A few blocks south and one east of Broadway and Commercial, John Hendry Park is a little oasis in suburban East Van. A dog-walker's delight, the park is essentially a circuit around Trout Lake, which used to be a peat bog. Nearby is one of my favourite cafes in the city, Libby's, little known to those outside the neighborhood. Work by local artists is usually up on the walls (and changes frequently), the food's decent and the staff have good taste in music. Just don't steal my couch at the back.
Broadway/Commercial skytrain stations are a ten minute walk away. Sits between 13th and 19th n/s, and between Victoria and Garden e/w;
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/cc/troutlake/
Libby’s Kitchen: 3249 Porter St (Victoria and 18th);
tel: 604 874 5547;
www.libbyskitchen.com
Little Bay is a beautiful and protected beach in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Drive through the old close Prince Henry hospital ground, walk through a golf course and head down the stairs. It's an un patrolled beach but has a small nature reef that protects it from the elements. Great for kids and dogs and has heaps of over hanging rock ledges for shade.
South east of Randwick in Sydney and is bounded by Malabar to the north Chifley and Phillip Bay to the west, and La Perouse to the south.
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