Sydney and NSW Archives - Differentville

Giant flower with fangs outside the John Murray Gallery in Lightning Ridge

12 Things To Do in Lightning Ridge (If You Like Your Car!)

August 15, 2026May 5, 2023 by Helen from Differentville

Lightning Ridge is a cool opal mining town in New South Wales and it’s perfect if you’re in search for fun and unusual things to do on your holiday as there’s quirky sights everywhere – however, once I arrived we hit a small snag. So, while this isn’t the exact post I planned to write …

Bras & Beers: Touring Lightning Ridge’s Famous Pubs in the Scrub

August 15, 2026July 5, 2022 by Helen from Differentville

The Three Pubs in the Scrub located just outside Lightning Ridge are remote, ramshackle and probably home to a snake or two. But taking a trip to see them, and the opal fields around Lightning Ridge is a must-do for lovers of all things quirky.

statue of a rhino 'wearing' a white studden suit, an Elvis quiff and gold glasses in Parkes NSW

The Elvis Tour of Parkes, NSW: 10 Stops Fit for A King!

August 15, 2026April 16, 2022 by Helen from Differentville

As far as I’m aware, Elvis never visited the small town of Parkes, about an hour’s drive from Dubbo in NSW, but he’s certainly making his presence felt now. There’s statues of Elvis, there’s murals of Elvis you can even buy a bit of his hair – so, where should you stop on your Elvis Tour of Parkes?

front view of the Carinda Hotel in New South Wales showing the signs and a red shoes sign

Bowie-tastic! One Night at the Iconic Carinda Hotel

August 15, 2026April 3, 2022 by Helen from Differentville

Back in 1983, David Bowie turned up at the Carinda Hotel in the middle of outback New South Wales with a film crew in tow and created his Let’s Dance video. Nearly forty years later, Differentville arrived with a notepad and a camera phone to follow in his (red-shoe focused) footsteps… so, what did we find?

a giant brown potato model sits on a piece of bright green grass

A Long Awaited Trip to The Big Potato, Robertson

December 30, 2022January 31, 2022 by Helen from Differentville

This oval piece of magnificance below, my friends and lovers of the strange, is The Big Potato. And, before you start sniggering at the back, I won’t hear anything negative said about it. I’ve heard it all. Multiple words for poop have been bandied around with The Big in front of them. Underwhelming was also …

bear shaped soup base at Spice World Sydney Chinatown

19 Fun and Unusual Things to Do in Chinatown, Sydney (and Nearby)

December 30, 2022January 15, 2022 by Helen from Differentville

At first glance, you might not think there’s a lot of unusual things to do in Chinatown, Sydney – but if you know where to look in the myraid of restaurants and small alleys full of shops that fill the area you’ll find all sorts of fun things to eat, see and do…. particularly eat. …

Close up of a smiling dingo at Bargo Dingo Sanctuary

Don’t Miss The Dingo Encounter at Bargo Dingo Sanctuary

December 30, 2022December 19, 2021 by Helen from Differentville

If you’re looking for something fun to do to break the journey between Sydney and the Southern Highlands, we have the perfect suggestion – a trip to the Bargo Dingo Sanctuary where dingo cuddling is the order of the day.

What Happens on the Amazing Co Mystery Picnic, Sydney?…

August 15, 2026October 19, 2021 by Helen from Differentville

A Mystery Picnic is kind of like a scavenger hunt for food – but is it really a great way to spend a day in Sydney? We found out what actually happens on the Mystery Picnic in Sydney’s Darling Harbour and The Rocks.

6 Fun Sydney Scavenger Hunts to Try This Weekend

December 31, 2022July 31, 2021 by Helen from Differentville

Are you a local who thinks they know Sydney really well – or would like to? Or, are you looking for a fun way to explore the city that taxes your brain as well as helps you explore a few sights that perhaps the other tourists don’t see – then why not try a Sydney …

Sydney Opera House during Vivid - one of the fun things to do in Circular Quay

31 Fun and Unusual Things to do in Circular Quay

February 10, 2025July 3, 2021 by Helen from Differentville

Chances are if you’re visiting Sydney, you’re going to end up in Circular Quay. It’s the access point to the Opera House, the place where you get on the iconic Manly Ferry, it’s home to bars, restaurants and buskers with didgeridoos, but alongside enjoying all these things, there are also some less well known, more quirky and just plain fun things to do in Circular Quay.