Glorious beaches, stunning water views, fascinating walks, sophisticated shopping, and superb restaurants - Sydney is often voted as a top city destination with travellers and once you visit it’s easy to see why. Sydney is the home of one of the most beautiful (and biggest) natural harbours in the world, as well as being a city which revels in the attention it both receives and delivers. Here’s part two of our four day guide especially for couples who want to get out and about and see the best of Sydney while also enjoying a romantic escape.
For Part One of this story click here
Day Three
Morning, ride the Manly Ferry: For more than 150 years ferries have been operating between Sydney Cove and Manly and today’s iconic, 30-minute journey is a ritual for many first-time and regular visitors. Manly is simply a big beach village with harbour beaches on one side and a famous surf beach on the other, lined with Norfolk Pines, and the home of a lineup of good restaurants and cafes. This is the type of place where you can be as active, or inactive as you like. For the active types, you can have a surf lesson at Manly Surf School at North Steyne Surf Club (www.manlysurfschool.com) or undertake the 10km Manly to Spit Bridge Scenic Walkway (turn left leaving the ferry and following the signs). The walk takes around two and a half hours taking in some of the most spectacular and lesser-known sections of Sydney Harbour including Middle Harbour and its beautiful beaches.
Afternoon, return to Bondi: It’s one of the world’s most famous surf beaches, and Bondi Beach is one of those place you have to stop by even if just once and only for a couple of hours. It’s the closest beach to the Sydney CBD (eight kilometres away, in fact) while also being the busiest, especially in summer. And while it lacks the charm of many of Sydney’s other beaches, it’s always buzzing with life thanks to its myriad of cafes and shops. At the southern end of the beach is a great picnic spot at Mackenzie’s Point with views of North and South Bondi. And the six kilometre Bondi to Coogee Walk is another great coastal meander which takes in Mackenzie’s Point, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly and Coogee.
Day Four
Morning, hit the Sydney Fish Market & Balmain: On every day of the week, the southern hemisphere’s largest fish market swings into action with an auction of more than 50 tonnes of seafood, but the market also has retail outlets, cafes and restaurants which are open to the public every day. It’s best to arrive early to catch the auctions if you’re into it. The Fish Market is on the corner of Pyrmont Bridge Rd and Bank Streets, Pyrmont, and can be reached on the Light Rail System or a 443 bus from the QVB building in the city. A short distance from here is one of Sydney’s charming “harbour hugging” suburbs - Balmain. A former working class neighbourhood, its terraced houses have now been spruced up into million dollar pads but it’s the cafe and bar scene along Darling Street which makes this a fun detour. Balmain is a short taxi ride from the Fish Market, or it can be reached easily by ferry from Circular Quay.
Afternoon, wander Paddington: Another one of Sydney’s famous suburbs, Paddington is a favourite with trendy shoppers and fashionistas and on Saturdays its second hand market is a major drawcard. Like Balmain, “Paddo” is lined with renovated terraced houses and National Trust Listed architecture. There’s also galleries and an abundance of cafes and restaurants, and some beautiful old English-style pubs can be found down the backstreets for those who are happy to go exploring.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry!
With literally thousands of bars and restaurants, with scores more opening each week, it’s almost impossible to keep up with the Sydney scene, but here’s three to put on your list for a special, romantic night out:
Pre-dinner cocktails: Head to Blu Bar on 36, the New York-inspired cocktail bar in the Shangri-La Sydney. It’s perched high above the city, with breath-taking views of Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Bookings essential if you want a table with a view (176 Cumberland Street, 02 9250 6000).
Dinner: An easy walk from Blu Bar on 36 is Aria Restaurant, which is consistently rated one of the best restaurants in Sydney. It’s delectable modern Australian menu and wine list is complemented by stunning views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge (1 Macquarie St, East Circular Quay, 02 9252 2555).
Post-dinner nightcap: Take a taxi up to Darlinghurst, and Eau de Vie, an uber-intimate, dimly lit, jazz infused speakeasy created for the discerning bon vivant and romantics at heart (229 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst, 02 8646 4930).
For Part One of this story click here
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