Destinations
Palm Beach
Palm Beach, or 'Palmy' as it's called by locals, lies at the end of a long peninsula, fringed by surf on one side and tranquil Pittwater on the other. Its golden sands and clear waters have inspired Sydney’s wealthy to build holiday houses on its leafy hills. But down on the ground, things still feel pretty modest when there's sand between your toes.
Hike up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Discover the area's beautiful beaches and parklands
Eat at Sydney's most photogenic restaurants
Auburn Botanic Gardens
The Gardens has aesthetic significance for the range of environments presented such as riverside ecosystem, Australian rainforest and native garden, rose garden, fauna reserve and the Ryoan-ji style Japanese Garden.
The Gardens has historic significance through its origins in the Cumberland Planning Scheme (1946–1951) which set aside the area along the banks of the Duck River for recreation and the 1972–1975 pioneering federal government recognition of local government through direct funding and Auburn Council receiving regional development funding in 1974 and 1975–76 to develop the gardens.
Figure 8 Pool
Figure Eight Pools is located on a dangerous rock shelf in Sydney's Royal National Park near Burning Palms Beach
SS Ayrfield Shipwreck
SS Ayrfield is a beautifully broken-down wreck, forever locked in Australia’s Homebush Bay.
The most remarkable of these wrecks is the SS Ayrfield, which has miraculously sprouted a lush forest of mangrove trees. The branches of the thriving trees spill from the sides of the ship, slowly breaking down the hull of the long-lived ship which was originally built in 1911.
The trees have so completely overtaken the ship, it is a wonder that it still floats. The SS Ayrfield may have survived World War II, but nothing can combat the encroaching hand of nature.
Sea Cliff Bridge
The 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive – A drive which takes in 140 kilometres worth of coastal scenery from the Royal National Park, Loftus down to Nowra.
The bridge has become an icon to the people of Wollongong and the world, once again welcoming tourists annually to this picturesque coastal road.
Opened in December 2005, the Sea Cliff Bridge offers visitors the chance to get out of the car and stretch their legs. It is also a great viewing platform for migrating whales heading north/south during migrating season.
Cowra Japanese Garden
Opened in 1979, the multi award-winning Cowra Japanese Garden is a 'must see' at any time of the year. The Garden's designer, Ken Nakajima, created the Kaiyushiki (strolling) Garden to symbolise the Japanese landscape. The rocky hillside, manicured hedges, waterfalls and streams, and the two lakes provide a serene environment for a myriad of birdlife. Special features of the Garden include a Bonsho Bell, a traditional Edo Cottage, an authentic open air Tea House and a Bonsai House.
The cultural centre showcases exhibitions from a variety of local and regional artists and has two galleries featuring an extensive collection of Japanese artworks and artefacts.
AURORA AUSTRALIS - SOUTHERN LIGHTS TASMANIA
The Northern Lights have been described as a 'celestial ballet of light dancing across the night sky.' Many have made the pilgrimage to Norway and the like, to sit beneath the Arctic sky in hopeful wonder. But few realise its southern equal, the Aurora Australis, can be seen from Tasmania. I figure our hemisphere's ethereal dance show deserves an equal audience.
In brief, the Northern and Southern Lights have the same origin. Auroras occur when fully charged particles burst from the sun, creating a solar wind. This solar wind is drawn to the North and South poles, producing nature's finest light show. Don't expect to see a dancing rainbow with the naked eye though, you'll need a camera. According to Margaret Sonnemann, creator of the Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook group (50,000+ followers) and the Aurora Chaser's Handbook, you're unlikely to see any colour. "Our eyes are not designed to pick up colour at night. I saw my first aurora about 20 years ago and although I've seen bright colours, it is very rare" said Sonnerman.
information from discover tasmania