There are several tours exploring Newtown’s street art and murals, or you can do it yourself with Google Maps and an app. However, Local Sauce has developed a self-guided tour that goes the extra mile, literally, and puts the spotlight on female artists who are often overlooked, starting from Redfern station. As well as covering the artists behind the works, they provide recommendations for cafes where you can re-caffeinate along the way. Their street art and food tours also take you to some top Newtown “Newtown” eateries.
Sydney is enclosed by a lot of exciting and gorgeous sites that will make a great day visit. Among them are the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, and Hawkesbury River.
Blue Mountains
On the side of a wonderful 170-meter cliff is located Echo Point and the famed Three Sisters. It’s been a favorite place for over one hundred and fifty years with trekkers and adventure searchers alike. No trip to Australia could be total without visiting Katoomba and seeing the Blue Mountains, Echo Point, and Three Sisters.
This region is the best place to stay when visiting the Blue Mountains. It provides a lot of lodgings, points of interest, shopping, adventure, and cuisine.
You will discover numerous modes of transportation accessible to see the spectacular landscapes during your holiday. The Rail is always a favorite decision. For bigger groups, there is a minibus available to charter. The trolleys are a good method to have a guided visit to the many awesome places.
It is not important what you look for during your trip. Be it mountaineering, walking, tenting, horseback riding, making the most of the natural world, or just breathing in the clean mountain air for the very first time. With its alluring residents and calm, inviting atmosphere you are sure to feel right at home during your vacation. You can relax knowing there is always something at the Blue Mountains and Katoomba for you and your travels to Australia.
The wine region
Australia is the fourthlargestwinesproduceracross the world and its vineyards make a whole assortment of different grapes that make a number of the best red or white wines on earth. The Wine Region in Nswis foundjustcouple of hours away from Sydney and is highly accessible with the majority of trips leaving from spots in Sydney.
The lavish natural scapes and stunning vineyards in the region are most breathtaking throughout autumn when the vine branches alter in color from green to niches. The Hunter Valley is home to world-renowned wine producers as well as smaller-sized boutique winemakers and family-run companies.
You could get entry to the wineries where you can easily gain a much deeper understanding of the wine beverages-making procedure. You will learn how the fruit is crushed into wine and saved in the wonderful underground cellars ready for export around the world as well as the differences in techniques that the numerous Hunter Valley wines have followed to produce their various wines.
Hawkesbury Area
The Hawkesbury Area lies on the outskirts of the New South Wales capital, Sydney. Set somewhere between the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley, this spectacular location is filled with beautiful National Parks, quaint river residential areas, and different gorges and valleys.
The Hawkesbury Region is one of Australia’s earliest settlements, which is apparent in the heritage structures that line the streets of the district’s communities. Old colleges, houses, church buildings, and courthouses depict the powerful historical feeling of this area and allow travelers to gain a better appreciation of the background of Australia.
The number of attractions that this location offers you is going to please the entire family. Vintage shopping, and galleries are sure to impress the more senior people, while the young children delight in riding horses and a huge selection of water fitness. You can also pick a houseboat and spend a few days living on the river.
If you are looking for exciting things to do in Sydney Australia, you have some great choices.
Sydney Australia is the most populated and therefore the largest city in the country. It is also the state capital of New South Wales. If you are considering a visit or maybe even moving to this laid-back but happening location there are a few things you simply must do while there. Sydney is the site of the very first British colony and has grown into a thriving metropolis with many cultural icons and naturally beautiful locations to visit.
Sydney Opera House
Perhaps one of the most instantly recognizable pieces of architecture in the world is the Sydney Opera House; no trip to the city is complete without a visit. Whether you plan to actually attend an event or not you must at least get close enough to appreciate this magnificent piece of real estate. Not only is this an amazing structure, but over time, it has garnered a reputation as a world-class performing arts center.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Are you interested in seeing over 4,000 native Australian plant species in one convenient location? Perhaps you simply want to research the location as a potential location for a future event, maybe a wedding. Did you know the Royal Botanical Gardens is the oldest scientific institution in the country? Originally created in 1816 the long history of researching and collecting plants began in earnest one year later when a professional botanist was brought on board.
Today, the Royal Botanical Gardens offer peace, tranquillity, sport, exercise, and much more to everybody. Admission to this beautiful location in Sydney is completely free and offers million-dollar views of the Sydney Harbour, the Bridge, and the Opera.
Bondi Beach
Considered one of the best beaches in the world, Bondi Beach receives a good deal of tourist traffic each year. At just over one kilometer long this beach is the place to be and meet everyone else. It is not only for the sand, sun, and surf but also for the great cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and backpacker hostels.
Top Spring Festivals in Sydney, Australia
Sydney underlines numerous festivities that take place on a larger scale such as St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Mardi Gras, several sporting events, carnivals, and parades of the capital city. Besides, the local print media also helps you by publishing about the most happening festivals along with the cultural events and current listings which are going to be its integral part and its nearby areas. Here below a self-explanatory description is being given related to the top spring festivals of Sydney, so please have a look and join them during your Australia travel.
Sydney International Food Festival, throughout October
The most awaited food festival is going to be held on October 9-10 at World Chef Showcase, Star City in Sydney, Australia. It seems like a star-studded event, highlighting the true competitive spirit of 40-star chefs from Europe, the U.S., and Asia who will be proving their wonderful cooking skills and thus win the hearts of the mobbed gathering. Rest, you can also browse the Sydney Harbour Island Hopping on (October 9-10, 16-17, 23-24) and Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park on (Oct. 11-15, 18-22) and therefore take immense pleasures from this auspicious food festival organized by the capital city.
Sculpture by the Sea
Yet another exceedingly advantageous festival for true judges of art, Sculpture by the Sea is going to take place in Sydney from 28 October – 14 November. It will be the 14th annual exhibition staged next to the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk that starts at the bottom of Notts Avenue and runs off Campbell Parade, Bondi. You can reach the seaside walk by a fleet of stairs at several points adjacent exhibition direction at Gairloch Avenue, Pacific Avenue, and Hunter Park. However, the exhibition culminates at Tamarama Park, Marine Drive, Tamarama, and thus lets you and your children enjoy this fantasy-like world, depicting stately figurines together with a stunning vista of the Tasman Sea.
Granny Smith Festival, 16 October
Granny Smith Festival will be celebrating its golden 25 years in the year on 16th October 2011. Its name is inspired by the name of an Australian lady Maria Ann Smith, who revealed light green apples in 1868, which are now recognized as “Granny Smith apples. Since 1985 Granny Smith Festival has been celebrated in Sydney, where everyone from local communities or from Churches dies to take part in this grand event. Further, the entire festivity looks electrifying because of its main draws which comprise; a parade, a singing, and a sports competition for children. However, the fantastic musical performance from an ABBA tribute band, the colorful fireworks, and the delectable dishes will surely leave you flabbergasted.
Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, 22-24 October
It is a three-day festival that will take place in Australia’s dramatic settings, accentuating the expression of poetry, art, music, and crafts. All local, national, and international performers will be participating be it musicians, poets, workshops, buskers, or dancers. More flavor will be added by arts & craft festivals along with mesmerizing dancing, singing, and music workshops. Rest, camping will also be easily available at numerous situates of the valley, including the Glenmack Caravan Park.
Comedy Unleashed, 20-21 October
Stand-up comedians and their unbeatable talent are all ready to send you into the fields of laughter during Australia’s biggest Comedy Unleashed festival. It is a one-day Festival taking place in October month. The main attention-pullers of the show include the renowned kings of comedies such as Bob Franklin, Peter Berner, Heath Franklin’s “Chopper”, Akmal Saleh or Craig Taylor, Darren Casey, and Peter Rowsthorn, who will not only entertain you with their moving live stand-up comedy and skits rather also add some moments of happiness in your life.
Sydney is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about 70 km towards the Blue Mountains to the west, Hawkesbury to the north, the Royal National Park, and Macarthur to the south and southwest. Greater Sydney is made up of 658 suburbs, spread across 33 local government areas. Residents of the city are known as "Sydneysiders". The estimated population in June 2021 was over 5.2 million, meaning the city is home to approximately 66% of the state's population. Nicknames of the city include the "Emerald City" and the "Harbour City".
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.
| Sydney Opera House | |
|---|---|
 50th-anniversary logo | |
.jpg) View from the west | |
  Location in Sydney | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Architectural style | Expressionist |
| Location | Bennelong Point, Sydney |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°51′31″S 151°12′51″E |
| Elevation | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Current tenants |
|
| Groundbreaking | 1 March 1959 |
| Construction started | 1 March 1959 |
| Completed | 1973 |
| Opened | 20 October 1973 |
| Inaugurated | 20 October 1973 |
| Cost | A$102 million, equivalent to A$962 million in 2018[1] |
| Client | NSW government |
| Owner | NSW Government |
| Height | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Other dimensions |
|
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Concrete frame & precast concrete ribbed roof |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Jørn Utzon |
| Structural engineer | Ove Arup & Partners |
| Main contractor | Civil & Civic (level 1), M.R. Hornibrook (levels 2 and 3 and interiors) |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity |
|
| Website | |
| sydneyoperahouse | |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i |
| Designated | 2007 (31st session) |
| Reference no. | 166rev |
| Region | Oceania |
Australian National Heritage List | |
| Type | Historic |
| Criteria | a, b, e, f, g, h |
| Designated | 12 July 2005 |
| Reference no. | 105738 |
New South Wales Heritage Register | |
| Type | Built |
| Criteria | a, b, c, d, e, f, g |
| Designated | 3 December 2003 |
| Reference no. | 01685 |
| References | |
| Coordinates[2] | |
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.[3][4]
Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, but completed by an Australian architectural team headed by Peter Hall, the building was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973[5] after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition. The Government of New South Wales, led by the premier, Joseph Cahill, authorized work to begin in 1958 with Utzon directing construction. The government's decision to build Utzon's design is often overshadowed by circumstances that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect's ultimate resignation.[6]
The building and its surrounds occupy the whole of Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour, between Sydney Cove and Farm Cove, adjacent to the Sydney central business district and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The building comprises multiple performance venues, which together host well over 1,500 performances annually, attended by more than 1.2 million people.[7] Performances are presented by numerous performing artists, including three resident companies: Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre Company, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. As one of the most popular visitor attractions in Australia, the site is visited by more than eight million people annually, and approximately 350,000 visitors take a guided tour of the building each year.[8] The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government.
On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site,[9] having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia Register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List since 2005.[10][11] The Opera House was also a finalist in the New7Wonders of the World campaign list.[12][13]
Description[edit]
The facility features a modern expressionist design, with a series of large precast concrete "shells",[14] each composed of sections of a sphere of 75.2 meters (246 ft 8.6 in) radius,[15] forming the roofs of the structure, set on a monumental podium. The building covers 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres) of land and is 183 m (600 ft) long and 120 m (394 ft) wide at its widest point. It is supported on 588 concrete piers sunk as much as 25 m (82 ft) below sea level. The highest roof point is 67 meters above sea level which is the same height as that of a 22-story building. The roof is made of 2,194 pre-cast concrete sections, which weigh up to 15 tonnes each.[16]
Although the roof structures are commonly referred to as "shells" (as in this article), they are precast concrete panels supported by precast concrete ribs, not shells in a strictly structural sense.[17] Though the shells appear uniformly white from a distance, they actually feature a subtle chevron pattern composed of 1,056,006 tiles in two colors: glossy white and matte cream. The tiles were manufactured by the Swedish company Höganäs AB which generally produced stoneware tiles for the paper mill industry.[18]
Apart from the tile of the shells and the glass curtain walls of the foyer spaces, the building's exterior is largely clad with aggregate panels composed of pink granite quarried at Tarana. Significant interior surface treatments also include off-form concrete, Australian white birch plywood supplied from Wauchope in northern New South Wales, and brush box glulam.[19]
Of the two larger spaces, the Concert Hall is in the western group of shells, and the Joan Sutherland Theatre is in the eastern group. The scale of the shells was chosen to reflect the internal height requirements, with low entrance spaces, rising over the seating areas up to the high stage towers. The smaller venues (the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, and the Studio) are within the podium, beneath the Concert Hall. A smaller group of shells set to the western side of the Monumental Steps houses the Bennelong Restaurant. The podium is surrounded by substantial open public spaces, and the large stone-paved forecourt area with the adjacent monumental steps is regularly used as a performance space.
Lonely Planet's Best of East Coast Australia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip and what hidden discoveries await you. Snorkel the Whitsundays, tour the Opera House or bushwalk at Wilsons Prom; all with your trusted travel companion.
Sydney is one of those cities that lives in the mind long before you get to experience it. Body-boarding at Bondi Beach, zipping under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a ferry, or catching a show at the incredible Sydney Opera House are just a few of the quintessential Sydney experiences you’ll want to tick off on your big trip Down Under.
And once you’ve tackled those, it’s time to explore what else Sydney has to offer. Here are the best things to do in Australia's big city, whether you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth.
1. Dine on delicious meals delivered with exemplary Sydney hospitality
Sydney's dining scene has never been more inventive and exciting. Restaurants serving food from across the globe, often with a uniquely Australian twist, can be found in every pocket of the city. Okay, it may be a little faddish and perhaps a bit too obsessed with big-name chefs, but it wouldn't be Sydney if names weren't being dropped. Thankfully Sydney's food scene manages to juggle style with substance.
Fine diners like Quay and Oncore by Clare Smyth stand out as world-class on every front, from the views to the service to the exquisite menus on offer. Other Sydney hotspots, no less incredible in terms of quality dishes and top-notch hospitality, include NOMAD, Mr. Wong, Cafe Paci, Long Chim, and seafood pioneers Saint Peter. However, a takeaway Sri Lankan or a cheap noodles night with BYO wine could just as easily be your Sydney dining highlight.
2. Walk, cycle, or climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydneysiders love their giant 'coathanger,' which opened in 1932. The best way to experience this majestic structure is on foot; stairs and lifts climb up the bridge from both shores, leading to a footpath on the eastern side (the western side is a bike path). Getting the train to Milsons Point and walking back towards the city is the most spectacular.
Climb the southeastern pylon to the Pylon Lookout or ascend the arc on the popular BridgeClimb experience. You can now book a trip with an Indigenous storyteller who'll share their perspective on the city and country while you look over Sydney’s magnificent harbor from on high.
3. Tour backstage at Sydney Opera House
Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, this incredible, eye-catching building is Australia's most famous landmark. Visually referencing a yacht's sails, it's a soaring, commanding presence that comprises five performance spaces for dance, concerts, opera, and theater. You can wander around the outside to your heart's content; the most obvious way to experience the interior is to attend a performance, but taking a guided tour is highly recommended (available in several languages). Tours include ones aimed at kids, as well as backstage tours, a food-focused tour, and one where guides will show you how to draw this iconic sight.
4. Body-board, learn to surf or watch the Icebergs at Bondi
Bondi is one of the world’s most famous beaches, with consistently good waves and warm sea temperatures. It’s also a great place to learn to surf – Let's Go Surfing is a well-established surf school based in North Bondi, offering lessons catering to practically everyone. There are classes for “grommets” (young surfers) aged 7 to 15 or adults, and women-only classes are also available. Alternatively, you can book a private tutor between a couple of people; prices are lower outside the summer peak.
Whatever you do, don’t be a “kook” – Australians are pretty forgiving but not on the water, so respect the norms and etiquette of local surfers. In the cooler months, you can forgo the water and dine with epic views while watching the winter “Iceberg” swimmers earning their stripes.
5. Explore secluded beaches and dramatic views from Watsons Bay
Lovely Watsons Bay, east of the city center and north of Bondi, was once a small fishing village, as evidenced by the heritage cottages that pepper the suburb’s narrow streets (they now cost a small fortune). It's a lovely day trip by ferry from Circular Quay, and you can explore South Head and have a leisurely lunch at Doyle’s or sunset beers in Watson’s Bay Beach Club beer garden.
On the ocean side, The Gap is a dramatic clifftop lookout. On the harbor side, closer to Watson’s Bay ferry, is the sheltered Camp Cove beach to take a dip. If you’ve forgotten to pack your swimsuit, Lady Bay Beach is a clothing-optional nudist beach on the west side of the bluff just before you arrive at Hornby lighthouse.
6. Ride the ferry to historic Cockatoo Island
Studded with photogenic industrial relics, convict architecture, and art installations, fascinating Unesco-listed Cockatoo Island (Wareamah) opened to the public in 2007 and has regular ferry services, a campground, rental accommodation, and two cafe bars. Information boards and audioguides explain the island's time as a brutal convict prison, a shipyard, and a naval base.
A spooky tunnel passes clear through the middle of the island, and you can explore the remains of the old prison. During WWII, most of the original sandstone buildings were stripped of their roofs and converted into bomb shelters. Solitary confinement cells were unearthed here after being filled in and forgotten in the 1890s. A range of tours run from the Visitor Centre, from straight-up heritage tours to 'Ghostyard Paranormal' and 'Convict Escape Attempts.'
7. Join a female-focused street art tour
8. Get thee to a drag show
Sydney is Australia’s self-professed LGBTQIA+ capital, so don't miss the chance to take in a drag show. Since RuPaul popularized the art of drag on the hit show Drag Race, a more mainstream audience has discovered the subverting performances of drag queens and kings. Now, popular queens can command queues around the block.
In Sydney, you can dine out while enjoying a show or head to a bingo, trivia, or competition night with a drag theme. The city's inner north and west districts are where you’ll find most of Sydney’s queer venues, from the Universal nightclub on Oxford Street to the more alternative Bearded Tit in Redfern.
9. Stumble across Aboriginal rock art
It may come as a surprise to stumble across an art form that's so ancient in such a modern city, but Sydney is built on top of a giant gallery for Aboriginal art. Until recently, not much attention was paid to such things, and many works were covered over or destroyed. Today, with dot paintings from distant deserts being celebrated, Sydneysiders have started to wake up to the treasure trove in their own backyard. Look for rock art by the original custodians of this place on the headlands around the harbor, on the coast, and in nearby national parks such as Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
10. Admire the Art Gallery of New South Wales
With its neoclassical Greek frontage and modern rear, this much-loved institution plays a prominent and sociable role in Sydney society. Blockbuster international touring exhibitions arrive regularly, along with special events. While the permanent collection has a substantial collection of 19th-century European and Australian art, the highlights are the contemporary Indigenous gallery in the basement and the collection of 20th-century Australian art, with some standout canvases by the big names of the local painting scene.
11. Deep dive into the White Rabbit art gallery
In many ways, Sydney's best contemporary art gallery, White Rabbit, is tucked away behind the Central Park development in Chippendale. It's the project of billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson, who has amassed one of the world's largest collections of cutting-edge, contemporary Chinese art (works produced since 2000). The gallery has so many pieces that only a fraction can be displayed at one time. You'll find art here that is edgy, funny, sexy, and idiosyncratic. An on-site cafe does specialty teas and dumplings.
12. Shop Sydney’s Victorian-era arcades
Sydney’s city shopping is concentrated around George Street and Pitt Street, spilling into arcades and side streets from there. Among the many glimmering places to indulge in some intense retail therapy, there are several ornate Victorian-era arcades to admire while you browse.
The magnificent Queen Victoria Building (QVB for short) takes up a whole city block and boasts nearly 200 shops, including well-known international brands across its five levels. The building itself is a High Victorian neo-Gothic masterpiece – undoubtedly Sydney’s most beautiful shopping center.
Check out the wrought-iron balconies, the Byzantine copper domes, the stained-glass shopfronts, the mosaic floors, the replica crown jewels, the ballroom, the tinkling baby grand piano (available to play), and the hyper kitsch animated Royal Clock, featuring the Battle of Hastings and an hourly beheading of Charles I. Nearby, the Strand Arcade is home to a host of Aussie designers as well as an old school branch of JB Hi-Fi in the basement selling electronics, DVDs, and vinyl.
13. Catch one of Sydney's spectacular festivals
Sydney's nocturnal calendar kicks off with a spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks display over the harbor and doesn't calm down for months. As soon as the Sydney Festival's myriad openings and events finish, the lights come up on the biggest party of them all: the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in February.
Winter brings fashion, literature, and film festival calendars to Sydney, with opening nights, cocktail parties, and literary soirées, plus the spectacular Vivid Sydney in May lighting up the town with projections and lights. Spring is football finals time – whether it's rugby or Australian Rules, try to get to a night game for the friendly atmosphere and epic crowds.
14. Kayak to a secret beach
A hidden jewel not far from Manly, magical Store Beach can only be reached by water. Hire a boat or kayak from Manly Kayak Centre at Manly, then cruise around (it’ll take approximately half an hour to 45 minutes) to the sheltered 200m cove beach fringed by trees. The views of the bushy North Harbour give the impression you’ve left the city entirely.
As this is a breeding ground for fairy penguins, access is prohibited from dusk, when the birds waddle in to settle down for the night. Visitors are also implored to leave the beach in the same condition they found it (or better). Take snacks, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
15. Hike the coastline around Manly and North Head
This marvelous coastal walk has two major components: a 10km western stretch between Manly and Spit Bridge, and a 9.5km eastern loop around North Head. The western section traces the complex harbor coastline through upmarket suburbs and then a spectacular section of unspoiled Sydney Harbour National Park. It emerges in Clontarf and winds its way to the Spit Bridge.
The eastern loop is known as the North Head Circuit Track, and the walk takes 2½ to 3½ hours. Make your way through the bush to the spectacular Fairfax Lookout on North Head. From the lookout, walk the Fairfax Loop and then head back via Australia's Memorial Walk and WWII gun emplacements to the Bluefish Track, which descends spectacularly to Shelly Beach. From here, you can return to Manly Beach via picturesque Fairy Bower Beach. Either download a map or pick one up from the information center near the wharf.
16. Learn more Aboriginal history and knowledge at the Royal Botanic Garden
Southeast of the Opera House, this garden was established in 1816 and features plant life from around the world. Within the gardens are hothouses with palms and ferns, as well as The Calyx, a striking exhibition space featuring a curving glasshouse gallery with a wall of greenery and temporary plant-themed exhibitions. Grab a park map at any of the main entrances to the gardens.
The garden includes the site of the colony's first paltry European vegetable patch, but its history goes back much further than that. Long before the convicts arrived, this was an initiation ground for the Gadigal people; book ahead for an Aboriginal Tour with a First Nations guide sharing their knowledge of Indigenous bush foods.
17. Make a day trip to Palm Beach and Pittwater
Long, lovely Palm Beach is a crescent of bliss that's famous as the setting for the cheesy TV soap Home and Away. The 1881 Barrenjoey Lighthouse punctuates the northern tip of the headland in an annex of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The suburb of Palm Beach has two sides, the magnificent ocean beach and a pleasant strip on Pittwater, where the calmer strands are suitable for young kids.
From here, you can get ferries to other picturesque Pittwater destinations, including other park sections. To get to the lighthouse, you've got two walk options – shorter stairs or a winding track – for the steep hike to the top, but majestic views across Pittwater and down the peninsula are worth the effort. It’s also a perfect spot for whale watching in winter.
18. Go for a run or a horse ride around Centennial Park
Scratched out of the sand in 1888 in grand Victorian style, Sydney’s biggest park, Centennial Park, is a rambling 189-hectare expanse with wide formal avenues, ponds, statues, and a labyrinth. The park is busy in the warmer months with joggers, cyclists, rollerblades, and horse riders. You’ll also find an equestrian center offering trail rides for kids and adults. Prior riding experience is not required, but bookings are essential. If a pony ride is not enough, children will also love the adventures to be had at the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden.
19. Discover the colonial history of The Rocks
Australia's convict history began in the district known as The Rocks, with a squalid canvas shanty town on a rocky shore. Its raucous reputation lives on in atmospheric lanes lined with historic buildings, with more than a few still operating as pubs. Sure, the place is overrun with tacky, overpriced koala-soft-toy stores and package tourists, but there's a great museum and art gallery here as well. A popular old Rocks pub with rooftop views of central Sydney, The Glenmore is a top stop for a meal or drink. When it all gets too much, head through the Argyle Cut to the revitalized port area of Walsh Bay.
20. Skip along the Bondi to Coogee Clifftop Walk
The simply sensational 6km Bondi to Coogee walk leads south from Bondi Beach along the clifftops past the inlets at Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly, interweaving panoramic views, patrolled beaches, sea-fed baths, waterside parks and plaques recounting Aboriginal history and stories. The trail begins at the end of Notts Ave and spits you out at the north end of Coogee Beach, where you have a choice of three ocean pools to swim in if the waves at the beach are ferocious. Pack a picnic, plenty of water, and your swimsuit.
21. Pretend you belong at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
A 2.5km (1.6-mile) walk from Sydney’s central business district, in the well-heeled enclave of Rushcutters Bay, Sydney’s historic Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is the home of the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. If you want to experience some local Sydney life, the members-only sundeck cafe here serves enormous portions of fish and chips with a glass of Riesling overlooking multi-million dollar yachts. Visitors can sign in for the day.