Something tells us you’re likely not just staying in town for a day, which is all the better – Sydney has more than enough to keep you entertained and energised for weeks. Between splashing in the ocean and admiring the views of the glittering harbour, you’ll discover cuisine from around the world, along with impressive independent retail options and a full cultural calendar. Summer or winter, Sydney’s blue skies, coastal panoramas and urban cool are a captivating combination.
8am: Wake Up at 202 Elizabeth
With just 38 rooms, this adults-only boutique hotel sits on the boundary between the city and Surry Hills. You’ll be greeted by Sochi, the resident French bulldog and director of pet relations, before heading to your abode. Each room is fitted with the finest in locally sourced, ethically produced wares, from animal-friendly goat-hair carpet to bathroom amenities by natural skincare brand Hunter Lab. Artist and interior designer Lisa Madigan has brought maximalist joy to the proceedings with floral-print wallpapers, vintage lighting and specially selected artworks. A lush courtyard invites for coffee and pastries, but the crowning glory is surely the rooftop terrace – the place to work or read during the day, and to sip cocktails while dancing to DJ sets or live music once the sun goes down.
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10am: Take a Stroll on the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
With breakfast not far behind you, start working up an appetite for lunch on this seaside trail along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. It’s 2.5 kilometres in length, but don’t rush: take your time to observe the surfers, admire the locals’ dogs, and fully immerse yourself in one of Sydney’s great rituals. From mid-May to early November, stare out to sea for a glimpse of migrating humpbacks; in the second half of October, Sculpture by the Sea transforms the landscape and beaches into an open-air art gallery.
12pm: Lunch at North Bondi Fish
Overlooking the sand and surf at the northern end of the famous beach, this vibey, casual spot is perfect for sun-drenched get-togethers. Start with a seasonal cocktail, or one of the five margaritas on the drinks list, before moving on to classic seafood dishes prepared using the freshest catch from the Sydney Fish Market. You can’t go wrong with some sashimi followed by fish and chips, the mussel pot or – if you’ve got something to celebrate – the piled-high NBF seafood platter.
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2pm: Shop Cool Stuff at P.A.M. Store
P.A.M. stands for Perks and Mini, a cult streetwear brand and creative studio established in Melbourne by power couple Misha Hollenbach and Shauna Toohey at the beginning of the millennium. They’ve long collaborated with artists and other high-profile brands on their T-shirts, hats, jackets and other pieces, but at the Darlinghurst store, you can also shop fashion, accessories and homewares from international brands, including Hysteric Glamour, Stray Rats and Ashley Williams.
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4pm: Peruse the White Rabbit Gallery
Businesswoman and philanthropist Judith Neilson began buying contemporary Chinese art on a visit to Beijing in the 1990s. Soon, she had one of the world’s most significant collections from that country and, in 2009, built this space in a former 1940s Rolls-Royce depot in the city-edge suburb of Chippendale. Encompassing more than 3,000 works from some 800 artists, the collection is too vast to show in its entirety, so two new exhibitions are held each year. There’s also a teahouse on the ground floor serving dumplings and a selection of teas from China and Taiwan.
7pm: Dinner at Fontana
A trio of Sydney’s coolest restaurateurs has taken over an upstairs space in Redfern and turned it into one of the city’s most enjoyable eateries. But they haven’t sacrificed flavour for fun. There’s an excellent wine list, creative cocktails and a menu of Italian classics with contemporary verve. First on your order – should they be on the menu when you visit – are the mozzarella in carrozza (fried pillows of cheese and ’nduja sausage), followed by the day’s fresh ricotta topped with just olive oil and salt, and the ceci e tria, a chickpea pasta that became a crowd favourite at the same group’s popular pop-up Don Peppino’s. A night here is a guarantee of good times and great food.
Late: Drinks at Ante
After dinner, hop on the bus or tram to head to Newtown and this unique gem. Japanese-inspired, sake-pouring vinyl bar Ante was envisioned by the owners, sommelier Matt Young and chef Jemima Whitehead, as a place where they themselves would like to hang out. There’s a wide selection of sakes (Young also has an importing business), as well as highballs, beers and mixed drinks, including an old-fashioned made using kombu-infused whisky, umeshu and bitters. Everything is low-key yet high-end, from the plates of food (bonito with mandarin and Aleppo pepper, buttery shiitake tagliatelle, mirin crème caramel) to the sound system with a handmade mixer. It all adds up to a marvellous night out.
