Newcastle Road, Platt Street and the bush around the suburb
Newcastle Road and Platt Street form the heart of the suburb, with older shops and a mix of homes behind them. To the west and south, the land opens into bush reserves and creek lines, including the area around Ironbark Creek and the Blue Gum Hills.
Gums and other native trees drop bark, leaves and seed pods, and tannins in the leaves stain light roofs, paving and decking. Damp air along the creek lines keeps shaded surfaces wet for long periods. On sloping blocks, hoses and equipment may have to be carried a distance, and bushfire-season rules sometimes affect how we plan a day outdoors.
