‘North East India’ popularly known as ‘seven sisters state’ is a treasure trove for travellers, with lush green mountains, mystifying viewpoints, lavish tea estates and quirky tourist spots. This part of the subcontinent is extremely underrated but has a lot to offer for people looking for some peace of mind and to get away from the teeming city crowd.
Sikkim Darjeeling travel enthusiasts will definitely be encapsulated in North East India’s splendid rolling slopes of the mighty hills along with the unparalleled tranquillity and its rich ethnic diversity.
Here are some destinations in North East India which cannot be missed out on:
Pelling, Sikkim
Pelling, West Sikkim
Also known as the ‘jewel of Sikkim’, this small hill town of Pelling is nestled comfortably at an elevation of 2,150 metres. Set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, and surrounded by impressive and colourful plants Pelling is the ideal tourist spot for families and people looking for some peaceful time. Tourist spots include spiritual local monasteries, cascading waterfalls, shimmering lakes and compelling trekking routes. One can witness the Mighty Himalayas and the majestic Kanchenjunga closely from this impressive hill station which is home to the traditional North Eastern tribes.
Places to Visit in Pelling – Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga falls, Pemayangtse monastery, Rimbi falls, Darap village.
Bes Time to Visit – September to May
Shillong, Meghalaya
Popularly nicknamed as the ‘Scotland of East’ Shillong is home to some of the most picturesque and mesmerizing tourist spots in India overall. This city is slowly yet steadily attracting a huge number of tourists from not just other parts of India but across the globe as well. One can visit various intriguing canyons, colourful blossoming parks, impressive lakes and towering peaks, on their visit to Shillong. With the temperature remaining constantly cool throughout the year, Shillong is an oasis for people looking to beat the harsh heat.
Places to visit in Shillong – Elephant Falls, Umiam Lake, Don Bosco Museum, Phan Nonglait Park, Wards Lake.
Best time to visit – all year round
Kohima, Nagaland
This second largest city in the state of Nagaland was founded by the British’s in the year 1878. Currently, it is one of the most vibrant cultural North Eastern centres in India, with the organization of the unique Hornbill festival Kohima is not only a paradise for nature and adventure lovers but is also a haven for fashionistas. Still known for being one of the most offbeat travel locations Kohima has managed to stay close to its traditional roots. The primary occupation for the people of Kohima still remains agriculture and farming while their humbleness has started to attract a lot of tourism.
View of Kohima City
Places to Visit in Kohima – Kohima war cemetery, Nagaland state museum, Sakhrie Park, Naga heritage village.
Best time to Visit – October to May
Haflong, Assam
Haflong is the one and only hill station in Assam, which attracts a number of tourists from across the subcontinent and the map throughout the year. Haflong boasts of a rich cultural heritage which remains untouched. Often referred to as the White Ant Hillock Haflong consists of mesmerizing lakes where one can have some quality time with their family and enjoy a picnic, picturesque green rolling hills and numerous other viewpoint sites where you can witness the sheer grandness and purity of nature in all its forms and vigour. This tiny hill town is a prime and one of the pristine spots for getting away from the busy city life.
Beautiful view of Haflong
Places to visit in Haflong – Haflong hill, Jatinga, Maibong, Haflong Lake
Best Time to Visit – October to April
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
This enchanting valley town is located at an elevation of 3,048 metres and has always been inhabited by the Monpa people. This town is extremely religious in its Buddhist pursuits hence it is home to numerous calming and beautiful monasteries. Tawang is comfortably nestled on the lush green mountains and is increasingly becoming a safe haven for individuals looking for some adventure as well as for families looking to spend a memorable vacation. It is the perfect combination of rich tradition, a hub for Buddhist religion and of course, mesmerizing surroundings.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Places to visit in Tawang – Tawang monastery, Shonga – Tser Lake, Nuranang Waterfalls, Pankang Teng Tso Lake
Art has always been an element of life which makes everything different when it’s there and also turns everything so different when it’s not. You could say that art is everything, and it is everywhere. Well, that’s true. In every corner of this world, art has a space that only it can fill. One of the world’s places showcasing some wonderful kinds of art is Melbourne in Australia.
Whenever you travel to a place near or far from your own, you surely always want to find out the kind of art it has and where it could be found. There’s something in you that craves another kind of art that varies from what you know — everybody knows each country has unique ways of bringing art to life. This piece you’re reading is a friendly guide that briefly introduces you to 10 destinations in Melbourne where you can spend some time with the beauty of its art.
1 – SEVENTH GALLERY
Are you into discovering new stuff and making something unique out of anything? If you are (or even if you aren’t!), Seventh Gallery is just the right place! It embodies diversity and unpredictability in its artistic procedures. Out of the box is its game. This gallery leads you to an experience of experimentation in the world of art in many forms and practices. They also present solo and group exhibitions, wherein many amazing works of art are showcased for the guests to see and of course, experience. Various curators and artists hold performances and talks in the gallery. Aside from those, out-of-the-conventional pieces of work are also accepted and launched there.
Together with its concerns in contemporary art, Seventh also encourages collaborations. If you don’t just want to be a visitor or a spectator, you can also conduct your own event in the gallery. Seventh Gallery is also a good avenue for you to share your love for the arts. It also values growth and progress as it offers great opportunities for artists to develop their skills and present their work through mentoring which includes feedback and helpful professional advice. Seventh has a program for writers wherein they can enhance their skills and set their passion for writing and art ablaze.
2 – CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY
The Centre for Contemporary Photography, as its name says, puts under the spotlight the masterpieces of Australian lens-based arts. It emphasizes contemporary Australian photography and video in a meaningful connection with history — the connection leading to expansion and more recognition for the art of photography in the country. Exhibitions in CCP show several works of photo-based art created by numerous artists at all levels of skill.
In CCP, you can witness a wide range of showpieces extending from local to international division photography. It is definitely a place that will fascinate you because as you know or know not, photos always have something to say and to make someone feel. Different people and different nations coming together for a single contemporary photography exhibition?! That sounds exciting! This place is to be appreciated because passionate hearts and wild imaginations were combined to capture moments, make moments, and give moments meanings of themselves.
3 – FLINDERS COURT
Looking for some super affordable art spaces to have your Instagram-worthy photos taken? Well, here’s one of them. Flinders Court is a laneway in Melbourne where the walls and the ground are filled with paintings of various images. Your eyes will really glow seeing the huge realistic paintings along the laneway. There are cartoon and caricature-styled artworks that will definitely get the WOW out of you! On a daily basis, artists do their masterpieces there, and you can still smell the paint as they are newly painted.
Awesome graffiti can be seen wherever you turn your eyes to, but it’s not tiring to witness the inviting vibrancy of the paint and the interesting stories the images create or created using the images. Street art is one of the unique art forms presented in and by Melbourne, and Flinders Court is one of its best avenues.
4 – COMEDY THEATRE
The Comedy Theatre was built-in 1928 with 1000 seating capacity, structured in Spanish elegance. Since then, its stage has been home to many outstanding and remarkable performances. In 2011, it has been classified by the Victorian Heritage Register which means it is recognized as a heritage place under legal care and protection.
The Comedy Theatre houses great talents for making people laugh ‘til they drop during their live performances. The theatre, however, does not only give you shows to laugh about but to feel a lot of mixed emotions also from musical plays and drama. It allows you to watch multiple stretches of live entertainment and to witness the theatre in different lights (literally and not) and designs, thus, in the sundry atmosphere and feels.
5 – FORUM THEATRE
A theatre of exceptional and multifaceted performances is the Forum Theatre. It has been renovated for a new and better venue for a more comfortable and more compelling venue.
It is very much well-known since its establishment in 1929. The Forum Theatre has been divided into subdivisions, being the largest seating capacity among all the theatres in Australia. Bands, comedians, and singers perform in the Forum in many famous events and festivals annually. There also are function rooms (areas) designated for launches and cocktail parties. Time and time again, the Forum delights lots of guests of all ages, which only proves that “beauty and originality are timeless”.
6 – RUSSELL PLACE
The Russell Place is an old (said to be the oldest) laneway in Melbourne. In this laneway, street art is used by the artist as an outlet for people when it comes to sharing their emotions, feelings, and thoughts too. What’s really interesting here is that looking at the art formed along that laneway, its history as a small street in Australia is somehow narrated by those illustrations. Nowadays, the laneway is associated with fashion boutiques and restaurants. The Russell Place is an old (said to be the oldest) laneway in Melbourne. In this laneway, street art is used by the artist as an outlet for people when it comes to sharing their emotions, feelings, and thoughts too. What’s really interesting here is that looking at the art formed along that laneway, its history as a small street in Australia is somehow narrated by those illustrations. Nowadays, the laneway is associated with fashion boutiques and restaurants.
The Russell Place is an old (said to be the oldest) laneway in Melbourne. In this laneway, street art is used by the artist as an outlet for people when it comes to sharing their emotions, feelings, and thoughts too. What’s really interesting here is that looking at the art formed along that laneway, its history as a small street in Australia is somehow narrated by those illustrations. Nowadays, the laneway is associated with fashion boutiques and restaurants.
7 – HEIDE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
For families and children, the Heide Museum of Modern Art is a must-visit museum in Melbourne. It offers an encouraging and engaging experience — yes, experience and not just witnessing! — of art in many forms. It is into modern and contemporary Australian art.
A rare feature found in museums, delightful gardens are also present in the museum. In those pleasant spots, you can bond and spend some relaxing time with your family or contemplate things all by yourself. There is also a sculpture park measuring about 15 to 16 acres where many sculptures made of different and unconventional materials for sculpting like welded steel and galvanized iron sheet are placed.
8 – AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR THE MOVING IMAGE
A museum of video games?! Am I the only one who heard such for the first time? The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is the country’s national museum of film, video games, and digital art. It is really ideal for people who love everything about films, those who are techy and into “the digital”.
Even if that’s the name, not only film-inclined people will appreciate AMCI, but also those who are interested to know more about them and probably even those who are not into films at all. Both classic and modern local and international films are shown. Talks are also done to educate the guests about the museum and the incredible workmanship too since, I believe, it’s really great to know their background first so you can fully enjoy and grasp its beauty. Because it is said that the artist says what it is, then it’s pretty hard to describe it or feel something about it if you, as a spectator, don’t even know or don’t have even an idea of what the artist says about his/her art.
ACMI offers this of kind of art in moving images. People might think that art is limited to painting and sculpture alone, but nope! Not all art is stationary, some also move.
9 – MALTHOUSE THEATRE
Malthouse Theatre is into artistic and cultural diversity. Dedicated to Australian playwrights and their plays, Malthouse Theatre presents several play productions including drama, music, and dance. The theatre gives way for local and international artists to work together in the formation and production of fresh and groundbreaking presentations that reveal the reality of the human experience. Malthouse takes a look at the world in the personal, social, and political facets of it as these three are among the central aspects of human life including self, relationship, and being part of a nation.
If you are craving live experiences (stage plays and performances), Malthouse is the place you should note down. You will not only be able to watch actors perform on stage with their grand costumes but you will also be engaged in interactive (direct or indirect) conversations with them as part of the play. The plays they perform will surely entertain you and will make you talk about them again even outside the theatre.
10 – STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA
Built-in 1856, the State Library of Victoria is another beautiful place of art and of wonderful minds. It’s a library, but it’s more than just a library. Of course, the books and all the reading materials there in a collection is art already, but the whole place itself is an art as a whole too.
A tour guide can also bring you around the place and introduce it to you in a clear and better way unlike if you’re just roaming around the area and making some wild guesses regarding things and history. One of the library’s noteworthy features is the Chess Room, a special room exclusive for this board game. People come to read anything about Chess — game mechanics and techniques and also its interesting history– and also to play with their fellows and even strangers maybe. There are Dome Reading Rooms where silence is a pleasant sound to the ear. It’s a place where you’d have to go to if you love to read pages and sniff the wonderful smell of books, especially the old ones. There are also exhibitions constantly set out and actual workshops held in the library for children and students aged any.
Many people visit the library to step into a world of awesome information and to unfold stories yet to be discovered as the library itself is a great structure of notable olden days. It looks very classic, giving everyone who goes there, an amazing feeling of the past.
ART-FILLED MELBOURNE There you have it! — 10 destinations in Melbourne where its art–in several distinct forms–is housed. You see how Melbourne has abundant riches in its art ranging from visual arts to performing arts — both also arraying from one kind to another. Hopefully, you have now gotten this list as a chance to get chance to save some time wondering where to go to see some art and the chance to make a worthwhile and art-filled trip to Melbourne, Australia.
Nicole Ann Pore is a daytime writer for Holiday Inn Parramatta, a five-star hotel is located in Parramatta, New South Wales (Australia). For Nicole, the beauty of this world is just breathtaking, astounding and something worth sharing. Because of the course, she took up in college, she has become interested in film critiquing and filmmaking. She is into events hosting and voice over acting and hosting. | Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University-Manila, the Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts. “To God be all the glory
In every part of the world there are followers of Buddhism. Prince Siddharta became Lord Buddha after gaining in divine enlightenment or nirvana under the Bodhi tree. His teachings on life and spirituality constitute the holy doctrines of Buddhism. The religion came into being around 5th Century B.C.E. in the ancient kingdom ‘Magadha’. After King Ashoka’s conversion from Chanda Ashoka to Dharma Ashoka the religion started spreading like wildfire. The king made Buddhism his own religion and started preaching about Lord Buddha’s teachings everywhere. In many parts of India Buddhism shows its strong influence. There are many relics associated with Buddhism such as stupas, monasteries, caves in these places.
A standard Buddhist travel in India package will take you on a tour of the popular Buddhist destinations in India. Given below is a list of some of the most popular Buddhist destinations of the country
Rajgir, Bihar
Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir
Located in Bihar’s Nalanda district, nearly 60kms southeastward from the capital city of Patna, Rajgir is a renowned Buddhist destination known for its Buddhist ruins, rock-cut caves, shell inscriptions, forts, monasteries. It is said that Rajgir had been one of the fond retreats of the Lord who is said to have delivered several sermons at this place. Shanti Stupa, Saptaparni caves, Gridhakuta Hills, Ancient ruins are some of the prime attractions of Rajgir for tourists and pilgrims alike.
Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
Mulagandhakuti Vihara Temple, Sarnath
11kms away from the famed Varanasi town of Uttar Pradesh, the holy town of Sarnath is situated. As per history, the first sermon on dharma was delivered by Lord Buddha at Sarnath. Some of the major tourist attractions associated with Buddhism that you get to see in Sarnath are Dhamek stupa, Sarnath museum, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and Stupa built around 3rd Century BC by Emperor Ashoka.
Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
Japanese Temple Kushinagar
Kushinagar is another important Buddhist pilgrimage destination in the state of Uttar Pradesh in the vicinity of the Gorakhpur town. According to legends and history, this was the place where Buddha attained his Mahaparinirvana or highest form of salvation.
Bodhgaya,Bihar
Bodhgaya Temple, Bihar
Bodhgaya in Bihar is one of the most revered and holy pilgrimage sites for the Buddhist community. The place is located at a distance of nearly 100kms from the capital city of Patna. According to historical, mythical and religious records, it was in Bodhgaya that Prince Siddharta attained his divine enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree and became the ‘Buddha’ nearly 2600 years back. There are many important Buddhist sightseeing places at Bodhgaya such as Mahabodhi temple, The great Buddha statue, Chaukramana. Each year thousands of pilgrims throng these sites to pay their tribute to the lord.
Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh
Buddha Statue at Sravasti
Sravasti, another city in Uttar Pradesh is a holy pilgrimage destination for the Buddhists. As per the tales, this was the place where Lord Buddha answered his critics the spiritual way by showing them innumerable divine manifestations of his own self. He showed himself seated on a magnificent thousand-petalled lotus and streams of water and fire shooting out from him. The World Peace Bell is an important tourist attraction of Sravasti.
Kapilavastu, Indo-Nepal border
Kapilavastu
The historical and religious significance of Kapilavastu is immense. This holy town is located on the Indo-Nepal border in eastern UP’s Siddharthanagar district. Kapilavastu is believed to be Lord Buddha’s birthplace. Stupa complex with Kanishka’s inscriptions, Palace Site, archaeologically excavated stone caskets bearing relics from the life of Buddha are the prime attractions of Kapilavastu.
Sikkim
Sikkim, the northeast Indian state shows a very strong influence of Buddhism. The Sikkimese culture and natives of the state are imbued with the religious philosophies of Buddhism. There are several Buddhist monasteries in the state of Sikkim and most of these monasteries belong to the Kagyu and Nyingma order of Buddhism. Some of the most renowned monasteries of Sikkim include Enchey, Rumtek, Pemayangtse, Tashiding, Labrang, Phodang, Phensang etc
Ladakh
Ladakh- Buddha land
The part of Ladakh that coincides with the area of the state of Jammu and Kashmir shows a strong influence of Buddhism. That region of Ladakh, in particular, shows a culture intricately connected with Buddhism. Several monasteries, gompas, fairs, festivals, art forms, oral literature make a part of Ladakh’s culture and in each of those, the influence of Buddhism is remarkably exhibited. The region is dotted with many renowned monasteries such as Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk, Shey, Rangdum, Lamayuru, Alchi, Phyang. Each of these monasteries come with an ambience charged with spirituality.
“There’s no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this.” This world is indeed beautiful, and its beauty must not only be seen but enjoyed and taken care of. Amazing places compose our globe, and traveling to see all of them is a hard-to-reach goal. Little by little, it may be achieved, but that would take an immeasurably long time and lots of spent money. To globe-trot is everyone’s dream. There’s something in exploring foreign places/countries that makes it strongly desirable—something no one has to explain; it’s just felt, and we can all agree that no one says ‘no’ to navigating our wonderful world [except for the busy and working people who sadly have no choice.
Sydney’s central city, Parramatta, is certainly a pleasant and friendly city. An upholder of proper dwelling and employment provision for citizens, this suburb is also a cornerstone for cultural and recreational activities and showcasing. Tourists who came to Sydney have reckoned that Parramatta is one of the top must-go-to locations in one of Australia’s largest cities, Sydney.
In this article, regardless of whether you are a tourist or a local, you’ll be able to get awesome ideas of the activities that you can do during your short or long period of stay in Parramatta. This is a generous collection of both the famous and the far-out stuff you can spend your precious time on, including specific where-to and how-to suggestions. You may have seen other lists such as this, but rest assured, there’s no other list as hand-picked as this one, so what are you waiting for?
C’mon, start crossing out your questions on what to do in Sydney’s beautiful Parramatta by dipping into this friendly guide!
Notwithstanding who you are (a local or a tourist), one of the primary and most essential things you must do is to know the background of the place you are in. If you’re a local, of course, you’re familiar with it, but there could still be things unknown to you. If you’re a tourist, you may have little to no knowledge about the place even if you researched about it.
Parramatta Heritage Centre – Wikimedia
Full of pride and honor, Parramatta introduces its city through the Heritage Centre. Aside from other various reading materials about the city’s development, centuries-old archives are also preserved in the Centre; local studies and cultural collections are also accessible. Few of the highly safeguarded and precious artifacts of European colonization are found in the Philip Ruddock Heritage Centre Parramatta.
The medical side of the city’s history is offered by Brislington Medical and Nursing Museum. Because distinguished people were linked to it, rendering a part of the state and colonial government in Parramatta, it has been regarded with historical magnitude.
Lots of museums and centers will aid you to discover what Parramatta was, is, and probably will be. It’s so much better to go to a place carrying with you information that will be valuable for a meaningful trip. There are many mysteries, secrets, and surprising histories which can be discovered, ONLY if you visit heritage and historical buildings. Wow, what a tip!
It may not be something new but Parramatta has lots of parks to show you. You can spend your “me time” or bring your dearest people with you. Prepare for picnics. Bring delicious meals. Bring a mat. Pick a good spot to stay. Just look around and see beauty everywhere. Appreciate the wonderful surroundings. Inhale the peacefulness of the wind. Exhale the stress of the world.
Parramatta Park, Jubilee Park, Parramatta Park, Sherwin Park, and Collett Park are a few examples of parks that you may consider visiting.
Old Government House – Parramatta Park – Wikimedia
People don’t get tired of parks! They’re classic. They’re also backed with essential links to Australia’s history. They must be well taken care of and not polluted. So if you’ll go to parks, be responsible enough for yourself and for the environment.
photo credit – pixels
Be neat and fresh-looking. You might want to have a brighter look when you take good shots, selfies, and groupies as your stroll in Parramatta. You can drop by a beauty parlor or a grooming station, and see how they do it the Aussie way.
Ladies, check out Nailed by Larouge where nail art is manually painted with the hand, styled with cute ornaments like gems, pearls, diamonds, and seashells. It aims to “save the world from boring nails”. Gentlemen, a number of barber shops are also present for you. If you’re into vintage and modern haircuts and conventional wet shades, visit Barber Industries. You might also want to try other grooming options like MG’s Men’s Grooming Spa and The Barber Workshop.
This could take a lot of decision-making especially if you just got a freshening up back home, but it depends on you. This could be part of your life’s history book of things you tried around the globe.
The air gets even more polluted, and people’s health is put at bigger risk as congested roads and terrible transportation continue to happen. The City of Parramatta is working towards stopping the rapid growth of these conflicts. A Bike Plan is being devised in order to gradually solve them. You can take part in saving the environment by cycling as a means of transportation. Parramatta is good for biking because of its flat surface.
photo credit – mabelamber – pixabay
To engage in this advocacy in an invigorating approach, you can rent bikes and develop skills and confidence in biking. Advantageous is a social enterprise that caters to all ages, extending cycling programs as you pay at a modest rate. Another thing that makes this activity meaningful is that the bikes they use are donated. That’s so touching! They also lead discovery rides specifically in Lake Parramatta and other possible cycleways.
You can easily wander through Parramatta alone just with your bike or together with your mates. You’ll help not only in creating a better environment but also in developing a healthier body and lifestyle.
Flowers grow old and die, but how they make everything more ravishing does not. It’s really amazing that not all flowers existing in a certain country exist in another. Some of the flowers which are naturally found and that rarely grow outside Australia include Waratah, Banksia, and Kangaroo Paw. Parramatta has big flower gardens showcasing lovely and notable flower types.
Rumsey Rose Garden is where a large party of fragrant heritage roses is found. It is a stunning garden where pathways lead to the shelter of vines. Sometimes, art exhibits are placed there too. Murray Garden was refurbished to improve the environment for everyone’s comfort and enjoyment. Furnishings, lighting, water flows, and ponds were refined to better the garden’s features.
Royal Botanic Garden – ttnotes
If you need a relaxing and vibrant sight after a gloomy tiring day, flower gardens can help! It seems like flowers sprinkle colors into our hearts as we see every detail. They look like a colorful paradise from afar. Flower gardens aid in shaping delightful places and functional spaces. They show us how nature’s captivating beauty is art.
Are you tired of seeing human beings? Just kidding (take it seriously if you insist). When was the last time you visited animals? Of course, animals aren’t just the dogs, cats, hamsters, and fish you have at home. Why not go out and check on other animal friends in zoos and other animal sanctuaries?
Featherdale Wildlife Park Kangaroos – Wikimedia
Featherdale Wildlife Park was a poultry farm of 7 acre-land when it was first established. Today, it is one of Australia’s leading wildlife parks. There is a 90-seater amphitheater which is utilized for its pursuit of educating people about animals’ lives and needs as well as about the environment’s conditions.
There are zoos near Parramatta like Taronga Zoo and animal sanctuaries such as the Koala Park Sanctuary.
It’s not every day that you get to interact with terrific animals. Your last visit might be when you’re in kindergarten. Animals are also humans’ friends! Pay them a visit!
Playgrounds are still a thing. Kids enjoy them a lot. Adults enjoy them even more.
photo credit – pixabay 1
Pavilion Flat Playground is recommended for young kids. You can bring them here to enjoy swings, a play sailboat, and spring rockers. Domain Creek Playground has a lovely design. It blends into the Parramatta Park look. You can see wire-made and branch-made mazes as part of the ‘obstacle course’. There are sand diggers and small trampolines too. It is a cool space where children of all ages would love to spend time. Urban Jungle Adventure Park is the perfect attraction that will make your adrenalin go up! It claims to be an excellent and matchless High Ropes Adventure Park. Enjoy fun and thrilling aerial activities and also swimming!
Regardless of your age, don’t miss the fun and adventure that playgrounds bring!
Aside from linking bodies of land, many bridges are also part of Australian history. Take some time on the walkways of some of them.
Lennox Bridge is a developed sandstone single-arch bridge and the third oldest remaining masonry bridge in NSW. Gladsville Bridge is an arch bridge connecting Huntleys Point and Drummoyne.
John Whitton Bridge bears the main Northern railway line across the Parramatta River between Rhodes and Meadowbank. When this bridge was first constructed, it only had the railway line. When it was renovated, two tracks were added, allowing bikes and pedestrians.
Gladsville Bridge – Wikimedia
This activity may not be as grand as any other activity, and it may be subjective too, but it’s really a fulfilling thing to know and realize that you were there, on the ground where great history took place. Crossing a well-known and/or historical bridge feels a lot like crossing an item on your bucket list.
wet N Wild Water World – Wikimedia
Waters from different parts of the world may seem the same because basically, they’re ‘water’, but each body of water is distinct and beautiful on its own.
Kayaks, paddleboards, and rowboats are amazing features of Parramatta beaches. Parramatta Rowboats is a man-made reservoir within 73 hectares of parkland; once again, the lake is now open for swimming. Waterfalls include Balaka Falls in Hunts Creek Reserve, a hidden pearl in the city which is connected to Lake Parramatta. You can go snorkeling on several beaches accessible near Parramatta like Balmoral Beach, Manly Beach, Fairlight Beach, and Clovelly Beach.
You can’t miss all this fun stuff! Let the water take you on deeper adventures!
GET IT DONE: Escape Rooms
photo credit – clockedindk – pixabay
Escape rooms somehow bring to life mystery-solving and thrilling games! You need a keen sense to detail to spot clues and escape the room. Each room has a specific mission, and players need to decode puzzles and conclude the mission to escape within the time limit! Come in groups because it’s a group-oriented activity. Also, it’s better if there are 3 or more people because if you’ll look it up online, most escape rooms require a minimum of 4 players permission.
Escape rooms in Parramatta include Labyrinth Escape Rooms and Scram Escape Rooms.
This has become a thing because it truly is a clever and cool idea. If you are looking for a group or family activity that probably will twist your brain and will test and strengthen your relationships, ‘escape rooms’ is a must-try. This is perfect for team building, family, and friendship bonding. It enhances communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills when faced with time-bound challenges.
Experience thrill, excitement, and fun-filled to the brim!
WATCH OR RACE: Racecourses
Sydney Speedway – Photo owned by Tom Reynolds – Flickr
Nowadays, people just play a race with their friends online or with a bot on their mobile phones and digital gadgets. Watching races live is a rare and cool experience!
They are places you have to plan and intentionally go to because they’re not easy to find, and there are race schedules too.
Sydney Speedway (Valvoline Raceway) is a well-known attraction and auto race dirt track.
Motor shows and competitions are also held at Eastern Creek Raceway.
Different from the two, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse is a horse racing field. It is notable for its world-class quality and recognition. The track where matches happen is encompassed with pristine flowers and plants making it picture-perfect.
Raceways also provide racing and driving education and training for those who don’t just want to cheer behind the fences and on the bleachers. If you are interested and brave enough to take the challenge, enroll in classes and avail yourself of private practice sessions. Today, races may not be as rampant as they were during the older-than-old times, but this is a fun and unique activity, whether you want to race or just watch. It could be one of the most amazingly memorable days of your life!
LEARN, TWIST, AND TURN: Circus Arts
Trapeze – John Lawlor – Flickr
Everyone wants to know the trick in amazing magic shows and circuses. Sydney Olympic Park takes you into a magical feeling mixed with excitement and fun as it brings you Circus Arts—Sydney’s first ever and proudly the best “flying trapeze company” since 1999. Provided with complete safety gear and equipment, you and your loved ones will plunge into a spectacular set of skills you only see on TV or in circus shows. You will be exposed to swinging, acro-balancing, twirling, hanging upside down, tight-wiring, flipping and catching, using hula hoops, somersaulting, juggling, and many other special skills which you can exclusively acquire here. You can pick among its several programs, and join one session or enroll for a 10-week learning and training.
Have a gripping experience with Circus Arts. Let your dream come to reality as you go on air capturing both happiness and fitness!
WATCH OUT: Seasonal Events
Sydney Australia Fireworks Night Celebration
There are lots of happenings in the city that catch people’s full attention. Make sure you’d be an early bird when ticket-selling is ongoing because you know how quickly as lightning they get sold. Don’t miss peculiar opportunities that interest you so much and that will truly be useful to you. People from different parts of the world and of Australia look forward to aerial hot balloon rides during the Australia Day celebration. Appreciate and engage in art galleries/walks/exhibits, live performing arts theatres, cinemas, and workshops of any field (music, dance, acting, business, personality, etc.).
Be sure to keep yourself updated so you won’t miss the boat!
TASTE AND TOUR: Taste Food Tours
photo credit – pixabay
What’s travel and adventure without food? Australia is big. NSW is big. Sydney is big. Parramatta is big. There are lots and lots of choices! It wouldn’t be easy to pick where and what you want to eat.
Well, that daily dilemma is made easier to solve by Taste [Cultural] Food Tours. It’s still food but with a twist. The thing that separates it from the usual food selection is that you eat at the same time you learn the culture, history, and local accounts. It’s a charity and social enterprise gathering the community in small tour groups. They look forward to a well-built cross-cultural understanding among people. Their tour guides are migrants, refugees, and Australian youth who are supported by the company to achieve their goals.
Eat in a way you’ve never done before! It’s more than your tummy’s pleasure and more of your heart’s joy and your mind’s wonder.
Does this make you a TOUREAT? (Get it? Please get it.)
Parramatta has several markets which will truly tempt you to put your wallet out of your pocket.
Old Bus Depot Markets – Wikimedia
Good quality goods, meat, fruits, veggies, and flowers can be found in Parramatta Farmers Market with 50 plus stores composing it. If you want loving pre-loved items and antique products, North Rocks Market has to be your destination. Great news for bookworms because great arrays of books are sold there. Donations are appreciated too because the market doesn’t just sell to simply earn but to earn for a cause. Dreamers Market is the right stop if you love handmade products because they sell 100% handmade items which are authentically Australian; however, Dreamers Market is held only on Mother’s Day eve.
Going to markets in the area is good especially if you aim to try fresh goods which can only be found in the city. You may also find the products cheaper than those in the malls. An amazing facet of markets is you can bargain for lower prices unlike in malls. Unique items, fun activities, and skills showcases are found there too. Buy souvenir items you can take home and share with your friends! You’ll be able to save a lot and get a lot.
If you’ve found a product or a good market of your interest, mark it so you won’t forget about it! It’s alright to leave the place with no more free hands.
THE LIST
There are innumerable possibilities as you journey in Parramatta. This guide hopefully tried to avoid listing too much of what other “what-to-do-in-*insert place*” guides already have done. It could have listed some, but it tried to veer away from what common lists say. If you noticed, some are mainly specific activities (circus arts), and others are basically mentioned in general types (like parks) but with included venue suggestions.
ALL SET?
Parramatta is indeed a wonderful city. It treasures culture,history, and heritage. It has a lot of great sites that make way for people to be familiar with a foreign land [if they’re tourists] and to be more well-informed [if they’re locals]. It showcases various forms of art and shows how it’s done in their home. There is a number of mesmerizing sceneries, land, and water bodies. With its great deal of nature sites, it highly values the environment and nature. It offers innumerable sumptuous food while it is also concerned with human health and comfort. It pays attention to beauty and hygiene. It cherishes knowledge, discoveries, and new adventures. The city values people’s worthwhile, unforgettable, and meaningful experiences, and that’s what you should also do.
Parramatta has gotten all these and probably more. Remember that whatever you choose to do, make sure it’ll be worth your time, effort, and money! But of course, check first if you got all of those three. Be wise in making decisions and spending what you have. Take photos, videos, and souvenirs. Weave amazing memories and note great stories to share and look back to. May you experience a marvelous, never-before-life episode of your life in Parramatta’s wonders!
Nicole Ann Pore is a daytime writer for Holiday Inn Parramatta, a five-star hotel in located in Parramatta, New South Wales (Australia). Travel is one of the things that interest her the most. Nicole enjoys reading and writing lists like must-visit places, famous places to eat and what-to-do’s. She is amazed at the historical relevance of places, the diversity of cultures and the showcase of arts in different parts in the world. For Nicole, the beauty of this world is just breathtaking, astounding and something worth-sharing. | Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts. “To God be all the glory”
