Blonde sand, blue skies, and glistening, sexy bodies of water. When the sun shines, which it so very often does, Oz’s emerald city is truly stunning. Add in fabulous food, great shopping and outdoor activities aplenty, and it’s clear why other cities turn green with envy. Get about it, you big hunk o’ spunk.
Overview
From the city (CBD), it’s one big corridor, with hipster Surry Hills, upwardly mobile Paddington and beachy Bondi and Bronte eastwards, alternative Newtown and Glebe and pram-pushing Balmain west. North of the harbour is Manly, and leafy, residential ’burbs are all around.
Need to Know
Weather:There’s really no bad time to visit. Dec-Jan is summery, hot n’ happenin’; Feb can be moist; Mar-May is clear and blissful; Jul-Aug gets nippy, but has blue skies
Transport:Trains and buses are OK, cars are handy for longer trips and taxis are best for zapping around, but you may find you’ve been in town longer than the driver. Make sure you specify the suburb as well as the street or you’ll be all over the damn joint. Clever locals us cheaper Uber and GoCatch
Sun & Swim:In summer it sizzles, unless you want to do the same use sunBLOCK, not sunscreen. The surf can be treacherous, so choose your beach to suit your ability and stay between the flags. It is risky to try and drown yourself just for the sake of being rescued by a strapping lifeguard, but if you are so inclined, Bondi has the best looking ones
Reservations:If a restaurant takes bookings do make use of it, though many popular places only allow walk-ins
Beer: A schooner is 425 ml, a middy is for the missus
What to Wear: Thongs are acceptable during the day– they’re flip flops. And ‘dress up’ means where your nice denims
Tipping: Isn’t mandatory, but if you want to be nice round up to the nearest neat figure or leave change
Events: Jan: Sydney Festival; Mar: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras; May-Jun: Vivid Light, Music and Ideas Festival; 26 Dec: Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race; 31 Dec: New Year’s Eve harbour fireworks – boom!
Talking Points
Local showdown: North Shore vs Eastern Suburbs. The harbour divide has people refusing to cross the bridge unless they absolutely have to
Getting High: Sydney Tower Skywalk can be breezy and revolving 360 resto will only make you queasy. Brave the grey boiler suit and do the Harbour Bridge climb instead
Do: Walk the coastal trail from Bondi to Bronte, or better yet, push on to Gordons Bay and Coogee for a real thigh-toning workout
Don’t: Take selfies in front of the Opera House, it screams Tina Tourist. Take your snaps with sips from the neighbouring Opera Bar. Cheers!
Last updated: April 2021
