Sydney

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbor front Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design.

Massive Darling Harbor and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbor Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby.

Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs

The Sydney Harbor Bridge

The Sydney Harbor Bridge stands next to the Opera House as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Lovingly called the “Coathanger” by locals, this towering structure is one of the world’s largest steel arch bridges. And while you can capture stunning pictures of the bridge from one of Sydney Harbor’s ferry boats, for an unforgettable experience, sign up for a bridge climb through BridgeClimb Sydney. Ranging from nearly two to nearly four hours in length, the bridge climb provides visitors with panoramic views of the Harbor, the Sydney skyline and the Opera House.

Sydney Harbor

Sydney Harbor’s 150 miles of shoreline and more than 30 square miles of water make it one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world,. Blue water laps up to sandy shores over which landmarks like the Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Opera House preside. Another iconic site, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, towers above the harbor’s waters. But for the best view of Sydney Harbor, visit Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, which sits at the tip of one of the area’s peninsulas.

The ferry rides are scenic and that there are plenty of shops and restaurants to explore nearby. For even more picturesque views, try taking a ferry at sunset when the sky comes alive with an array of colors. The harbor’s attractions also come alive during Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, and in May and June when the annual Vivid Sydney color festival takes place.

Sydney Opera House

Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the sailboat-inspired structure – submitted during an international design contest held in 1956 – features more than one million tiles on its four roof shells and six theater and music venues with top-notch acoustics. Bold purple carpeting and sweeping views of Sydney Harbor and the Sydney Harbor Bridge also await visitors in the Sydney Opera House’s foyer, while a picturesque boardwalk – complete with a trendy bar – sits outside.

While watching a music concert or opera performance is a must or take one of the Opera House’s two tours. Another tour option is the backstage tour.

Manly Beach

Manly Beach, which is located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Sydney, may be just as crowded and active as other area beaches like Bondi and Coogee.

However, this sprawling shoreline draws tons of praise from beachgoers, in part because of its distance from the city and prime surfing waves. However, Manly Beaches are known for their rough waves. Arrive early if you’re planning a weekend trip and want to beat the crowds.

Most Sydney-siders and visitors prefer getting to Manly by way of the Circular Quay to Manly ferry. (Manly Wharf sits about six blocks from the beach.) There are also two “fast ferries,” which get visitors to Manly from Circular Quay in about half the time of the regular Manly Ferry (though it’ll cost you more).

Paddington Fine Wines

Excellent customer service by professionals that have deep knowledge about wine and they are passionate.

Paddington Fine Wines sources and sells the best products – wine, spirits, beer and cider.

Paddington Fine Wines does offer wine tastings in store.

They are located in the heart of Sydney’s elegant inner-city suburb of Paddington, where style and taste go hand-in-hand with designer shops, boutique businesses, cafes, wine bars and restaurants, and the famous Paddington Markets

Bondi Beach

Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach sports a sweeping, kilometer-long curve of golden sand, between two headlands, lashed by surf waves.

What makes this Eastern Beaches wonder even more unusual is it’s an urban affair, combining swimming and surfing with big-city buzz.

This is heaven for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers. It’s also the starting point for the scenic six-kilometer Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.

Even on crowded summer weekends you’ll find a spot on the shore or lawns fringing the beach (there are barbecues at the northern reserve). People love jogging barefoot on the sand or along the street art-lined esplanade.

Bondi’s hip boutiques, centered on Gould Street, offer stylish shopping.

The Royal Botanical Garden Sydney

Australia’s oldest botanical garden, founded in 1816, it’s a leafy, 74-acre oasis adorned with ornamental plants, rolling lawns, and ancient trees, with a mix of native and international species.

Admire the flora and fauna or just enjoy this verdant spot for a picnic, stroll or serene time out. You’ll find fabulous flowers, plant-packed conservatories, and historic sculptures dotting the garden.

For local attractions, check out the Australian Rainforest Garden, Australian Native Rockery, or The Bicentenary Garden, and the rare, recently rediscovered Wollemi Pine.

Sydney’s Farmers Market

One of Sydney’s best produce markets, the weekly Carriageworks Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning.

Free to enter, it’s held in a cavernous, covered but open-air hanger in the historic former rail yards in Eveleigh, opposite Carriageworks arts center. Shop for seasonal, local produce at this respected farmers market, which hosts stalls by farmers and artisan producers from across New South Wales state.

Organic and biodynamic food also stars. Stalls change, but look out for tasty vegan sausages from Suzy Spoon’s Vegetarian Butcher. You’ll find top quality meats, truffles, and wine, too.

The Intersection Paddington

Named after its location at the corner of Paddington’s Oxford Street and Glenmore Road, The Intersection is not an individual store but a hot shopping district.

Clustered on and around two of Sydney’s chicest retail strips, it’s home to the best Australian fashion designers in town, alongside airy cafés and galleries.

Find it halfway along main drag Oxford Street, opposite historic Victoria Barracks.

What’s memorable at The Intersection is the critical mass of stylish showrooms in close proximity, yet you’re not trapped in a lifeless mall.

Bills in Bondi

Well-known hangout with minimalist decor, offering brekkie staples and Modern Australian cuisine.

Bills in Bondi opened in 2014 and since then it has established itself as a local favorite.

Bill Granger’s fresh, simple, bright and innovative approach to food fits right in on Bondi’s main drag and the locals are loving it.

The menu is, as you’d expect, both healthy and indulgent, with kale chips and sweet miso brown rice porridge positioned alongside shrimp burgers and parmesan chicken schnitzels.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner each have their own charms, so you’ll just have to come for every meal to attain a full appreciation for the menu.

Be sure to visit this urban beach house, at the sunny heart of Bondi it’s an absolute cracker.

Iceberg’s on Bondi Beach

Located at the southern end of Bondi Beach, Bondi Icebergs Club is an international landmark.

Located at the southern end of Bondi Beach, Bondi Icebergs Club is an international landmark. 

Bondi Icebergs has been the home of Winter swimming since 1929 and their famous pool is open to visitors all year round.

Arranged to take in the famous view of Bondi, by day or night, it makes an unforgettable backdrop to a menu inspired by Maurice Terzini’s Italian heritage.

Over the years the Dining Room has been at the forefront of evolving the perception of Italian food and shaking up the way Australians eat Italian.

The menu is designed to give you a seasonally changing opportunity to sample dishes that reflect the depth of Italian cuisine, created with the best produce that Australia has to offer, including sustainable seafood, artisanal produce and the occasional hint of native Australia.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

The iconic six-kilometer Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk takes in five beaches and two bays, and is one of Sydney’s most scenic seaside walks.

Winding south from Bondi Beach, the path climbs over steep headland lookout Marks Park before dropping down past dog-friendly, rock pool-dotted Mackenzies Bay to small, surf-lashed Tamarama Beach, skipping on to family-friendly Bronte Beach, cutting through historic Waverley Cemetery to skinny snorkeling spot Clovelly Beach, passing pretty, boat-fringed Gordon’s Bay, and finally heading up and over to Coogee Beach’s sweeping sands.

ou can tackle it in either direction, but most folks kick off from Bondi. Plan around two hours for the walk, plus extra time for swimming and snacking.