In summer, the harbourside city of Sydney really comes to life, with its glorious waterways, sidewalk cafés, beautiful parks and world-famous beaches filled with summer revellers. And the best of the city’s offerings don’t cost a fortune.
Bondi Beach
You can be at the iconic Bondi Beach in twenty minutes if you jump on a bus in the centre of Sydney – look for bus routes 380, 333 and 389.
Bring your swimming costume and a towel - and while swimming in Bondi’s great surf break, stay between the flags, under the protective eye of the well-toned lifesavers.
Book in for a surf lesson, stroll up to a beachside café for an ice-cream – or take a wander past the skaters and surfers, along the promenade that stretches around the northern headland for a fabulous view.
Fish and Chips at Doyles
Catch the ferry to Watsons Bay for a fantastic tour of the highlights of Sydney Harbour at a fraction of the tour-boat cost. The trip to Watsons Bay by Super-cat ferry is half an hour each way, stopping at Garden Island on the way to Watsons Bay, and at the toney suburbs of Rose Bay and Double Bay on the way back.
Plan to arrive at Watsons Bay at lunchtime, then choose between Doyles take-away fish and chips for an impromptu picnic in the beautiful beachside park, or spend a little more to dine at Doyles seafood restaurant – both much-loved local haunts owned by the Doyle family for five generations.
Picnic at the Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are a delightful 30-hectare oasis in the heart of the city. Pack a picnic and lunch under a magnificent native fig tree with sweeping views of the harbour and Sydney Opera House – or dine at the Botanic Gardens restaurant, with its wide verandahs overlooking Farm Cove, or the more casual café. Finish up with a stroll through the magnificent heritage public gardens, established in 1816.
Catch the Ferry to Manly
Another iconic Sydney Harbour trip is the wonderful half-hour ferry ride to the north-side surf beach of Manly, which takes you across Sydney Heads and offers some amazing harbour views. A stroll from the ferry wharf to Shelly Beach takes you through Manly Corso, the shopping heart of this classic Aussie seaside town. Take a dip in the surf, then visit one of the multitude of great eating places crowding the beachfront – or if you’re feeling adventurous, catch the 135 bus to North Head for unsurpassed views over Sydney Harbour.
Night-time thrills on Observatory Hill
When the sun sets, Sydney Observatory high on a hill above The Rocks is a magical night-time adventure. The lights over the harbour are just as spectacular as the night sky viewed through the historic 1874 refracting lens telescope, the oldest in Australia.
There’s so much to do and see to make your Sydney summer visit one to remember!