Bluemountain, Snorkelling, and Outlet advice
 

I'll fly in to Sydney in mid April. Got three questions:

1. Is it doable if I take an early train to Hawkesbury River in the morning, proceed to the Bluemountain in the afternoon, and return to Sydney at night?

2. Are Fairy Bower (Manly) and Gordon Bay (Bondi) good and safe for snorkelling? Is it worth seeing the views underwater in these 2 areas?

3. Pls recommend fashion outlets in Syndey, besides a bikini outlet in Bondi and discount store at David Jones. They could be clothes, sports gear, or shoes and bags. I'm 24 years old and love refined costumes like Alannah Hill, Zimmerman, Seafolly, Nike, and Prada or Pucci when on sale!

Thank you for your help :)

Hi, JanePost!

You don't say just what part of the Hawkesbury River you would like to visit -- the Hawkesbury vchanges its name inland to the Nepean, and together these are quite a long stretch of water -- but, generally speaking, it is not at all reasonable to do the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury in a single day. One is west of Sydney, the other north. Take at least two days for these two trips.
Fairy Bower is a family beach area and, as far as I am aware, not suitable at all for snorkelling. I suspect the same is true for Gordon Bay at Bondi, although I am not familiar with it. I think you will need to travel far north, into Queensland, to find great underwater views.

The fashion question is WAY out of my league, but I would suggest that while in Sydney you make a point of strolling through the Queen Victoria Building, where you might find the kind of store you are seeking. It's the block next to the Town Hall, so you are unlikely to miss it -- and, even if you don't find what you're looking for, the restored building alone os worth an hour of your time.

There is some snorkelling around Manly and Coogee, but nothing brilliant. It's certainly not in the Barrier Reef class.

I think Alan has said all that needs to be said about mountains vs Haekesbury.

Shopping. Don't ever think David Jones is a discount store;)

In the area around Castlereagh Street / MLC Centre, there are some of the upmarket shops you mention. I don't know about sales, because I don't venture there. There are some outlet stores around Surry Hills, and at Birkenhead Point, Drummoyne.

There was a book called "Bargain Shopper's guide to Sydney", available from newsagents. That may cover the info you want.

I was reading just the other day that they have snorkelling in Sydney Harbour now and apparently it is quite amazing. Not Reef standards of course!

Surry Hills may have some outlets you like. But not sure, haven't been about there for a while. I know Lisa Ho used to have an outlet there.

Redfern also used to have some European outlets but again it is about 4 years since I worked around there.

Just found a factory outlet centre at Homebush Bay on google. website...

http://www.dfo.com.au

Never been there though but they have Morrissey.

If you are enthusiastic/crazy you could do the hawkesbury and Katoomba in a day.

Get a 7.00 am train to Gosford.Get off at Hawkesbury station at Brooklyn.Catch the Dangar island ferry.Have coffee/breakfast at the Dangar Island general store.Walk around the island.catch the ferry and train back to sydney central station then catch a train to Katoomba..get the explorer bus around the Katoomba-Leura sites.then night train back to town.

Thanks all and every one of you for thoughtful reply and kind attention. Now I know that info from guidebooks can be obsolete.
Have a happy week and weekend!

Hi JanePost,
I live in Manly, FairyBower is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve (which includes Shelley Beach which as Alan stated is a popular family beach).
However Alan and Margo were a bit wrong about the snorkelling, it is actually very good there, though obviously nowhere near as good as a reef system.

The acquatic reserve has a number of protected / endangered species, it's got a lot of Weedy Sea Dragons, with a chance to see the odd blue grouper, turtle and a friendly shark known as 'Mum'

cheers

Re Q2
Gordons Bay is not actually at Bondi, but a bit further south at Clovelly. The snorkelling is pretty good on a calm day. Around the corner at Cloivelly Beach is also good with the highlight the Blue Groper.

Thanks, MikeD, for the correction. Somehow I have never associated Fairy Bower with snorkellers. I am happy thta you chimed in and set the record straight for JanePost and others.