FROM WESTERN SYDNEY TO HOLLYWOOD
FROM design to reality; a life-size prototype metro carriage for the new Western Sydney Airport Metro line has been unveiled, giving passengers a first look at future travel to Sydney’s second airport.
Assembled from a flat pack in a Western Sydney warehouse, the carriage is a full-scale replica which closely mimics the final product’s shape, size and design features. SEE INSIDE.
THE Federal and NSW Governments are taking another important step
in building Australia’s future, announcing $1B to better connect Western Sydney to the word.
Jointly funded by both governments, the project will upgrade Fifteenth Avenue to create a critical transit corridor from Liverpool to the new Western Sydney International Airport.
Over 22,000 vehicles per day travel along the congested two-lane Fifteenth Avenue,
with around 8 per cent of those being trucks. Liverpool City Council predicts a significant increase in housing in the areas immediately around Fifteenth Avenue, which could see as many as 63,000 additional people living there by 2041.
Fifteenth Avenue will connect the new Bradfield city centre, the new Metro, and the airport, enabling multi-modal travel including fast and easy public transport along the route.
It will also unlock jobs and housing in key growth areas
and provide better access to education and opportunities for Sydney’s growing west. Western Sydney is the fastest growing region of New South Wales, and this funding is part of both governments’ ongoing investment in the future of the region. This adds to existing major investments in Western Sydney, including the $10.4B Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, $2B M12 Motorway, $1B Mamre Road Stage 2 Upgrade and $800 million Elizabeth Drive – Priority Sections Upgrade.
The Australian and NSW governments are each committing $500M to this project.
The Australian Government is investing nearly $18B towards transport infrastructure projects in Western Sydney.
https://investment. infrastructure.gov.au. https://investment. infrastructure.gov.au
THE New Year has brought in huge numbers of visitors to Penrith Beach, with over 51,000 people flocking to the shores to enjoy the sun, sand and water so far this summer.
And locals will have even more fun with two Sandy Cinema screenings this weekend on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 of January.
Friday’s visitors will be flying high after a screening of the recent blockbuster hit Top Gun: Maverick, while Saturday’s attendees will be singing along with Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas following the screening of Wonka.
The Sandy Cinema is the most recent free activity on offer with locals and visitors enjoying a range of
activities such as boot camp classes with Penrith rugby league royalty Mark Geyer, Wildlife Wednesdays with Sydney Zoo, a junior lifesaver program run by The Royal Life Saving Society, and free skin cancer check clinics with Skin Check Champions.
Sandy Cinema will bring family classics to life next to the iconic backdrop of the Blue Mountains.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their blankets, picnic chairs and snacks for one of Sydney’s truly unique cinematic movie experiences under the stars. There will also be a food truck available on site.
To book a pass, see upcoming movie session dates and check out upcoming summer events, visit the Penrith Beach website.
ALIFE-size prototype metro carriage for the new Western Sydney Airport Metro line has been unveiled, giving passengers a first look at future travel to Sydney’s second airport.
Assembled from a flat pack in a Western Sydney warehouse, the carriage is a full-scale replica which closely mimics the final product’s shape, size and design features.
The mock-up will allow future passengers to test out the carriage and provide feedback on comfort, usability, accessibility and safety - including seat design, boarding experience, and handhold placement.
It will also help transport authorities and manufacturers evaluate and finalise aspects of the train like the interior lighting, emergency features, and passenger information display systems.
Engineers and designers will be able to use the prototype to validate the final design choices, ensuring the layout, materials, and ergo-
nomics meet the intended specifications.
The feedback collated from the extensive assessments has helped refine the final design for the 12 new trains for the Western Sydney Airport line before they go into production later this month. The contract for the new trains was signed in 2022.
Final checks are also being made to confirm the upholstery design for the train seats, which will feature a specially commissioned artwork by Western Sydney creative team BBR, led by Dharug artist Leanne Redpath, with Tina Barahanos and Alexandra Byrne.
The artwork called Ngurra Baduwa includes reference to Ngurra (Country) and Badu (water) running through Cumberland Plain, the region where the new 23-kilometre metro line will be located.
The grey and blue patterns and colours for the general seats are reflective of the night sky, while the priority seats are yellow and tell a daytime story
about meeting places around waterholes found through fields of wattle flowers.
About 2,300 square metres of fabric, equivalent in length to five basketball courts, will be needed to upholster every seat in the 12 new trains.
Once operational, the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line will have the capacity to move up to 7,740 passengers each hour in each direction between St Marys and Bradfield via Sydney’s new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
The new railway will become the transport spine for Greater Western Sydney,
connecting residents with job hubs and travellers from the new airport to the rest of Sydney’s public transport system.
For more information on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project: sydneymetro.info/westernsydneyairportline
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
Testing of this mock-up carriage has been underway for many months and no stone has been left unturned to ensure passengers enjoy a world-class experience when they step off a plane in Western Sydney and onto a fast and reliable metro.
“Western Sydney artists at BBR have delivered a fantastic upholstery design for the seats that will create a unique identity for this line, and welcome international visitors with
incredible Aboriginal cultural heritage and contemporary art.” Features of the new Western Sydney Airport metro trains:
• High resolution displays showing real-time flight information via a direct feed from the Airport;
• Multiple seating choices in each carriage, including front and rear facing seating for people travelling in larger groups and traditional metro longitudinal (sideways) seating;
• A wide, accessible aisle through the centre of the train to allow for ease of movement for passengers travelling with luggage;
• Wheelchair areas and accessible spaces;
• Hearing loops in all carriages
• Four bicycle storage spaces on every train.
AS one of Australia’s most respected actors, Joel Edgerton has graced the theatre stage along with some of the biggest sets in film. Today he crossed the stage once more, to receive an honorary doctorate from Western Sydney University.
One of the nation’s most successful exports in the film business, Joel Edgerton is an actor, director, writer, producer, and filmmaker. Offstage, he is also an inspiring global advocate and charity ambassador who has helped raise millions to further the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation.
The University proudly conferred him with the award, Doctorate of Letters (honoris causa), at a graduation ceremony held on Tuesday 17 December, to recognise his significant contributions to the arts at an international level.
Mr Edgerton was born in Blacktown, attending the Hills Grammar School and then the Nepean Drama School at Western Sydney University, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1995.
Following his graduation, he worked on several stage productions, including in roles with the Sydney Theatre and Bell Shakespeare companies.
In 2001, he debuted in the role of Will McGill in the drama series The Secret Life of Us, a performance that saw him garner national attention and win the Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts (AACTA) Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama. It was in 2010 that he caught the attention of Hollywood, with his powerful performance as Barry ‘Baz’ Brown in the Australian film, Animal Kingdom, a role that also led to two Best Supporting Actor awards. His performances include roles in Star Wars: -
Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: - Revenge of the Sith, Kinky Boots, Zero Dark Thirty, The Great Gatsby, Warrior, Black Mass, It Comes at Night, and Thirteen Lives.
Vice-Chancellor, George Williams said the University was honoured to recognise Mr Edgerton for his eminence in his field on a global scale.
“Joel Edgerton is an inspiration to creatives from all over the nation, and particularly here in Western Sydney where he was raised and studied with us,” said Professor Williams.
“Mr Edgerton’s journey shows that with hard work, passion, extraordinary talent and, of course, education, that anything is possible.
“His representation of this country on such a monumental level is truly remarkable and we are pleased to honour Mr Edgerton with this honorary doctorate, as the University continues to revitalise its commitment to creative and performing arts in Western Sydney.”
The University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Actors Centre Australia (ACA), aimed at renewing performing arts education in Western Sydney.
In partnership, the University and ACA will collaborate to cultivate a new generation of performing artists equipped with both foundational knowledge and practical skills, enabling other students to follow in Mr Edgerton’s footsteps.
Mr Edgerton has been an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation for over 10 years and supports the foundation’s vision to ensure that everyone, rich or poor, has access to affordable eye care.
On a charitable visit to Nepal in 2012, he witnessed the Foundation’s team restore sight firsthand,
IN an Australian first, a new form of bypass surgery using nano technology to eliminate the risk of lymphoedema in breast cancer patients has been performed at Westmead Hospital.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Frank Hsieh is the first in Australia to introduce lymphovascular bypass surgery, a subspeciality in plastic surgery, and has now performed the technique on 20 patients with no reports of lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is a condition of localised swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system and is commonly experienced by people with breast cancer following the removal of lymph nodes.
Western Sydney Local Health District, Chief Executive, Graeme Loy said with up to 40 per cent of people who have lymph nodes removed developing lymphoedema, this breakthrough is already changing lives for breast cancer patients.
“This new form of surgery by Dr Frank Hsieh at Westmead Hospital is groundbreaking in preventing women diagnosed with breast cancer, from potentially developing lymphoedema which can be debilitating,” Mr Loy said.
“This is a fantastic breakthrough for breast cancer patients in western Sydney to have access to this potentially life-changing procedure allowing women to live their lives with strength and confidence, post breast cancer surgery.”
Dr Hsieh said the new surgical technique being piloted at Westmead Hospital uses nano technology, where the tip of the instrument is super fine to enter the body.
“It’s finer than one strand of hair, with the magnification able to reach 70 times. The lymph fluids are trapped and just want to get out, so we use the
nano technology to re-route it into another system,” Dr Hsieh said.
“The lymphovascular surgery is performed in the same procedure as lymph node clearance and only adds 30 minutes to the operation time.
“This is really the pinnacle of microsurgery. A surgeon has to be proficient in microsurgery first (around 1.5 mm in diameter) then you can challenge the >0.8mm in lymphatic surgery which is called supermicrosugery.”
The first patient to undergo Dr Hsieh’s new surgery in January 2024 was Urhay Hawel who was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer at 27-yearsold.
Urhay had a double mastectomy, and three lymph nodes were removed from her right arm. However, as cancer was found in all three lymph nodes, she had to undergo a full clearance which
in both Nepal and Ethiopia.
In 2017, he called on Hollywood’s elite to host a fundraising gala in Los Angeles that raised half a million dollars for the charity.
“We commend Mr Edgerton for his ongoing commitment to The Fred Hollows Foundation, and the contributions he has made in raising awareness and funds for affordable eye care,” said Professor Williams.
Mr Edgerton has also starred in several Australian films, including Wish You Were Here, The Square, and Felony – the latter two films he also wrote and produced – as well as The Stranger, in which he both starred and produced.
In 2015, he received a nomination for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing –First-Time Feature Film for The Gift, a psychological horror-thriller film that not only starred in but also wrote, directed and co-produced.
He garnered further critical acclaim, and a Golden Globe Best Actor nomination, for his performance as Richard Loving in the 2016 historical drama, Loving.
In 2018, he wrote, directed and starred in the drama Boy Erased, a compelling film about gay conversion therapy. In 2018 he also produced, co-wrote and starred in The King. More recently, he produced and starred in the acclaimed Apple series, Dark Matter.
can increase a person’s chances of developing lymphoedema.
“I was extremely distressed hearing this news. This is when I was introduced to Dr Hsieh. He told me he would perform a procedure called anastomosis on a microscopic level; essentially, re-routing my lymphatic channel,” Ms Hawel said.
“This would decrease my chance of developing lymphoedema. I did not have to think twice about this option as my worst fear (second from cancer) was developing lymphoedema, and dealing with the debilitating effects, restrictions, and loss of functionality in my arm.
“This procedure is truly lifechanging. Following my surgery and radiation, I have been actively training at the gym and lifting heavier weights than I did pre-cancer. I have had no pain, restrictions, or issues with my strength.”
The 12-month pilot phase of the procedure at Westmead Hospital has now been completed, with all patients followed up at 3, 6 and 12-months post-operation showing no signs of developing lymphoedema.
Dr Hsieh’s work will be published following his 18-month follow-up appointments with all patients. In the next phase of the pilot, Dr Hsieh will also look at expanding the use of the procedure by training more surgeons in this field of plastic surgery.
A trial of the procedure involving six hospitals in North America (USA & Canada) started in 2013 and is now performed in top units in countries such as the UK, Germany, Japan and India. With few surgeons trained and experienced in the microsurgery, globally, the procedure is still very limited in scale.
DENTISTS are urging parents to prioritise regular dental check-ups as the 2024 Oral Health Tracker Report revealed a surge in preventable hospitalisations for children due to dental issues. Tooth decay affects over 27% of kids aged
5–10, contributing to hospital pressures. Initiatives like Bupa’s Members First Ultimate and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule offer cost-effective options for families to maintain oral health, reduce hospital demand, and prevent long-term dental problems.
THE AMA’s 2023 Specialist Trainee Experience Health Check highlights challenges in medical training, with no program rated above a C+. Key concerns include inadequate exam feedback, low confidence in reporting harassment, and limited rural training opportunities. Only 34% of metropolitan trainees consider rural practice, compared to 78% of rural-based trainees wanting to stay. The AMA urges reforms to improve support, feedback, and rural training options to address workforce shortages and trainee wellbeing.
THE Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging reforms to after-hours care, highlighting the need for improved funding and GP involvement to ensure accessibility and continuity
of care. The RACGP advocates after-hours rebates, multidisciplinary teams, and tailored services for rural and vulnerable populations. President Dr. Nicole Higgins stresses the importance of redesigning funding models to keep practices open longer and improve patient outcomes.
THE Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) 2023–2024 annual report highlights significant achievements, including 19 million Charity Register searches and 3.8 million website views. The ACNC conducted 250 charity reviews, addressed 2,309 concerns, and revoked nine charity statuses. Key focuses included compliance, cyber security, and transparency. For 2024–2025, priorities include
protecting vulnerable people, preventing fraud, and tackling misuse of complex structures to conceal non-compliance or financial mismanagement.
AS Australia gears up for another year of horse racing, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses' Deathwatch 2024 Report reveals 151 racehorse deaths on track in 2023/24, equating to three weekly fatalities. CPR warns the true toll is higher, with hidden euthanasia and exploitation rife. Campaigners urge awareness of the industry's cruelty and low profitability for owners.
THE GoodSAM app connects trains responders to nearby cardiac arrest incidents, guiding them to perform CPR and locate AEDs from the NSW public access defibrillator registry. With over 4,300 AEDs registered and 30 lives saved, including 12 with AEDs, this life-saving tool enhances survival rates while paramedics are en route. Registration is open to willing CPR-capable adults.
ASURVEY by Audika Hearing Clinic reveals Australians prioritize sight over hearing, with 73% admitting hearing is the most neglected sense. Stigma and lack of understanding contribute to this, with 59% perceiving a negative stigma around hearing loss. Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold shares her journey of overcoming stigma, encouraging early checks. Audika urges. Australians over 26 to prioritize hearing health with free or online checks to improve quality of life.
RESEARCH from UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) highlights hypertension treatment as a key Alzheimer’s prevention strategy. A study of 31,250 individuals found untreated hypertension after age 60 increases Alzheimer’s risk by 42%, while treated hypertension eliminates this risk. Antihypertensive benefits persist into the 80s, with similar effects across genders and ethnicities. Experts urge global efforts to address hypertension, crucial in tackling the growing dementia crisis.
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BLACKTOWN City Council December meeting voted to investigate the local heritage significance of Bowman Hall.
Bowman Hall has been the centre of local community activities since 1965.
The Blacktown News published a series of articles in May and June 2023 backing community calls for heritage listing of Bowman Hall to protect it from potential demolition after the sale of CBD land to Walker Corporation in March 2023.
The articles highlighted the birth of modern Australia through the national Labor election campaign launch in 1972 and 1974 where the then Labor Leader, Gough Whitlam declared significant structural reforms to Australia during his tenure as prime minister including the end of the white Australia policy, ending conscription to the Vietnam war, introduction of Medibank (forerunner to Medicare) and free university courses.
Stephen Bali, Member for Blacktown has since continued to lobby to have the building to be considered for State Heritage listing by the NSW Government.
Blacktown Council is investing what local significance Bowman Hall has played in the history of Blacktown City resulting from a motion proposed by Cr Bob Fitzgerald OAM and Cr Carol Israel.
Cr Jess Diaz successfully called for an amendment to involve Blacktown Historical Society in the historical assessment.
Cr Peter Camilleri outlined the importance of its future as it was one of most raised issues and remains unaddressed by Council.
Cr Camilleri said: “It makes sense to have a look at it. The heritage of this place goes beyond politics and big events and includes year seven socials, and I swore my citizenship to Australia in that very hall as so many others have for years and years before hand.
“It is all the small events that on mass effect all residents of Blacktown. Given there is such a high proportion of people from overseas and attend schools locally resulting in a big and strong connection with Bowman Hall.”
Cr Fitzgerald OAM said: “Bowman Hall does have cultural, spiritual and historical significance and not just only citizenship ceremonies, debuts, but weddings and anniversaries and a whole ambit of festivals and events including the multicultural community using it extensively.”
“This should have been brought up prior to 2021 by this Council. It wasn’t and I am glad it is being supported.”
Mr Bali said the new owners, Walker Corporation, have a strong legacy in protecting and enhancing historical and culturally significant buildings within their development precincts as demonstrated with their recent Parramatta development.”
“I am sure that Walker Corporation
will listen to community feedback in designing a future Blacktown that preserves its past with additional new buildings,” Mr Baili said.
Bowman Hall has been the centre of many events including Cr Fitzgerald’s first date with Kate at a debutant ball. The two went on to get married.
Timmy Trumpet’s early DJ stage performances were at Bowman Hall at the 2011 Satisfaction Foam Party night. He has gone on to become a sensational international musician, DJ, songwriter and producer performing at sell out concerts including Ultra Music Festival in the US with a crowd of over 165,000.
Brothers Jason and Dave Ghazal also Blacktown residents had their early start as DJs in Bowman Hall and have gone onto become Australia’s leading entrepreneurs in stage and sound productions operating Jay Productions and Events.
John Horne, Secretary of Blacktown and District Historical Society Inc said local heritage listing is about local stories of how buildings like Bowman Hall made a difference in our lives.
“We need many people to come forward and share their stories about why Bowman Hall is important to them so it can be successfully listed on the Council’s heritage registry,” Mr Horne said.
Emails of support can be sent to jhorneex@ live.com.au and will be collated and presented to Blacktown Council for their assessment and feedback to councillors.
Western Sydney is typically 6-10 degrees hotter than the rest of the city during extreme heat events. Heatwaves are responsible for more deaths in NSW than any other severe weather event. Bring prepared prior to a heatwave is crucial to keeping yourselves and other safe.
Lie down in a cool or shady area
Remove extra layers of clothing and any tight clothes
Put your hands and feet in cold water, or have a cool shower
Cool by moistening skin and fanning
Have frequent, small sips of water
A Cool Centre is a place you can go to seek relief from extreme heat. These are especially for people who are unable to keep cool at home. For information about Cool Centres open in your area, please visit our Western Sydney Cool Centres webpage.
While everyone is at risk of heat-related illness, those most at risk are:
Expectant mums and young children
Older people
People with chronic illnesses and mental health concerns
Outdoor workers
In addition to physical health risks, heatwaves can also exacerbate mental illness and increase the risk of domestic violence. Studies have shown that violence increases with warmer weather. This can be linked to disrupted sleep patterns, increased social isolation during extreme temperatures and increased discomfort and irritability due to temperatures1
For free mental health help and guidance, call 1800 595 212
Heat can be extremely dangerous. Exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke which can be a life-threatening condition.
Contact your GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 if you experience:
• High body temperature (over 40’C)
• Nausea
• Confusion and fainting
In an emergency, please call Triple Zero (000).
S ymptoms to look out for
• E xcessive sweating
• Thirstiness
• Headache or dizziness
1 University of Sydney (2024), Rise in suicidal behaviours among young people linked to hotter temperatures. Accessed by: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/10/rise-in-suicidal-behaviours-amongyoung-people-linked-to-hotter-temperatures
THE Pullman Sydney Hyde Park has partnered with the Australian Museum for their new and exciting summer exhibition that has come to Australia. At Pullman Hyde Park, you feel completely on holiday, next to Hyde Park, a very New York-style park right across the road with rooms on the West side looking down into the lush tree-filled park.
This incredible Museum exhibition is just one block from the hotel. Bring the whole family to the Pullman Hotel and enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast, order poolside drinks ordered to you from 7am till 11pm and base yourself on the rooftop for a few happy hours in the pool and spa. Happy hour in the lobby bar is 4pm till 10pm Tuesday-Saturdays and Candy hour is in the lobby on 3pm
Wto 4pm Friday and Saturday. The Pullman hotel has a special for the summer: Inclusions: Overnight Accommodation | Buffet Breakfast | Tickets to the Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition at the Australian Museum | Kids activity pack (available for bookings with children). STAY FROM $329: Book Now and Stay until 23 February 2025, www.pullmansydneyhydepark.com.au/offers
HAT a fabulous way to explore waterways and do something completely different. GoBoat, based out of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and the Gold Coast is a fantastic electric-powered picnic boat that seats up to eight people and is very easy to Drive, no boat licence needed.
Our group of four ladies spent a wonderful two hours on Sydney’s waterway, arriving at Cabarita Point’s picturesque marina in time for a quick coffee and a 5 minute safety run through. On such a hot Sydney day,
our GoBoat’s boat canopy overhead kept us protected from the heat as we puttered along pleasantly, enjoying the view of stunning sandstone, concrete and timber mansions along the waterway. Our session was for 2 hours, and we felt one hour was not long enough for us, despite GoBoat offering one to four hour sessions for electric boats.
With a picnic table onboard, we ate and drank our way along the waterway during the daytime, but evening sessions are available too and would be a great way to watch the sunset.
GoBoats are pet friendly so fur babies are welcome. Staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and will track your boat in case you get lost – we only made one wrong turn and received a friendly phone call to help us get back on track immediately.
Australia has some of the best waterways in the world and boating is a great way to experience the great outdoors whether it is by power boat, sailing boat or paddle craft. This summer why not get out on the water with family or friends and soak up the vast health benefits, recharge the batteries
and create lasting memories. Head to www.goboat.com.au to book your vessel with friends and family or to find out more ways to get out on the water this summer visit discoverboating.com.au.
The only way to enjoy the Northern beaches is by using public transport as the rangers are plentiful and LOVE to hand out parking tickets. Catch the B line buses from Stand B, Carrington St at Wynyard (the street above George street). Buses come extremely regularly between 4.30am and 12.30am (after midnight) and can take you all the way to Mona Vale. The 190 or 190X will take you to Palm Beach stopping regularly and the easiest beaches to walk to from the bus stops are Collaroy and Narrabeen.
Collaroy Beach has a terrific pool and enclosed park for kids and is close to the shops and movies, including surf shops and places to get snacks and lunch.
If you get off at Narrabeen it’s best to buy drinks, snacks and foods from the shops near the bust stop as there’s nothing at the actual beach that is an easy walk. On the lake side you can hire a canoe or SUP from Pro Kayaks on the lake, it’s open 9-4pm or 9-5pm on weekends. Call 9970 7081 with your questions.
If you would like to catch the 190 or 190X to Palm Beach, it’s an easy stroll across the road to the sand and there are cafes, a surf shop and often an ice cream van there. If you’d like to try surfing Manly Surf School operates there. Reserve a spot in a lesson by booking https://manlysurfschool.com/location/ palm-beach/ or call 9932 7000.
Under the Roseville Bridge is a great place to picnic or put in a SUP, it’s not the best for swimming or for kids to water play due to ‘rumours of a few sharky creatures’ but the location and scenery is incredible and there is plenty of parking. If you’re prefer to be in a more bustling location with the support of staff to help you launch a kayak, Sydney Harbour Kayaks are based at the Spit, it’s a stunning location to paddle around. Parking is limited but possible, make sure you feed the meter, buses don’t stop directly at the spit from Wynyard. Call the transport info line 131 500 or go to https://transportnsw.info for detailed itinerary from your area for buses.
There are great spots to swim all along the Manly beach as well as the Sydney Harbour side, and nice snorkeling at Shelly Beach. Parking is terrible so it’s best to arrive by ferry. You can hire a kayak on the Sydney Harbour side at Manly Sailing. Call 99774000.
If you’re curious about joining a Freedom Boat Club or you’re already a member, there are two Northern Beaches locations between Bayview and Newport. Freedom Boat Club is global with 400 locations and growing and is the easiest way to get out on the water. With a membership, you can reserve a boat for the day and the staff take care of the maintenance for you and they give you unlimited training. Call 9457 2000 and enjoy the gorgeous Pittwater waterway or the beautiful and secluded Bobbin Head.
WHAT better way to enjoy all the fun of Darling Harbour with your family this summer than a staycation at the Park Royal Hotel. It’s a cheaper option than heading overseas. Rooms are extremely comfortable and if you request a room with Club privileges you can enjoy evening drinks and nibbles in the Club lounge overlooking Darling Harbour and the bustling waterways of Sydney. Enjoy your breakfast there too or in the lovely Barkers restaurant, fill the kids up with fresh fruit and a hot breakfast before a day of activities.
With the hotel positioned right at the edge of Darling Harbour, walk for 2 minutes to enjoy Darling Harbour’s family offerings - pedal boats (hire a pedal boat for up to two adults and two children) between 1st- 28 January in Darling Harbour’s Cockle Bay for just $45. Watch an IMAX film on the big screen, visit the Chinese Gardens, visit Sealife Aquarium or The Children’s playground at Darling Harbour is extensive and FREE, surrounded by great places for lunch.
James CameronChallenging the Deep
Enter Curious. Exit Inspired. The Australian National Maritime Museum has a terrific exhibition between 1st to 31st January showcasing James Cameron’s, (explorer and filmmaker)
Eunderwater passion projects in deep ocean science, technology and exploration, including material on his record-breaking dive to the bottom of the planet in the Deepsea Challenger, the submersible he co-designed and co-engineered.
The Park Hyatt’s Abode Restaurant is a family-friendly yet stylish and chic. with delicious barramundi, aged sirloin, roasted cauliflower and house made bread. The olives are lovely or the cheeseboard or Sydney
Rock oysters are a quick healthy snack. The chocolate mousse dessert is to die for. Abode Restaurant is part of the Park Royal Hotel at 150 Day Street, Sydney phone 02 92611188 or reserve a room at enquiry.prsyd@ parkroyalhotels.com
EXPLORE Sydney’s past with a visit to the superbly renovated Old Clare Hotel in Sydney’s Chippendale area. In the earlier days of Sydney this heritage building formed part of the Carlton and United Brewery and is now a hotel with 69 rooms and a gorgeous rooftop pool. The Old Clare’s roof top bar looks over Sydney and is a destination in its own right. The rooftop bar is a great place to start your evening as the sun goes down before heading out for dinner.
The hotel is a fascinating building with lots of historical features to look at. Rooms have been thoughtfully designed with a vintage feel with use of items, such as a vintage spotlight, a claw foot bath and zig-zag parquetry (mozaic wood tile) flooring. At night Spice Alley, the alleyway next door comes alive with restaurants, bars and cafes and foot traffic lifting the energy of the entire area into a happy, festive
place to eat, meet and have a drink. 1 Kensington St Chippendale phone 8277 8277
Longshore Restaurant
Right next door to the hotel, is a very unsuspecting gem of a seafood restaurant. Executive chef Jarrod Walsh produces excellent ethically sourced delicate dishes in small plates to share or large plates to enjoy yourself. ‘Inspired by the dynamic Australian coastline’ think BBQ Skull Island Tiger prawn, roast shellfish bisque, Fraser Island Spanner crabs or coal grilled Ulladulla swordfish loin. If you’re not a fan of seafood, you can enjoy BBQ Wollemi duck leg, Dry aged Byron Bay Borrowdale pork chops. This is just a sample of a very thoughtful, sustainable and seasonal menu. The desserts. - Burnt Aussie pavlova and dark chocolate brownie are delicious. Their current special is a glass of wine, a small plate and something larger for $70pp. Kensington St Chippendale phone 8227 8522 info@ longshore.com.au
Toch Bar
Drop in at the ultra-modern, utterly instagrammable TOCH bar for a delicious breakfast right next to the hotel. Smashed Avo on toast, Eggs Benedict and full breakfast are recommended. Open 7am – 10.30am Monday to Friday and 7am – 11am Saturday and Sundays.
The Rocks
It is wonderful to wander around Sydney’s Rocks market on a Saturday or Sunday. Buy a coffee, buy a handcrafted gift or jewelry and take in the historic vibe and the sights of the beautiful harbour. Open 10am to 5pm every weekend it really is the best way to enjoy historical Sydney.
MATT BROGAN
HYUNDAI is set to introduce a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol powertrain under the bonnet of its Santa Fe range within weeks.
Priced from $53,000 plus on-road costs, the 2.5T badged model is available across the grade walk (Santa Fe, Elite, and Calligraphy), and with the choice of two- and all-wheel drive (full pricing details available below).
The G4KP-series powerplant delivers 206kW at 5800rpm and 422Nm from 1700-4000rpm – a 6kW and 91Nm uptick on the previous generation’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol.
The 2.5T offering is paired exclusively with an eight-speed (wet) dual-clutch transmission (whereas the Hybrid features a six-speed epicyclic automatic).
Hyundai has tuned the Santa Fe 2.5T range to operate safely on 91 RON regular unleaded petrol, reducing operating costs for Australian buyers.
The model features a 72-litre fuel tank and consumes claimed 9.3 litres per 100km on the Combined cycle. CO2 emissions are listed at 212 grams per kilometre.
While unchanged dimensionally from the Hybrid range, the 2.5T offering is considerably lighter, tipping the scale from 1835kg – or 90kg less than the petrol-electric entrant.
Importantly, braked towing capacity rises 400kg to 2000kg. The 2.5T variant also offers larg-
er diameter front brake rotors, up 20mm to 345mm.
The turning circle of the Santa Fe 2.5T is unchanged at 11.6m, assisted once more by an electrically assisted arrangement.
The Large segment SUV rides on a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels (with full-size spare) across the range.
All equipment offerings are
unchanged, including Hyundai’s generous list of standard safety technologies.
The Santa Fe offers four ISOFIX and five top-tether child seat anchor points across the second and third rows.
Optionally, the Santa Fe range remains available with a six-seat configuration on Calligraphy variants ($500), premium paint ($695), matte premium paint ($1000), and three optional interior colours –
Supersonic Grey, Forest Green, or Pecan Brown ($295).
The Hyundai Santa Fe currently ranks in seventh place within the SUV Large under $80K segment with year-todate sales of 4957 units (or 4.4 segment share points).
It is topped by body-onframe rivals including the Ford Everest (24,018 units and 21.2 per cent), Isuzu MU-X (16,790
units and 14.8 per cent), Toyota LandCruiser Prado (7115 units and 6.3 per cent), and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (6792 units and 6.0 per cent), and monocoque offerings including the Subaru Outback (9591 units and 8.5 per cent) and related Kia Sorento (9093 units and 8.0 per cent).
The Hyundai Santa Fe 2.5T will be in dealerships within the coming weeks.
