Good cross section group of shops, I like going there. I'm giving it one star as a center because…read morethey lock customers out during business hours. I've written this review as enough is enough. There are only two entrance/exit driveways and unfortunately some days, or at some point during the day they lock one! Leaving only one entrance. Not only is this dangerous in case of fire. I've had to park outside the center and walk from the road when there are plenty of free spaces in the center. I mean at least half the car park empty! This happens during business hours as I've tried to go there numerous times and most of the time I just turn around and move on. I actually choose alternatives most of the time even though I prefer the shops but won't risk wasting my time. Locking the entrance is not only an inconvenience to say the least as but a waste petrol and time going there. Today I was in my car out side the center and noticed numerous cars turn into the driveway only to have to back out again. This must be bad for business for the shops. I could go to the other driveway but you have to go to a major highway and through traffic lights which can take another 20 minutes to get in, especially after 3.00pm when the traffic can cause you to stop three or more times st the lights.

On my trip to Sydney one of the malls in the suburbs of the city that I got a chance to visit was…read morethe Westfield Parramatta. By American standards this is considered to be a huge mall with 8 levels and all sorts of shoppes and restaurants. As you enter the mall via the parking garage you realize that the mall has plenty of parking with several levels and every parking spot is in vicinity to the entrance of the mall. Remember to note down the level and where you parked as that can get confusing. Also parking is free for the first 3 hours and it is ticket less with your car number plate being your ticket. As I mentioned the mall has 8 levels with a couple of food courts on different level and many of the favorites like Starbucks and Gloria jeans that mall shoppers can't live without anywhere in the world. Most of the stores are the same like in the USA but the one difference that I saw was that the malls also have a huge box store where you can shop for your daily needs. We usually don't see a Walmart or Publix in a mall in Florida.

There are some good shops and then there are some to avoid and some newbies to try. Give the Coles…read moresupermarket a miss or at least the refrigerated section. Woolworths is a pretty big supermarket and generally gets most of that business. The food court has a nice sushi place for lunch. There is a new butcher that carries some deli items. The chicken shop is OK and even has garlic sauce for chicken. Harris Farm Markets is in the lower car park and is a way better option for fruit and veg than the supermarkets. Parking can be a pain and I have driven in and out some days without finding a spot. You also need to be a bit careful with the other drivers as there is poor lighting in some areas and when you combine that with people in a hurry trying to compete for a parking spot it becomes tiger country.

The whole shopping centre was redesigned a few years back but is still one of the worst designed in…read morethe area. Parking is a nightmare with a disjointed multi level car park filled with one way signs and tight turns. There are also a heap of ramps and sloped surfaces which makes for interesting viewing as people try to control full trolleys up and down hills. There are 3 main grocery stores in there; Woolies, Coles and Aldi, a heap of speciality stores and a small food court. It really is a bit small and the only good thing about it is that you can get in and get your groceries a bit quicker here than at Castle Towers. It also has a bigger range than the other neighbouring centre - Westfields North Rocks. Good for the weekly grocery shop but thats about all.

A hard to find spot that's reasonably comfortable. This food court has multiple mediocre food…read moreoptions and some good quality stores in the nearby arcade (the liquor store in particular provides excellent and cheerful service and range). Unfortunately as of today I've been told outside food is not allowed there and shooed away even though the entire place was empty. This seems a huge disservice to the other businesses in the building, especially so since whenever I've taken someone there to eat lunch from the nearby excel roll, they were surprised to discover that the place even existed and would have been interested to return. I will likely never pass through this arcade again as my foot traffic clearly isn't wanted.