Locals use it every day on their commute to work, but the Manly Ferry voyage is an impossibly beautiful treat.Why go? While the motors chug soothingly, enjoy the scenery of Sydney Harbour as it glides by, taking you past the bridge, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo and harbourside beaches such as Shark Beach and Camp Cove out to one of the city’s most popular beachside suburbs, great for bars, restaurants, shopping and snorkelling.Don't miss: We suggest you hop off and explore part or all the Many to Spit walk for spectacular views of the north and south headlands.
It's a 9- or 18-km coastal trek (depending on if you're going one way or returning to Manly) that takes you from sandy coves to beautiful vantage points of Sydney Harbour, up and down rocky staircases and to at least four secret beaches.Why go? The views are worth every drop of sweat you lose as you climb the stairs, and there are beaches here that you can only reach on this walk or by boat.Don't miss: At the pinnacle, look out for the Grotto Point Aboriginal engravings; you'll find the outlines of a giant kangaroo, boomerangs, a whale and several small fish carved into the Sydney sandstone. A sunrise flight across country towns with Sydney city skyline on the horizon and the blue eucalyptus haze of the Blue Mountains in the other direction.Why go?In the padded basket everyone gets a spectacular view of the sun rising in the east and the pink tones and long shadows hitting the countryside below, including the steep hills of the Razorback Ranges to the pretty church steeples of Camden.Don't miss: It’s around a three-hour experience, starting at 4am, so don't skip the Champagne brekky that's all part of the ticket, served up at Otis Bar and Grill at Rydges Campbelltown. What is it? Sixty minutes from Sydney’s CBD, Dharawal National Park has stunning scenery and until recently public access to the bushland was restricted. Now you can enjoy guided tours of the park every second Saturday of the month.Why go? Guiding the way will be an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger, who will share local knowledge about flora and fauna, as well as Dreamtime stories that connect Indigenous Australians to the area.Don't miss: Enjoy a short bushwalk and then picnic at Minerva Pool – a sacred women’s place for the Dharawal People (only women and children may enter the pool). What is it? Inner West pub the Imperial has been a safe space for the LGBTQIA community since the '80s. Drag is at the forefront, queer culture is celebrated, and the music is loud, proud and Palms-level perfection.Why go?
Things to Do in Sydney by Neighborhood Central Business District (367) The Rocks (80) Surry Hills (60) Darlinghurst (53) Darling Harbour (44) Paddington (44) Newtown (43) Balmain (30) Double Bay (26) Chinatown (21) Glebe (18) Inner West (12) Inner East (10) Manly (10) Mosman (10) Kings Cross (8) City East (7) City West (7) Wynyard (6) Coogee (6) Bondi Beach (4) Inner South (3) St.
The front bar has a fabulously daggy disco after-hours with Diana, Cher, Madonna, and Whitney on heavy rotation. The basement also hosts regular parties from some of Sydney’s best queer collectives: Honcho Disko, Heaps Gay and Girlthing.Don't miss: Drag ‘n’ Dine, every night of the week. Your zucchini noodles will be accompanied by one of Sydney’s star drag kings and queens. Worth visiting for the space alone, Carriageworks is the latest incarnation of the Eveleigh Rail Yards, built in the 1880s. Its cavernous interiors are where you'll find experimental theatre, contemporary art installations and cultural festivals.Why go? This is where you'll experience Sydney's most progressive drama, dance and art companies like Performance Space, Sydney Chamber Opera and Moogahlin Performing Arts.Don't miss: The toilets. They're some of the best loos in Sydney. What is it? It’s brunch with fine-dining credentials, a coffee spot that also does dinner, and it’s brilliant any time of day.Why go?
Chef Clayton Wells’ newest dining venture was one of the most exciting openings of 2018, because Sydney is a brunch town and A1 has a licence that kicks off at 10am. That means if you want an amber ale from Marrickville’s Wildflower brewery to go with your curried scrambled eggs and LP’s Quality Meats sausage on an English muffin, you go right ahead and live your life.Don't miss: The muffuletta pressed sandwich has cult status in Sydney’s takeaway lunch scene. What is it? This secret garden, with full views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, is part public, part private land at the foot of artist Brett Whiteley’s home in Lavender Bay.Why go? For years, the land was tangled, overgrown and strewn with rubbish, but when Whiteley died in 1992, his widow, Wendy, channelled her grief into creating a place of enchantment. Sydneysiders come to escape the busier parks and enjoy a picnic in the hidden oasis.Don't miss: The chance to snap a pic of Sydney Harbour surrounded by towering fig trees and native plants.
What is it? A sunrise kayak and coffee tour with glorious photo opportunities that’ll make your hungover friends incredibly jealous.Why go? Instructor Laura Stone and husband Ben run weekly dawn tours that make the most of Sydney Harbour before most people turn and hit snooze. The harbour water is velvety smooth, and the kayaks are very stable so you don’t need to work hard to paddle around Luna Park and into position as the sunlight hits Sydney Opera House.Don't miss: Flat whites never tasted saltier than when you're bobbing under the Bridge, paddle under arm and wrangling a camera for that perfect Instagram shot. A three-hour walking tour of Newtown and Enmore where your local guide will point out the iconic and lesser-known street art of the Inner West.Why go? You’ve heard of local artists Lister, Numbskull and Skulk, but how many times have you stopped to look at their work? There’s time on this to appreciate the works right under our noses, like Lister’s dancing ballerinas on the Hub building, or the sweeping layers of pink, blue and turquoise of ‘Save Our Coral Reef’ by Phibs and George Rose.Don't miss: The more discreet ways our street artists make their mark. We bet even residents would learn something new.
Ciccone and Sons are doing gelato the way it should be made in a hot climate like ours: cool, refreshing and totally delicious.Why go? The joint itself is pared back but adorable. It's a long, thin room with bunting on the walls, a couple of little church pews to sit on, rock ’n’ roll on the stereo and a chest freezer with ice cream up the back.Don't miss: The buttermilk and passionfruit flavour is possibly the most refreshing iced treat you could imagine – sweet'n'tangy and slightly salty. A boutique, 60-seat cinema in Surry Hills where you can catch the latest indie releases as well as cult film screenings, attend weekly movie trivia nights and hang out in the golden age-inspired basement bar.Why go? The building was constructed in 1940 as the offices of Paramount Pictures.
Two vintage projectors remain on the premises, although the new cinema uses a digital projector.Don't miss: High-quality cinema snacks are offered in the adjoining bar – expect the finest choc-tops in Sydney. It's a beloved Sydney pub revived by the duo behind Mary's and the Unicorn that serves up natural wines and pizza downstairs, and a stellar live music program upstairs.Why go? The first floor bandroom gives breath to Sydney's oxygen-deprived live-music scene – a few bucks and a wristband get you upstairs access to the velvet banquette-lined, 250-person venue that manages to feel intimate for a folky show, but gives you room to cut loose when King Tide or You Am I are on the stage.Don't miss: Now they've conquered burgers, Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham have set their sights on pizza, and they've opened Mary's Pizzeria inside the Lansdowne. There are only 12 seats in the cordoned off pizzeria – so get in early, or late, to secure a seat. A high-end Cantonese restaurant that isn’t so much waterfront as it is launched out over the water on Manly Wharf.Why go? Head chef Patrick Friesen and rising talent Sam Young have transplanted the dining concept that worked so well at the Queen’s Hotel in Enmore, and replicated it in sunny Manly, replete with A3 laminated menus that boast sweet and sour pork, and salt and pepper squid.
But to elevate it from suburban Chinese you’ll also find tanks of live lobsters, cleverly reduxed retro dishes and excellent dumplings.Don't miss: Start with the plump xiao long bao – the exterior is more sturdy and practical than dainty and delicate, but neatly folded to capture a nub of ginger-flecked pork and plenty of soup. A helicopter ride that'll make you feel like James Bond as it ferries you over Sydney CBD.Why go? The cabin is mostly glass, so every seat gets excellent views. You'll hover over Darling Harbour before hooking out towards Goat Island to make a majestic run at the bridge.
From here you'll head out towards the heads before taking a sharp right to track the coastline from Vaucluse to the golden sands of Bondi and Maroubra.Don't miss: Be sure to capture that coastline with a decent camera as you glide from Vaucluse to the famous golden sands of Bondi and Maroubra before heading back into Botany Bay. An Inner West tiki bar decked out in glowing fishing floats, dried puffer fish, and flocked banana palm wallpaper. Staff are also slinging some of the city’s most ridiculous cocktails, and a whole lot of Twin Peaks references for die-hard fans.Why go? This bar is built on the back of a killer team who know the secret recipe for having a good time.Don't miss: The Shark Bait – strap in for a big, white plastic shell full of crushed ice at sea in a mix of rums, Yellow Chartreuse, absinthe and bitters, lime juice, falernum and grenadine. And did we mention that it’s on fire? It's 26 kilometres of national park with stunning coastline walks, secluded beaches, natural rock pools and rock formations that are Insta-worthy.Why go?
Whether you want to swim, trek, picnic, swim, bike ride, swim or just GTFO of Sydney for the day, the Royal National Park will provide an outdoors, adventure-filled day away. Tread with caution at hot spots like and the Figure Eight rock pools.Don't miss: Whale watching season runs from May to November and the Royal National Park is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures on their migration. It's a chance to see behind the scenes of Sydney Opera House, allowing you access to areas normally reserved for big stars and their entourages.Why go?
Guests meet at the stage door for an experience that will have you treading the boards of its illustrious stages and sneaking into the dressing rooms of the Concert Hall, Opera and Drama Theatres, Playhouse and the Studio. You’ll be regaled with the secrets and stories that go on behind the curtain, from pulleys to props, sequins to soundchecks.Don't miss: Tours include a hearty breakfast served in the Green Room. What is it? It's the largest island in Sydney's harbour and set at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers. It's been a film set, a gaol, a shipping yard and home to arts and culture festivals.Why go? Because it has so much history. Before 1839, when a prison was built to house convicts from Norfolk Island, it was covered with red gums and was almost certainly an Aboriginal fishing spot. The island had a brief stint hosting an industrial school for girls and a naval training ship for boys.
However, the island was mostly used for shipbuilding and repairs. Today, the island is run by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, which runs different types of tours.Don't miss: There are camp sites, glamping packages, apartments or heritage holiday houses to choose from if you want to extend your trip to the storied island. What is it? A not-for-profit zoo with harbourside views featuring 4,000 animals from koalas and echidnas to giraffes and elephants.Why go? You're guaranteed sightings of many Australian animals, plus threatened species. The zoo runs talks and animal encounters daily – and even glamping sleepovers.Don't miss: Taronga Zoo boasts some of the best harbour views in the city, and as you walk along its wide, snaking paths you’ll spot the Bridge and Sydney Opera House as often as you spot the wildlife. When it opened in 1892, the Strand Arcade was regarded as the very latest in shopping-centre architecture. It's still one of the most beautiful thoroughfares to visit today.Why go? The narrow, multi-level shopping arcade houses premium Australian fashion designers, including Jac+ Jack, Lover, Sass & Bide and Dion Lee.
Plus, you can find vibrant and distinctive jewellery from local brand Dinosaur Designs and natural beauty products at Aesop.Don't miss: The very dapper hat collection at Strand Hatters. If you came to Australia without sufficient head protection, staff will sort you out with a stylish Akubra, Brixton or Panama. The beautiful and vast Centennial Parklands has great walking and cycling tracks, but it’s also one of the world’s only urban parks with riding facilities, with five riding schools that can take you out for a trot any day of the week.Why go? Centennial Park has a picturesque 3.6km horse track. Horse riding has always been part of the Parklands’ history and has been taking place since it opened in 1888. Open 365 days a year, the Equestrian Centre is home to 200 stables onsite. The best way to enjoy it is to take a one-hour circuit of the park with a professional instructor.Don't miss: Take a picnic with you and enjoy the views of Sydney skyline from the edge of the pond.
What it is? An unobtrusive doorway in the middle of Chinatown leads to an elevator, and into a Blade Runner-style idea of the Shanghai wine bar. Which all leads to private karaoke rooms with a truly cheesy selection of songs to sing along to.Why go?
It’s gaudy and shiny and over the top, with statues on everything, one-way mirrors on the private rooms, unisex toilets and touchscreen tabletop games if you get bored with the singing.Don't miss: Staffers here seem to think that if they keep you fed and watered, you’ll stay all night. They’re right. We especially recommend the beef noodles.
It’s a six-kilometre stretch of coastline; you’ll walk by Waverley Cemetery, where it can get windy through the suspended walkway, past Clovelly Bowls Club, the secluded nook that is Gordon’s Bay, and on to Coogee where you can reward your efforts with a cold drink from Coogee Pavilion’s rooftop bar.Why go? When Time Out has visitors in town this is one of the first things we recommend they do. It’s an easy-to-moderate stroll with stunning beaches and people every stretch of the way.Don't miss: The chance to live in your activewear all day long. No one will bat an eyelid. What is it? The only cageless shark diving experience in Sydney. You can join a colony of grey nurse sharks on a 30-minute diving experience in Darling Harbour.Why go? Though the grey nurse sharks range from one to three metres long in the tank, they’re placid creatures and do very little other than give you a curious side eye as they swim.
The biggest benefit of diving with them at the aquarium, rather than in the open ocean, is the guarantee of seeing so many sharks in one spot.Don't miss: the colony of king and gentoo penguins who also call the aquarium home. Old Mate’s Place is somewhere that ticks a lot of boxes.
You can drink cold beers and simple mixes on the roof among the palms and festoon lights, or you can get cocktails that deserve their place in a leather-bound tome downstairs under the chandeliers.Why go? Everyone wants to linger in the evening light with a rum and coconut, a Jamaican lager or the compact thirst-busting powers of a crisp VB throwdown.Don't miss: The booze-sopping Philly cheesesteak that’s so soft and melty you barely need to chew. Momofuku is a Japanese word (it’s the name of the man who invented instant ramen), but this five-star restaurant serves an 11-course degustation with an entirely different accent.Why go? Chef Paul Carmichael was born in Barbados, and his Caribbean upbringing shines through in his food, which is matched with the most interesting beverage list we’ve seen in ages, from sake to cider, orange wine to sherry. Carmichael has brought about a new age for this restaurant – one that is more exciting than it has ever been.Don't miss: Ringside seats don’t get better than the stools lining the Momofuku Seiobo kitchen. This is as close to the cooking action as you can get without Carmichael reaching over and handing you a veggie peeler and a bag of spuds. Australia’s first bubble tent – aptly named Bubbletent Australia.
There are three tents to choose from, each overlooking a different aspect of the Capertee Valley, the largest valley in the world.Why go? All three offer total seclusion, which is not only pleasant but needed, since the central chamber of each one has a 360-degree view out, and in.
Thanks to its high altitude and low light pollution, Capertee, two hours and 45 minutes west of Sydney, has some of the best stargazing near the city.Don't miss: Book the ‘Virgo’ tent, and you’ll even get access to a wood-fired hot tub. What is it? One of the best escape rooms in Sydney; there are three rooms to choose from, and in each room you have to solve a series of puzzles in the allotted time in order to escape.Why go? The Cipher Room is a labour of love for its co-creators, Newtown locals Marise Watson and David Vella. Game designer Marise spent a year researching escape rooms around Australia and in New York before creating Espionage. Husband David is the builder who put together the room’s ingenious bits and pieces by hand.Don't miss: The Cipher Room’s second game room, the Cabin, which has a serial killer theme and is decidedly scarier. Palm Beach is the ideal Australian package. Located one hour away from Sydney’s CBD on the Northern Beaches, this hot spot is perfect for a relaxing day trip away from the commotion of the city.Why go?
Fans of Home & Away may recognise the location as Summer Bay, but Palm Beach is so much more than Alf Stewart's favourite fishing spot – there is calm water on one side for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, and big waves on the other for surfing. Plus, you can walk to the lighthouse on the hill, which is a great spot for whale watching.Don't miss: The cheapest way to get there is by the L90 bus from Wynyard Station for $4.61 with an Opal card. A 1.5-hour guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens where you'll learn about the Indigenous history of the land. You’ll learn about how the Gadigal people lived and worked with the seasons before the area was colonised.Why go?
Stingless bee colonies, climbing Moreton Bay fig trees and juicy Davidson plums are just a few of the natural wonders you’ll see (and taste) on this tour of Sydney’s harbourside horticultural oasis. You’ll walk by some of Sydney’s most famous landmarks as you trail around the fringe of the city looking back out to the Opera House, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and the Harbour Bridge.Don't miss: You’ll also learn about the deep connection to seasonality – when wattles are in bloom you’ll know that whales are migrating, while stingless bee colonies act as natural barometer. A Vietnamese diner in Sydney’s south offers inventive takes on the classics. Don’t you dare pre-snack, because you’ll need every inch for the banh xeo.Why go? Those titular, lacey-edged, coconutty pancakes in a luminous turmeric gold envelope contain a core of pumpkin, corn, crunchy pig’s head nuggets or barbecued lemongrass chicken. Break it up, add pickled onion, carrot, fresh shiso and mint leaves, and ferry the lot to your mouth in rafts of cos lettuce.
It’s a culinary chimera.Don't miss: Upgrade to a multi-meat menagerie and add pork shoulder and pig’s head nuggets to the mix for an extra $3.
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