compound with original barracks give visitors insight into the development of Sydney…read more Dating back to the 1800s starting as a penal colony and its future immigrants. it also balances it with perspectives from the aboriginal culture and voices of Irish Immigrants. Since it is an original structure, it can be crowded if you're in the same room with school groups. However, you could always meet me under to one of the other rooms. Free audio guide, which is essential to the experience.

Even if you're not into museums or a history person, I highly recommend checking this museum out…read more Wonderful interactive tour keeps you interested throughout the 3 floors. Gives you a brief understanding of the history of the colonization of Australia. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours, dry from the rain or cool off from the summer heat.

Okay, I haven't been to the festival (and didn't know anything about it until I typed Wisteria…read moreGardens into Yelp) but I have been to the gardens and they are absolutely amazing, especially in spring (which is when I came here). I suspect that the gardens are a part of Westmead Hospital, namely because I had to wander through parts of the hospital to get here, but there is also a convenient entrance from Parramatta Park which allows access here as well. I would suggest coming in spring because that is when all the flowers are in bloom and it provides a very lovely and tranquil place to while away some time.