|
LOCATED: The Sydney basin encompasses Greater Sydney as well as adjoining agricultural areas.
PRINCIPAL TOWNS: Sydney, Lithgow, Richmond, Katoomba.
PRINCIPAL PRODUCE: Orchard fruits, berries, market gardens of herbs and vegetables, poultry, game, wine grapes.
CLIMATE: The climate of Sydney and the Sydney basin is temperate sub-tropical with hot summers inclined to rain and thunderstorms, and cool mostly dry and sunny winters. The Blue Mountains, because of the average altitude of around 1000 metres, has much cooler summers and frosty winters with some snow and fog.
 SYDNEY
OVERVIEW: Sydney is Australia’s largest city. It is a multicultural city (almost a third of the population was born overseas)and its many ethnic groups have contributed to a vibrant and interesting dining scene. The city’s location with a magnificent harbour, beaches and other waterways make this one of the world’s most beautiful destinations and it is visited by thousands of tourists every year who fall in love with its al fresco dining and laid-back ambience. The many inner-city precincts, each with different styles and ethnic mix make this a delightful city to explore.
POPULATION: Sydney, pop. Around 4 million
GETTING THERE: Most major international airlines fly in to Sydney. There are domestic links to all other capital cities and rural NSW. There are rail and coach connections interstate and to all NSW.
SURROUNDS: Sydney is the hub for most parts of NSW. It is flanked by the Hawkesbury to the north and north-west, the Blue Mountains to the west, Camden and Picton to the south-west and Wollongong in the south.
PRINCIPAL CENTRES: Sydney, Penrith, Camden
PRINCIPAL PRODUCE: In outer areas, market gardens raise vegetables, berries, herbs, and fruit, as well as small farms raising poultry and eggs.
CLIMATE: Sydney experiences average maximum summer temperature of 25.9C; winter has average minimums of 8C to average maximums of 16.3C.
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES & WEBSITES:
Sydney Visitor Centre at The Rocks, Level 1, Corner Argyle Street and Playfair Street, The Rocks, Toll Free: 1800 067 676, Tel: 02 9240 8788,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.sydneyvisitorcentre.com.au
Open: daily 9.30am - 5.30pm.
Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre, Carpark Panthers World of Entertainment, Mulgoa Road, Penrith, Toll Free: 1300 736836, 02 4732 7671
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.penrithvalley.com.au
Open 9am-4.30pm daily.
View Listings for this Region
 BLUE MOUNTAINS
OVERVIEW: Although geologically a sandstone plateau this definition does not fully describe the wild and beautiful area cut by steep gorges which borders the Sydney basin to the west. Many areas are still largely unexplored and covered with dense bush and although bushwalking is popular with visitors, it can be dangerous to stray from the marked paths.
The various townships in the area are filled with cafes and restaurants, boutique shops and galleries making the area a very popular day trip from Sydney.
POPULATION: Katoomba 9000, Oberon 2700, Lithgow 11,450.
GETTING THERE: The Blue Mountains area is well connected by rail and coach from Sydney. Katoomba is 110 km west, about two hours drive from Sydney, along the Great Western Highway.
SURROUNDS: Jenolan, known for its limestone caves, is about 70 kilometres to the south-west of Katoomba, and Lithgow, a coal mining city, is 40 kilometres further west along the highway.
PRINCIPAL TOWNS: Katoomba, Lithgow, Oberon, Leura, Blackheath
PRINCIPAL PRODUCE: Apples, pears, stone fruits, berries.
OTHER FEATURES: While in the Blue Mountains, many tourists also see the Three Sisters, a magnificent rock formation, best viewed from Echo Point, Katoomba. A steam strain ride on Lithgow’s Zig-Zag Railway is popular, and The Edge Cinema at Katoomba gives an amazing overview of the area.
CLIMATE: Katoomba at an altitude of 1015 metres has an average maximum summer temperature of 23.2C; winter has average minimums of 2.5C to average maximums of 9.3C.
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES & WEBSITES:
Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centre - Echo Point, Echo Point Road, Katoomba, Toll Free: 1300 653 408,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.visitbluemountains.com.au
Open 9am-5pm daily
Lithgow Visitor Information Centre, Great Western Highway, Lithgow, Toll Free: 1300 760 276, 02 6353 1859,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.tourism.lithgow.com
Open 9am-5pm daily.
View Listings for this Region
 THE HAWKESBURY
OVERVIEW: This area of historic towns, national parks, lovely river and in places broad floodplains, was first opened up in the early days of white settlement. Fifteen percent of the state’s fruit and vegetables are grown in the valley. In season look for roadside stalls selling produce.
GETTING THERE: Richmond is 59 kilometres north-west of the centre of Sydney. The Bells Line of Road from Richmond is an alternate route to Lithgow (75 km) and the Blue Mountains.
PRINCIPAL TOWNS: Richmond, Windsor
PRINCIPAL PRODUCE: fruit and vegetables, berries, game, poultry, eggs
CLIMATE: Richmond has an average maximum summer temperature of 29.8C; winter has average minimums of 3.4C to average maximums of 17.4C.
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE & WEBSITE:
Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre, Ham Common, Hawkesbury Valley Way, Clarendon, Toll Free: 1300 362 874, 02 4578 0233,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.hawkesburytourism.com.au
View Listings for this Region
|
