The inner harbour of Sydney is linked with walking paths allowing a great outdoor exercise route as well as a path to view Sydney harbour at its best.

There are two well-known tracks that will take your breath away while you stroll along some of Sydney best secluded areas and harbour locations.

Walk #1: Spit to Manly Scenic Walkway
This is the most popular walk along the shores in Sydney, and is arguably the most stunning in scenery and heritage sites.

Take a bus to Spit bridge and the path starts at the northern end of the bridge heading east to Fisher Bay. Follow the path and it’ll take you along through Clontarf beach, Castle Rock, Grotto Point Lighthouse where a small slab of Aboriginal site where rock paintings can still be seen. The next stretch of the path goes through a bush area and eventually heading into Dobroyd point where Manly will come into sight, where you’ll eventually end up.

The entire walk will take 3.5 hours to complete. For the time conscious, many people start from Manly and walk back through Fairlight beach towards Dobroyd point, where they’ll take a rest before turning around back to Manly. Either way, it is a pleasant and beautiful walk.

Walk #2: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
The second most popular walk and is the site of the annual Sculpture By The Sea exhibition. Easy cliff tops walk starting from the southern end of Bondi beach along through the Bondi Baths & Icebergs Club onto Mackenzies Point.

You can stop briefly for a coffee or a swim at the small and cosy Tamarama beach, before continuing onto Bronte Beach. From here, it is a quick stroll through the historical Waverley Cemetery, before stepping down to the family friendly Clovelly beach as well as snorkelling and scuba diving heaven of Gordons Bay. Not far to go from here and Coogee will come into sight.

This walk takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Remember to rub on some sun screen and put on a cap as there is little shade along the cliff tops.

For more walking options refer to Sydney’s Best Harbour & Coastal Walks by the Sydney Morning Herald, available at all major book stores.

If you only have one day to spend in Sydney, this is a suggestion allowing you to see an overview of the city before you must depart.

Start at The Rocks for a morning breakfast and enjoy the morning sun sparkling off the waters surrounding the harbour bridge and the opera house. Stroll back to Circular Quay mid-morning to catch a ferry across to Manly. This is a cheap way to see the harbour without having to pay for a cruise. You’ll pass both the harbour bridge and the Opera House, some of the most sought after waterfront housing along the way and Taronga Zoo. The trip will take you half an hour so you can relax and take in the scenery.

Arriving at Manly Wharf, make your way across The Corso to the main beach. Grab some fish and chips for lunch on the way and spend sometime at the beach.

Shortly after lunch, get your return ferry back to Circular Quay. Walk to the opera house to admire the magnificent architecture on your way into the Botanic Gardens. The gardens have a path which will lead you onto Elizabeth St near the Conservatorium. Follow Elizabeth St westwards (away from the harbour) where you will pass the State Library, Sydney hospital, The Domain and St Mary’s Cathedral. Turn right and cross Hyde Park and head towards Sydney Tower.

At the Sydney Tower, buy a ticket for the observation desk and lift yourself up to the best view in Sydney.

After your tour of the tower, get back onto Market St and walk towards George St (away from Hyde Park). You’ll pass the Queen Victoria Building where you can stop to window shop a little, or continue to Darling Harbour. Here you can choose to pay a visit to the aquarium or simply stroll around the Harbour westwards. Following the footpath beyond IMAX theatre will take you to the bustling Chinatown where you can grab some cheap eats for dinner.

Really Prestige (Above AUD 60)
Many of Australia’s top chefs are in town to serve the best of their cuisines. For those looking for that very special culinary experience, this list can help you track down the talents in town.

CBD
Tetsuya’s
www.tetsuyas.com
Tel: 02 9267 2900
Closed Sun & Mon
Serves: Degustation menu of Japanese and French fusion
Comment: “One of the ultimate dining experiences in Sydney. Menus cost around AU$195 per person including a glass of wine. Expensive, but if you can afford it, you’d be the envy of everyone.”

Rockpool
www.rockpool.com
Tel: 02 9252 1888
Closed Sundays
Serves: Seafood
Comment: “Owned by the famous Australian chef Neil Perry. Excellent menu and excellent service.”

Altitude
www.altitudesydney.com
Tel: 02 9250 6123
Open: Mon-Sat dinners
Serves: Modern Australian
Comment: “One of the best views of Sydney, this is a dining experience not to be missed”

Bel Mondo
www.belmondo.com.au
Tel: 02 9241 3700
Open Mon-Sat 6-10pm
Serves: Italian
Comment: “Excellent northern Italian cuisine located in the historic area of The Rocks.”

North Shore
La Grillade
www.lagrillade.com.au
118 Alexander St
Crows Nest
Tel: 02 9439 3707
Open: Lunch Mon – Fri, Dinner Mon – Sat
Serves: Modern Australian
Comments: “Famous for their Angus and Wagyu breed ‘Kobe’ steaks.”

The Beaches
The Bathers’ Pavilion
www.batherspavilion.com.au
Balmoral Beach
Tel: 02 9969 5050
Open: 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian
Comments: “Excellent beach atmosphere and very high class dining”

Splurge (Above AUD 25)

CBD
Café Sydney
www.cafesydney.com
Tel: 02 9251 8683
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian

Redoak Boutique Beer Café
www.redoak.com.au
Tel: 02 9262 3303
Closed Sundays
Serves: Modern Australian
Comments: “This microbrewery serves some of the best crafted beers in town.”

Harbour Kitchen & Bar
www.harbourkitchen.com.au
Park Hyatt Sydney
Tel: 02 9256 1661
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian
Comments: “Beautiful waterfront dining”

Aesop’s
www.aesops.com.au
Tel: 02 9247 5422
Open lunch Tue – Fri; dinner Wed – Sat
Serves: Greek

Inner West
Thai Pothong
www.thaipothong.com.au
Tel: 02 9550 6277
Closed Mon lunches
Serves: Thai
Comments: “Voted best Thai in town various years”

Relish at Balmain Bug
www.balmainbug.com.au
Tel: 02 9818 8860
Open Tue – Sat dinners
Serves: Modern Australian

Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant
www.banjopaterson.com
Tel: 02 9816 3611
Open Tues – Sun
Serves: Modern Australian

Grappa Ristorante e Bar
www.grappa.com.au
Tel: 02 9560 6090
Closed Mon & Sat lunches
Serves: Italian

Eastern Suburbs
Emmilou Lounge & Pasta Bar
www.emmilou.com.au
Tel: 02 9360 6991
Open Mon – Sat 5pm to 1am
Serves: Spanish
Comments: “Also a cocktail bar and late night hangout”

Oh Calcutta!
251 Victoria Street
Darlinghurst
Tel: 02 9360 3650
Open Mon – Sat from 6pm
Serves: Indian

Otto Ristorante
www.ottoristorante.com.au
Tel: 02 9368 7488
Open 7 days
Serves: Italian, Seafood
Comments: “A beautiful waterfront restaurant at Woolloomooloo, excellent award winning cuisine.”

North Shore
Xenos Café Restaurant
xenosrestaurant.com.au
Tel: 02 9439 1748
Open: 7 days for breakfast and lunch; open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday nights.
Serves: Mediterranean

The Beaches
Ripples Chowder Bay
www.ripplescafe.com.au
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian
Comments: “Famous Ripples Café at Chowder Bay was personally visited by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and stays as one of the top cafes in a top water edge location in Sydney.”

Garfish Manly
www.garfish.com.au
Open 7 days
Serves: Seafood
Comments: “At this popular seafood restaurant, reservations are essential”

Greater Sydney
Costa Esmeralda Seafood Restaurant
www.costaesmeralda.com.au
Tel: 02 9689 2989
Open Mon-Sat
Serves: Seafood

Hills Lodge Restaurant & Bar
www.hillslodge.com.au
Tel: 02 9680 3800
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian

Mid-Range (Between AUD 15 to 25)

CBD
Bodhi
4 College St
Sydney NSW
Tel: 02 9360 2523
Open 7 days
Serves: Vegetarian Chinese
Comments: “Yum cha for vegetarians catering for vegans as well.”

Blackbird Café
www.blackbirdcafe.com.au
Darling Harbour
Tel: 02 9283 7385
Open 7 days til late
Serves: Modern Australian

Makoto Sushi Bar
www.masuya.com.au/en/makoto/
Tel: 02 9283 6767
Open 7 days
Serves: Japanese

Inner West
Wedgetail
Newtown Square
Cnr King St and Enmore Road
Newtown
Tel: 02 9516 1568
Open: Dinner Tue – Sun
Serves: Italian
Comments: “Great pizza”

Hamachi-Ya Japanese Restaurant
261 Harris St
Pyrmont
Tel: 02 9566 2866
Open 7 days
Serves: Japanese

Emma’s on Liberty
59 Liberty St
Enmore NSW
Tel: 02 9550 3458
Open Tues-Sat for dinner
Serves: Middle Eastern
Comments: “the food at Emma’s is wonderfully authentic and generous” Sydney Morning Herald review, 2006

La Boheme Restaurant & Café
www.laboheme.net.au
Tel: 02 9810 0829
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern European
Comments: “Also caters for vegetarian and gluten free requirements”

Bar Ba Ba
31 Norton St
Leichhardt
Tel: 02 9564 2044
Open daily for breakfast and lunch
Serves: Italian and light meals

Eastern Suburbs
Bills
www.bills.com.au
Three locations:
Darlinghurst/Surry Hills/ Woollahra
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian
Comments: “Australian chef Bill Granger’s first café (the Darlinghurst location) and has many fans across the globe.”

Govinda’s
www.govindas.com.au
Tel: 02 9380 5155
Open: 5:45pm – 10:30pm
Serves: Hare-Krishna Vegetarian
Comments: “Bookings essential. Purchase a movie package and enjoy a movie up stairs after your meal.”

Pizza Mario
www.pizzamario.com.au
Tel: 02 9332 3633
Open: 6pm daily
Serves: Italian

Cantina Bar & Grill
www.cantina.net.au
Tel: 02 9357 3033
Open 7 days 6pm til late
Serves: Spanish, Mediterranean

North Shore
Café Andronicus
Shop 316, Victoria Ave
Chatswood
Tel: 02 9413 1494
Open: 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian

Thousand Spices
www.thousandspices.com.au
344 Pacific Hwy
Crows Nest
Tel: 9439 1888
Open: 5pm – 10pm 7 days
Serves: Indian

The Beaches
Café Steyne
14 South Steyne
Manly
Tel: 02 9977 0116
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian

Renato’s
237 Coogee Bay Road
Coogee
Tel: 02 9665 8975
Open 7 days
Serves: Italian

Doyles on the Beach
www.doyles.com.au
Watson’s Bay
Tel: 02 9337 2007
Open 7 days
Serves: Seafood

Greater Sydney
Temasek
The Roxy Arcade
71 George St
Parramatta NSW
Tel: 02 9633 9926
Closed Mondays
Serves: Singapore/Malaysian

Food you shouldn’t miss
Sydney pride itself with good food and great wine and being a harbour city, it does not shy away from claiming to have the best seafood. While in town, make sure to grab a plate of fish and chip and munch on a meat pie, a typical Australian snack consumed by the young and the old.

Places to eat
Sydney’s multicultural society has provided the city some of Australia’s best dining venues. From cheap eateries to the most prestige dining experience there is something for every budget and taste.

The price guide listed below is for a general order of one main dish and a drink per person.

Budget (Below AUD 15)

In general, food courts provide the best budget meals and are widely located throughout any shopping centres and malls around Sydney. Meals in a food court will range from AUD$5-AUD$15 and have a variety of choices to choose from.

Other budget dining options are as below:

CBD
Pho Pasteur
709 George St
Sydney NSW
Tel: 02 9212 5622
Open 7 days
Serves: Vietnamese
Comments: “One of the oldest Vietnamese restaurants in town. Great beef noodle soups for very decent price.”

Harry’s Café de Wheels
Capitol Square and Woolloomooloo
Serves: Quick eats
Comments: “Iconic meat pies and hot dogs in Sydney, although they are not as good as before.”

BBQ King
18 Goulbourn St
Sydney NSW
Tel: 02 9267 2586
Open 7 days
Serves: Chinese

Plan B by Becasse
www.becasse.com.au
Tel: 02 9283 3450
Open Mon – Fri
Serves: Casual meals
Comments: “Sister restaurant to the original Becasse, serves $10 wagyu burger and great roast porks.”

Inner West
Scrambled
205 Enmore Road
Enmore NSW
Tel: 02 9519 5181
Open for breakfast and lunch
Serves: Casual meals

Corelli’s Café
352 King St
Newtown NSW
Tel: 02 9550 4080
Open 7 days til late
Serves: Casual meals

Badde Manors
37 Glebe Point Rd
Glebe NSW
Tel: 02 9660 3797
Open 7 days
Serves: Modern Australian
Comments: “Great coffees, vegetarian friendly cafe and a popular local hangout”

Old Fish Shop Cafe
239A King St
Newtown NSW
Tel: 02 9519 4295
Open 7 days
Serves: Casual meals
Comments: “As the name suggest, this café used to be an old fish shop. It is a café with character and atmosphere and is even dog friendly.”

Eastern Suburbs
Bourke St Bakery
Cnr of Devonshire and Bourke Sts, Surry Hills.
Tel: 02 96991011
Closed on Mondays
Serves: Baked goods
Comments: “The sausage rolls here are divine.”

Bar Coluzzi
322 Victoria St
Darlinghurst
Tel: 02 9380 5420
Open: 5am – 7pm daily
Serves: Coffee and light meals

Gusto Deli
2a Heely St, Five Ways
Paddington
Tel: 02 9361 5640
Open: 7 days
Serves: Breakfast and light meals

Perry Lane Café
1 Perry Lane
Paddington
Tel: 02 9358 5259
Open: Monday – Saturdays
Serves: Breakfast and Light meals

The Beaches
Jed’s Food Store
www.jedsfoodstore.com.au
Cnr Glenayr and Warners Ave
North Bondi
Tel: 02 9365 0022
Open: 6:30am – 3:30pm daily
Serves: Light meals

FishMongers Bondi
42 Hall St
Bondi
Tel: 02 9365 2205
Open: Lunch and Dinner 7 days
Serves: Seafood

A Fish Called Coogee
Coogee Bay Road,
Coogee
Tel: 9664 7700
Open: Daily
Serves: Seafood
Comments: “Grab a serving of fish and chips and enjoy it on the beach”

General Shopping
The city centre has some great shopping venues such as Myer and David Jones mega stores as well as the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and The Strand Arcade with a collection of shops from fashion to jewellery to collector’s items. For discounted factory outlet shopping head to the Birkenhead Point (www.birkenheadpoint.com.au) or the DFO (www.dfo.com.au) store in Homebush.

Souvenir you should buy
Besides the popular kangaroo pelt purses and tacky clip on koalas, some quirky souvenirs are available for those looking for something different. These include shark tooth necklaces, kangaroo scrotum coin pouches, a didgeridoo, a boomerang, genuine aboriginal painting and some premium Australian wine.

Suggested retailers:
Gannon House
www.gannonhousegallery.com
Original aboriginal art works and artefacts are on display and available for purchase here.

Boomalli Aboriginal Artists’ Cooperative
www.boomalli.org.au
An Aboriginal owned cooperative selling works by the state’s artists. From paintings to wood works to jewellery to books to CDs, this is a great place to shop to support the local Aboriginal communities.

Outback Centre
www.outbackcentre.com.au
Lots of Aussie bits and pieces to choose from and has their own little art gallery.

Some of Sydney’s best shopping does not reside in large shopping malls and designer labelled stores. Sydney owes a lot of its excitment and unique purchases to community markets and here is just a selection to start you off with the search for the best souvenir to take hom.

Glebe Markets
www.glebemarkets.com.au
A favourite with the locals, Glebe markets only run on Saturdays and is always crowded with day trippers looking for a bargain or something original. It is a great market for the atmosphere and some excellent alternative fashion and jewellery selections.
Open: Saturdays 10am – 4pm

Paddy’s Market
www.paddysmarkets.com.au
A popular market for cheap tourist souvenirs and imitation fashion items. The good thing about Paddy’s is that it has everything under the one roof, but it can get extremely crowded and the market lacks character.
Opens Thur-Sundays

The Rocks Markets
www.therocksmarket.com.au
The Rocks markets run every Saturday and Sunday and have some great Australian crafts and produce for sale. This is where you can find some unique souvenir to take home or try out some great locally made fudge and jams. You can also sit by the courtyard and listen on to some great live performances or stroll the small lane ways of The Rocks and get lost in this charming harbour side area of Sydney.
Open every Saturday and Sunday

Bondi Markets
www.bondimarkets.com.au
The markets are held in a beachside grounds of Bondi Beach Primary School. A community market selling fashion to jewellery to second hand books, this is a good market to combine with a great day out at Sydney’s most famous beach.
Open every Sunday.

Balmain Markets
www.balmainmarket.com.au
From art, coffee and tea, take away foods, fashion, children’s wears, home wares, organic fruit and veg and Italian bread, Balmain markets is a pleasant weekend market with a lively local atmosphere and is a great day out. Unfortunately the grounds can get a little crowded from the small space it has.
Open Saturdays 8am – 4pm.

Paddington Market
www.paddingtonmarkets.com.au
One of Sydney’s oldest markets with a quirky atmosphere, Paddington market is great for arts, crafts and designs. Stall holders are designer and artists themselves and often you’ll be able to find that unique piece of art piece from an emerging and talented artist for a fraction of the price at the major galleries.
Open Saturdays 10am – 4pm

Sydney Opera House market
www.blueskymarkets.com.au
Part of a new group of markets opening in Sydney, the Sydney Opera House Markets have the prime location on the harbour side and sells premium Australian photography, jewellery and art directly from their makers. The prices can get a little expensive here but is a great place to shop if you are thinking about some better quality souvenirs to take home.
Open Sundays 10am – 5pm

Sydney is following onto the world stage of fashion and boutique shopping. Throughout the city local and international designer retailers offer seasonal fashion ranges that will satisfy those style conscious visitors.

Pick up a Sydney Shopping - The Official Guide from the City Host information booths for comprehensive retail suggestions for your favourite brands.

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Tourist Tax Refund Scheme
International visitors with an outgoing flight ticket can claim back the tax paid on any purchases totally over AU$300 from the same store. To be eligible:
• You must be travelling internationally from Australia.
• The purchase must have been made no more than 30 days before departure.
• Ensure the retailer provide you with a tax invoice recipe containing their ABN (Australian Business Number) printed and the total purchase price and date of issue.
• Ensure you have a valid boarding pass and passport and present to the customs officer on the day of your travel at the airport.
• Keep your purchases as hand held luggage as you may be asked to show them to the custom officers.

This does not include items already purchased tax-free. Claims can be made via electronic deposit or by cheque.

Further information can be obtained from the Australian Customs on 1300 363 263.
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Sydney is just as lively at night as it is during the day, and there are plenty to keep its guests busy and entertained. With theatre and concerts as well as great nightlife spots such as bars and night clubs, there is something for everyone.

Theatres / Concerts / Bands
For concert goers Sydney has plenty to offer. With Sydney Symphony, the Australian Opera, Sydney Dance Theatre and the Philharmonic Choir all calling Sydney home, there is always a great performance just around the corner.

Visit the Ticketek website to see what’s on in Sydney, from symphony concerts to bands to musicals and theatre plays. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
www.ticketek.com.auu

Various venues in Sydney have live entertainment at night. Try the Annandale Hotel (www.annandalehotel.com) as Sydney’s best venue for rock concerts. The Basement (www.thebasement.com.au) is Sydney’s top Jazz institution where all you have to do is swing to the music.

The Sydney Gig Guide (www.yourgigs.com.au/sydney) is a great website with concert information in and around the city and a place to enter competitions to win some cool music stuff.

The Nightlife
There are plenty of partying and drinking going on in this city and you needn’t travel far to have a good time. Most of the late night clubs and bars are located in Kings Cross and on Oxford St while the inner city bars are more for the sophisticated drinkers with lots of money to spend.

There are also plenty of waterfront drinking venues in Darling Harbour and in The Rocks. All you have to do is ask a local and they’ll point you to the right way.

Remember a standard glass of beer is called a ‘schooner’ and you don’t have to tip the bar tenders.

Tips for cheap drinking
You don’t need to venture into the heart of the city to have a good time. Just head to the local pub nearest to your accommodation and mingle with the locals. Local pubs are down to earth and friendly and are not harsh on your pockets!

Home
www.homesydney.com
It is Sydney’s most popular and largest night club, Home has three floors, lots of bars and a big dance floor employing expensive DJs to mix it up; plays mostly trance music.
Opens Friday and Saturdays from 11pm to 6am. Admission fees apply.

Cargo Bar and Lounge
www.cargobar.com.au
At the start of King St wharf is the popular Cargo bar. Not so much a dance place though but offer a great drinking atmosphere and social space. Serving variety of craft beer and pizza, it’s a great place to get a quick bite to eat before a big night out.
Open 7 days.

Opera Bar
www.operabar.com.au
Excellent outdoor location right at the foot of the Opera House the bar directly faces the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. Live music nightly from 8:30pm on weekdays and 2pm on weekends, it’s said to be the best beer garden in the world!
Open 7 days.

The Lord Nelson
www.lordnelsonbrewery.com
A visit to the Lord Nelson is like visiting history. Opened in 1841 this is Sydney’s oldest pub/hotel with characters to match and serves its home brewed beers. The top of the pub serves as accommodation if you are looking for alternative bed options.

Kuleto’s
www.kuletos.com.au
This inner west cocktail bar is famous for its happy hour. Two drinks for the price of one no wonder it’s almost impossible to find a vacant seat. A funky and down to earth environment in the heart of Newtown, this is a good place to start before heading onto to dinner or some harder drinking in the city.

The Arthouse Hotel
www.thearthousehotel.com.au
A blend of restaurant, bar, live performances, art gallery with live drawing sessions makes this place something special. There is something different each night and you are sure to be entertained no matter what happens.
Opens Mon-Sat. Free admission.