Summer in Sydney means ... monorail, waterfalls and pistachio ice-cream

What does a Sydney summer mean to you?

A western Sydney summer means sourcing out the strongest possible air-con (probably Westfield’s), slathering myself in an SPF 50 and ironically exclaiming “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”.

Not just a Shelbyville idea: The once-glorious monorail was Abby’s first memory of Sydney.Credit: Oscar Colman

Earliest memory of summer in Sydney?

When my grandparents took me to the city to visit the Sydney Sea Life aquarium, I don’t remember anything except for riding on the now-dismantled city icon that was the monorail.

First place you take visitors?

Empress Falls near Wentworth Falls. You trek down into the valley to find a stunning waterfall that fills a large natural pool, which is freezing cold year-round. It’s a crowd-pleaser but be warned that you will need to go for another swim after climbing the stairs out of the valley.

Favourite cafe?

Percy Plunkett in Penrith makes for the perfect brunching spot, very Instagrammable. Over the summer they have started handing out free ice blocks once it gets too hot – now that’s hospitality.

Abby’s summer oasis, Empress Falls in the Blue Mountains National.Credit: Blue Mountains National Park.

Secret Sydney spot you escape to?

As a teenager, it was a rite of passage to find the hidden location of Paradise Pool in the Blue Mountains. The waterfall plunge pool is nestled into the bush and includes a five-metre rock jump, a pumping waterfall and a sandy shore, eat your heart out east coast!

The best summer food is …

It’s not summer unless I cut the corners of my mouth eating Zooper Doopers.

I know it’s summer when I smell …

A BBQ wafting over the fence as your neighbours are enjoying an early dinner.

My favourite summer song is…

Bad Girls by Donna Summer (it’s in her name). Hot days and long nights call for classic disco and no one does it better than the queen.

The worst thing about summer is …

Bushfire season, snake season and the time in 2020 when Penrith was literally the hottest place on Earth.

My closest bolthole to escape the city is …

I live in a bolthole, but heading to the Blue Mountains for the day is always a good idea to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Guilty pleasure?

I feel guilt-free about slowly wandering the aisles of an air-conditioned shopping centre.

Also, you always deserve to treat yourself to an ice-cream, preferably pistachio-flavoured.

What aspect of summer life would you change, and what do you want to always stay the same?

Australian summers are such a delight that I think we all could agree to some more time away from work to soak up the sun.

The long, sunny days help to shake off those nasty winter blues and even during a too-hot Penrith summer it brings out the best in Aussies and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Summer in Sydney is a series where Herald staff reveal the best – and worst – of our city in the hotter months.

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