An insider’s guide to Sydney
On the up and up Down Under
The iconic Opera House, the soaring Harbour Bridge, the beaches of Bondi and Manly and the trendy boutiques and bars of Darlinghurst … there’s so much to love about Sydney, whether it’s your first visit or your tenth.
I can attest to that myself, having paid the so-called Harbour City many visits over the years. No matter how many times I pass through, though, I always discover new things.
If Oz is on your bucket list, here are my top picks for what to see, do and eat.
Take a walkabout from Bondi to Coogee
Although its harbor is front and center, folks tend to forget that, in addition to being a world-class city, Sydney is also an incredible beach destination with rugged coastlines that are made for hiking. My favorite walk in the city is the coastal path between famous Bondi Beach and the seaside hamlet of Coogee, which is just over 3 miles and takes around two to three hours.
Along the way, you dip into various coves with their own beaches, including Bronte, Clovelly and Tamarama, where you can stop for a swim or watch the surfers shooting the curl. Doing it on your first day is the best way to beat jet lag with a little fresh air, sunshine … and an iced coffee when you get to Coogee Pavilion, which is a revitalized 19th-century bathing palace that has been converted into a bustling food hall.
Daydreaming along the harbor
Another great way to get some sunshine, along with the lay of the land, is to take a tour of the harborfront through an Indigenous perspective with Dreamtime SouthernX’s The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour. During the 90-minute perambulation, you’ll learn all about how native peoples lived and thrived along these shores before Europeans arrived and the legacy they have left upon the land.
Bring a piece of Sydney home with you
Not too far from where the Dreamtime SouthernX tour ends, you can pop by one of my all-time favorite shops, Hunting Hue. Founded by Australian photographer and decorator Rebecca Collinson-Smith, this adorable boutique in The Rocks neighborhood peddles her signature silk scarves with photographic prints, among other one-of-a-kind collectibles.
If you’re planning to spend some time in Australia, it also pays to invest in a quality hat that will keep the southern sun off your face. I personally love Akubra’s iconic felted fur hats made from the pelts of invasive rabbits (sad, but you’re doing your part for the local ecology). They come in a variety of colors and styles, but no matter which you don, you’ll feel like a real-life jackaroo or jillaroo.
You might consult a Michelin Guide for restaurant recommendations in any number of destinations, but in Australia, you should also consider the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide chef’s hats designation, which also ranges from 1-3. Among the 3-hatted restaurants in town are Oncore by Clare Smyth at the Crown Sydney, which has some of the city’s best views. Or you can make a reservation at the 2-hatted Bennelong right in the Opera House.
Hats aside, some of my other favorite restaurants include the wood-grilled fare at Firedoor in trendy Surry Hills, contemporary and creative Australian seasonal dishes (and natural wines!) at Poly and the delectable plant-based menus at chef Sander Noojj’s restaurant, Yellow, in Sydney’s leafy Potts Point neighborhood.
Museums, mate!
Although Sydney is really an outdoors-lover’s paradise, there are also plenty of cultural haunts to keep your mind active, in addition to your body.
Among those I’d recommend is the Australian Museum, one of the country’s premier galleries, which underwent a major refurbishment and reopened in late 2020. It contains over 20 million pieces, including unparalleled exhibits of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork.
The sprawling Royal Botanic Garden also runs along the city’s waterfront and is a gorgeous, leafy place to while away an afternoon learning about Australian flora and rare plant species from around the world.
Have a little extra time on your hands? Take a stroll past the historic Mitchell Library on Macquarie Street and see if you can spot the little bronze statue of Trim the cat, who accompanied explorer Matthew Flinders on his famous voyages circumnavigating the continent.
Make a point to stay at these points hotels
Sydney is home to some of my hands-down, all-time favorite points hotels. Of course, the Park Hyatt Sydney is one of the most iconic hotels in the world, thanks to its location in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge with the best waterfront views of the Opera House. Book now while award nights start at 35,000-45,000 points apiece ahead of the May 1 program changes.
Nights at the nearby Intercontinental Sydney, which has some of the best views of Sydney Harbour and incorporates a historical building that dates to 1851 (and was once the Treasury Building of New South Wales), start at a mere 45,000 IHG One Rewards points apiece.
I also like the boutique West Hotel Sydney, which is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, and is in the up-and-coming Barangaroo district, not far from The Rocks. Nights there start at just 51,000 Hilton Honors points or $168 per night.
Those are my top picks for a quick stop in Sydney, but I plan to get back there later this year — so if you have recommendations of your own, let me know!
One of my favorite things to do in Sydney is have a little lunch at the famous Icebergs Swim Club first then enjoy the ocean views on the Bondi to Coogee walk.