Cockatoo Island's vast abandoned factories, unused alleyways and shipping docks provides an…read moreexciting location for visitors to see a huge range of Street Art in one location. And because of its dynamic and live nature, the art will change and evolve, giving visitors something different to see throughout the course of the festival which runs from 4 November - 11 December, 2011. We are delighted one Sunday that the weather is perfect and that public transport for a Fun Day ticket is only $5 so we take advantage of this offer and catch the ferry over to Cockatoo Island for the street art display called Outpost. When we arrive we are met with a colourful cup wall and a huge expansive chalkboard floor which our toddler runs too and grabs chalk from the baskets to begin her own graffiti. On hot days because of the asphalt it can be incredibly hot so make sure young one are covered up and it wouldn't hurt to have cover for yourself. Children scoot and skate around us as this place is perfect for this kind of activity. We then choose to walk down the working tunnel which leads to the Turbine Hall. It makes for a wonderful experience to see art from Ben Frost, Everfresh and The Beastman. We exit and go into the Turbine Hall where the Kidzoom Home project shows a movie installation and three commodore pile up installation inside. On the other side we sit in one of the many cafes and have a refreshing drink and coffee. Our Toddler decides she is off and goes into the junk room with other kids to construct her own sculpture she loves it. Following this we go into a big room with hanging t-shirts and profiles on different graphic artists and then go over to the X Box room to do some dancing. This exhibition is progressive, dynamic and worth those who are keen to take the short trip from Circular Quay for the day. Relax with a cocktail in the Cockatoo Island Bar at the end of the day. Verdict: One in a million experience that you must go and see.

Yesterweek, in the intense autumnal sun* I walked along the Parramatta riverbank. I was not…read moreunaccompanied. Sunday morning joggers, dog-walkers, touristy hikers passed me by while less active nappers stretched out on the grass. But my Riverside Walk was also accompanied by something else: a colonial soundscape. Before setting out on my self-guided tour of four historically-evocative artwork installations on the river foreshore, I downloaded the FREE podcast "Life Along the Riverbank" via iTunes, which includes four audio tracks and a full colour brochure of the tour. The idea is that the artworks, the text incorporated into these visual works, and the audio conjure up the colonial world of the early 1800s. You get to hear real stories of real everyday people; cons, free men and women, children, aboriginal people of the region - the Burramatta - and soldiers, while you stand in the very spots where their histories unfolded and became entangled forever. The audio tracks are great; the voiceovers capture the accents authentic to the period and the quotations have been pulled directly from primary sources. Some choice sound effects also transport you to a time when Parramatta was a brutal military garrison town. The artworks and soundscape aim to reveal "stories of hardship, love, loss, survival, order and punishment" and in that they certainly succeed! The tour itself is very short in terms of walking distance; beginning just behind the Parramatta Wharf where the Rivercat comes in and ending at the Gasworks Bridge. The audio tracks are also not overly long. I still managed to draw the whole tour out to a couple of hours, however, as I photographed every inch of the spaces at every conceivable angle and, if I'm honest, had a little difficulty finding Stop 2 and Stop 4...but I'll say more on that later. You could do the whole tour much quicker than I did. In fact, the total audio time is approximately 10 minutes. Stop 1 "STORYWALLS" harmonise nicely with the natural landscape as they look like brown hills beneath a beautiful old shady tree. Each "hill" contains text; details of notables who lived in Parramatta; an Aboriginal missionary, a female teacher, convicts (including poor Ann Mash who was sentenced to seven years for stealing a bushel of wheat!), and the painted, spear-weilding Baluderri who "came to Governor Phillip's hut in a violent rage" threatening to kill the white men who had broken his canoe." These people are made more real to you as you listen to the podcast. Stop 2 "THE BACKYARD OF HARRISFORD" was a bit hard to find! I also recommend you actually walk up the path and follow it right past the new apartment blocks there to look at the front of HARRISFORD, which was the original school for colonial children and went on to become the first King's School. Conservation work is currently underway, but there is plenty to see even from the outside. Listen to the podcast to hear the tales of students who used to play there. Stop 3 "SENTRY BOX" - you can't miss this one. A bright red and white striped artistic re-interpretation of a colonial military Sentry Box that once stood here in the 1790s. It is rather gothic-looking with the shovels and pitchforks etc that stick out the top. Inside the Sentry Box are more primary source quotes, which you can listen to on the podcast. Stop 4 "WINDMILL SHADOW" - I walked right over this one just in front of the Gasworks Bridge initially as this artwork is subtle compared to the nearby Sentry Box. It is comprised of charcoal tiles against the otherwise white cement pavement. The charcoal lines represent approximately where the shadow of Howell's mill would have fallen if it were still standing. The audio track for this one was my favourite. A 48-second folk song about Howell's Mill sung in that really open-throated colonial way that you'd normally associate with sea shanties including songs like "Botany Bay." I confess to playing that track a few times before moving on! It utterly transported me to a time when the colonists relied heavily on windmills for the power that would help them survive an incredible unforgiving environment. It's so peaceful here now, but the self-guided tour podcast and these artworks go a long way towards helping you imagine a time when it was anything but. The artworks and the podcast are all part of Parramatta City Council's "Parramatta Stories Project" and were created by historian Michael Flynn and artists Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse. It's great that Parramatta Council has made such an effort to preserve the incredible historical heritage of Parramatta. *Review was originally written and posted 29 March 2014.

When you get off the Rivercat at Parramatta wharf, you're right at the end of the navigable part of…read morethe river. There's a little weir, with a walkway over the top, and beyond that, parks and walkways along the foreshore. When I arrived on a bright, sunny day, there was a guy fishing over the weir, officeworkers inhaling lunch under the trees and others power-walking, trying ever so hard not to puff. As I sat on the plentiful grass, a kookaburra chased off some somnolent looking pigeons and then flew off over the waterlilies. Never having visited the river here before, I was amazed to see so much green space so near the city centre of Parramatta, and greatly enjoyed my walk up to the Heritage Centre, just over Lennox Bridge. Along much of the way, you can enjoy the 'Riverside Walk' artpiece by Aboriginal artist Jamie Eastwood. It visually represents the history of the area from an Aboriginal point of view. There's little plaques giving a historical backing to the visuals, and would make a great way to educate the kids. This area's been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, and it's quite a legacy to think about as you take each step. The ancient history of this country and its people may not be as visible as the Pyramids or Stonehenge, but it's here, under our feet. It just takes a bit more imaginative effort and interest on our part to conjure up. It's only a ten minute walk or so up to the Heritage centre (and a stop on the free bus loop) and beats pounding the asphalt no end.

Vivid Sydney is here! The first weekend is over, but fear not, you still have 2 more weeks of night…read morelights to go. I must say I'm really impressed by organization of the event. Yes, it may be a little tedious with all the one way traffic, but it definitely helps with dealing with the huge crowds. For the best view of the Sydney opera house, head over to the overseas passenger terminal. You get a clear view of the sails, and if you fancy, thee are several bars and restaurants at terminal for you to watch in comfort. The feeling is quite magical when the lights go on at 6pm sharp. The short animation of the gum nut babies is really adorable even for someone like me who have never heard of them before. The show is screened on the building right beside the ferry terminal (31 Alfred Street). Lots of kids and adults alike sit in front of the building for some heart felt nostalgia. And it's their 100th year anniversary. There's a little booth selling some of their merchandise closer to their ferry terminal. The Royal Botanical Gardens spared no effort in participating in Vivid Sydney. They have a one way walk filled with various exhibits that starts next to the Sydney opera house entrance and ends at the exit next to the Cahill Walk. It felt a little lengthy, but there were some interesting exhibits and you can see many bats interacting with the lights. There are one or two food and drinks areas, and they definitely check your ID to make sure you're of drinking age. I'm also really excited about some talks that are held in association with Vivid Sydney, check out their app or websites for more details. Some are free and others come at a lofty price but all for very exciting workshops. Sadly I won't be around for ones that I'm keen on. Now for the food recommendations: #mateburger has the most amazing Lechon fries. Crispy pork skin, tender delicious pork, fries, mayonnaise, spring onions. Definitely my go to for only $15 The Brussels waffles are amazing from the yellow waffle bus. Nice crisp outside and nice chewy inside. I would avoid the bomb ($14.50) though, the ice cream was meh, and the caramel sauce plus Belgian chocolate and ice cream was overkill for the waffle. I definitely would stop at just Nutella and strawberries next time. Mulled wine ($9) at the booth outside Sydney Harbour - don't bother. The wine was way too acidic, and not enough fruits and sweetness in it. The only comfort was that it was warm. Come dressed warm, it gets quite cold from the winds. The trains are only letting off passengers at the circular quay station. The ferries are a nice way to come into the harbour and see some lights, but there's a Long line and people tend to panic even though the are plenty of seats on the ferry. If you're heading to the MCA side, I would suggest coming by the ferry or train at circular quay, or from the Sydney Harbour bridge. If you're heading to the Sydney opera house or Botanic Gardens, you have to go around in a loop from the MCA side. Cut through the foodcourt with Messina if the doors open. Have fun and enjoy beautiful Sydney!

Putting aside the headache it is to try and drive to this area and find parking during this crazy…read moreevent, Vivid was pretty damn cool. We went on the Starship Sydney, which despite the amount of people on board, still had plenty of space for great views of all lights. I'm especially impressed how Sydney coordinates all the different displays, especially the bridge which baffles my mind. Overall, it was just an awesome experience for a reasonable price. And loved having a couple drinks during the cruise as well.

This annual event has stood the test of time in Sydney, and I even remember this from my childhood…read moreafter my family moved to Sydney from London. The picnic this year is held next Sunday the 16th of October 2011 (one week at the time of writing this) at Rosehill Gardens to raise funds for the children's hospital here in Sydney, of which their mascot is the cute bandaged bear. It all makes sense. The rides, art, face painting and the various events put on to keep active and energetic kids entertained year after year wanting to come back for more. The value that children (and most importantly their parents) will receive at this annual event more than exceeds the $20 cost per person (or $60 for a family) to attend this important but enjoyable event. The picnic feel is also alive with great food to buy; or families can bring their own. The only criticism of this iconic traditional event is that why; on earth why has it been moved to Rosehill Gardens? It might make sense as the new children's hospital is in western Sydney; however it was great when the event was held in the city previously. It was much easier to get to than to Rosehill Gardens. NB. I took an image of care bears in lieu of the picnic as it is not feasible to actually take a photo of the event as A. Rosehill Gardens is a hike; B. The real event (annual) is on the 16th of October and I won't be in Sydney then, and C. I now live in Melbourne. Many thanks for your understanding Justine :)

(Explored 12/12/24 TH @ 4:00pm, 12/26/24 TH @ 10:00am, and several times over a decade ago): This…read moreharbour neighbourhood will rock your socks off! The Rocks was a quintessential goodbye and welcoming point for those embarking or disembarking by cruise ship in Sydney Harbour and a focal historic neighbourhood where many came to dine, drink, shop, or just walk around in the fresh open air with a kiss of salt water sprinkled onto your skin. My first experience was very similar to this one, and it all started on a cruise with Princess Cruises. My travel companion and I arrived a couple of days early to settle in and roamed around before the cruise began. Then, at the end of the cruise, we stuck around for nearly a week to welcome in 2025. Would this return visit years later rock as it did my first time around!? PURCHASE We tried our best to support the local economy by visiting several pubs and restaurants as we surrounded ourselves with the locals and whatever came our way. Each of these experiences would be explored further with their own respective reviews. SERVICE There was no specific service to speak of that directly affected The Rocks as a whole. Rather, collectively all of the businesses we supported had wonderful service. The area was well-kept, and although there was a constant flow of slow traffic down the narrow streets, each was safe to cross. PARKING (FREE) I honestly had no idea nor took notice of the parking situation although I saw some vehicles parked here and there along the surrounding streets. We simply walked, took the train from/to the Circular Quay Station (it was right there!) or took an Uber - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE I couldn't say what streets bordered or determined the parameters of The Rocks area, but you had a collection of old buildings that housed pubs (Fortune Of War Hotel), breweries/restaurants (The Endeavour Tap Rooms), a breakfast spot (Shuk The Rocks), the Museum Of Contemporary Art Sydney https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=j_J8UYvByj8QDV_ZnbqrRQ for some culture, a slew of art galleries https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=YtAakzygb5ZdKBfVAJrJ_g and retail shops, Sydney Harbour with view of iconic Sydney Opera House https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=P1RzLfk-zcbziYGOeoTrhg and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the cruise terminal https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=6i9FoQ8M7O0m8JnpyZQvwQ for some ocean voyages. It was Christmas time, so there were plenty of decorations https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=z3gi2JSNDyfjJ7aG6G0ZWg everywhere. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting with a plethora of street and business electric lights throughout when the sun went down. Even if you didn't partake in any of these options, simply people-watching was more than enough fun to pass the time as you lazed away - enjoy! ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL The Rocks was a fun place to spend the day and enjoy the local flavors around you. There was something for everyone (I personally loved the pubs, eateries, and cruise terminal), and you could spend as much or as little money and still have a good time. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience varied BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, many of the businesses accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

Sydney's oldest neighborhood…read more Walk along the cobblestone paved streets and narrow laneways. Explore the markets, the museums and the galleries. This is where Sydney was born in 1788. The newly arrived convicts set up shops, pubs and homes. The Fortune of War pub opened almost 200 years ago in 1828. Imagine the hardships that those early settlers faced. Today, many of those original historic buildings have been restored. The renovations have turned what was once dilapidated into a popular tourist area.

The busiest point in Sydney (As determined by Dennis Bones in 2012)…read more Its the interconnect between the arcades under the QVB, The Galleries Victoria and town hall station. Go here between 8am and 930am to see everyone in Australia transit this one spot. Bonus points if you can count all the goldfish.

Frankly, I don't think enough people know about Bondi rock…read more Despite this being one of the world's most popular and frequented beaches, how many visitors make the effort to discover just why a whacking great slab of rock is sitting perched on the rock platform at the northern end of the beach? Well, I am going to tell you why - and hope you make the effort to pop down there next time you're at the beach, 'cos I reckon it's fascinating. In 1912, there was a mighty storm. Sea traffic was called to a halt, and beaches all along the NSW shore - even into Sydney Harbour - experienced significant erosion. Once the storm cleared, this 235 ton block of rock was discovered on the shore platform. No other explanation has ever been forthcoming, except that the pure power of the waves generated by the storm lifted the enormous boulder up and left it there. Interesting? I think so. Maybe some of the rock fishermen who insist on braving the shore without life vests and harnesses should be taken there!

Who knew that a rock could be so shrouded in secrecy, so entangled in enigma, so clothed in…read morecontroversy? And furthermore, where have these elusive mermaids gone? Let me back up. There's a rock. It's big. It's called The Big Rock and it's at the heal of Bondi's boot, the thumb of Bondi's Shaka sign, the tip of Ben Buckler's, well, you get the idea. And lo, there's a brass plaque! It reads: "Municipality of Waverley. This rock weighing 235 tons was washed from the sea during a storm on 15 July 1912. (January 1933. J. S. MacKinnon. Town Clerk)" So for you mathletes out there, it's been just over 100 years since the savage storm dredged up this hunk of earth from its watery abode and, like a carelessly-chewed chunk of steak, violently spit it out in a brute force majeure oceanic Heimlich maneuver. But I did a little internet digging (it's been a long week, mmmkay?) and learned that this claim is in question. And it makes sense. I mean, it's not just a creative name - it's a *big* rock. And the fact that, from the pages of the 1912 Daily Telegraph, this "huge rock was displaced and rolled some distance" is a tough sell, despite how bad the "monsoonal conditions from a cyclonic disturbance" could've been. So in 2002, the cutting edge Bondi View dropped a hot, high-profile take down piece, rife with rebuttal analyses, exposing the rock for what it truly is: a fraud. Turns out, it's not worth the minerals in a migmatite - the story just doesn't hold water. The famed felsite falsity fell from the headland at Ben Buckler and furthermore (furthermore!!!) it was languidly lounging there as long ago as 1888. Or so says the breakthrough piece of investigative journalism: "The Big Rock: exploding the myth." Oh, but there's more. You see, laying lying rocks aren't metamorphosized in a vacuum - there are ripples of repercussions. And the cosmic consequences weren't felt harder by anyone other than Lynette and Jan, the portendingly doomed Bondi Mermaids. Installed on the artist's own dime in 1960, these ladies lapped up the life of luxury atop the rock that soon bore their name. But in 1974, a green-eyed storm with an ax to grind from years of being told it "just wasn't tempestuous enough" sought redemption in the form of a meretricious mermaidnapping - Mermaid Jan lost her tail and her arm and Mermaid Lynette was swept to sea never to be seen again. ("I'll never let go Jan" rumoured to be the final sea-salted words from her caramelized lips. Unconfirmed, but probable.) Arm and taleless, Jan tried to stay strong with a short lived, yet surprisingly illustrious career of singing Siren songs of sacrifice and selling seashells by the seashore, but Waverley Council had tempted fate long enough and two years later, removed her for safe keeping. So with a sordid past, The Big Rock looms from its prestigious vantage point, bearing the 235 ton weight of being the source of contemptuous controversy, Siren sacrifice and oceanic atonement and shaking in its brass-plaqued boots anytime the wind picks up and the sky spoils into bad banana baby food.

No wonder this is one of the more exclusive suburbs in Sydney. It has everything you could want:…read moregreat parks, restaurants, cafes, exercise facilities, leafy back streets and a ferry terminal. If you come here early on weekday mornings, you see a steady stream of smart business men and women on their way to work. Surely this must be the best commute in the world...although still difficult to leave the serenity of aptly-named Rose Bay behind.

I returned under lowering skies, armed with comfortable shoes and a handy map from the Heritage…read moreCentre. Past the foreshore up to the Queen's Wharf Reserve, round to Hambledon Cottage, Elizabeth Farm and Experiment Farm, the walk itself is clearly marked by yellow signs dotted along the streets. It is a strange experience, seeing built up cityscape in front of you while keeping old photographs and descriptions in mind. Bifocal timewalking, I'll call it. Pleasantly disorienting. With so much to see, I've written separate reviews for the attractions mentioned above, but would like to express my appreciation for the effort the local Council obviously has taken with making visible their local history. I was trailed by a couple of school groups, noisily trudging their way around what seems a much less boring school history excursion than many I remember. Explorers Tree for the 5th time? The Heritage Walk is great kids, trust me, it could be worse. With rain starting to spatter, I snuck off the track after Experiment Farm, so I didn't make it through the main street of Harris Farm proper, or past the barracks. Although, next school hols, I suspect I'll be trailing some little feet along behind me.

Offering gorgeous views and plenty of room to play, this Glebe-meets-harbour park is a local's…read moredream come true. On many afternoons and early evenings, I have ventured down to the end of Glebe Point Road to picnic and watch the sun fall over both the Anzac and Sydney Harbour bridges. With grassy alcoves in front and behind the walking path, there's plenty of room to sprawl. If exercising is what you're after, take a walk (or let your dog walk you) around the contours of the water from Annandale to Darling Harbour. And if you get tired along the way, pit stop and treat yourself to a cheeky beverage at the Backwattle Bay restaurant near the Sydney Uni Boathouse. This is the perfect little bit of local flavor that feels both so near and oh-so far from the chaos of the CBD. And thank goodness for that.