Category: New South Wales

Once a timber town that also was a centre for dairy produce and citrus fruit, Wyong has become a popular tourist resort because of its close proximity to the beaches on the Central Coast. However, there’s plenty to ensconce yourself with around the area itself. A trip through the lovely Yarramalong Valley will put you in the middle of delicate orchards, farms and the Macadamia Nut Plantation. The Alison Homestead is a treasure trove of historical curios, a miniature steam train tracks the prosperity Wyong gained after the railway from Sydney was built.

Nelson is located approximately 45 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Baulkham Hills. The original inhabitants of the Nelson area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. Nelson is named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. Governor William Bligh served under his command at the Battle of Copenhagen (1801) and received a land grant in this area, which he named ‘Copenhagen Farm’ in honour of the battle.

Sackville North is located approximately 80 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Baulkham Hills. The original inhabitants of the Sackville North area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ‘clans’, whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how the local area was utilised. The area is one of 5 on the Hawkesbury River with heritage listed car ferries and is very popular with water ski enthusiasts. Sackville Ferry operates 24hrs 7 days. Closed 1st Wednesday of each month 12:45pm-3:00pm. Towns surrounding Sackville North include: Lower Portland, Maroota and Sackville. Visitor Information: Sydney Hills Visitor Centre 656A Old Northern Road, Dural (02) 9651 4411 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sydneyhills.com.au

Berowra Waters is located approximately 30 kilometres north of Sydney in the Shire of Hornsby. The original inhabitants of the Berowra Waters area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ‘clans’, whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how they utilised the local area. Berowra Waters was originally known by European settlers as Berowra Creek. The area was first used by settlers for felling timber, which pushed settlement into the upper reaches of the creek. In 1902 a punt was built to transport goods across the creek from the Dural ‘food-bowl’, ready for transport via railway to Sydney. During the Second World War the Berowra Waters Road was rigged with explosives so as it could be destroyed in the event of invasion. The atmosphere of Berowra Waters hasn’t changed dramatically since it original settlement, and now represents a tranquil escape from the city. The marina is a base for a plethora of pleasure craft and several cruise boats depart from here. Many restaurants overlook the water in the shadows of the giant bush covered mountains. A seaplane service from Sydney City also lands here Berowra Waters Ferry operates 24hrs 7 days a week. Closed 1st Tuesday of each month 11:00am- 2:00pm. Towns surrounding Berowra Waters include: Berowra, Berrilee and Cowan. Visitor Information: Sydney Hills Visitor Centre 656A Old Northern Road, Dural (02) 9651 4411 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sydneyhills.com.au Hornsby Visitor Information Centre 28-44 George Street, Hornsby (02) 9847 6683 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au

Galston is located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Hornsby. The original inhabitants of the Galston area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ‘clans’, whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how the local area was utilised. A pleasant semi-rural suburb at the northern edge of Sydney, Galston was originally known as Upper Dural. In 1886, Alex Hutchinson suggested that the small hamlet, about 3 kilometres north of Dural, should have a change of name to give it an identity of its own. He named it Galston, after a Scottish town near Kilmamock, an area famous for its coal output. Galston has successfully retained its serene, peaceful atmosphere. It offers boutique galleries and bazaars, nurseries with garden cafes and a multitude of bushwalks through the Galston Gorge. It is also home to the Galston Country Music Festival in September each year, which attracts thousands of people from around Australia. Towns surrounding Galston include: Arcadia, Dural, Hornsby Heights and Middle Dural. Visitor Information: Sydney Hills Visitor Centre 656A Old Northern Road, Dural (02) 9651 4411 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sydneyhills.com.au Hornsby Visitor Information Centre 28-44 George Street, Hornsby (02) 9847 6683 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au

Street chic by design Paddington is a fashionable suburb renowned for its Federation-style terraced housing. Bustling Oxford Street contrasts with the leafy calm of the rest of the suburb where you’ll discover houses with “iron lace” – Paddington’s trademark architectural feature. Paddington has many art galleries and Australian designer boutiques to explore. Enjoy milling with the locals around Fiveways, the centre of Paddington village. On Saturdays, the popular Paddington Market is well worth visiting. There are over 200 stalls with original hand-made jewellery, crafts, second hand clothes and some highly individual fashions. Paddington has more than its share of cafes and restaurants and its pubs pride themselves on offering the latest in contemporary dining. Located just up from Oxford Street is Queen Street, Woollahra. This street is famous for its array of antique shops, featuring everything from furniture to jewellery. Also nearby is the vibrant complex of Fox Studios where you can enjoy all the latest movies in state of the art cinemas. Paddington Highlights……

• Wander shady Paddington Street and discover Sydney’s finest examples of Victorian terrace houses.
• Visit the boutiques that line Oxford Street, many showcasing young Australian fashion designer wares.
• Dine at a pub – Grand National, The Royal or Paddington Inn.
• Pick upa bargain at the Paddington Market held every Saturday.
• Wander through or purchase a piece of art from one of the fifty private galleries.

Lovedale … the Heart of the Hunter, is in the lower Hunter Valley directly east of Pokolbin. Lovedale is a community of boutique wineries, quality guesthouses and homestay accommodation, fine restaurants, unique galleries, and features recreational facilities such as golf, hot air ballooning, horse-riding and adventure trips. The Lovedale community is unique in that it works together to provide to the visitor a Lovedale experience based on quality, value for money and personal service. The service is friendly and family focussed, and the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable with less traffic, less haste, stunning views and quality wines, food and accommodation. Everyone is encouraged to linger longer in Lovedale! Lovedale hosts a number of events throughout the year, with the signature event being the famous Lovedale Long Lunch held on the third weekend in May each year. In addition, wineries conduct their own functions such as Country Music in the Vines, String Quartet in the Vines, olive oil promotions, pasta classes and special events to mark the release of a new vintage and to celebrate living in the Heart of the Hunter. The picturesque Lovedale area of the Hunter Valley is renowned for its award winning wines from the local modern boutique wineries, and for fine restaurants, galleries, and tourist accommodation. The history of Lovedale, however, as a major wine-producing area dates back to the early 1800s when local wheat and general produce farmers turned to grape growing. The name Lovedale combines the name of one of these early families, the Loves, with memories of the hills and dales of Yorkshire. Settlement in Lovedale dates prior to 1825 when there were significant land grants along Black Creek. This area was particularly suitable for vineyards. This area was favoured also for its proximity to “Old North Road” to Windsor. There were more wineries in this area before the 1920s than there are today. The Love’s Winery in Lovedale Rd, for example, processed grapes from their own vineyard as well as from others, and had 80,000 gallons of wine in their cellars when they closed in 1927. Lovedale is a composite of the old and the new. We offer premium wines, a variety of luxury and homestay style accommodation, superb restaurants, tantalising views and recreational attractions. Lovedale offers a relaxed and personable atmosphere, reminiscent of the past, but with the style, quality and attention to service expected of today. For more information please visit our web site www.lovedalehuntervalley.com.au or contact Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism on 02 4990 4477. Come and explore its secrets, and meet the Lovedale community.

Barnsley is located at the northern end of Lake Macquarie, near West Wallsend. One of the largest coastal saltwater lakes in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake Macquarie is surrounded by cosy holiday towns like Belmont, Wangi Wangi, Cooranbong, Swansea and Toronto. Enjoy a sunny afternoon in one of the many boats that grace the shimmering water, catch a wave at one of four patrolled beaches or venture into the mountains for a picnic lunch and sightseeing walk. There are a mammoth 92 towns and villages, 29 public boat ramps, 28 public jetties and wharves and seven marina berth around Lake Macquarie, making it the perfect family holiday destination. For further information, use the side navigation to search for activities, accommodation and events.

Cardiff is located at the northern end of Lake Macquarie, and is a key town centre, offering a shopping and retailing precinct and a large business and light industry precinct. Cardiff is easily accessible by rail and road. For further information, use the side navigation to search for activities, accommodation and events. One of the largest coastal saltwater lakes in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake Macquarie is surrounded by cosy holiday towns like Belmont, Wangi Wangi, Cooranbong, Swansea and Toronto. Enjoy a sunny afternoon in one of the many boats that grace the shimmering water, catch a wave at one of four patrolled beaches or venture into the mountains for a picnic lunch and sightseeing walk. There are a mammoth 92 towns and villages, 29 public boat ramps, 28 public jetties and wharves and seven marina berth around Lake Macquarie, making it the perfect family holiday destination.