Sydney Harbour / Mandatory credit Tourism Australia
Sydney Harbour / Mandatory credit Tourism Australia
From its glittering harbour to the outlying beaches and urbane cultural heart, Australia’s largest city is epic. Here’s how to immerse yourself in some of its best features.
A trip to Sydney is fulfilling far beyond its dazzling good looks. There's every kind of adventure to be had here, whether you're looking to delight your palate, get back to nature, quicken your pulse, fill the suitcase or expand the mind. Here are some picks that exemplify the harbour city at its finest.
Best foot forward There are so many breathtaking hikes in and around Sydney and one of the most beautiful is the unforgettable Bondi to Manly walk. Tackle this 80km public trail, linking the famous surf beaches of Bondi and Manly, over the course of a few days, with ample accommodation stops along the way.
The city is also developing its first harbourside walk dedicated to Indigenous history. Yananurala, meaning Walking on Country, will be a nine-kilometre footpath along the Sydney harbour foreshore that when finished will extend from the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour to Woolloomooloo.
If observing Sydney's famed sights from a distance isn't enough, then how about climbing one? BridgeClimb's newest Ultimate experience will see adventure lovers conquering the entire breadth of the legendary Sydney Harbour Bridge, aka the "Coathanger", and back again.
Uncover hidden gems with Local Sauce Tours, which offers new small group tours – from a private tour of the city's best nightlife to the snacks and stories behind Chinatown Sydney.
Or get out on the water with Sydney by Sail to get a taste for sailing and see the sights, all in one.
If you can't get enough of the harbour outlook, then you'll want to choose your accommodation accordingly. Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel fits the bill beautifully – a quaint seaside enclave where you can wander the Watsons Bay headland and breathe in the fresh sea air.
QT Bondi and Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific offer unparalleled access to two of Australia's most famed beaches. Or stay in the thick of it at the new five star Kimpton Margot Sydney hotel, opening its doors in February 2022.
Tasty treasures Sydney's vibrant food scene is worthy of a dedicated trip unto itself. If its seafood you're hankering for, there's no better experience than at Saint Peter, located in super-desirable Paddington. Only the best of the ocean's bounty is sourced and handled whole at a dedicated fish butchery, resulting in dishes that sing of the sea, with sustainability in mind.
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours are also done to perfection in Sydney; two such foodie hotspots that have the crowds raving are the cosy sophistication of Ezra in Potts Point, and the fun and trendy Henrietta in Surry Hills.
For a totally exclusive treat, reserve your spot at the widely celebrated Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Nobu, opened recently in Crown Sydney Barangaroo.
Entertainment magnet
Vivid Sydney. Photo / Destination NSW.
A world-class city, of course, has world-class cultural attractions. The Phantom of the Opera is set to be performed on Opera Australia's spectacular over-water stage at Mrs Macquaries Point on Sydney Harbour from 25 March.
Nearby, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is due to open a new gallery, Sydney Modern, at the end of 2022, nearly doubling the venue's exhibition space.
In the winter months (27 May – 18 June) the city shines even brighter with the lauded Vivid Sydney festival, a dazzling programme of light, music and ideas focused on creativity, innovation and technology.
With such a unique blend of laid-back vibes and cosmopolitan sophistication, no matter what time of year you visit Sydney, one thing's for sure – you can expect an unforgettable stay.
From its glittering harbour to the outlying beaches and urbane cultural heart, Australia’s largest city is epic. Here’s how to immerse yourself in some of its best features.
