Adventures in Sydney: Hidden 2019

It is that time of the year. The yearly tradition of wandering around Sydney's largest cemetery as part of HIDDEN.

Adventures in Sydney: Coastal Walk

The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is on quite a few listicles - The Top X Things you MUST Do in Sydney. However, Coogee isn't the terminus for the coastal walk as you can continue to Malabar (and eventually to La Perouse when they finish the construction).

Adventures in Sydney: Oatley Park

For my weekly dose of nature, I ventured to a new area of Sydney, Oatley Park located in Sydney's south.

Adventures in Sydney: Lake Parramatta

Breathe. In and out.

Life has been busy and I haven't had the chance to venture out into nature to reconnect. If I'm being honest, I just haven't prioritised it. Although I have been trying to incorporate small changes in my everyday life, detours to a green-er space in an attempt to get the nature fix.

Adventures in Sydney: Bardwell Valley Parklands

Growing up, a trip back to Hong Kong entailed a visit to a Chinese travel agency to organise the flights. The ones that advertise a 12 day international trip for something ridiculous like $600 (excluding flights) and only accepts cash payments. Eventually, we simply booked directly via the airline's websites and the act of visiting one of those tiny rooms filled wall-to-floor with ads ceased.

Adventures in Sydney: Cape Banks Headland

'Happy Valley' in La Perouse was the largest migrant / unemployment camp in Sydney during the Great Depression. It operated from 1930 to 1939 and included 130 encampments and approximately 330 people. S's grandfather actually lived there for a little while. To learn more.

Adventures in Sydney: Australian Botanic Garden

A few years ago, I discovered that Western Australia is known for its wildflower display which spans between the months of June to November. I will visit one day. One day. But until then, a visit to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan would have to suffice.

Adventures in Sydney: Jacaranda & Sub Base Platypus

Before the final weeks of the year descends and the accompanying madness ensues, the streets of Sydney are filled with stunning purple jacarandas. It is definitely one of my favourite times of the year.

Adventures in Sydney: Hidden 2018

Another year, another HIDDEN exhibition. Imagine Sculptures by the Sea, but cemetery edition.

Adventures in Sydney: Australiana Pioneer Village

There are moments where I think I have done possibly everything that could be done in Sydney. And then I randomly stumble upon something on the internet and discover a new area to explore!

Easter Break

Unlike previous Easter breaks (2016 & 2017), the four day long weekend was comparatively relaxed. I spent most of the time offline and with a book in hand (although neither of the books I read were any good).

Although I feel as though I didn't leave Sydney, that is technically incorrect. On Good Friday, I headed out to Jellybean Pool at Glenbrook, a stone's throw from the Sydney metropolitan border. This was a revisit - I wanted to take S to experience the natural beauty of the swimming hole.

Boat ride around Sydney Harbour

A few weekends ago, I joined S's family on a boat trip around the harbour. We embarked at Woolwich Pier and headed out towards Cremorne Point via the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Adventures in Sydney: Narrabeen Head

Move aside Barrenjoey Lighthouse, the best lookout on the Northern Beaches is definitely Narrabeen Head! On one side, it overlooks the relatively unknown Turrimetta Beach.

Adventures in Sydney: Warriewood Wetlands

I frequently open Google Maps and zoom into green areas in the hope of discovering a new place to explore. This often results in disappointment as I simply discover that it is a golf course. But I pinch out with my fingers and continue my hunt for another green spot on the map. And that is how I discovered wetlands that were not too far from home.

Warriewood Wetlands - spanning 26 hectares - is the largest remaining sand plain wetlands in the northern Sydney region. The 2.4km boardwalk weaves through the wetlands and, despite being located next to a road, it felt world's away from civilisation.

Adventures in Sydney: Two Creeks Track

Too often I delay things simply because, 'I will get around to it one day'. As I don't foresee a move from my current location within the next few years, I take the places nearby for granted and slowly become complacent.

Adventures in Sydney: Thornleigh Bushwalk

Another weekend, another bushwalk.

We ventured to Hornsby region - also known as the Bushland shire - for a relatively short bushwalk. One of the perks of living in Sydney is the close proximity to various bushwalks. However, admittedly, they eventually all look the same.

Adventures in Sydney: Jacaranda Hunting

Every year, I patiently await the bloom of the jacaranda trees. And every year, I am in awe of the beauty of the purple flowers. It brings me so much joy to spot them on my commute to and from work.

Adventures in Sydney: Hidden 2017

Over the past few years, I have visited a few cemeteries around the world. From Savannah, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana and even Glasgow, Scotland! I understand that it is quite odd to be interested in visiting cemeteries and people usually throw a few quizzical looks my way.

Adventures in Sydney: Kurnell

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I headed down south to Kurnell. Kurnell is where Captain Cook first landed in 1770 and thus triggered the whole process of European settlement. Despite it being such an important place, I had never visited! The general areas is a bit odd; Botany Bay houses Sydney's (very small) port and Kurnell is also home to Caltex's giant oil refinery.

Another weekend, another picnic.

Made a little friend - as always don't feed the wildlife.

Adventures in Sydney: Bradley's Head

I have lived in Sydney for almost my entire life and there are times when I think that I have been everywhere that is even remotely interesting. However I know that is definitely not the case and I like to actively search for things to do. And also because I get restless. I used to joke to an ex* with, 'do you even Sydney?' The context to the joke was that he lived his entire life in Sydney and yet didn't know ... well a whole lot at all. Except for trendy brunch places. I actually find that to be a common occurrence and need to clarify when I ask people for things to do that I don't mean where to eat for brunch. Major digression.

I recently visited Bradley Head to watch the sunset. To save the $8 parking fee, we walked down the road (2km one way) to the water's edge.





On the walk down we passed Bradley's Head Fortification. There is one cannon (there are three pits) and the trenches are still accessible.