I went to the Blue Mountains with a colleague who have migrated to Melbourne. As she has been to the Blue Mountains so I need not do my homework this round. She shall be my guide.

We took a train from Sydney and alight at Katoomba. It was a pretty long trip, it took almost three hours to get to the Blue Mountains. We knew that the ride is going to be long so we woke up at about six and we reached the Blue Mountains at ten plus.

The entire day was mainly on our feet. At the end of the day, it was very tiring. Our first stop at the Blue Mountains was at the cascade. It was beautiful. The surroundings looked very much like the rainforest.

As we walked further, we finally get a view of the Blue Mountains. It is indeed blue.  I was curious why the blue mountains blue so I looked up the website and understand that the blue mountains has a dense eucalypts and the dispersed droplets of Eucalypt oil when combined with water vapour and dust particles scattered refracted rays of blue lights. Among the Eycalyptus trees, I saw some unique straight green trees.

Katoomba falls

When we were around the Katoomba falls, we spotted some ducklings.

A bigger duck was at the lead and smaller ducklings followed closely behind. It’s very like a mother duck leading the children with her.

Echo Point – Three Sisters

The highlight was the Three Sisters around the Echo Point.

According to an Aboriginal tales, there were three sisters, ‘Meehni’, ‘Wimlah’ and Gunnedoo’, were turned into stones by a witchdoctor to protect them from the harm of three brothers who wanted to take the three sisters for themselves by force. 

Elysian Rock & Gordon Fall

We visited the Elysian Rock and the Gordon Fall before heading for Leura Village.

Leura Village

Leura Village is one of the few towns within the region. But since this is nearest to the our stop we decided to end our visit with some snacks and coffee here.

There was a number of shops, including a candy shop, some pastry and cakes shop, cafe, restaurants and many more.

We didn’t have time to visit them all as we need to spend the next many hours on train ride to get back to Sydney.

We walked towards Leura train station to board the train back to Sydney. It was a tiring but a worthwhile trip. My suggestion is that to spend a night at the Blue Mountains before heading to your next destination. This will be less tiring.

The Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains

How to get there?

By Car:

• Drive from Sydney via Parramatta and entered by Glenbrook/Lapstone.

By Train:

• Board the train from Sydney and alight at station Glenbrook, Springwood, Hazelbrook, Wentworth Falls, Mount Victoria, Lithgow, Leura or Katoomba deepending on which part ot the Blue Mountain you want to visit. We alighted at Katoomba.

When to go?

Anytime of the year. If you doesn’t like the cold, then avoid July to September.

Link to check out before you go:

Blue Mountains Australia

Transport Sydney Trains

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I ordered the scones and a cappuccino. The texture of the scone was very different from what I used to have. It was rather soft and fluffy, somehow between the texture of the cake and bread. I find it very unusual but definitely unique. The scones were served with jam, as usual. It was not served with clotted cream, but served with whipped cream.

I enjoy the scones, cappuccino and my time spent lazing in a corner of Parramatta Park.

If needed, you can make a reservation online.

Lachlan’s Old Government House Restaurant

Old Government House Parramatta Park, Parramatta, NSW 2150
(enter the park from Pitt St)

Tel: +61 (0)2 9687 2662

Website: http://www.lachlans.com.au/restmenus.htm

Reservation: http://www.lachlans.com.au/makebooking.htm

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday 1000 to 1630; Saturday – Sunday 1000 to 1630, 1800 to 2200

Getting There

By Bus:

• alight at the bus stop along Pitt Street – 705, 708, 711, T60, T61, T62, T63, T64, T65, T66

Enter park via the entrance near Pitt Street

Rating: 8/10

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Sydney Markets

The Rocks Market

George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9240 8717

Opening Hours

The Rocks Market: Saturday – Sunday 1000 to 1700 (Playfair Street, George Street, Jack Mundey Place)

The Rocks Foodie Market: Friday 1000 to 1500 (Jack Mundey Place)

I like The Rocks Market best. There are a good variety of items on sales. From clothes to painting to snack to dogs’ collar.

I bought a dog collar from The Rocks Market for my sister’s dog.

Getting There

By Train:

• Circular Quay station, walk towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge

By Bus:

• alight at George Street near Hickson Road – 311, 431, 433

• alight at Circular Quay Stand B: 422, 423, 426, 428

• alight at Circular Quay Stand C: 436, 438, 439, 440, 443, 470, 500, 501, 504, 506, 507, 510, 515, 518, 520, 555, L38, L39, M52

• alight at Circular Quay Stand D: 301, 302, 303, 309, 310, 323, 324, 325, 326, 373, 374, 376, 377, X73, X74, X77

• alight at Circular Quay Stand E: 333, 380, 389, 392, 394, 396, 397, 399, 890, L94, X94

By Ferry:

• Alight at Circular Quay.

For more ways of getting to The Rocks Market, looked up at the Rocks Market webpage.

Rating: 8.5/10

The Paddington Markets

395 Oxford St, Paddington, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9331 2923

Opening Hours

Saturday (only) From 1000

The stores set up in the Paddington Markets is mainly by the local designers and artiste.

There are a total of about 150 stores.

It will open its door to customers on every Saturday from 10am, rain or shine.

Getting There

By Bus:

• alight at the first stop after Paddington Town Hall – 380, 333, 378 (blue and white)or M40 (red bus)

• alight at Paddington Shopping Centre on Oxford St – M40 from Chatswood

• alight in front of Max Brenners or Mitre 10 Hardware in Paddington Shopping Centre – 333, M40 or 380 from Bondi to the city

For more ways of getting to Paddington Market, you can visit Paddington Markets website on Transport to Paddington Markets

Rating: 7.5/10

The Paddy’s Markets

Cnr Hay St & Thomas St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 1300 361 589

Opening Hours

Haymarket: Wednesday – Sunday & Public Holidays 0900 to 1700; Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Sydney Market 2129: Friday 1030 to 1630; Saturday 0600 to 1400 (fresh food; Saturday 0600 to 1400 (Swap & Sell)

The Paddy’s Markets is a indoor market and it opens almost daily. It is make up of the Haymarket and the Sydney Market 2129.

It has quite a number of souvenirs stores and lots of other stores selling different items from Korean accessories items to clothes.

Getting There

Sydney Market 2129

By train:

• Alight at Flemington Rail Station, about 3 minute walk from the station

By Bus:

• 408 from Burwood to Flemington rail station, about 3 minute walk to the market

Haymarket

By train:

• Alight at either Town Hall or Central Stations, about 5 minutes walk

By Bus:

• Sydney Explorer stops right outside market

By Light Rail:

• Alight at Haymarket and the market is on the right

Rating: 8/10

Sydney’s Fish Market

Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9004 1100

Opening Hours

Daily 0700 to 1600 except on Christmas day. Check for the opening hours at SFM webpage for the exception.

For all who like Seafood, a visit to the Sydney’s Fish Market (SFM) is a must.

Sydney’s Fish Market offers fresh seafood both cooked and raw for public to purchase. You can buy your food and eat at SFM or you can choose to take away.

Getting There

By Bus:

• Alight at Harris Street and Pyrmont Bridge Road – 443, 501

By Light Rail:

• Alight at Fish Market station

By Community Bus:

• Free bus offered by South East Sydney Community Transport (SESCT) on Thursdays and Fridays, stops at Sydney Fish Market.

For more information, visit the Sydney Fish Market on how to get to SFM here.

Rating: 7.5/10

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I attended mass at St Patrick Cathedral. The church is majestic and splendid.

Parramatta Catholic Church Mass Schedule

The cathedral for the Parramatta diocese is St Patrick Cathedral. There are about ten catholic churches in specifically Parramatta. But I only visited one of the many churches.

The earliest church started since 1832 that is St Matthew Church in Windsor. These came a long way, witnessing 2 war world and still standing tall.

St Patrick Cathedral

1 Marist Place Parramatta NSW 2150
Tel: 02 8839 8400

Website: http://www.stpatscathedral.com.au

Mass Time

Weekday Mass: Monday – Friday 0645 and 1230; Saturday 0800

3rd Friday Mass: 1000

Saturday Vigil Mass (Sunset Mass): 1800

Sunday Mass: 0800, 0930, 1100, 1800

Children’s Liturgy Sunday Mass Times: Sunday 0930

Reconciliation Times: Monday – Friday 1115 to 1245; Saturday 0830 to 0900, 1715 to 1745

Other Churches Mass Time

Paramatta Diocese has a website listing the Parramatta Catholic Church Mass Schedule. To find out the Mass Time of other Churches in Parramatta, do visit the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta.

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In this district, Parramatta, it has a few shopping mall with the biggest being Westfield. There is also a library catered for the residents in Parramatta.

A number of parish churches and many cafe and restaurants are in Parramatta. The cafe and restaurants can be located along George Street, Philip Street and Church Street. You can find lots of different food in Parramatta, ranging from Italians to Thai food.

There are a number of parks in Parramatta. The largest is the Parramatta Park. There are a number of barbeque pit scattered in the park.

Inside Parramatta Park, there are many places of interest as well. The most famous being the Old Government House. There is a cafe within the Old Government House.

Other parks being the Prince Alfred Park.

And Harris Park, along the Parramatta River. Lots of green in Parramatta.

You can take a nice stroll along the Parramatta River.

At Bicentennial Square, it is where you can locate the Town Hall. The weekend market is setup outside the Town Hall. This is also the site where the first market in Australia was held on the 12 January 1813.

You can also find the St John’s Cathedral, an Anglican church in this area.

The more historical site being the Lancer Barracks. It is the oldest continuously used military barracks on the mainland of Australia

Other visiting sites include the Experiment Farm, Elizabeth Farm and Olympic Park.

For visitors who need help can drop by the Parramatta Visitor Center. The center is open from Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, on public holiday its operating hours is 10 am to 4pm. It is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day. You can obtain the Parramatta area map and at the same time visit the Parramatta Heritage Center.

There are a number of hotels and service apartment in Parrramatta catering to different needs and budget.

In Parramatta, there is a free shuttle that depart every 10 minutes. The service is from 10 am to 4 pm. There are a total of twelve stops.

How to get there?

By Train: alight at Parramatta station by T1 Western or T2 Inner Western Line

By Ferry: From Circular Quay, take the Jetcat and alight at Parramatta Ferry Wharf

By Bus: Bus L20 or 520 from Circular Quay

When to visit?

Any time of the year

Link to check out before you go:

Parramatta Visitor Information Centre

Parramatta Free Shuttle Service 

New South Wales Transport

Tips: You can use the NSW Transport website to plan your trip to Parramatta

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The size of the serving is decent. It is served with a good portion of whipped cream. Lots of icing sugar were dusted on the cake.

The texture of the cheesecake is a little too fluffy for my liking. I prefer cheesecake with a smoother texture. Overall, I think it can be better. It is a personal preference, I guess, since it was rated by many as the best. Maybe you should give it a try to give your verdict. If you have tried, share with me your feedback in the comment. I would love to hear from you.

Pasticceria Papa also serve other items, such as biscuits, cakes and pastry, beside ricotta cheesecake. They are delicious looking. I will try them when I visit Sydney again.

Pasticceria Papa

145 Ramsay St, Haberfield NSW 2045

Tel: (02) 9799 9531145

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday 0800 to 1800; Saturday 0730 to 1700, Sunday 0730 to 1300

Getting There

By bus: alight at Ramsay St near Dalhousie Rd, 436, 438, 439, L36, L37, L39

Rating: 6.5/10

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