Escape in the Cty

Although amazing for the most part, sometimes living in a city like Sydney I feel the urge to escape the madness. To find a quiet place where I can be outdoors but just forget where I am for a little while.

There are a few gems still left where you can clear your head, read outdoors in peace or escape the hustle and bustle. My favourite city escapes in the city are by far Royal National Park, Vaucluse House, Parsley Bay and Nielsen Park.

Unlike the Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains, Royal National Park is still within Sydney. The are some beautiful bush walks, secret beaches and waterfalls to be discovered. You can walk through the rain forest, sandstone or bush and the air is so fresh you can completely forget you are so close to home.

For closer to home still there are a couple of spots in the eastern suburbs that are so peaceful it is amazing they have stayed this way. Not so good for drivers as parking is very limited but Parsley Bay is so secluded there is almost it can be a little eerie! But perfect for those who want to hide with a book and forget the city for awhile.

Vaucluse House and the beautiful gardens that surround are incredibly peaceful and allow you to take in some history at the same time. There are tearooms if you feel like a quite afternoon catching up with friends or there are often smaller scale events such as jazz in the gardens which make for such a nice evening so keep an eye on the Historic Houses Trust website to plan your visit.

Finally if you need to escape with the family in tow, why not visit Nielsen Park. This little harbour beach is the perfect spot for a relaxing family picnic and those who are prepared to make a short walk will rewarded with spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour. There is also a little cafe here but it would pay to check out the Nielsen Park website before your visit to see opening times, etc.

On Your Bike

Cycling is a great way to keep fit and be kind to the environment. Luckily Sydney’s cycle network is growing and our city is providing more options for greener commuting then ever. But cycling for necessity is not all that Sydney has to offer. Manly Dam, Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains offer terrific mountain bike tracks for all levels, whether you want to take the kids out for some fresh air or are an adrenaline junkie seeking your next thrill. The Royal National Park’s website provides details on which tracks are suitable for cycling, but to get more help choosing the right track for you check out the TrailFlix website.

If you don’t own your own bicycle, or are just looking for a slower pace, jump onto the City of Sydney cycleways website to find your nearest cycle paths. Bike hire is available at Centennial Park Cycles who offer competitive hourly rates and are located in the heart of Centennial Park, a mecca for Sydney cyclists of all levels.

Finally, if you are after a bicycle tour, pay a visit to Bonza Bike Tours in The Rocks or Manly Bike Tours. Both Bonza Bikes and Manly Bike Tours offer a range of tours at reasonable prices.

Home Sweet Sydney

Missing Sydney traffic is not something I expected to experience when I went to Canberra for the weekend. So, while it took me by surprise, I guess this means I really can call Sydney home now that ‘home’ is no longer where my heart is. What once seemed a beautiful comfortable place to watch my life flitter before my eyes now seems slow and incredibly ordinary - I no longer feel right if I can’t get a kebab at 3am, and a good one at that.

I pondered what it is that makes Sydney so captivating amidst all the hustle and bustle. Then I think of when an STA driver will stop two metres after the stop to let me on or when someone lets me turn into the peak hour traffic on George Street, or a work friend sharing the location of their latest favourite yum cha - often a 30 minute drive but so worth it. What I love about Sydney is that it isn't comfortable, it is a challenge, yet so often I see the locals of Sydney helping each other out to conquer this urban jungle. Maybe on my trip down south I picked up some rose coloured glasses but I know one thing for sure, the pace isn’t slow, the people are amazing and I rarely find myself bored in Sydney.

Now, if you were wondering where that tasty late night kebab is hiding they are at Hey Hey Kebabs, Parramatta Road, Auburn. Sure it's a trek out west but they are the best kebabs in Sydney.