All about Sydney

Aaaaah, Sydney. What is there to say about Sydney that hasn’t been said before?

One of the world’s favourite cities is also my home town, and after a stint back at home last year, I have a new appreciation of (and admiration for) what makes this antipodean city special.

Most people are aware of the usual ‘must-do’s in Sydney –

• walking over (or climbing http://www.bridgeclimb.com/) the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge (true, it is just a bridge, but there’s something about this one!);
• walking around or taking in a show at the stunning Sydney Opera House
• sitting back and admiring the gleaming & sparkling view on a harbour cruise
• catching a wave or taking a dip at Bondi Beach
• heading on a trip to the Blue Mountains for a bit of fresh air & scenery

………….All incredible experiences and absolute must do’s, but make sure you consider partaking in the following more unusual places/activities when you next visit the Harbour City:

Bondi to Coogee Cliff Top Walk

Have a leisurely brunch at the water-side Bondi Icebergs swimming club (http://www.icebergs.com.au/) and then burn it off on one of Sydney’s most famous walking trails.

Starting at world-famous Bondi Beach (a mere 20min taxi or bus ride from the city centre) you will be walking amongst the ‘beautiful people’ out for their daily personal training sessions along the cliffs to another of Sydney’s famous beaches – Coogee.

The view is stunning – sheer cliff faces and secluded bays. Hard to believe that you are in Australia’s largest city…you seem a million miles away from the hustle and bustle here!

Stop for coffee at the very local and trendy cafes along beautiful Bronte Beach before continuing to Coogee for a much needed coldie on the balcony of the Coogee Palace Hotel, watching the waves as the sun sets.

Head back to the city on the bus, or party on at the Coogee Bay Hotel.

Ferry to Watson’s Bay

You’ve probably heard of catching the ferry to Manly Beach, but mate, that’s so yesterday!!

Catch one of Sydney’s icons from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay – a suburb full of multi-million dollar homes, but still full of working-class character. You are at the entrance to Sydney Harbour – on South Head.

The ferry journey itself is an experience – you will travel past the homes of Sydney’s rich and famous (among many others Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman have homes along the harbour foreshore).

Once you’ve arrived, head straight for the lookout at The Gap for a stunning view out across the Pacific Ocean in one direction, and the beautiful Sydney skyline in the other.

If you’ve been wise enough to bring some swimming gear, walk to Camp Cove for a dip in the crystal clear water of the harbour. If you were unwise and didn’t bring any swimming gear, don’t worry – there’s a nude beach around the corner!!!! No one will bat an eyelid!

Walk back to the wharf area and sit in the famous Watson’s Bay Hotel beer garden. I can think of nowhere else I would rather be at the moment than sitting in that beer garden, sun setting, with a clear view of the Harbour Bridge and city skyline, and a nice, cold Tooheys New in my hand. Nice.

If your budget is healthier than mine, you could have lunch or dinner in the famous Doyle’s seafood restaurant (http://www.doyles.com.au/) next door to the pub. A Sydney restaurant institution, the Doyle family has been running this great restaurant for several generations and never disappoint.

If you’ve sat in that beer garden for too long and missed the last ferry back to the city, never fear, you can get the bus back.

Inner Western Suburbs

Sydney is a sprawling city – the city centre is quite compact, but the suburbs spread west for miles and miles.

Why not get out of the city centre and experience parts of the city that tourists may never get to? Not too far out, mind you. Jump on a bus or in a cab and in 10-15 minutes you can have a look at the Sydneysiders Sydney!

The inner western suburbs are home to a massively diverse range of people and have a great, eclectic vibe.

This is currently THE place to live in Sydney.

Head to Leichhardt to experience Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’. Full of atmospheric trattorias, gelato bars, and coffee shops, this is home to Sydney’s huge Italian community.

Eating amazing pasta outdoors on a summer’s night with a bunch of mates in the Italian Forum plaza while a band is playing is one of my favourite things to do. Who said Aussies had no sophistication???

Get here by bus from the city centre – 20mins, or a cab 10mins.

Glebe is famous for it’s variety of restaurants and cafes – fine dining in one place, vegan organic café next door.

A real mix of people here – students, minted city-types, backpackers, hippy-types – give Glebe a very nice atmosphere. The beautiful Victorian mansions towards the end of Glebe Point Road are also worth a look!

The Glebe Markets take place in the grounds of the primary school here and are famous for their ‘alternative-ness’ and bohemian vibe.

Get here by bus from the city centre – 15mins, or a cab – 10mins.

Newtown has arguably the widest range of dining options in the whole of Sydney. Ethiopian, Syrian, and Mongolian compete with some of the best Thai, Lebanese, and pizza joints in Sydney.

Home to Sydney’s ‘alternative’ crowd, King Street Newtown has great shops to browse in and check out. The cafés that have seats on the footpath are great for people watching. Also home to Sydney’s live music scene.

Get here by bus from the city centre – 15mins, or a cab – 10mins.

Balmain is one of those suburbs that is unrecognizable to what it was say 30 years ago. What was once a thoroughly working class harbourside suburb, home to wharfies and labourers has become one of Sydney’s most sought after areas to live in.

A visit to Sydney would not be complete without a pub crawl around Balmain’s old Australian style pubs. The London Hotel (http://www.thelondonhotel.com.au has a great atmosphere and a great selection of beers/wine from all over Australia.

Very popular on a warm summer’s Sunday arvo – so popular that you end up drinking out on the street.

Sit in one of the plethora of trendy cafes, before eating at one of the countless Thai restaurants on Darling Street.

The Town Hall Hotel (http://www.thelondonhotel.com.au) features a balcony with a great view of the lights of North Sydney and the Harbour Bridge – nice after the sun sets! Great for watching the local rugby league or Aussie Rules games (they show the Premiership matches here too if you just can’t keep away!).

Get here by ferry from Circular Quay, 15min bus trip, or 5min cab ride.

Remember, you really must do the usual touristy things as they’re popular for a reason…..but put your adventurous flip-flops on and get out there for a ‘fair dinkum’ experience – discover the ‘Other Sydney’!