Grand Canyon track - Blackheath

Described as one of the most spectacular walking tracks in NSW the Canyon walk is around 6km in length and ~400m from the lowest point to the top. We caught a bus from Katoomba to the stop on Evans Lookout Road nearest the Neates Glen carpark, which is the start (or end) of the walk.

                 Map            GPS map                 WildWalks              NPWS information

After the steep climb out, we had lunch at Evans lookout. It was a further 2km back to the bus stop.

Hydro Majestic

The Hydro Majestic is situated on top of the escarpment overlooking the Megalong Valley at Medlow Bath, in the Blue Mountains. The heritage listed hotel was developed by the retailer Mark Foy as a health retreat. He renamed and re-branded the hotel in 1906 as a luxury retreat. After many years of decline the hotel was closed in 2008 and reopened in 2014, after significant refurbishment.

 The Hydro Majestic buildings have a range of architectural styles, including Art Deco and Edwardian  (Federation)

           The Hydro Majestic                      Heritage Information                        Location Map

The Botanic Story of Chocolate

'Sweet Addiction' is the first exhibition to open in 'The Calyx', a world-class horticultural exhibition space at The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. I have been planning to visit for some time, but only did so this week. The exhibition which opened last year, closed on 17th April 2017

The indoor exhibition space features a huge curved green wall covered with over 18,000 plants.

                                                                      

Rain forest plants such as this flowering plant, are in the garden beds on the floor.

 'The story begins in the depths of a tropical rain forest, and takes visitors on a journey through chocolate plantations and the ingredients that go into chocolate making'

A self-guided audio tour is include.

Cacao plant

(below)
      A section of the display, with part of the botanic 'chocolate box' on the green wall behind.             

Australian Botanic Garden -   posts

A new exhibition at The Calyx

Yaralla Estate - Concord West

Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital (1937-1988)  Thomas Walker, was an important nineteenth century merchant, politicians and landholder. He and his daughter Eadith, were noted for their philanthropic activities in the early twentieth century. His wife died in 1870 from tuberculosis. He left money for the building of a convalescent hospital. Eadith also contributed additional funds when it became necessary.

The building was made of brick and sandstone with elaborate carvings, marble fireplaces and fine masonry and was officially opened on 21st September 1893 as a free convalescent hospital.

The hospital is currently used by Rivendell - Child, Adolescent and Family Unit as a mental health facility, specialising in the problems of young people.

Eadith made several generous bequests in her will and left half of the residue of her estate to trustees for charitable purposes. 

Yaralla House

The Yaralla Estate grounds are on two peninsulas on the Parramatta River at Concord and cover 37 hectares. Yaralla House was built in the 1860s. The photo below is the stables complex, a group of buildings arranged around a central courtyard with a rich assortment of decorative elements

We followed the Kokoda Track Memorial walk from Rhodes station then the Concord Foreshore trail. (see location map)
We completed our walk along streets to Concord West station.






References:
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