Was looking for a metaphysical shop in the blue mountains and found this place. I gave it a visit…read moreand it did not disappoint. They've got a nice selection of incenses, which I always buy and even my favorite "Spiritual Guide"! They are heavy on the minerals and gems, but also have enough metaphysical items in the shop to make it worth a stop.

The only place I know where you can buy a biodynamic preparation for the garden, a crysophrase ring…read moreso green it puts emeralds to shame, a hunk of fluorite for your pocket and an amethyst cave big enough to crawl into. And a crystal card reading, if that's your thing. Collier's has been here a long time, I remember marvelling at the fossils and minerals in glass cases when I was a teenager, and being a little creeped out by the angel and fairy posters. It's a quirky mix between new age crystal shop and serious mineral collector's haven. You can pick up a buddha or a piece of Seraphinite from Siberia, which looks like a frozen forest viewed from a satellite, orbiting above. An old friend of mine had an amazing collection of crystals and minerals, and taught me to see their beauty. I'm not convinced on the energy healing stuff, but these are beautiful objects in and of themselves, some look like mold, some like tiny space colonies, visible from aeons away. Some minerals look fluffy, like they've grown on the base rocks like some ancient plant life, frozen in time. The staff are very friendly and helpful and never mind me looking at the enormous rings. There is an appeal like a big hunk of rock.

This place is good for your everyday shopping it had Coles and Woolworths, has a fruit shop,…read moremedical centre, Priceline pharmacy and a few clothes stores and take away places.

There was a rumbling back in 2007, when local institution - the appallingly named 'Kevin's Book…read moreNook' - was up for sale. We all breathed a sigh of relief when Christine took over, revamped the store and named it Brown Books. Jam packed with delights including a large selection of children's books, lots of Australian fiction, a big sci-fi/fantasy section, as well as a well-stocked classics section, history, science; well, you get the idea. While there's an emphasis on recent releases there are also plenty of quirky gems to fossick through and I'm loathe to think how much I've spent here over the years. The store is decorated by making use of the art of vintage bookcovers, especially of the endearingly schlocky kind, giving it that warm feel so beloved of the book obsessed. Easily one of my favorite book local book haunts and a vast improvement upon its earlier incarnation. Shopping online doesn't hold a candle to a really good bookshop. I'm off to the collectibles section to look for something unexpected...

Brown Books is everything I long for in a second hand book shop. It's packed floor to ceiling with…read moretitles, you can get lost amongst the shelves and the prices are great! I can't go to Springwood without visiting, and I can't visit without buying something!

An absolute must when visiting the mountains. The gallery is a little pricey, but the proceeds…read moresupport the upkeep of the estate so just pretend you're donating to a cause. Take a cliff top stroll around the property and visit the pool. It's so hot today, I wish there was water in it... Also a lovely cafe on site for a bite to eat.

Norman Lindsay's a bit of a love him or hate him kind of figure. Try and guess where I fall…read more You can't hit an antique store in the Mountains without being presented with some gravity-defying breasts courtesy of Mr Lindsay. Leading proponent of Art as An Excuse to Paint Lots of Naked Women and Satyrs, Lindsay's better known these days for 'The Magic Pudding', the somewhat anarchic children's classic. This museum is located in his house and is run by the National Trust. Tickets are a little pricey at $12 for adults, $10 concessions, $6 kids and families for $30. And if rampant boobs and lecherous mythological figures are your thing (and really, it's so weird it is worth seeing) this makes for in interesting stopover. My favourite spot is the painting studio in the gardens, set up as he might have left it (sans nude models), bringing an interestingly personal touch. He built model ships in his spare time. Who knew? I've heard rumours about Lindsay's behaviour amongst oldtimers up here that'd make a reality tv star with one of THOSE tapes blush. It's an odd feeling to see kids getting their faces painted in the same grounds where all those artistically-licensed shenanigans went on. There's an annual children's literature festival held here, and the odd concert in the grounds too. And lots of boobs. Did I mention that?

I am giving this shop 5 stars because I can't give them more. This is the most delightful,…read moreinclusive place. I know nothing about sewing, am a total beginner and the lady who owns this place dropped everything help me and give me advice. LOVE LOVE LOVE HER. Support local businesses!!!

I've always been a bit intimidated by some patchwork shops. There's a bit of an inner-circle thing…read moregoing on, and I'm afraid my experience here the other day cemented my belief that there's some fat-quarter secret handshake going on that marks me as an outsider. I love looking at bolts of intricately patterned fabric, and at the mind-bogglingly intricate examples of quilts hanging on the wall. There was one here of teeny-tiny hexagons that made me feel quite dizzy in its contemplation. They have a large range of fabric, mostly of the historical/reproduction kind, in muted, traditional tones, as well as a few Aboriginal art patterned fabrics which I can't help but feel are tokenistic and a poor reproduction at best and cultural theft at worst. I tried to enquire about classes and was told they were on nearly every day, but didn't feel comfortable asking for more details, or to stay for a chat. Will someone teach me the handshake? Is it thimbles on all five fingers and embroidery scissors at the ready?

I didn't realize this was a Christian bookstore until some friends informed me. It is a clean,…read morebright, cheery store. Everything is laid out nicely, with various categories of books, Bibles, children's items, gifts, etc. There is even a small cafe with some beverages and treats to enjoy. Everyone I interacted with was friendly. The prices on some items were higher in equivalent dollars than what I could get them for in the states, but others were about the same. If I were living here, or had more suitcase room, I'd support this store on a regular basis!

Kooring Books is a Christian Bookstore/shop. It's at Henry Street which is a 10 minute walk from…read morePenrith Station (but they do have a parking site too). It not only sells books but CDs, stuff toys, stationary and even jewellery. The store is very bright and welcoming. The employees there are very friendly and can definitely help you out with any of your queries. It even has a small cafe inside the shop and a mini playground for the kids. The store itself is pretty big compared to a normal bookstore. Everything is organised and labelled so for example, if you're looking for Bibles, there is a Bible sign that you can't miss. There's also a toilet inside in case you need to go! If you think that you're going there from time to time then I suggest to be a member (for free) so that they can give you a membership card. It's pretty much like flybuys where you get points for every purchase. They can also send you a catalogue if you want to see what's on sale. Sometimes they even send you a job advertisement in case you would like to be part of the Koorong team. Definitely check it out! There's also a Koorong Store at Rydalmere and North Ryde in case Penrith is too far.

This new age store tucked away on George street in Parramatta has a good selection of jewellery,…read morebooks and incense. They also have psychic readings in store and some other interesting items that you'll find as you work your way around to the back end of the store, which opens up into another section of more books and crystals. My favourite items in store was definitely the pendulums on display, in particular the malachite ones and the large selection of incense in the middle of the store in between the two rooms.

I was in this store yesterday. I experienced a hostile work environment. I saw the manager yelling…read moreand berating one of the staff in this store. This was not only done in front of the young girls colleagues it was while myself and other customers were in this store. I found the managers behavior absolutely disgusting towards this young girl.. This woman should not be in this position her actions were unacceptable. I hope someone reports her.

Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Villeroy & Boch, Waterford, are brands a new bride like me dreamt about…read moreand desired long after the wedding was over, the gifts were opened and the sunken feeling that it wasn't going to magically appear on my dinner table. Stepping into Victoria's basement opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me! At honest, affordable even cheap prices, it dawned on me, I can make it all mine! Oh yeah!! The 'Basement' is actually two floors huge and neither is underground. Oh well, thats what happens when shops set up names under estimating their popularity and future growth plans. The staff are too busy moving things around or stocking items or behind the billing counter. Not that you need any assistance.. Everything is available as is and it's all laid out for you. The prices are marked and sometimes the store runs specials by offering further discounts on sale items. Now comes the hard part, deciding between Gordon Ramsay's white maze and Jasper Conrans Pinstripe.. Or maybe I should get the Jamie Oliver tefal to start with.