The Paragon Cafe - Katoomba

The Paragon had closed down when I visited in February 2019 

The heritage-listed 1916 Paragon is one of the best known Art Deco restaurants and function rooms in New South Wales. The Paragon Cafe is in Katoomba Street, not far from the railway station. A meal, or coffee and some of their handmade chocolates, are often part of our Katoomba visit.

'Taking its present form between 1925 and 1936, it reflects the flair and taste of a Greek immigrant family with a wide experience in catering, and the need for a high-class tea-room, sundae parlour, confectionery and ballroom in inter-war Katoomba for locals and for visitors'. NSW Heritage

Wendy's Garden - Lavender Bay

Wendy Whiteley created this special spot, known locally as ‘Wendy's Secret Garden’, on an area of railway land below Clark Park. It is currently leased to North Sydney Council for public use. The garden sits above North Sydney car sidings, which are used to store rolling stock between the morning and evening peaks.                     Location Map

 

Wendy was awarded an OAM on Australia Day 2009 ‘for service to the community through the establishment and maintenance of a public garden at Lavender Bay, and as a supporter of the visual arts’                                           

Our walking group reached the garden from Milsons Point Station via Alfred and Lavender Streets. After visiting the garden, we followed the narrow strip of foreshore which links Quibaree Park to Luna Park and the Harbour Bridge. Continuing the garden theme we crossed the bridge to the Botanic Gardens via the expressway pedestrian walkway above Circular Quay.

 

Lavender Bay from the foreshore walk

The Norman Lindsay Gallery

The gallery at Faulconbridge, run by the National Trust, displays the work of artist and writer Norman Lindsay (1879-1969). Various rooms of the attractive sandstone cottage house oil paintings, watercolours, sketches, ceramics and ship models. Within the expansive landscaped grounds is 'Lindsay's Cafe' where I enjoyed lunch on my visit.                     

 

While Lindsay is known for his paintings of voluptuous women in classical poses, he was also a political cartoonist and wrote and illustrated the 1918 children's classic 'The Magic Pudding'.                   Location map

The gallery has a limited bus service from Macquarie Rd near Springwood station (about 5Kms). The 690C bus, currently 11.06am (Mon to Fri), with a return bus at 13.40, should be suitable. Check the Mid Mts Bus timetable

Euroka Clearing

We began this pleasant day walk at the Glenbrook entrance to the Blue Mountains National Park.

Glenbrook Creek near causeway

 

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos

We passed through an area with trees showing regrowth after hazard reduction burning (left), before reaching the popular picnic and camping area.

Euroka was cleared by early settlers for farming on the volcanic soil. There are forty camping sites at Euroka spread around five camping areas within the large grassy basin. (Camping sites must be booked)

Apple Tree Flat camping area

Our walk was around 8Km return from Glenbrook station via Bruce Road, with an extra 2Km loop from Euroka to the Nepean River.  There is a steep climb out from causeway to park entrance.
 map link