Sydney Archives - Page 8 of 80

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Oatley Park: Playground, Baths, Cycling Tracks & Picnic Facilities

June 15, 2020 / Bush, Oatley, Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Southern Sydney, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Oatley Park: Playground, Baths, Cycling Tracks & Picnic Facilities

Oatley Park is a 45-hectare bushland reserve on the northern side of the Georges River. It is bounded by the Georges River, Lime Kiln Bay, and Jew Fish Bay. Oatley Park features an inclusive adventure playground, a netted swimming bath, short, easy bush walking tracks, picnic areas and other free amenities for the local community to enjoy.

The park was created on the headland in 1887, and over the years has been upgraded to create a spot for locals to enjoy recreational sports, cycling, walking, swimming and playing.

Navigating Oatley Park

There is a one-way driving loop around the park that is shared by cars, cyclists and pedestrians. The maximum speed of the road is 20km/h. Free all-day car parking is available

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

The Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground is an adventure playground designed to blend into its bush setting, incorporating nature-based play elements and built with predominantly natural materials.

The Oatley Park Adventure playground design incorporates community feedback and ideas and follows the NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ inclusive play space guidelines to create accessible play elements for children of all abilities in over 80 per cent of the playground.

Read more about the Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground.

Oatley Park Bird Life

There have been 145 species of birds recorded in the bushland of Oatley Park, including its tidal mud flaps, mangroves and Lime Kiln wetlands. We spotted a huge amount of sulfur-crested cockatoos but keep your eyes peeled for the many other species that live in this sanctuary.

Websters and Hills Peak Lookouts

The lookouts are accessed by the road (you can pull your car over and hop out to take a look) and feature stunning views over Jew Fish Bay and Lime Kiln Bay.

Oatley Castle

Oatley Castle is a surprising feature of Oatley Park. Built around 1935, the castle was created as a kind of “beach house” that would resemble an old British castle, give views over Oatley Bay and become an attraction for visitors to enjoy.

The castle is accessed by walking/cycling from the playground, or driving. There is a car park next to the base of the castle for easy access, and a ramp from the base of the castle to top for wheelchairs/strollers.

Oatley Castle has bbq facilities inside it and can be hired for events.

Oatley Park Walking Tracks

Oatley Park features seven walking tracks of varying length and difficulty, and a 2km cycling/driving/walking loop on paved road in a shared car/bike/pedestrian zone. The road is one direction only, so if you overshoot a spot where you want to park/turn off, you will need to keep driving around the loop and return to the spot again. There is a maximum speed of 20km/h around the park.

The Myra Wall Garden has a wheelchair accessible bushwalking path.

You can read about the walking trail options here.

Sandy Bay – Oatley Park Baths – Jew Fish Bay Baths

On the easterly section of the headland is Jew Fish Bay. Featuring a 320m long shark-proof net, the bay is home to an area called Sandy Bay, featuring Oatley Park Baths / Jew Fish Bay Baths. Oatley Baths was constructed in 1909 and has been the home of the Oatley Amateur Swimming Club since 1927. A popular swimming spot in warmer months, the baths feature one of only a few suspended net enclosures in Sydney, and are one of only two baths/pools in the region to be formed by enclosing a natural shoreline.

The water is a bit muddy when shallow, but is a calm, serene place to swim, with stunning views over the Georges River. The original change rooms are still in operation on the site of the baths.

To reach the baths, drive down to the carpark and walk the rest of the way. There is a ramp and stairs to access the baths.

Myra Wall Garden

The circular Myra Wall Garden was constructed in 1964 to honour a local conservationist. Parking is beside the garden which is located 300m on the left from the main entrance, along
the main road.

Oatley Park – Important Information

There are no direct public transport links to the park. It is a 1.7km walk from Oatley Station. The 954 bus service from Oatley Station drops you 700 metres from the entry to Oatley Park.

Entry to the park via Oatley Park Avenue is narrow and means that often, only one car at a time can pass through. AVOID entry and exit to the park during school drop off and pick up. You can also drive in via Douglas Haig St.

There is a car park at the playground. If this is full, try Myra Wall Garden, Frog Hollows and the Oval – they function as overflow carparks.

The park closes at sunset and the vehicle gates are locked. Make sure if you have driven in, to leave before the gates are locked as there is a fee to retrieve your car.

There are free BBQ and picnic facilities available throughout the park, including next to the playground.

Oatley Park
1 Dame Mary Gilmore Drive, Oatley NSW
Get Directions

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visiting Captain Cook’s Landing Place At Kamay Botany Bay National Park Kurnell

June 10, 2020 / Historical Sydney, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Visiting Captain Cook’s Landing Place At Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell

Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Kurnell is the landing place of the HMS Endeavour, and place of first contact between the local Aboriginal people, Captain Cook and the ship’s crew.

It is one of NSW’s most significant heritage sites, and was included in the National Heritage List in 2004.

There are many reasons to visit Kamay Botany Bay National Park, from exploring the history of the peninsula to leisure activities.

The Kurnell Visitor Centre is currently closed for renovations, but would usually be the best place to start a visit and learn about local Aboriginal culture and history, including encounters with the crew of HMS Endeavour in 1770.

Burrawang Walk

To understand the historical events that took place here, take the Burrawang Walk, a paved path that leads to several of the area’s historic sites, including Captain Cook’s Landing Place.

The walk starts at the Kurnell Visitor Centre. It is a 1.2km loop and takes anywhere from 15 – 45min. A large section of this walk is paved and wheelchair-accessible, however the last section that leads to the new whale sculpture is not.

The Burrawang Walk tells the story of the first meeting of European and Aboriginal culture. During one section of the walk there is a a soundscape featuring Aboriginal language, children laughing and clap sticks.

The walk leads visitors past many of the historical sites on the peninsula, including the welcome wall, freshwater stream, the meeting place, Banks’ Memorial, Ferry Shelter Shed and Captain Cook’s Landing Place.

There are interpretive signs along the walk that explain the significance of the sites and perspective of both the Aboriginal tribes and European ship’s crew, including the first impressions both had, and the deep misunderstanding between the two cultures from the very start.

In 1770, Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook, along with botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander and the crew of the HMS Endeavour, landed at Botany Bay’s Inscription Point. He and his crew stayed in the area for eight days.

Cook and Banks recommended Botany Bay as a suitable site for settlement, however upon inspection by Captain Arthur Phillip it was found unsuitable as it had no secure fresh water or suitable anchorage, resulting in the selection of Sydney Cove to set up a penal colony instead.

There were Aboriginal people of two different nations living in the area at the time – the Goorawal People and the Gweagal People. Their way of life, responses to the landing and consequences following the invasion have been included in the interpretive signs on display. There are several significant historical Aboriginal sites throughout Kamay Botany Bay National Park including middens and engravings.

Read about an Aboriginal perspective to the landing here.

Find an Aboriginal perspective on James Cook and educational material for school kids here.

250th anniversary and sculpture installation

2020 marked the 250th anniversary of the encounter between Aboriginal Australians and the crew the HMB Endeavour on 29 April 1770. Three large bronze sculptures of significance to the Gweagal Aboriginal People were installed along the walk to acknowledge the anniversary, designed and created by Aboriginal artists Julie Squires, Theresa Ardler and Alison Page.

The works include both Aboriginal and European viewpoints of the arrival of the Endeavour.

Julie Squires and Theresa Ardler’s work ‘Wi-Yanga and Gurung The Whales’ are based on Ardler’s painting on her Budbili, a possum skin cloak. “The story behind my Budbili is connected to the Sydney rock engravings of the mother humpback whale and her baby, out at La Perouse on the shores of Botany Bay. This engraving is a prominent landmark from my ancestors who carved the rock and continues to hold cultural and spiritual connection to our sea and country.”

A Rock Weave was also installed near the whales; a woven fishing net was hand made by Aboriginal Master Weaver Phyllis Stewart and cast into bronze by sculptor Julie Squires.

The ‘Nuwi/Canoes’ represent stringy bark canoes that the the Gweagal Clan traditionally fished from. “During their ‘first contact’ observations, both Cook and Banks recorded this practice,” explained Ardler.

Alison Page with Nik Lachacjzak designed ‘Eyes of the Land and Water’. The work is an “abstraction of the ribs of the HMB Endeavour and the bones of the Gweagal totem the whale”. Working closely with researchers at the Gujaga Foundation and Gweagal artist, Shane Youngberry, Page and Lachacjzak developed cultural and historical content which was etched into each rib, including a description of the encounters at Kamay in 1770.

“The Eyes of the Land and the Sea’ is a story about discovery. Not the discovery of land by England, but of all Australians discovering our true history as we move together towards a reconciled Nation,” explained Page.

Read more about the mixed response to the anniversary commemoration here.

Whale watching

Kurnell is an excellent spot for whale watching between June and July. Drive from the visitor centre to the Cape Solander viewing platform to watch the whale migration.

Water activities

Inscription Point and Sutherland Point are popular spots for diving and snorkelling.

Rock pools

Just past the whale sculpture are some incredible rock pools to explore.

Bush walks

Try the Banks-Solander track and Cape Baily track for a longer walk. There are plenty of native birds to be spotted.

Picnics

Commemoration Flat picnic area , near the Kurnell Visitor Centre, is a beautiful grassy spot, perfect for family gatherings.

Bathrooms

There are brand new bathroom facilities available in the park.

Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Cape Solander Dr, Kurnell NSW
Hours: 7am–7.30pm August to May. 7am–5.30pm June to July.
Park entry fees: $8 per vehicle per day (in the Kurnell area only). The park has coin-operated pay and display machines – please bring correct coins. The park also has credit card accepting payment facilities. There is also free street parking outside the park.
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Explore Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

May 28, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

Walk, cycle or run through 40 hectares of parklands featuring wetlands, meadows, playgrounds and picnic areas at Bicentennial Park.

Bicentennial Park is located inside Sydney Olympic Park, a 40-hectare park combining the Badu Mangroves wetlands with beautifully landscaped parklands with gentle hills, meadows and a large lake.

We have been visiting the park for years, and love how much space there is to explore inside the park, with monuments, boardwalks, wildlife and playgrounds to occupy us.

Tips for visiting Bicentennial Park

BYO bike and cycle the many smooth trails throughout the park.

Hire a bike if you don’t own your own from the bike hire next to WatervieW.

Climb to the top of the Treillage Tower for beautiful views of the wetlands, Homebush Bay and the city in the distance.

Visit in autumn for gorgeous fall colours.

Parking on weekends is tricky so arrive early. It is, however free but not all-day.

Bring a picnic or BBQ lunch and blanket to sit on the grass and enjoy the serenity.

There is a cafe at WatervieW serving coffee, cakes, breakfast and other light meals.

Take the boardwalk through the mangroves.

Dogs are welcome! They must be on-leash at all times except for the one designated off-leash area near P5a car park off Hill Road.

Take the kids to one of the two playgrounds. The playground next to WatervieW features a Liberty Swing.

Also in the area:

Check out nearby Brickpit Ring Walk, Wentworth Common, nearby Blaxland Riverside Playground and the Olympic Cauldron in Cathy Freeman Park. Or, take a dip in the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Scoot or bike around the Newington Armory.

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park
Australia Ave, Sydney Olympic Park
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
https://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/parks/bicentennial-park
Get Directions.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Auburn Botanic Gardens Sydney

May 23, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Auburn Botanic Gardens Sydney

The delightfully zen Auburn Botanic Gardens are located in Auburn, in South-West Sydney. Established in 1977, the gardens are surprisingly tucked away in a suburban pocket between rows of houses. Spread over 9.7 hectares, the gardens are a serene place to enjoy nature.

The Auburn Botanical Gardens are broken into several distinct sections.

Japanese Garden

The most well-known is the Japanese garden, which a row of cherry blossom trees that blossom each spring, torii gates, a red bridge, waterfall and lake. The koi carp fish in the lake are beautiful, and when we visited there was a large cluster of peacocks, swans and ducks around the lake.

Fauna Reserve

Native animals such as kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and emus live in this nicely spread out nature reserve. Animal feedings take place daily (please don’t feed the animals yourself).

Sunken Rose Garden

This lovely area blooms in October and November.

Reflection Pool

The tree-lined pool is a haven for the many wild birds who live in the gardens, including peacocks and swans. It’s particularly beautiful in autumn.

Scented Garden

This part of the gardens smells amazing. It’s primarily used as an event space eg for weddings.

Equal Access Playground

Built in between the beautiful trees, the playground feature lots of accessible features including a liberty swing, maze and interactive play structure.

Australian Native and Rainforest Gardens

Set around a stunning billabong, these gardens are beautiful to wander through.

Things to know about visiting Auburn Botanic Gardens

Entry is $4 per person. Children under 16 free and residents of Cumberland Council are free.

The garden is largely accessibly for strollers and wheelchairs.

Picnics are allowed.

There are picnic tables and bbq facilities located outside the gardens near the carpark, with a toilet block and playground.

Free parking is available in the carpark outside the gardens.

There is no cafe inside the gardens to BYO food and drinks.

Auburn Botanic Gardens Sydney
Chisholm Rd &, Chiswick Rd, Auburn
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm.
During daylight saving time, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-6pm.
cumberland.nsw.gov.au/auburn-botanic-gardens

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

Newmarket Dining Randwick: Eat, Play and Unwind

May 22, 2020 / Eastern Suburbs, Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Randwick, Sydney, Sydney Food, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Newmarket Dining Randwick: Eat, Play and Unwind

Sydney’s newest precinct, Newmarket Dining is a place to eat at cosy cafes and restaurants, picnic in the park and play at a state-of-the-art playground.

Officially opened in 2020, Newmarket Randwick was built on a site containing plenty of local history. The original inhabitants were thought to be the Cadigal and Biddigal Aboriginal people. In 1809, the land was granted to an ex-convict named Andrew Byrne, before becoming part of Randwick’s horse racing story. William Inglis & Son, Australia’s largest and oldest racehorse auctioneer, took over the site from 1917 – 2017, transforming it into the Newmarket Sales yard.

Some of Australia’s most famous horses paraded the sales yard, which has now been transformed into a children’s playground, and scenes from the movie Phar Lap were filmed in the Newmarket Big Stable, which is in the process of being resorted for use by the community.

Surrounded by a ring of shiny new apartments, the Newmarket Dining precinct at Newmarket Randwick has opened with Baccomatto Osteria, an Italian restaurant, RaRa Randwick, a Japanese diner, Cali Press, makers of seasonal salad bowls, Café Mckenzie, serving speciality coffee and a Middle Eastern menu in a family-friendly environment.

The outdoor space at Newmarket Randwick is designed to encourage community engagement, with space for picnics, BBQs and a brand new playground with lots of inclusive elements.

One challenge we noticed on our visit was that the bathrooms were locked and not generally accessible, so keep that in mind when visiting that if you need to use a toilet you will need to ask one of the shops/cafes for a key.

The easiest way to reach Newmarket is by public transport as parking in the area is a challenge. To use public transport, take the light rail or bus. The nearest light rail stops are UNSW High Street and Randwick.

Newmarket Randwick
154 Barker St, Randwick
https://newmarketrandwick.com.au/

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

A month-by-month guide to Fruit Picking Sydney: strawberries, apples, oranges

May 5, 2020 / Seasonal Fun, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Fruit Picking Sydney: A month-by-month guide of where to go and what to pick

One of our new favourite activities is fruit picking in Sydney. We are so lucky to have so many pick-your-own orchards within 90 minutes of Sydney. Depending on the season, choose from strawberry picking, apple picking, orange picking and more.

All of the farms and orchards listed are within a 2-hour driving distance of Sydney’s CBD, making them all do-able for a weekend outing.

Fruit & Nut Picking Seasons

These are the peak seasons and locations for where fruit picking occurs in Sydney. Some crops run longer than others and crossover seasons.

January to June – Apples, Persimmons, Plums (Bilpin)

March to April – Chestnuts & Walnuts (Mt Wilson & Mt Irvine)

July to October – Oranges & Mandarins (Hawkesbury), strawberries (Bilpin and Thirlmere), sunflowers (Bilpin)

November to January – Peaches (Bilpin) and berries (Thirlmere, Bilpin and Dapto)

As the weather impacts the time when fruit will be ready for harvest it is advisable to call the orchards below and check which fruit is ready for picking as the charts on the various websites may vary by up to 2 weeks.

Tips on fruit picking in Sydney

Get all the info first
Check the orchard’s Facebook page for the most current information on their stock levels. Many orchards are bookings only. Some require and entrance fee on top of cost per kilogram for purchasing the fruit at the end.

Wear appropriate clothes
It can be dirty work, picking fruit, through muddy fields, so wear appropriate clothes. Most nut farms provide gloves for picking, but double check before turning up to pick prickly nuts. Most farms are an hour and a half drive out of Sydney and the temperature might be different to that at home, so check the weather before leaving home. Bilpin in particular can get cold.

Bring your own bags
Heavy duty reusable supermarket bags are best. Some people take boxes which is a good option for keeping fruit safe from bruising. Most orchards will provide you with plastic bags if needed.

Stock up on produce
Most orchards sell other pre-packed produce either grown on their own farm or locally. You will be able to pick up fresh eggs, juice, fruit, vegetables and often fruit pies.

Fruit Picking during COVID-19

Many orchards are open during the COVID-19 pandemic, with strict social distancing rules in place. Entry to farms are limited by numbers so if the farm doesn’t take bookings, I suggest arriving when the farm opens as that’s when the least amount of people will be there. During this time it is especially important to look at the farm’s most recent updates on their opening hours and social distancing procedures before driving all the way there and being turned away.

If you are self isolating but want to pick up fresh produce, many farms are doing contactless pick up of their produce, usually by phone order or they have stalls out the front with pre-packaged produce.

Fruit picking with kids

Kids of all ages generally love fruit picking. It’s a great activity for the whole family to enjoy. When visiting a farm with kids, remember to keep a close eye on them. Any fruit picked must be bought – before it’s eaten. Remind kids before starting to pick fruit of the rules. Anything picked goes into the bags, and definitely no throwing fruit, or trampling the plants on the farm.

Farm Reviews

Watkins Family Farm

Glenbernie Family Farm

Bilpin Fruit Bowl strawberry picking.

Canoelands Orchard

Summer: Peaches, nectarines, strawberries, oranges, nectarines, plums, apples, lemons, pears, quinces, blueberries, blackberries, figs, raspberries, tomatoes

December

Blueberries
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Blackberries
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Peaches
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: Weekends, entry fee
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Nectarines
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: Weekends, entry fee
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Oranges
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Plums
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

January

Peaches
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: Weekends, entry fee
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Apples
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: Weekends, entry fee.
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Shields Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee. Call ahead to reserve your spot.
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Peaches
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Lemons
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Oranges
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only

Pears
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Quinces
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Plums
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Blueberries
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Blackberries
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

February

Apples
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: Weekends, entry fee;
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Shields Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee. Call ahead to reserve your spot.
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Peaches
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Lemons
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Pears
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Quinces
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Plums
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Persimmons
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Figs
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Raspberries
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Blackberries
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Blueberries
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Tomatoes
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Autumn: Apples, lemons, limes, pears, quinces, plums, persimmons, walnuts, chestnuts, tomatoes, figs, mandarins, oranges

March

Apples
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: Weekends, entry fee
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Shields Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee. Call ahead to reserve your spot.
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Lemons
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Pears
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Quinces
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Plums
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Persimmons
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Figs
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Raspberries
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.

Walnuts
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Nutwood Farm at Mt Irvine: Weekends, no admission fee.
Kookootonga at Mt Irvine

Chestnuts
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Fern Hill Farm at Mt Wilson
Nutwood Farm at Mt Irvine: Weekends, no admission fee.
Kookootonga at Mt Irvine

Tomatoes
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

April

Apples
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: Weekends, entry fee
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Lemons
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Pears
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Persimmons
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Quinces
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.

Figs
Bilpin Springs Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee but min purchase $5 per adult

Walnuts
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Nutwood Farm at Mt Irvine: Weekends, no admission fee.
Kookootonga at Mt Irvine

Chestnuts
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Fern Hill Farm at Mt Wilson
Nutwood Farm at Mt Irvine: Weekends, no admission fee.
Kookootonga at Mt Irvine

Tomatoes
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

May

Apples
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.
Shields Orchard: Weekends, no entry fee. Call ahead to reserve your spot.
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Walnuts
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Chestnuts
Pine Crest Orchard: Fri, Sat & Sun, public holidays, no admission fee.

Lemons
Kathleen Groves Farm: Weekends.
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Mandarins
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Oranges
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.

Tomatoes
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Winter: Apples, cumquats, lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges, persimmons, pecans

June

Apples
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Cumquats
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Lemons
Kathleen Groves Farm: Weekends.
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Mandarins
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Watkins Family Farm: Weekends, no entry fee.
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Oranges
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Pecans
The Pecan Lady

Persimmons
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.

July

Cumquats
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Lemons
Kathleen Groves Farm: Weekends.
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Mandarins
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Watkins Family Farm: Weekends, no entry fee.
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Oranges
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.

August

Cumquats
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Lemons
Kathleen Groves Farm: Weekends.
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Mandarins
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Watkins Family Farm: Weekends, no entry fee.
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Oranges
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.

Spring: Cumquats, lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges, peaches, plums, nectarines

September

Cumquats
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Lemons
Kathleen Groves Farm: Weekends.
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Limes
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Mandarins
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Watkins Family Farm: Weekends, no entry fee.
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Oranges
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.

October

Lemons
Kathleen Groves Farm: Weekends.
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.

Mandarins
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Oranges
Ford’s Farm: Entry fee, bookings only.
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: bookings essential, entry fee.

Sunflowers
Glenbernie Family Farm: Entry fee, bookings essential.

November

Oranges
Wyuna Farms: Bookings only
Anderson Farm: Closed Thursdays, cash only.

Peaches
TNT Produce: Weekends, entry fee.

Plums
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Nectarines
Canoelands Orchard: Weekends, entry fee, bookings essential.

Strawberries
Berrylicious Strawberries, Thirlmere: Weekends only, bookings essential, entry fee.
Bilpin Fruit Bowl: bookings essential, entry fee.
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Blueberries
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

Blackberries
Kareelah Farms, Dapto

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Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

March 4, 2020 / Indoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

Enjoy endless water play at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, home of Sydney’s best indoor water park.

Splasher’s Water Playground is an interactive water playground. It consists of a giant bucket, slides, whirl pool and various other water-based activities. There are also lanes for swimming in if you want to do laps.

The water is heated to a comfortable temperature year-round.

The playground is suitable for toddlers with extremely shallow areas.

Entry to Splasher’s Water Playground is included with admission to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Center.

There are lockers to place valuables for a fee of $6 for three hours.

Family change rooms are also available and there are a series of showers to rinse off next to the change rooms.

Bring your own food or dine at the cafe overlooking the pools.

4 hour free parking is available in P2, adjacent to the Aquatic Centre upon validation of parking ticket.

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park
https://www.aquaticcentre.com.au/

Also in the area:

Check out nearby Brickpit Ring Walk, Wentworth Common, nearby Bicentennial Park, Blaxland Riverside Playground and the Olympic Cauldron in Cathy Freeman Park. Scoot or bike around the Newington Armory.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

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Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

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Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

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Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

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Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Strathfield Park and Playgrounds

March 3, 2020 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney / 0 comment

Strathfield Park, the oldest public park in Strathfield, is home to a huge playground with three play spaces, spanning 1.5 acres.

The park was renovated in 2017, with the resulting play spaces uniquely designed to compliment each other, taking into account the various ages and abilities of children who might enjoy the play equipment.

The main playground area features the premiere Skytower, an eye-catching structure, with four slides attached, a Konnecta rope play structure and triple Skyrider flying fox.

Nearby is the all abilities play area, which includes a carousel, mounds, slides, swings, maze and fortress area.

Next to this play area is the 4.5m Mammoth Swing (Australia’s biggest).

Linking the two play areas is a forest garden area with a Bushwood Teepee Tower, a giant wooden Lizard and the Flecto spinner.

A flat bike path leads across the park to the last playground area on the Chalmers Road side, which includes a smaller climbing structure and an excellent educational kids bike track with road signs.

The rest of the park includes barbecue equipment, sporting fields and a very old toilet amenities block in the middle of the park.

There is no cafe in the park, so be sure to bring your own picnic lunch.

Strathfield Park
Chalmers &, Homebush Rd, Strathfield
Get directions
Read more about Strathfield Park

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Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

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Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

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Exploring the past at Sydney’s Hyde Park Barracks

February 21, 2020 / Historical Sydney, Sydney / 0 comment

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks is a cutting-edge museum that brings Sydney’s past to life through a series of innovative and immersive experiences.

Built in 1819 by convict labour under the commission of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, the Hyde Park Barracks were originally designed as a place to house up to 600 male convicts.

The Barracks, over time, have also been an immigration depot, asylum, law courts, government offices hospital and mint. It is now a museum and cafe and one of 11 Australian convict sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Hyde Park Barracks reopened in February 2020 after an $18 million renovation. The new experience at the Barracks allows visitors to authentically experience life in the past with a series of immersive activations and groundbreaking audio technology.

Allow at leat 90 minutes to experience the full guided audio tour, which involves an audio device and attached headphones. There is very little written information around the Barracks, so the best way to enjoy the experience and take away as much as possible is by following the audio tour.

The tour takes visitors around the various parts of the Barracks and gives a mixture of information, recreated sounds and stories of the people who found themselves living here for a time.

There is no need to look for numbers on walls to press “play” in this tour – the clever technology senses when the visitor leaves one room and enters another so cuts off the section it is playing from one room and starts on the next as soon as it is entered. It makes for a seamless and easy experience.

There are over 4000 original artefacts on display throughout the tour, from the 100,000 personal and precious fragments that were recovered from beneath the floorboards during the first renovation of the Barracks.

These are items that had been left behind or stashed for safekeeping by convicts, women and court workers now tell a riveting story of life in the Barracks. As visitors walk through the audio tour, the stories of these artefacts become the voices of people, bringing their experiences to life in a sometimes confronting fashion that can’t be looked away from or ignored.

The Aboriginal history of the barracks is also brought to light and life as part of the renovation, with the complete story of this piece of Australia’s history finally being told.

Coinciding with the reopening of the Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney Living Museums and the City of Sydney’s Art & About program are presenting untitled (maraong manaóuwi), a major site-specific installation by Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones in the courtyard surrounding the central Barracks building.

This mesmerising installation looks at the symbols of the emu footprint and English broad arrow as a way of understanding history and cultural relations. There are over 2000 symbols covering the 2500sqm of the HYde Park Barracks courtyard, designed to be churned up and destroyed underfoot as visitors engage with it.

The bathrooms have also been renovated and now visitors have access to brand-new bathrooms that include a large family room with change table and nursing chair.

The new disabled toilet includes a shower.

Accessibility was an important part of the renovation, with the aim to make the new experience accessible to all people abilities.

A new elevator was installed inside the three-floor Barracks central building, plus a series of ramps and courtyard matting that makes it easy for wheelchairs to traverse the gravel courtyard.

Two additional audio tours are in development. One for families that gives a more kid-friendly version of the tour and one that provides an accessible tour through the experience.

Hyde Park Barracks
Queens Square, Macquarie Street Sydney
Phone: +61 2 8239 2288
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm
https://hydeparkbarracks.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/

Additional images thanks to Sydney Living Museums.

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Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

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