Wednesday 11 October 2017

Paddington Markets Sydney


Recommended by Bernard's Aussie colleague, before going to Bondi, we stopped by Paddington Markets which is a community based market with stalls that sell clothing, accessories, soaps, candles, bamboo phone cases, crafts, food and many more. These Australian designed and crafted products are exclusive only to Paddington Markets. The International food court particularly caught our attention as the menus were really unique and the food looked super delicious too.

Australian-made soap bars, baby shoes, phone cases, jewelry, earrings, accessories
Intricate bonsai

International food court with open air seating

Time to eat! I just cannot resist roasted capsicum, onions, salad, cheese, juicy sausage and a good relish combo. Loved everything about the filling but not the chunky bun.
The first stall Jackaroos: Hot dog- everything (onions, vegies, roasted bell peppers, cheese, mustard relish)

And an Asian dish - The Banh Xeo was really tasty. The pancake is full of flavors with the right amount of turmeric taste, goes perfectly with the tender well-seasoned pork belly, salad and dipping sauce (chilli and fish sauce).
Bernard picked his favorite meat - braised pork belly of course.
Banh Xeo - Vietnamese sizzling savoury pancake, made from scratch with rice flour, coconut milk, tumeric, mung beans served with bean sprouts, fresh herbs, salad, house pickles + dipping sauce.
Banh Xeo Bar's Vietnamese sizzling pancake preparation

Different Arepa of corn, beetroot, carrot or kale flavours make them so colorful. The arepas come with your choice of shredded chicken/ beef, pulled pork, black beans, feta, plantains (cooking banana) and salad.
La Reina Venezuelan Arepas which is made of ground maize dough
Arepas and Bowl


BAKED: Baked Potato with Bacon, baked beans, mushroom or veggies and kofta

Xesus Cold pressed fresh juice

Empanadas is a type of Spanish pastry turnover, either fried or baked filled with a variety of ingredients such as mince beef/ lamb, red pepper, Kalamata olives, onion, garlic, raisin, spices, sweet pumpkin, spinach, cheese, carrot...
Abuelo Argentinian Empanadas which look like currypuff, Yerba mate iced tea
Soda Bread - baking soda is used to make the bread instead of yeast
From the oven
Chinese, Asian food


Paddington Markets Sydney

Website: http://www.paddingtonmarkets.com.au
Add: 395 Oxford St, Paddington. Sydney
Tel: 02 9331 2923  
Fax: 02 9331 4864
Email: office@paddingtonmarkets.com.au

Market Trading Hours: Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm

Map:

Scenic World & Echo Point, Katoomba, Blue Mountains NSW Australia


Scenic World is a park with rides (train, cable car) and walkways to explore Australia’s World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, located on the corner of Violet Street & Cliff Drive, in Katoomba. At the Blue Mountains, blue haze blankets the mountains of eucalyptus forest. About 2km away, Echo Point is the Lookout spot to view the Three Sisters rock formation at close range. According to Aboriginal legend, the 3 sisters were turned to stones by an elder to protect them. These are popular tourist destinations so they will be crowded.

Tips: At Scenic World, the restaurants are only located at the main building, so it is wise to eat first if you are hungry before embarking on any rides. Go there early and take the rides as the crowd built up later in the day. The last ride is at 4.50pm.

I think it was an enjoyable day exploring the Blue Mountains with different modes of transport, walkways and bush trails. The cable cars allowed us to view the mountains in a more extensive way. Waiting time wasn't too bad, it was part of the fun. Walking was good but certain areas were rather sunny.

To go to Katoomba, you can travel from Sydney (about 100 kilometres) by:
  • Car - 1h 40m drive
  • Train - from Central Station, take the BMT (Blue Mountains Train) Line - Mount Victoria via Parramatta to Katoomba Station (1h 58m - 20 stops). Costs about AUD5.95 (with Opal card) one way (off-peak hours). We traveled on a Sunday with Opal so the fee was capped at $2.60 for all rides (train and bus)! At Sydney Central Station, check the screen for the platform number. Calculate your fare here.
Bernard and I were contemplating on driving to the Blue mountains but finally decided on a train ride. Did not have to worry about the car insurance, driver's license and we could just sit back, relax and enjoy the view.

Train to Katoomba. Quite comfortable ride in this double decker train
Katoomba Train Station

From the train station:
  • Walk 2 min to the Bus Stop outside Carrington Hotel, take bus 686 to Scenic World (3km) - Timetable. Getting around with bus is quite convenient, may have to stand sometimes. Wait time is 15 - 30 min. The bus stops at Echo Point, Katoomba Falls Road, Skyway Station, Scenic World (if you take the Skyway from here, you have to pay at the Scenic World main station where the entrance is), etc.
Carrington Hotel bus stop

  • Other options: Hop on either a Blue Mountains Explorer (AUD44, every 30 min) or Trolley Tours bus
  • Hop-on Hop-off Blue mountains Explorer counter is just outside the train station. From here, cross the road to Carrington Hotel Bus Stop

  • Or you could walk 30 minute the Three Sisters Echo Point or Scenic World

Rides and Walkway at Scenic World
1. Scenic Railway (red) - Capacity: 84 pax. It is the steepest passenger railway in the world that offers glass-roofed carriages and expansive views of the rainforest setting and spectacular Jamison Valley. There is a button at the side of the carriage to adjust the seated position up to 20 degrees. The original is at 52 degrees. While waiting in line, the crew went asking where the visitors were from and then sang a tune about that country. Disembark at the bottom station to access the Scenic Walkway and stroll through 2.4 kilometres of rainforest.
The crew sang "We love Malaysia" with hand drums

Time for wefie while waiting for our turns. Scenic views everywhere.

Scenic Railway with glass roofed carriages, the steepest passenger railway in the world.
From Railway bottom station we went to the Cableway bottom station via Scenic Walkway.


2. Scenic Walkway (green) - Options for various walks taking 15, 30 or 50 mins on an elevated boardwalk through 2.4 kilometres of Jurassic rainforest. Walkway loops are clearly signposted. There are 2 access points: Railway (red) or Cableway (blue) bottom station.
Scenic Walkway routes are clearly signposted.


3. Scenic Cableway (blue) - Capacity: 84 pax. The Cableway’s fully enclosed cabin provides a unique vantage point for viewing the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mt Solitary and Katoomba Falls in the 510m journey. Disembark at the Cableway Bottom station to access the Scenic Walkway (green).
Cableway bottom station
Inside Cableway


4. Scenic Skyway (yellow) - Suspended 270 metres above ravines, rainforest canopy, you can view the Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Jamison Valley stretching to the horizon. There is a small area of glass floor to view the rainforest beneath the feet. We got down at the Skyway’s east station to access the Katoomba Falls lookout (via Prince Henry Cliff Walk: go down some stairs, 5min walk) and bush trail to Echo Point (1.1km walk, 45min one way with plenty of gorgeous lookout points).
Skyway (yellow) main station

The Skyway cabin provides a unique thrill as breathtaking views are revealed beneath your feet through the electro-glass floor.

Katoomba Falls

Bush trail from Scenic Skyway east station to Echo Point. Some of them crossed over the perimeter fence for some photos by the cliff.
Arrived at Echo Point - The Three Sisters rock formation which is a popular tourist attraction. According to Aboriginal legend, the 3 sisters turned into stones.

Alternatively, from Scenic World take bus 686 to Echo Point Rd opp Cliff Dr (4th stop). 


What we did: From the main building, take the Railway > Railway Bottom Station > Walkway to Cableway bottom station > Cableway up to main building > Skyway to East Station > Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Katoomba Falls and Echo Point.

EATS270 | Open 10:30am – 3:00pm daily.
Signature angus beef burger and chips. EATS270 is perched on the escarpment with expansive views of the iconic Jamison Valley, with outdoor and indoor seating.


Scenic World


Website: http://www.scenicworld.com.au
FB Page: facebook.com/ScenicWorld
Add: Corner Violet Street & Cliff Drive, Katoomba NSW 2780 Australia
Email: info@scenicworld.com.au
Tel: 1300 SKYWAY or +61 2 4780 0200

Tickets:
Unlimited Discovery Pass (unlimited rides on the Railway, Skyway, Cableway and Walkway): AUD39 (adult) at ticket counter. Klook price: AUD37
Opening time: every day of the year from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Last ride at 4.50pm.
(Ample, free undercover parking is available on site)


Echo Point - The Three Sisters 

Add: 23-31 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia
The Visitor Information Centre at Echo Point is a good place to pick up maps and find out more about the area. Parking - Time limits and parking fees apply. Parking might be limited on the weekend.
Hours: 9am to 5pm daily. Closed on Christmas Day. Admission is free.

Map: