Just to think that just outside Sydney, hidden away in the Brisbane Water National Park you will…read morefind some Egyptian Hieroglyphics carved into a granite rock outcropping. If you don't believe me go and check them out yourself. Okay, they aren't 'real' hieroglyphics, and they definitely don't mark the tomb of an Egyptian prince that found himself lost in the Australian bush four thousand years ago, but they are certainly one of those really bizarre things that a huge number of myths and legends that developed around. I'd heard about them years ago, but only remember of their existence recently, and this made the effort to hike out there to check them out. Okay, while I'm only an amateur archaeologist at best, I can say for certain that these glyphs aren't four thousand years old (I would probably say a hundred years at most, though there are quite a number that are a lot more recent - it seemed as if somebody started a fad attracting all sorts of people to add to this rather odd spectacle). Mind you, they aren't listed on any of the Sydney tourist brochures, but if you like the weird and strange, and don't mind a but of a hike, then definitely go and check it out (I have placed the marker on their exact location, and Google Maps is also pretty accurate as well).

I'm not sure if you could actually call this place Sydney's northern point, but ever since I was a…read morekid I've seen it as such. So, I decided that I would actually go and check it out. Sure, you have to meander your way between Home and Away film sets (Australians will know what I mean by that), and it is a bit of a hike, but the views once you get to the top are pretty outstanding. Oh, they also have a smugglers track, which as a climb is a bit more difficult, but a lot more fun.

Amazing views across the Pittwater and central coast are the main features of this walk. It's not a…read morevery long walk and you can choose the windy pathway or the steps to get up here. It's also a place you can whale watch from during migration season. The walk leading to here is slightly confusing due to construction at the moment. Once you get up there you forget it all and enjoy the amazing scenery. I have been here many times and love making this walk up the hill to the lighthouse. Well worth doing for locals and visitors.

Took the walk from the opera house to the royal botanic garden and we stopped to see the ruins…read more Cool spot.

Walking past I thought it looked like a strange art project. Love walking around all the different…read morepieces of the old architectural pieces from the city. This is just outside our hotel (Sir Stamford) on our way into the botanical garden

Tom Cruise. That…read moreeither made you run screaming or hunker down to see what I have to say. Yeah, this is the island fortress Tom Cruise assailed with a motorcycle and the deadly power of his tiny meerkat hands in Mission Impossible 2. But while Tom's star wanes *cough Scientology cough* the natural beauty of Bare Island, indeed the entire surrounding area, stands eternal. Rugged, windswept, surrounded by pristine Horseshoe Bay and the (nudist) Little Congwong beach, there's a lot to see and do and be amazed by on either side of this little promontory. The island itself is home to a fort that you can sniff about in when open (check the website for tour times), but cruising around the rocks is just as satisfying, as is walking long the long wooden access bridge and peering down in to water so clear you can see the fish the local fishermen are trying to seduce. Splendiferous and amazing.

Went here last Sunday with an American friend visiting from North coast…read more The first sunday of every month they open up Bare island to the public and host an Aboriginal open day on the Island. So my friend came at the best time ! Its $2.50 for entry to the island & is open from 8am - 5pm I'm pretty sure. They have lots arts/crafts and some definately different but not bad tasting Aboriginal Tucker. We had an Emu, crocodile and Kangaroo sausage in a bread roll with grilled onions . The water around Bare island is fantastic for Snorkelling, Scuba diving, jumping of the bridge or just a swim with family and friends , on sunny days the water is almost Crystal clear. One of my favorite spots for a swim/snorkel or just a lay in the sun !!

Lennox Bridge in Glenbrook is the oldest bridge on the Australian mainland (predated by the…read moreRichmond Bridge in Tasmania, completed 1825). This single-arch sandstone bridge was designed by David Lennox, a bridge builder and stonemason who emigrated to Australia in 1832 after the death of his wife. Before his arrival in August 1832, the new colony of New South Wales had no skilled stonemasons, and Lennox was a Master Stonemason with 20 years experience. After a chance meeting with the Surveyor-General, Major Thomas Mitchell, David Lennox was appointed Sub-Inspector of Bridges and later Superintendent of Bridges for the colony. Lennox Bridge was completed in July 1833 by David Lennox and a party of 20 convicts. It is constructed with large sandstone blocks from a local quarry with a single arch of 6m (20-feet) span and 9m (30 feet) above water level, with a road width of 9m (30 feet). Due to its design, it is also known as Horseshoe Bridge. The significance of Lennox Bridge is that it allowed the Great Western Highway through Mitchell's Pass over Lapstone Creek and opened up the development of the Blue Mountains and western NSW. The bridge served the main route to the Blue Mountains for 93 years until 1926 when the Great Western Highway was re-routed along the old railway line over Knapsack Viaduct. In 1967 Lennox Bridge was closed for restoration work and strengthened with concrete, reopening to traffic in 1982. David Lennox also designed Lennox Bridge over Parramatta River in nearby Parramatta, as many other bridges also including 53 bridges in the Port Phillip (Melbourne) area. The bridge photograph is used by permission of the very talented Australian photographer Steve Dorman (http://Flickr.com).

Life must have been much better back in 1820! Convict labor is responsible for this beauty. Cut…read morethrough King Edward park and take the stairs until you can't anymore, veering to the right. Be careful, it can get very slippery. The water is cool but refreshing. Go on a weekday to attempt to avoid the crowds. Stay alert, the ocean is unpredictable. For me, this was a must see spot in Newy.

I literally passed by this museum on my way to the botanical gardens several days ago. Noting the…read morelimited hours I slightly rearranged my schedule to make the Tuesday hours work. I was expecting a small museum that would take 30 minutes max to go through. Thankfully I was so wrong. Before even opening the door of the museum I was greeted by one of the docents who was lovely throughout the tour. The entire tour lasted about 70 minutes and was fascinating. She explained the origins of the hospital and detailed history of the nursing staff who truly started the practice of nursing, as directed and sent by Florence Nightingale. While I was vaguely aware of the Nightingale connection I was surprised to find so many items that were either owned by Nightingale or given to the nurses from Florence Nightingale. With all the objects of the museum donated I think they have a truly remarkable collection, including old medical objects, photos of nursing staff, training uniforms, chemist set, to go bag of pharmaceuticals (for visiting rural areas), and medals received for service in the Crimea War. In general, I think it helps to have a medical background in order to understand how great this collection is and to be able to easily compare the collection to current medical practice. That being said, the docents ask prior to the tour if you have any medical knowledge. The only area of the museum that I didn't enjoy was part of the new wing and was two rooms of medical specimens, including the preserved fetus from an abortion. There were many different cancers (breast, ovarian, colorectal) also on display. I think generally people should be warned prior to going into those rooms. $5 Admission per person, cash only Photos are ok, no flash Will be asked to leave larger items (camera bags, backpacks) in the office Very limited hours! Martin Place metro stop