What one finds ‘perfect’ is subjective; one person’s perfect 48 hours could be lazing with cocktails for the two days by a pool, while another’s could be non-stop hiking and adventures - and hey, mine is a mixture of both!
Had those who planned to visit me in Sydney been able to (thanks, Coronavirus, urgh), this is what would have greeted them. If Sydney beckons once Australia’s international borders open up, be sure to check out some of my favourite spots…
Day 1 - Morning
Starting your day around 9/9.30am, swing by Bourke St Bakery in Surry Hills (or one of its other outposts) for a pastry and a coffee to devour on the go - or enjoy, sitting in the park opposite. Their pork and fennel sausage rolls are renowned, and very tasty.
Next, hop on the 304 bus, take a half-hour walk, or a six-minute taxi ride to the Hyde Park Barracks, where you’ll to soak up some of the city’s history. We learn little to nothing about Australia’s history in the UK, but it all starts with the Brits colonising Aboriginal land, and sending our convicts across the seas… yeah. The Hyde Park Barracks is a good introduction to your learning of this history - I also recommend the I’m Free Sydney City Walking Tour if you have time on another day. The Barracks are very interactive: the headphone guides are stimulated by your location, so the audio changes as you walk through. They have included coughs, sounds of the sea and everything, so you feel like you’re literally there, back in time.
After some reflection on the past, now it’s time for some literal reflection: at the water. Your next stop is Lavendar Bay, accessible from Milson’s Point train station (it’s a five-or-so-minute walk from the station to the waterfront). If you fancy a more scenic route, you can make a little detour through Wendy’s Secret Garden on your way to the waterfront. As you admire the yachts and drink in the beautiful view of the Harbour Bridge, now would be a good time to nibble on any pre-packed snacks.
Passing Luna Park
Day 1 - Afternoon
Once you’re hydrated and all snacked up, it’s time for a little walk. You’ll saunter past Luna Park and cross over the Sydney Harbour Bridge; this walk affords quintessential Sydney views of the bridge (before you cross it, of course) and the Sydney Opera House. Make sure when you go to the stairs for the bridge, you are on the left side of the street (when facing towards your destination of Circular Quay), so you’ll enjoy the Opera House views. Once you reach the other side, pass the swaying palm trees and the wharves, and settle down for lunch and a fruity cocktail at the Opera Bar. It is a bit of a tourist trap, I’ll admit, but I spent my first day here both times I arrived in Sydney, and it has gorgeous “wow, I’m in Sydney” views.
View of the harbour from Sydney Harbour Bridge
Now, we have a few options for the rest of your afternoon, depending on how active you want to be/if you fancy a damn good sweet treat:
1) Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay for another beautiful walk that offers beaches with Sydney CBD views in the distance, a lighthouse, and far-reaching Pacific Ocean views.
Watson’s Bay walk
2) Walk back around the wharves, destined for Barangaroo Reserve and chill upon the hill with views of the harbour and the bridge.
3) Head to either the CBD or Moore Park branch of Black Star Pastry and purchase one of their famous cakes. While their strawberry watermelon cake is their most famous, they have a plethora of other wild and stunning creations like ‘Japanese Forest’. My favourite is the raspberry lychee. Depending on which branch you’ve visited, head to Hyde Park, Moore Park, or even Centennial Park to enjoy.
Foreground: raspberry lychee cake; background: strawberry watermelon cake
Day 1 - Evening
It’s time to head home to freshen up, then make your way to Newtown for dinner. A pre-dinner drink awaits at a number of the pubs or bars, then swing by the bottle-o for a bottle of wine to take to Flying Tong, a Korean restaurant. For a fried chicken fiend as myself, their menu of four types of fried chicken, plus delicious sharing sides like Bibimbap and spicy kimchi rice, is brilliant. Then head for a drink or two a couple of doors down at Fortunate Son. Their warm service is second-to-none and they have cool quirks like Hot Wheels-esque cars as your bar tab.
Day 2 - Morning
Today endeavours to be more relaxed (if you want it to be!) Start with a cooked breakfast at Organism. This is my favourite spot in the spring and summer, and I always order the same thing: a deluxe bacon roll (bacon, egg, avocado, rocket, maple syrup and apple) and a watermelon smoothie. If you want something fancier and a little more pretentious, the French toast at The Mayfield. is a real indulgent treat, adorned with gorgeous edible flowers.
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Next, either get the bus to Coogee Beach and do the coastal walk to Bondi, taking in a plethora of gorgeous bays and beaches over the course of six kilometres, or make a beeline straight for Bondi, and laze away a few hours at the Iceberg Pools, a heritage outdoor pool with sea views. Remember though, the pool doesn’t open on Thursdays. There are a number of other outdoor pools along the Coogee - Bondi route, some free, so you could even combine both, or change your mind halfway through.
Bondi Icebergs Pool
Day 2 - Afternoon
Have a late lunch when hunger calls, and head to one of the rooftop, sea-view bars at Bondi - I spent a lovely afternoon at Vue Bar with oysters and delicious cocktails. They have a great selection of drinks.
Once your tastebuds are satiated, hop on the bus to Circular Quay, where you can meander around the Royal Botanical Gardens and admire the Opera House again, before heading home to get ready for dinner.
View of the CBD from the Royal Botanical Gardens
Day 2 - Evening
So, if, like me, fried chicken is life, Butter in Surry Hills is the spot to go. With innovative dishes like fried chicken and doughnuts, or my absolute favourite, fried chicken ramen, you’ll clean the plate. I was so impressed with how the chicken wasn’t soggy in the ramen broth and the other ingredients really complimented the chicken… just wow.
However, I do eat other foods here, aside from fried chicken - promise! Vegetarians, or those who fancy going meat-free for the evening, I strongly recommend Yulli’s. Despite being a happy carnivore, I had such a delicious meal here; the flavour combinations are so tasty, you don’t miss meat at all. The style is sharing plates, so grab a pal or two and dig in.
To round off the evening, make a beeline for the famous late-night ice cream spot, Messina. Boasting a whole host of unique and interesting flavours, it is a firm favourite in the city. My favourite is white chocolate hazelnut.
Butter’s fried chicken ramen
Extra time?
Day trips to the Blue Mountains and Pittwater and Palm Beach are essential. The former is full of beautiful bushwalks, birdlife and lookouts, while the latter is just as gorgeous - you might recognise it if you’re a fan of Aussie soaps at home or away (geddit?)