Vegan baked goods

Nom nom nom... a tummy grumble and a quick dash to the Townsville Vegans stall at The Willows market and the empty tummy grumble is satisfied.

To Join in on the World Wide Vegan Bake Sale, Townsville Vegans hosted a stall at The Willows Market on the 11th May.

Their goal was to raise money for Farm Animal Rescue Australia and spread the word about compassionate life styles.

I was lucky enough to be able to assist as a volunteer on the day and took some happy snaps!

Vegan and non-vegan alike enjoyed devouring yummy baked goods - $307 was raised on the day! well done guys!

These markets are not just for us veggie-heads though, there are plenty of stalls selling everything under the rainbow!

The markets happen every Sunday in The Willows Shopping Centre car park. They are free to wander through!

A chilli night in Sydney

I'm the first to admit, I find Melbourne to be better in the food stakes than Sydney. But, if you're after a good night out, great mexican food and maybe a jug or two of sangria.. lock up your rucksacks, put on your walking shoes and head over to Cafe Pacifico!

Trust me - it will be a night out! Walk your way down the side streets of Darlinghurst and fins your way to a mexican service station. Up the flight of stairs await a tantalising feast for your eyes, ears and taste buds.

Boast a huge selection of tequila - you may want to elect to not be the designated driver for tonight - 1 Tequila, 2 Tequila... I dont normally remember much after the second shot.

The food is yummy - I haven't been to Mexico or South America, so I can't comment on the authenticity of the food... but it is spicy (if thats how you like it) and full of flavour.

Are you a Veggie head and GF person, like me? Never fear - They can cater for us foodies too!

Grab a bunch of friends, take an empty belly and enjoy a night of food, drinks and laughter!

www.cafepacifico-laperla.com

Ravenswood

A ghost town of the gold-rush era, Ravenswood is serenely and eerily beautiful. I took the turn off to Ravenswood on the way back from Charters Towers (about 140km South West of Townsville). I wasn't sure what to expect, this is a country town that is literally in the middle of no where.

The Town was booming back in it 'hay-day' first settled in 1860, gold was soon discovered a few years later. It still boasts to this day a massive mine - there are lots of Ariel photographs of the mine in the local 'souvenir shop'. I spoke with the lady who was working in the shop - She advised me that the mine is still pull gold from the earth to date. There is a look out that you can drive to that shows you the open mine.

You don't need a guide to visit this town - The town (now operated by the National Trust) has an information 'station' and clear markers and information plaques everywhere - take a wonder around at your own leisure.

There are two pubs, a post office/general store and the souvenir shop (which doubles as a little museum ) There is a museum and other buildings that you can visit - The opening hours are short however (10am-1pm), so plan around this accordingly.

If you love Australia history you will love this little town. It is a bit of a photographs paradise in that there are so many old structures and textures everywhere.

For more information check out this website - http://www.heritageaustralia.com.au

Charters Towers

Are you a historian buff? Love a good tale about the Gold Rush era? Love antiques and museums from this period?

Then head to Charters Towers. If you find yourself on a great Australian road trip whether it be carvaning, backpacking - or just cruising your way from town to town, you may find Charters Towers interesting.

Its about 140KM south west of Townsville in Australia's far north Queensland, it truly is a town the Time forgot. Boasting only a few of the modern day cons (a new McDonalds, a Subway and a Woolworth supermarket) most of the buildings here are still original Dating back to the days of the Goldmine boom.

There is a Country Target here - No its not the shop we are interested in, but the building. It still has the original arcade type display cases at the front. There is the old Stock Exchange building, which is just beautiful and the entrance to the 'Bank' (the converted theatre) is also quiet lovely.

There are plenty of tours to see and do - A ghost tour at night, The Old Miners Cottage, The Venue Battery - you can find a full list of things to do at this website, just make sure you plan your day as the tours operate at weird times and sometime not at all. So phone ahead, just to be sure.

www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au

In terms of accommodation - I didn't stay the night, I just drove out and back. There are plenty of options which can be found on the website.

Food wise - not that great. I found it hard to get soy milk! If you have allergies, bring your own food - or stock up at the Woolworth  There are plenty of places to eat at reasonable prices... but its nothing fancy - Basic sandwiches etc...

St Mary's and Hyde Park

I was walking through the famous Hyde Park in Sydney the other day, it really is a very pretty park.

Here are some simple images I took.

Hyde Park is a great mid-city escape at lunch time you will see it strewn with office workers taking in their daily dose of Vitamine D and relieving themself from the stressfu environments of their offices.

Across the way from Hyde park is St Mary's Cathedral. I hadn't been into the Cathedral - ever. Now that I think about it, I don't know many people who have. So when I went in I was both shocked and surprised. It is such an amazing building. the coloured glass of the windows delicately dance around the interiors stone work.  It has the typical features you would expect to find in a Cathedral, its just surprising that it is here in Sydney. I guess we Sydney-siders tend to take this for granted and dream up big ideas of Gothic architecture belonging in Europe.

If you do happen to find a few spare moment and you are in Sydney, take a stroll through the park and finish with a quick visit to the Cathedral, its impressive!

Goat Island Heritage Tour

I worked in North Sydney and lived at McMahons Point for about 4 years... I was very lucky to have views or Sydney Harbour and the opera house, as well as all the little islands that dotted the harbour. I never once stop to think - What is on those islands...

10 years later, I finally decided to check out what had been in my back yard all those many years ago. I always was blind to Sydney's historical side. distracted by the fast pace life of the city.

I took my Mum and my Aunt with me on this walking tour of Goat Island. It was used. Like most things historic in Sydney, this island has a lot of history tie up in Convicts and military. The island was never overly inhabited, but a few houses are built here (Absolutely beautiful).

A hell of a lot of explosives were kept here on this island, that was its main use.

Its most famous use in recent history was its icon place in the Australia police drama 'Water Rats'.

It is now a part of the Sydney Harbour National Park and a protected space.

Kirribilli markets

Markets are always fun. They are jammed packed with many different characters, colours, tastes sights and smells. They really do stimulate all of your senses. and best of all, if you're on a tight budget and backpacking - they are free!

One of the best markets to visit when in Sydney has to be the Kirribilli markets. Set at the northern end of one of the most icons landmarks in the world - the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Kirribilli markets makes for a great days of sightseeing.

I would recommend starting the day by strolling over the Harbour Bridge, that is of course if you are staying in the city.

Save breakfast for when you get to the markets - There are so many food stalls with a wide range of food on offer. Aromatic coffee fills the air and gets your taste buds salivating. Save some room though if you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of cupcake and macaroon stalls to feed your sugar kick!

There are there different market themes.

General markets
Art and design markets
Fashion markets

These run on different days of the month, alternating between the three. For market dates and theme click here.

If you're a local and feel you have a excess of clothing or shoes building up, why not hire a stall. My friend Kim did just that and was able to sell her once loved goods to someone else who will love them! What a great way to make some extra pocket money and spend the day!

www.kirribillimarkets.com