At the end of April (24th April to be exact), we went for a day-travel to Mount Wilson, a popular destination to see the autumn foliage. It takes around 1.5-2 hours to reach Mount Wilson by car from Sydney. We were quite rushed when we were there because we left Sydney quite late around 11.20 am (blame husband who ruins almost any trip and made me rush at the end although I've blocked his calendar waaayyy beforehand... aaarrrggghhh!)
We arrived at Mount Wilson at 1.15 pm. We ate our packed lunch and prayed, then went to one of the open gardens on The Avenue around 1.45 pm. My husband was very annoying around this time, because he was still checking his WhatsApp and replying to messages at lunch time although I told him to eat his lunch quickly so we can start exploring around because we were already so late, and it was him as well who made us leave late from Sydney! Truthfully, it feels like travelling with a baby! Then when we walked up to Breenhold Gardens's gate he just realised we had to pay entry fee and didn't bring any cash - well, I did, he didn't. Then he had to run back to the car to take his pocket money. Oh great, even more delay, I thought, because I was planning to visit the Turkish Bath Museum which closes at 3.30 pm. At this point, I'm already at my wits end.
Anyway, back to the trip, we eventually visited only one garden because I was rushing to the Turkish Bath House which closes at 3.30 pm. Well, I wasn't really interested in visiting other gardens either because of my tummy - not too keen on taking long walks. Then we went to the Turkish Bath Museum. Afterwards, we went back to Sydney and we stopped by at Bilpin to eat freshly baked apple pie.
THE AVENUE
This is where that iconic picturesque photo of Mount Wilson is usually taken. It is a two way road where you will be spoilt with heaps of autumn foliage on your left and right. However, when we arrived, that picturesque landscape just didn't make the cut. There were cars parking everywhere hence it's so difficult to get photo of a pretty lane with autumn trees on either side! Wrong time to visit, I thought. But we can't go there unless it's a weekend. So, we just enjoyed whatever we can.
BREENHOLD GARDEN
Entry fee: $8/adult, $2/child
Breenhold garden is the first garden that you will see on your left once you arrive at The Avenue. This garden is easy to find as the gate is literally located on the side of The Avenue, unlike other gardens where you have to pass small roads in order to reach them. The entry fee for the garden is $8 for adult, and $2 for children.
Breenhold garden is the first garden that you will see on your left once you arrive at The Avenue. This garden is easy to find as the gate is literally located on the side of The Avenue, unlike other gardens where you have to pass small roads in order to reach them. The entry fee for the garden is $8 for adult, and $2 for children.
The garden is large, very large in fact, but I think it's a bit so so. There weren't many autumn foliage like what I had expected, but they have oak, maple, and Japanese maple trees which I think it's a good variation. They also have a lane of trees which is great to for taking photos. And the best part, at the back of the garden, because of the topography of the garden, you will be spoilt with a view of the Blue Mountain range. It's as if having Katoomba in your backyard! One area to improve for the garden is to have a map of the garden. It would be great if they can have it available to the visitors (also considering the entry fee that they charge) because hubby and I was having trouble finding our way out of the garden!
TURKISH BATH HOUSE MUSEUM
Entry fee: $5/adult
We were quite lucky because we managed to arrive at the museum just 15 minutes before their closing time, but eventually they closed slightly over that just after the last guests left (which I think were an elderly pair who came after us). We got lost a bit on our way to the museum. What we thought was a church at the end of The Avenue, was actually the Turkish Bath House Museum, and we didn't notice the sign as well! The estate was surrounded by short stone wall, so I'm sure you wouldn't miss it.
We were quite lucky because we managed to arrive at the museum just 15 minutes before their closing time, but eventually they closed slightly over that just after the last guests left (which I think were an elderly pair who came after us). We got lost a bit on our way to the museum. What we thought was a church at the end of The Avenue, was actually the Turkish Bath House Museum, and we didn't notice the sign as well! The estate was surrounded by short stone wall, so I'm sure you wouldn't miss it.
So, the story of the bath house is that the original owner of the estate had a wife who was suffering from cancer (if I'm not mistaken). Instead of relying heavily on chemical medication, the wife went for natural healing which miraculously extended her life by 9 years. The Turkish bath was built by the owner for his wife and son to relax their body and mind. The owner was particularly fascinated by Turkish culture, hence the Turkish influence on the bath house.
The bath house had one bathroom and a steam room. There's nothing special with the bath tub or the small corner sink in the bathroom. It's like the ones you would find in original Victorian terrace houses in Sydney. But the toilet totally caught my eyes! It's painted with blue veins and flowers, just like chinese porcelain. It's really beautiful. Nowadays, toilets are just plain white (or sometimes other colours, but it's always plain), but this one looks like a royal toilet, hahaha.
Before we exit the premise, I told my husband to take photo by the gate. I didn't even realise the gate was also 'something' when we arrived there (perhaps because we were in a rush). The gate has intricate wire design on it, and it actually says "Turkish Bath".
THE PINES ORCHARD, BILPIN
Apple pie with ice-cream: $6, Apple jelly: $7.5/500gr
On our way to Mount Wilson, I saw the sign "Fresh Baked Apple Pie Daily" along Bells Line of Road. Like my husband said, I'm celamitan, which means I can get really excited about food in an instant. The restaurant was on the right side of the road and husband was on full speed so there's no way we can make a turn. Anyway, I thought we could go there on the way back home. So, we did.
On our way to Mount Wilson, I saw the sign "Fresh Baked Apple Pie Daily" along Bells Line of Road. Like my husband said, I'm celamitan, which means I can get really excited about food in an instant. The restaurant was on the right side of the road and husband was on full speed so there's no way we can make a turn. Anyway, I thought we could go there on the way back home. So, we did.
The shop is quite big (and it has a huge sign in front of it), so I don't think you will miss it. The shop is located in an area where there are heaps of apples orchard around. I think some of them are even open for public for pick-your-own apples.
The shop had indoor and very nice outdoor dining areas. The shop sells new season apples in buckets, apple pies and cakes, honey, apple cider, and a large variety of chutney and jam. I had already purchased heaps of apples from Sydney market, so I wasn't too keen on getting the apples, hehehe. Instead, I wanted to try the apple pie that was advertised on the sign on the side of the road and the apple jam. I ordered a quarter apple pie with ice cream on top and a jar of apple jam to take home. The apple pie was quite nice, it's a bit different from the normal apple pies that I've tasted before which were like a thick sauce with chunks of soft apples. This one is more like fresh apples baked with no additional flavours (e.g. cinnamon). And the pie crust is not your ordinary short crust pastry, it's a bit cake-like but not soft. Overall, I liked it! I haven't opened the apple jam though, so cannot tell you how they tasted :).
Laughing over your husband!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether the autumn foliage is running late because the weather has been so warm.