Blackheath

Our walk took us from Popes Glen to Govetts Leap and return via Braeside Walk.

We passed these Rhododendrons in Blackheath Memorial Park after starting our walk at the railway station. The flowering season for Rhododendrons is September, October and November but the peak period is the end of October and early November.

View from Govetts Leap Lookout, Blackheath

                   'Rhododendron Gardens' post

                     NSW National Parks                 'WildWalks' map & info 

Museum of Fire - Penrith

The Museum of Fire houses many large vehicles and other fire fighting apparatus from the 1800s to the modern era.

The collection includes 1891 the Shand Mason Steamer, a fine example of 19th century, horse-drawn, steam-powered technology  and the 1785 Merryweather Hand Drawn Pump

The museum is housed in the former Penrith Power Station, which dates from 1953. It was in use till 1970 when the state wide power grid took over.
In addition the museum includes 'Fire Safety in the Home' and Bush Fires displays. It is a short walk from Penrith Station.

Sydney Park - St Peters

South of the CBD near St Peters railway station, the 40 hectare Sydney Park is built on the site of an old brickworks and rubbish tip. The park is now a wetlands and green oasis.

 

Storm water is diverted to the park which provides a permanent water supply, for the wetlands. These are an important habitat for native wildlife during dry periods.  A series of elevated terracotta channels form an artwork, which reflects the site’s history and aerates and distributes water throughout the wetland system.

The Bedford Brick Works was established in 1893. It was sold to Austral in 1936, closing in 1970. Use as a rubbish tip followed, and continued till 1976. The chimneys and kilns from the former brickwork near the corner of Sydney Park Road and the Princes Highway have been retained.

Sydney Park is very dog friendly

 There is a series of pathways to walk, run or cycle around the park, and it caters well for children with a large playground and a cycling education centre.

                                                    Sydney Park Information

WSU Parramatta Campus

This post features some buildings of interest on the Western Sydney University Parramatta campus, at Rydalmere.

The Boilerhouse and chimney, circa 1894 (above) were once part of the steam laundry. They now act as a landmark at Campus Square - with food outlets and recreation areas.

The Female Orphan School building (circa 1818) was modelled on Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie's family home in Scotland. Within the building is The Whitlam Institute. This includes the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection and The Margaret Whitlam Galleries - with a changing program of art and social history exhibitions.
1888 the building was set apart as a Hospital for the Insane. It remained part of Rydalmere Psychiatric Hospital until the building was closed in 1969, as it had become increasingly dilapidated.

The Drill Master's Building circa 1868

Medical Superintendent's Residence circa 1870

WSU Parramatta campus is located near the Corner of James Ruse Drive and Victoria Road Rydalmere. We caught a (M52/525) bus from stand A3 near Parramatta station. (10 minute ride).

     Location map                 
                                                                                  
We returned on the RiverCat ferry service.

The campus is a ~30 minute walk from Rydalmere Wharf along Parramatta Valley shared Cycleway, which runs along the Southern side of the campus.