Flowers around Katoomba and The Gully

We arrived in Katoomba too early to check in at the Flying Fox hostel, but it was raining so we hung out there for a little while in the common room.  After a bit the rain stopped, so we took a walk to stretch our legs.  It was cool and damp and felt halfway between Australia and the Smokies and Door County (the latter mostly due to the holiday cottages tucked in among the pines.)

Along the side of the road (we see these purple flowers
everywhere, actually.)

Pink flowers and something that looks a bit like croton
(but probably isn't croton)

Our walk took us to a nearby park and the The Gully, a historical site in Katoomba which was once an Aboriginal settlement until the people there were forcibly removed for the construction of a racetrack in 1957.  It is now a park/nature preserve with informational plaques to read about the history of the area.  It was pretty quiet but for all the insects and the crimson rosellas.  It was a very pleasant place to be.

White flowering trees in the park

The disused racing track

A view of Katoomba

As always, not sure what this plant is but I thought it was amazing