Make waves in surf city’s ocean playground
you can sip a cocktail and watch classic movies in beautiful art deco surroundings.
The Paramount Coffee Project is the place to pick up a coffee on your way out, or take a more leisurely breakfast on their roof terrace.
Surry Hills has a great food scene. We had a memorable brunch at Cuckoo Callay, where dining on huge portions of avocado and eggs on toast and pimped-up mac and cheese burgers was just the thing as we sat in the morning sunshine.
Wanting to walk off our 2,000 calorie start to the day meant the coastal walk was a given.We began at pretty Bronte beach (home to the world’s oldest lifesaving club) following the coastline, passing adorable bays, secret rock pools, perfect beaches and sensational clifftop views.
We got our first glimpse of the famous Bondi Beach as we passed the Bondi Icebergs Club, with its beautiful outdoor swimming pool overlooking the ocean. In Bondi there is some great street art, and Campbell Parade has a selection of independent shops and cafes.
Grab an ice cream, sit on the beach and watch the surfers tackle the waves, and the famous red and yellow hatted lifeguards on patrol.
Finally, head to the northern end of the beach where you’ll find North Bondi Fish.The relaxed vibe of this beach-fronted restaurant is just what you want after a walk and the oysters with seaweed, Tasmanian scallops and crispy zucchini flowers were a particular hit.
For a different take on Sydney I’d recommend a walking tour with the Culture Scouts.We took a tour through the Chippendale and Redfern areas, which at the beginning of the 20th century were characterised by slums, breweries and gangsters but are now known for architecture, contemporary art galleries and the food scene.
Nearby is Carriageworks Farmers Market, where artisan breads, newly-harvested honey, freshly-cut flowers and local farmers nestle alongside biodynamic wines and coffee trucks. For a more contemporary view of Sydney we headed towards Darling Harbour and the Barangaroo area. Once a bustling container ship terminal, Barangaroo Reserve has a landscaped park leading to a modern promenade with a vast selection of shops and restaurants.
We finished our day on the terrace of BanksiiVermouth Bar & Bistro, named after Sir Joseph Banks, the first English Botanist to document the plants and botanicals of Australia. Just another interesting piece of history in the make up of this buzzing and dynamic city.