Hazelbrook (2)

Aboriginal Wells, Hazelbrook

These rock holes, known as the Aboriginal wells, are adjacent to the Great Western Highway just west of the Hazelbrook village shops. The rock holes, which vary in size are natural or formed holes in the rock.

The rock holes, near Gloria Park, are the remaining group of a larger cluster of holes said to be rainwater catchment wells used by travelling Darug and Gundungurra people. Smaller holes could be covered with capping stones to reduce evaporation.
The elevated pedestrian  footpath goes around the wells which can be seen in the bottom right-hand corner of the above photo.

----------------------------------------------------

Blue Mountains Gazette reported (Nov 19 2013) that: "Selwood Science and Puzzles is closing down after 16 years following the sudden and unexpected death in May of its creator David Thomson".

Hazelbrook Walk

The Intercity train journey, from Sydney's Central station to the mid Blue Mountains village of Hazelbrook, (93.5Km) takes about one hour 40 minutes. We walked from the northern side of the station, along Winbourn Road, past homes to the start of a bush walk in Burgess Park reserve.

Burgess Falls, Hazelbrook

The Blue Mountains City Council has recently installed signs for this walk

Oaklands Falls, Hazelbrook

Burgess Falls are not large, but like most mid mountains walks, it is a very pleasant spot to visit in all seasons. It was named as a memorial to a local World War I soldier who was killed in Belgium in 1917

There are several other small waterfalls in the area, such as the Oaklands Falls

Sydney Fish Markets

This outing was from Central Station to Sydney’s Fish Markets, Blackwattle Bay at Pyrmont,
by Light Rail

It was easy to get there, as we just got off at the ‘Fish Market’ station and followed the signs.
We crossed the road at the lights (Bank Street, under the Western Distributor) turned left, and then followed the ‘zebra striped’ pedestrian path into and through the car park.


Location map

Sydney Fish Market is said to be the largest working fish market in the Southern Hemisphere. It includes six seafood retailers, as well as other shops and restaurants.

The then State Government announced in April 2010 that the fish market would have an upgrade. The planned redevelopment of the market was expected to be completed by the end of 2012, but suffered a setback. news item

We arrived in time for a late lunch, but earlier would be better I think.
The retail markets are open from 7am until about 4pm

Florabella Pass - Warrimoo to Blaxland

This interesting bush walk in the lower Blue Mountains was from Warrimoo to Blaxland along the Florabella Pass and Pippas Pass track. We began the 6Km half day walk at Warrimoo station (about 1¼ hrs by train from Sydney), crossed over the highway, turned right and continued past a few shops to ‘The Boulevarde’. Walking along Florabella Street we passed the local Primary school to the start of the walk at the end of the street.

The track was rough and steep as we descended to Florabella Pass, but improved further along the track.

The track followed the Florabella creek, before climbing higher up the side of the gorge and turning more to the east after the junction with Glenbrook creek.

We saw a lyrebird while we stopped for  lunch at the junction with the side track which leads to Ross Street. Our walk continued along the Pippas Pass track, turning off at the exit path which leads up to Blaxland Library.


We passed several cafés on the way to the station, but as the train was due soon we didn't stop for coffee after this walk.

A shorter version of the walk can be done as a circuit starting at Plateau Pde off Bridge Rd Blaxland.
(see Wildwalks 'Florabella Pass Loop')     

 Our thanks to the walk leader John Masser