Neighbourhoods
Bondi Beach
Australia’s most famous beach doesn’t disappoint – and there’s much more to it than sand and sea.
The jewel of Sydney’s eastern beaches fully deserves its glittering reputation. It’s easily accessible by bus but visitors will want to reach it on foot. Start at Coogee Beach and lace up for a six-kilometre walk that takes in some of the city’s most famous stretches of sand. This is rightfully Sydney’s most famous and picturesque walk. You’ll want to bring your swimwear for a dip at the Bondi Icebergs Pool.
Once you’ve dried off, head upstairs for a drink or a meal at Icebergs, which offers sweeping views of the celebrated beach. Then, amble along the waterside promenade and stop by multi-purpose space Bondi Pavilion. Continue further, past the bold and the beautiful getting a pump at the outdoor gym, until you hit the beach’s northern tip. That will put you close to Sean’s Panaroma, a beloved Sydney restaurant. With its home-style interiors and coastal scenery, it’s the perfect place for a relaxed sunset dinner of seasonal fare.
Newtown, Enmore and Marrickville
Sydney’s best eating and drinking precincts.
These three adjoining neighbourhoods, linked together by Enmore Road, are key entry points to the area known as “The Inner West” – Sydney’s bohemian heartland. Start your day on King Street in Newtown. Here you’ll find multi-brand retailer Maple Store and bottle shop P&V Wine + Liquor, as well as countless vintage clothing shops. For a drink and a bite, stop by the Japanese-inspired listening bar Ante, which specialises in saké. There’s also cocktail stalwart Earl’s Juke Joint alongside newer haunts such as Odd Culture and Pleasure Club.
Head up Enmore Road and make time for a martini at Bar Planet, before checking out the restaurants clustered around the historic Enmore Theatre (Firepop is a particular highlight). Further along is Marrickville, whose former industrial warehouses have been converted into some of the best venues in Sydney. During the day, this includes coffee by Ona and craft beer from the likes of The Grifter and The Bob Hawke Leisure Centre, while at night, it means a tipple from distilleries including Poor Toms and food from Baba’s Place.
Manly
This sunny suburb straddles the harbour and the Pacific Ocean, providing options for every style of swimmer.
The ferry from Circular Quay to Manly is an essential Sydney experience. It’s hard to believe that this beautiful jaunt across the harbour, which includes an up-close tour around the Opera House, plays more of a commuting purpose than a sightseeing one. This attractive suburb was initially built as a seaside resort and the locale still has a pleasure-pier feel to it.
Start with a walk down The Corso, the boulevard that connects the harbour to the ocean on the other side of the headland. For an excellent coffee and breakfast, seek out Noon. For lunch or dinner, Chica Bonita, Banco and Busta are all local favourites. There’s also Cibaria, which overlooks the ocean. Once you reach Manly Beach you’ll face the avid swimmer’s dream dilemma. You could tack southward and go for a dip in the sheltered waters of Cabbage Tree Bay or you could walk north to Freshwater Beach, the birthplace of Australian surfing. Its consistent breaks are perfect for a paddle-out.
