The Aberdeen Highland Games is held annually in the Upper Hunter town of Aberdeen in New South Wales Australia.
Getting There
Held in Jefferson Park Aberdeen, access is very easy with signs directing you where to go for parking and entry to the park. There is ample parking available on site which is managed by with local SES volunteers. They will direct you to a parking spot and ensure they car parking is orderly so that people can get in and out safely.
Buying Tickets to the Aberdeen Highland Games
Tickets can be purchased on the day, or on-line. On-line purchases give you a discount of $5.00 (in 2018). Tickets purchased on-line also enable faster entry which is a great way to avoid queuing.
All action is based in one of two ovals and a dancing stage and fully surrounded with market stalls selling Scottish heirlooms and souvenirs.
It’s very cold so rug up or dress in theme.
Typical Scotsman at the Games
Events on the Day
Initially there is an opening chieftain’s address welcoming guests and sponsors and giving information about what’s happening during the day (you can also buy a guide book).
The day’s events then start with the massed pipe bands. Each clan and band enters dressed their clan’s tartan playing bagpipes and drums. Once all of the bands are on the field, they perform a massed march of the bands. They march up and down the field several times, so there is ample opportunities to see everything and take photos.
Massed Pipe Bands
The Australian Defence Force sent the Australian Federation Guard Precision Drill Team. Selected from all three services, they provided an amazing display of precision marching and weapons firing.
Australian Federation Guard Precision Drill Team
The Scottish dancing competitions are held on the central stage. These are very popular, so to get a good view, get in early and get a good spot.
The strong men in the tartan warriors competition is a highlight of the day. Events include the sheaf toss, caber toss and commenced with the stones, or Clach Cuid Fir.
The Tartan Warriors
The bands compete individually to choose the best band, so the sound of bagpipes is in the air the whole day. This gives a great atmosphere throughout the day.
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
If you are up for an amazing amount of breathtaking scenery, friendly people and relaxed environment, then the Blue Mountains is the place to go. From the centre of Sydney a car journey to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains will take nearly two hours. This will vary depending on traffic and the day you travel. The big advantage of driving yourself is that you can stop at places along the way and enjoy everything from lookouts and small places like the Norman Lindsay Art Gallery in Faulconbridge prior to reaching the Blue Mountains. .
Katoomba can be reached by public transport from Sydney, using the Blue Mountains Line. Depending on you departure point and day, this journey takes two and a half to three hours. When you arrive at your destination, you will need transport from the train station to your hotel and from there to other points of interest.
Where To Stay at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains
There is a great choice of places to stay in and around Katoomba. We have always stayed near Echo Point, so that we can walk to the Tree Sisters at night and see them lit up, as it’s a magnificent view.
Accommodation from basic to five star is available depending on your budget.
Where To Eat
There are many eateries in the centre of town, ranging from take away and pub food to fine dining at restaurants. The Blue Mountains cater for backpackers through to overseas visitors. Other restaurants are scattered around town at other locations and hotels, some with great views of the National Park.
Walking Tracks
Katoomba is on the door steep to the Blue Mountains National Park. There are numerous walks available, for all fitness levels. All walks allow you to see picturesque mountains, waterfalls and breathtaking scenery.
Echo Point
Echo Point is the best place in Katoomba to view the Three Sisters because you have easy parking and great viewing areas. There is an information centre here where you can get directions for the many walks available and buy souvenirs. The Blue Mountains are very popular, especially on the weekend, so there are usually a lot of people around. This is the starting point for the Three Sisters Walk and you can join the Prince Henry Cliff Walk here, if you don’t want to do the whole track.
Foodlights illuminate the Three Sisters at night, so it’s worth visiting then for a great view.
The Three SistersViews From Echo Point
Three Sisters Walk
The Three Sisters Walk starts at Echo Point behind the Information Centre. As you would expect, it takes you down to the Three Sisters, where you can walk out onto the Giant’s Stairway, a bridge out to the first of the sisters. From here you get some spectacular views of the escarpment and surrounding scenery. A great photo opportunity!
The walk can be strenuous as there are a lot of stairs to go down (and then climb back up) and they are not all even. Many are irregular so you need to be careful. They are not always wide enough for two people to pass so you will need to be patient on a busy day to allow other people through. There are spots on the way to stop and have a break.
On the way down, check out the small metal animal sculptures along the track as they add some great interest to the walk. Overall a great walk with rewarding views at the end.
The Escarpment From Giants Stairway
Lizard Sculpture
Prince Henry Cliff Walk
We have only walked the part of the track from Echo Point to Katoomba Cascades. There are fantastic views out over the surrounding bush and national park, making it a very popular walk.
Katoomba Cascades
The Katoomba Cascades can be seen as part of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, or by themselves. There are several car parks nearby so parking should not be a problem. The walk down to the Cascades is short but steep. At the bottom there is a nice shady area where you can relax near the water.
Katoomba Cascades
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls is one of the classic and must do walks in Katoomba. Parking can be difficult as the car park becomes full quickly. Every time we have been there, we have parked in the street nearby .
The track to the top of the falls is downhill on a well formed track. There are some steps to negotiate and some small streams with stepping stones to cross. The top of the falls is where most people stop, as you have a good view of the surrounding valley, but you can only see the upper section of the falls.
For the really fit, there is a track to the base of the falls. We have never taken it as it appears to be mostly steps down and back up again.
The climb back to the car park is all up hill, but if you want a break on the way, you can look at the Underecliff walk or just stop and take in the scenery.
Top of Wentworth Falls Top of Wentworth Falls
Stepping Stones Wentworth Falls
Under Cliff Walk
The Under Cliff Walk starts from the same car park at the Wentworth Falls Walk. Part of the way down, there is a side track to the right. The side track is all flat and will take you to the undercliff area after about 10 minutes. This is a beautiful undercut area dark, shady and full of ferns.
Katoomba’s Scenic World provides three ways to view the Blue Mountains all starting from one location.
Scenic Skyway
Part of Scenic World, the Skyway is a cable car that runs across the Jamison Valley. The cable car can be taken in either direction, to or from Scenic World. If you have a day pass, ride it as often as you like.
The car has a glass bottom, so there are superb views of the valley below. The operator will take photos of you on the glass floor if you want. We went early in the morning, so had this all to ourselves.
Half way across, you get a great view of the Katoomba Falls from the best vantage point there is. On the eastern side, the cable car exits onto the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, which leads around to Echo Point and the Three Sisters.
Katoomba Falls
Scenic Railway
The Scenic Railway leaves from the Scenic World main building and travels down to the bottom of the valley. A very short ride, but fun if you want to go in the steepest inclined railway in the world. The ride finishes where the Scenic Walk begins so you can look around the valley floor before going back up, either on the railway, or the cable car.
Scenic Railway
Scenic Cableway
The Scenic Cableway runs from the Scenic Walking Track to the Scenic World main building. You can travel either way, or combine it with the Scenic Railway. We chose to use it for the leg back up to the top after walking around the walkway in the valley.
The Cableway gives you some fantastic views of the surrounding country. The cable car itself has large glass windows for uninterrupted views. The operator provides a running commentary throughout the journey, pointing out places of interest.
Scenic Walk
Scenic Walkway can be accessed by either of Scenic World’s Cableway or Railway. We used the Railway to get down and the Cableway to return, allowing us to get both experiences.
The walkway is mostly board walk around the base of the valley. The environment is very different to that at the top of the escarpment, being shady and cooler. There is some memorabilia for pioneering days on display and a statue honoring the pioneers .
Scenic Walk
Places to See in Town
Katoomba has many old historical buildings, making the town’s older area very attractive. There is also a memorial park to Sir Kingsford Smith, to commemorate the great Australian aviator.
In Leura, the main street has some good photo opportunities, especially the old post office.
Leura Post Office Kingsford Smith Memorial
What Did We Think Of Katoomba?
Katoomba is a great place to visit, especially if you like bush walking. There are so many tracks to chose from, ranging for short and moderate, to long and difficult.
The scenery is fantastic, from waterfalls and the Three Sisters to Australian bush landscapes.
A great place to stay for a few days and experience the Blue Mountains.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Hyde Park is in the centre of Sydney and is a fantastic retreat from the hustle and traffic of the city. It is cool and shady and there is plenty of seating set around the park. Park Street divides Hyde Park in two, however there are pedestrian crossings at the lights at either end and the centre.
ANZAC Memorial
The ANZAC Memorial was built to commemorate the Australian Imperial Force of World War I. It is the focal point of the southern section of Hyde Park, along with the Pool of Reflection. On ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day the memorial is the central focus of the ceremonies, so can be extremely busy..
120,000 gold stars covered the domed ceiling, representing all those from New South Wales who served in World War One. The centre piece of the interior is a bronze statue of a deceased youth, representing a soldier, held aloft on his shield.
To the north is the pool of reflection and a long tree-lined pathway. It is very shady and cool in the Australian summer. A great place to sit quietly and relax.
This is one of the must-see places in Sydney.
The ANZAC Memorial
Pathway to ANZAC Memorial
Emden Gun
This gun is a 4″ Gun taken from the German raider “Emden” destroyed by H.M.A.S. Sydney in 1914. A gift from the Commonwealth Government to the citizens of Sydney. Historically important, to Australia as a whole and Sydney in particular.
The Emden Gun
The Munitions Statue
This statue consists of four individual seven-metre tall steel and marble bullets, sitting next to three fallen shells, all on a large boomerang-shaped concrete base. They represent the reality of war. Specifically they depict the sculptor’s (Tony Albert) grandfather and six companions. The three fallen shells represent those who were killed.
The Munitions Statue
The Munitions Statue
Hyde Park Obelisk
The Hyde Park Obelisk is on the intersection of Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets. Built in 1857 the obelisk was a vent for the sewer system. It is now used to ventilate the storm water system. At 22m it’s hard to miss. Interesting for what it is, but not worth taking too much time over.
Hyde Park Obelisk
Statue of Fire, Water and Earth.
Located on the western side of the park, near Elizabeth street, is a three-piece sandstone sculpture representing the three elements, by Gerard Havekes. A creative and interesting piece of art work and worth finding to have a look at it.
Earth Wind and Fire
Captain Cook Statue
This bronze statue commemorates Captain James Cook, the first Englishman to chart the east coast of Australia. It was officially unveiled in 1879. Worth looking at for the historical significance of Cook.
Captain Cook Statue
Archibald Fountain
The focus of the northern park is the Archibald Fountain. Named after the editor of the Bulletin Magazine who donated the funds to have it built. It was designed by a French sculptor, both because of Archibald’s love of French culture and to commemorate the ties between Australia and France from the First World War.
Seats surround the fountain making it a very restful place, right in the middle of Sydney.
The Archibald Fountain
Sandringham Gardens
Near Park Street are the Sandringham Gardens. They surround a circular fountain and commemorate King George V and King George VI. It is an attractive setting and a beautiful place to walk around.
Sandringham Gardens
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Dalley was born to convict parent and rose to be the first Australian appointed to the Privy Council. He was well-respected and this monument was erected to honor him. Located on the northern edge of Hyde Park it is easy to find.
Statue of William Bede Dalley
Cannon
Sitting among the flower beds on College Street is a bronze cannon. It used to form part of Sydney’s defense at Bennelong Point. Dating from 1808 it is worth a look as you pass by.
Cannon
Governor Lachlan Macquarie Statue
The most northerly Statue in the Gardens is that of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. He was Governor from 1810 to 1821 and was responsible for the social, economic and architectural development of the colony. Located looking down the road named after him, it is very easy to find. As a major figure in Australia’s history, the statue is worth looking for.
Major General Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Statues
Although not in the park, there are two statues located just to its northern boundary in Queen’s Square. To the West is Queen Victoria and to the east is her consort, Prince Albert. If you are in Hyde Park, it is worth crossing the road to have a look at them.
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert
St Mary’s Cathedral
Dominating the eastern side of the park is St Mary’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and is the Cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Beautiful inside as well as out, this is one of the great buildings in Sydney. As well as the interior you can visit the crypts. To visit the crypts, buy tickets from the gift shop. We were the only ones there when we went. Many early bishops of Sydney are interred in the crypt, so it is interesting historically. In addition, the architecture is fantastic and well worth spending time down there to admire it.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Pope Statue , Saint Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt
Hyde Park
So if you are in Sydney, you can easily spend most of a day looking around Hyde Park and its surrounding areas. Nearby is the Australian Museum and Macquarie Street with most of central Sydney very close as well. For other places to see in Sydney, please read some of our other stories.
