Discover the Hidden Treasures of My Place Newtown Uncover the Surprising Secrets of this Small Town

Every area has those secret places that only the locals know about. From cool bars and restaurants, to amazing beaches or hikes, here’s how to spot where the fun happens in your neighbourhood.

If you’ve just moved to a new area, or it’s been a while since you’ve really explored your current one, it’s time to get your finger on the pulse.

If you’re in or around an urban area, chances are there’s more than one speakeasy in your midst. Drawing on drinking traditions of the prohibition era, speakeasy bars are hidden away from the unknowing passersby.

Fairfield Living Magazine

For instance, if you’re in Sydney’s inner west, a closed butcher shop hides the popular watering hole, Earl’s Juke Joint. In Collingwood, you’ll find 16-seat cocktail bar Above Board hidden behind an unmarked door and up a flight of stairs. In Brisbane’s Woolloongabba, Jack Rabbits Whisky Bar is found on the other side of an old wardrobe.

Track down your local farmer’s market or fresh grocer to really get in touch with your neighbourhood. In Sydney’s inner west, the Sunday morning Marrickville Organic Food Markets are a favourite with locals and visitors alike, hidden within an unassuming residential area on Addison Rd.

If you don’t know of any markets in your area, ask local cafes or health-food stores where a local might help you out.

The Curse Of The Crystal Cavern (the Pathfinders Society): 9780425291900: Sedita, Francesco, Seraydarian, Prescott, Hamaker, Steve: Books

Real estate agent Charles Bailey from Urbane Newtown says simply showing up to markets will get you the insider scoop from all the growers on where they’ll next be, and new markets likely to pop up. You heard it here first Sydney inner-westerners: Erskineville may be the next suburb to get its own market!

Want a private picnic spot? Better hit the ground! Go for a walk or hike with your lunch and discover somewhere to eat with a view. If you live in or near a major city, chances are you live close to somewhere with stunning water views. Look for parks or reserves overlooking beaches, rivers or even atop hills in surrounding suburbs.

Grab lunch and find a spare patch of grass to eat it on! It’ll help you to see your suburb in a new light. Picture: Getty

Newtown Scavenger Hunt: History Comes To Life

“There are also plenty of little parks that are hidden away beyond plain sight, ” Charles says. “In Newtown, Hollis Park is a great little one for kids and dog walkers. Camperdown Oval has just undergone a massive restoration with table-tennis tables, basketball courts and tennis courts brought in. They’ve even got a wall where you can do your own graffiti!”

Cities are full of secret gardens! If you want to try your hand at either growing or buying local blooms, websites like Local Harvest can direct you to community gardens. Go for a drive and you might find a relaxing hideaway to just sit and watch the clouds.

Then there’s also secret community gardens – where you can harvest herbs and veggies to use in your own cooking. “Newtown’s Oxford St holds one of the most successful community gardens in Sydney’s inner west, and there’s also a massive seasonal garden at Camperdown Commons, the old Camperdown Bowling Club, where the onsite restaurants invent menu items from the produce, ” Charles says.

Tighe Street, Newtown, Qld 4350

Explore the op shops and antique stores in your area to find actual hidden treasures. While you’ll be able to search online for stores, beat antique hunters at their own game by hunting down local markets or garage sales via online directories or Facebook. The real estate agent who helped you find the property is also a pretty good bet.

Charles, who knows Newtown better than most, says: “You’ll find the quirkiest op shops down the south end of King St, near St Peters. Always ask your local real estate agent for hidden treasures; it’s their job to know the area!”

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is designed to impress and engineered to shine in every department when you get behind the wheel. Striking design crosses paths with cutting edge technology to deliver a bold adventure vehicle that takes you beyond the every day. From spending your weekend finding your next dream home to helping you move the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is here now, for wherever next.Community CornerSandy Hook's Hidden TreasuresExplore Sandy Hook in Newtown and find these hidden treasures: hiking, geocaching, flower picking, organic farms, hidden restaurants and more.

Malvern's Wharton Esherick Museum A Hidden Treasure Amidst The Pines

With more than 60 square miles, Newtown is the state's fifth largest town. And nestled within this vast area is the village of Sandy Hook, a small hamlet sitting on the Pootatuck River.

Sandy Hook's colorful past includes a fire hose factory, an opera house and a biker destination. Now, this village boasts unique shops, a few restaurants and a network of trails with beautiful views.

Al's Trail spans more than 10 miles and runs right through Sandy Hook. This trail was created by Newtown residents brought together by a vision.

Mcmillian Ct, Winder, Ga 30680

Al Goodrich and others were inspired to create a greenway in Newtown so that migratory birds and animals could make their way through the state on safe corridors that were uninhabited by humans, said Pat Barkman, who worked with Al and the Open Space Task Force. In creating this space, Al saw room for a trail, said Barkman.

Remnants of village history can still be seen on the hiking path that originates at the end of Dayton Street. As you pull into the small parking area, a bridge that was mainly used by the factory workers who lived in the area is still open to pedestrians. At the base of the trail in Rocky Glen Park, the foundation for the old opera house, which burned down in 1897, is still visible.

This hike was easy for the most part. The latter section has some steep climbs, but my 6-year-old son tackled it and was fine, although we made sure to have a hand on him on some of the narrower steep stretches.

Cool And Unusual Things To Do In New York City

Along the way we saw a variety of plants, including Jack-in-the-Pulpit, trillium and wild ramps, as well as several types of ferns and moss. Everyone agreed the view was spectacular, which made the 30-minute trek worth it. Plan on one to one-and-a-half hours, depending on how much exploring you do, to make it to the view and back.

One reason we chose this part of Al's Trail is because it's also home to a geocache. We discovered geocaching and letterboxing last year and are smitten. A geocache is a container that is hidden off of a trail that you locate by using GPS coordinates. Letterboxing is similar but involves following clues and landmarks instead of coordinates.

When you find the weather-proof container, you get to mark the occasion by writing or stamping in a journal, taking a trinket and leaving something of your own, such as a small toy, a penny or other item. We left a Silly Band, along with a journal entry to which we signed our names.

Horseheads Man Cherry Tree Historical Secrets

With four kids in tow, we rarely take a hike that doesn't involve one of these. There's something about a quest for treasure that inspires kids to press on, even if they are tired.

The kids LOVED it, Roth said. Now they have an iPhone app that would make it easy, so maybe we'll try it again.

After a leisurely walk on the trail, you'll be looking for some food. Sandy Hook has several options, from the basic sandwich to more upscale dining.

Elliot Daingerfield Painting Achieves 'hidden Treasure' Status At Clarsantiques And The Arts Weekly

Although there is a Subway sandwich shop, most locals head over to  for their mid-day fare. This deli has a handful of tables and a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, as well as fresh specials and homemade soups. The menu may include Chilled Thai Squash Soup with Yogurt and Cilantro, the Buffalo Shrimp Basket or the Cowboy Burger with melted pepper jack cheese, crisp fried onion rings and bacon.

 is an option for a light lunch. This coffee house sits right on the rushing Pootatuck river and has outdoor seating. The small menu offers salads, soups and fresh sandwiches served on local bread. Even if you don't grab lunch here, stop in for a coffee and a pastry or cup of gelato.

On your way out of town, stop by Shortt's Farm, which is located less than a mile from Sandy Hook Center on Riverside Road. This farm has been family run since 1995 and is certified organic.

Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill, Ponce Inlet

When I first started in 2000, we did not have many customers actively seeking out organic produce, said Sue Shortt, who runs the farm with her husband Jim. They didn't care as long as it was fresh, but now that people are getting more educated on the organic movement, we definitely see people coming to us because we are certified organic.

The garden center offers perennials, annuals and gardening supplies, but locals are drawn to this spot for its abundance of organic produce. The farm grows 13 varieties of tomatoes, many of them heirloom, peppers, eggplant and many other herbs and vegetables.

Share :