Come on Turramurra. Get your park together!…read more It doesn't help that it's jammed right up against the noisy Pacific Highway - a last little bastion of green between the trucks and the train line. There's a footpath cutting the park in twain, just the thing to cut the corner for your quick dash for a train. But convenience aside, this park lacks imagination. It's got some beautiful trees but not much else. At least there are a couple of benches I guess. Alas I just can't see myself spending any real time there.

This pool is great- the staff are grand and the water is warm in winter and refreshing in summer!…read moreAlways crystal clear and clean. Really safe venue and nice to go to. They have swimming lessons and a small gym

We just recently became patrons with our little girl who takes swim lessons there…read more The quality of the lessons are superb. We've been to different pools, but here suddenly she flourishes in the pool. The pool is quite modern, with an indoor slide and a little adventure world for the little ones. There is an outdoor pool, everything is still pretty new and clean. At time you can't find parking at their car park, which is frustrating as street parking is rare. The only downside is the staff. Arrogant pushy unfriendly girls working at the reception and the school. I nearly slapped one little tart who came and started to tell me off about something she got wrong. Not sure where they take their attitude and confident from that this is how you talk to clients. Thus my 2 star rating. The clientele is made up of Chinese, Indians and Caucasians. So don't expect a fistfight. Last not least. The coffee shop seems to be serving Caucasians first. So depending if you like that sort of behaviour, could be good or bad.

Sigh. I heart Wahroonga Park…read more It's the perfect place for picnics, for climbing trees, or for scribbling in your notebook and soaking up the sunshine. Strolling through just this afternoon I was delighted by the sweet aroma from the rose gardens and the dappled light streaming through the latticed walkway. There were families strewn about with balloons, eskies and blankets - there was even a teen strumming on a guitar. Yes, it's that idyllic. And with the stylish rotunda and stunningly manicured gardens, you can understand why couples would get married here. For parents, Wahroonga Park has the added bonus of a fenced playground (though it could do with another bench or two for weary souls!), which is a mere stone's throw from a caffeine fix at Coonanbarra Cafe across the road. I think that might just make this park worth its weight in gold!

Wahroonga Park is one of the most picturesque parks I've ever seen, but it's one kids will…read moreappreciate as much as adults. The park has a fenced off playground with a sandpit, seesaw, slide, train and other equipment, as well as a set of swings just outside. Open grassy space provides plenty of places for families to have a picnic and play games, though the trees dotted everywhere do limit larger sports. The park is right next to Wahroonga Station. On the other side of the train line is a set of shops including bakeries, newsagents and more. However, you don't have to walk that far to get something to eat, as opposite the park there is a small cafe which sells milkshakes and biscuits for the kids.

I've become evangelical about Pilates…read more I know, I didn't think I would become one of those people either. But then I met Sylvia and her brilliant team of physios/pilates instructors and they quickly worked their magic on me. Starting out, I would have lost a fight to a weak kitten, but under their guidance (doing weekly duo or trio sessions) I've quite literally seen my body transform. After an exhaustive (and VERY humbling) assessment, Sylvia tailors a programme which is astounding in its attention to detail. Whether you come in with a bung knee, a dodgy back or just the desire to get a little fitter, she and the team will combine their physiotherapy skills and their pilates training to get the best results. And soon you'll start to be a believer too.

When I was younger, my brother started attending karate lessons. Being the strange child that I…read morewas, I wanted to copy him and join in as well. So, 2 years later, I joined the beginner karate class at Key Martial Arts (known as Freestyle Martial Arts Academy at the time). I've being doing karate here for 4 years now, and it has been awesome. The instructors are great people, with at least one of them being a tournament champion. In the style of karate taught here (Kenpo), you do a grading at the end of each term (10 weeks or so) to see if you will qualify for the next degree/belt. There is also a holiday schedule available for the people who want to keep training in the holidays *cough* me *cough*. If you have done (I think) at least 6 lessons in one holiday, you have the opportunity to do an extra grading. I managed to do one of these, so I gained a new level at the end of the holidays. Even with the extra grading, it has taken me 4 years to get to junior black belt rank, and I can't move up any more until I reach the age of 16, where I'm eligible to earn my senior black belt. Between my brother and myself, I think we've been to classes at five different locations around Sydney, not counting any of the in-school and external tournaments that we've done. Thanks to an advanced, invite only class, my brother and I were also on the Demonstration Team for one of these tournaments. That was an incredible experience, that was then made better by us competing afterwards, using skills and sparring techniques that had been taught to us by the experienced and professional instructors of Key Martial Arts. Basically: the school's great, the instructors are really nice and helpful, and it's well worth looking at the website and at least doing a trial class.

It's rare to find one of Sydney's rare and hidden gems, and when I come across one, it's an…read moreexhilarating feeling. On one hand, I want to keep the place hush hush so that it doesn't become spoilt by mounds of people, and on the other hand, I want to recommend it to everyone I know. (I guess I've chosen the non-selfish route this time around!) The garden itself is quite small and is a bit steep - it leads down to some very steep bush. During Spring, the flowers are in bloom and the gardens are a kaleidoscope of colour. There's also a scary looking water dragon.

I had a lovely afternoon walk here. But you need to wear enclosed shoes if you go in the bush as…read morethere are lots of leaches.

The North Shore Gym is nothing special to write home about. While it's not the best, it certainly…read moreisn't the worst. It is the main gym located on the North Shore, a rare sight when Fitness First doesn't dominate. The membership and casual prices are more affordable compared to the big gyms such as Fernwood and Fitness First and the different types of plans are also more flexible. Student rates are also available, as many university students frequent this gym. The North Shore Gym is pretentious and "very north shore", where people dress to impress from head to toe Nike gear and a full face of makeup. Some even make an appearance to flaunt their stuff. With so many good looking people it can be a little intimidating, especially if you are conscious about your weight or fitness level. The social aspect of the club is good- if you're looking to meet a man you've found the perfect place!

Once again, I should point out that my wife is a trainer at this gym. I believe I have maintained…read moremy objectivity in these reviews, but I thought it should be known. This is an update, some five months or so after my first review. I'm pleased to say that since then NSG has invested in some new weights and machines and is rapidly phasing out the old equipment. Together with the community feel of the gym - so different from a Fitness First - this means it really deserves to be upgraded to a five star gym. I've been to many, many gyms over the years (particularly while travelling for business) and I cannot think of one as friendly, welcoming, communal and now well-equipped as this one. I have to give it five stars. I know North Shore Gym has recently acquired a gym in Lane Cove. I look forward to seeing if NSG management can replicate the magic there.