Went to Shelly Beach for their snorkeling tour. The guide (Nigel) was friendly and knowledgeable…read more It took a long time of rescheduling because of weather and injuries, but it was definitely worth it! So glad we took the time to do this. We were taken for a short walk around the area before the snorkeling and it was fascinating to learn about the history or the area. We went on a seriously amazing day for the tour. The weather was perfectly warm and the water was clear. We saw plenty of wildlife during the tour. VERY grateful for the pool noodles provided for the tour. Made it a million times easier - all we had to do was lie there and enjoy the surroundings.

This place is spectacular. My family was in town for a week and we wanted to take the kids fishing…read more We had no idea what we were doing and the staff could not have been more helpful. They were super friendly and even sat us down in front of a computer and showed us some options of where we could go fish with the kids. Gave us tips on when and where we could walk in & wade with the kids. They were awesome.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport NSW is a great place to have lunch or brekkie. The…read moresetting on the water allows for seeing sailboats of all kinds coming and going. The dining area can be opened up to the outside on nice days but still gets the sun when it's nippy. There's a gorgeous lounge room upstairs and a deck with seating. The "smoking room" harkens back to the day when this was a men's club so the historic photos and furnishings are fun to look at. There are at least three bars, not all open, and two enormous pool tables. We had a light lunch there consisting of avocado toast and house-made granola. The toast had generous slices of avocado, feta cheese, tomato slices and leaves that might have been basil. The granola was crunchy with strawberries and milk. Both of us enjoyed our choices.

Here is a picture: 8 hyped up high school friends that haven't been together as a group for around…read more6 months because university split them all up. Imagine said hyped up girls in an ALL trampoline location where there are foam balls galore, the option of DODGEBALL A LA TRAMPOLINE and a cafe for your usual burgers, fries and drinks. Yes. This place is a MUST visit! We were lucky enough to go when it was not insanely busy, at around 7pm, but I can imagine how hectic it gets bouncing around and bouncing into complete strangers. What's the fun when you can't play trampoline tip? There are also awesome options like a foam-board and other trampoline fun-stuff available to add to the already-novel idea of a room full of trampolines! If you are specifically having a birthday party, they also have separate party areas available making this a super kid friendly place! If there is one thing I have to tell you, it's this - You will be pooped for breath LITERALLY within 10 minutes of bouncing like a maniac. Don't let it get you down because when else are you going to have the luxury of bouncing around and doing nothing else?? The price was also pretty reasonable, $15 for an hour, and a reduced rate for booking beforehand. Will I be going again? Um yeah? How is that even a question!?

As an expat living in the US, I take the chance to deal with Aussie companies on occasion. The…read moreexperience is generally pretty good. But sometimes, a company goes above and beyond and deserves to be congratulated. I ordered a new PFD from them to wear whilst paddling my surf ski. The website had a problem in that the cart function, wasn't functioning. I sent them an email to let them know. As a reward for my diligence, they are sending me the PFD, plus a free cap, and are shipping the whole deal for free from Sydney AU, to Tennessee USA. The agent who assisted me, Pat, was friendly, patient, efficient and helpful. Vaikobi water sports goodies are up there with the best in the world. Add to that an exceptional level of service and it makes a lot of sense to shop there. If you're an American and want the best service, price and quality, I recommend you give them a go. And, if you're a paddler (ocean kayak or surf ski) and get to Watauga Lake sometimes...throw me a message and we can do a session together. And, after Covid 19 becomes less of a threat, I'll be looking for paddling buddies in Pompano Beach FL.

First time visitor to this awesome place where we decided to catchup over a bbq with friends…read more Access is by boat, ferry or water taxi. Unsure if you can drive here as I didn't see any cars. What struck me immediately is the local swamp wallabies that coexist with the visitors and rangers. Sightings on the day included kookaburras, various birds and reptiles. It is the only place in the Ku-ring-gai Chase where you can camp. Being part of a national park, ongoing conservation and preservation is by way of entrance fees ($3 per head), which is separate to camping fees. Restrictions applies to this beautiful place i.e. fires. The campsite is well maintained and very clean. Plenty of hiking opportunities for those who are keen as it is surrounded by hills and mountains There is a body of water that is safe for some water sports. Bbq facilities is also available which we took advantage of. Beechwood Cottage is a historical property which is available to hire for functions and events. This place is great if you want to get away for the weekends with or without the kids. It overlooks Pittwater and is just a beautiful place to hang and chill.

This is a great beach and camping area, with mountains all around. Access is by boat or trails…read more No vehicles allowed. It's not a pristine sand beach, more like sand based mud, but has nice calm clear water on the back harbour side. The place has lots of space to picnic and relax. Everything is clean. And the kids get to run after the wallaby(ies) when they hop by. We went in by boat, which is a great way to arrive. There are lots of tent campers, most of which seemed to arrive and bring their gear in by boat. Several ferries service the area.

This is a treetop climbing and ziplining adventure, just like the name suggests! Located inside a…read moreforest/state park area, it's a very convenient location if you're staying close to Parramatta, Eastwood, Castle Hill, etc. They have junior courses for 3-7 age group, although adults are not allowed on those so it's a bit frustrating for parents trying to holler instructions from the side. There are also separate, higher courses for 8+, which are over 30 meters off the ground. It's exhilarating while also feeling safe enough when you're actually up there, because once you enter a course you have harness/gear that locks into safety lines until you complete it and exit. They give you a 20-min intro and make sure you know how to use the equipment before sending you off. We visited in June 2023 and again in June 2024. My kids (11, 9, 4 yo) just love it. Last year they were more tentative, but this year we stayed over the reservation slot of 2.5 hours, which is sometimes allowed if not fully booked. I would say my youngest did not enjoy it last year just shy of 4 years old because he wasn't fully capable of maneuvering through the course on his own, and it was intimidating for him. This year he took about 30 minutes to warm up and then didn't want to stop. Tips: If possible, book a session early on a weekday to avoid other people and thus congestion on the courses. Arrive early because the actual courses are located a 5-10 min walk from the reception office. Bring some snacks and water, which are not sold on site. If you have kids in both junior and older age groups, you may need to have 2 adults to accompany -- juniors need 1 non-paying adult to supervise from the side, while under 12 need to climb with a paying adult. There are other Treetops, but this one has the most courses for younger kids.

If you are up Narrabeen way along the Penisula drop into the Sugarmill. This…read morestore/fashion/cafe/board shaping workshop is a new surf lifestyle space inspired retail collective situated on Sydney's northern beaches in Narrabeen.. It reflects the progression of the surfing lifestyle and the like-minded brands, artists, musicians, surfers, shapers and individuals that are at the forefront of that. It stocks Ksubi, Critical Slide Society, Analog and Skull Candy. Enjoy a coffee while you peruse the fashion. The vision or idea for this store was to create a community, a hub, a place where anyone not just surfers, can come and find something different, while feeling comfortable, along with feeling inspired.