10 of the best things to do in Sydney

Darlinghurst is the most eclectic suburb in Sydney, with cafes bars, restaurants, galleries, cinemas, shops and parks. The hotel is located in the heart of this trendy suburb and only 5 mins from the City and five mins to the beaches. 10 of the best things to do in Sydney!

// Bridgeclimb

Take the two hour climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge Ph: 02 8274 7777.

// Opera House

Appreciate Joern Utzon’s design on a front-of-house tour. Bookings Ph: 02 9250 7250.
Attend a performance, and view the city lights from one of the bars of the northern foyer. Box office Ph: 02 9250 7777 or ask reception for help.

// Harbour Sailing

EastSail Ph: 02 9327 1166, will organise for you to set sail aboard a sleek French Beneteau yacht, skipper and crew available on request, also a picnic lunch. Captain Cook Cruises Ph: 02 9206 1111, operates daily harbour cruises from Circular Quay.

// Day Trip

Oztrails Ph: (02) 9387 8390. Specialise in personalised day tours in and around Sydney: Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Sydney by day or night and more. All the tours are also available at charter rates if you wish to bring a whole group or have the tour just for yourself. Tours can be tailored to meet your needs.

// Coastal Drive

Head North out of the city to Palm Beach. Observe bird life at Dee Why lagoon; continue on to Long Reef, Avalon, Bilgola, Whale Beach and Palm Beach. Palm Beach can also be accessed by Seaplane, there are regular flights with lunch for $195.00 (minimum 4 people) Ph: 1 800 803 558.

// The Water Taxi or Ferry

Catch a water taxi (available on request from any wharf) and then head for the Sydney Fish Markets for the freshest prawns, oysters, scallops and other seafood. Sydney Water Taxis Ph: 02 9955 3222. Another option - take a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Park Zoo (20 minutes), then take the cable car that offers a fantastic aerial view of the zoo.

// Swimming

Swim in the baths at Bronte beach or at a harbour beach at Neilsen Park or Balmoral. For surf, head to Bondi, Tamarama or the Northern beaches. Hidden secrets are the harbour beaches at the end of South Head, near Watsons Bay. Camp Cove or Lady Jane (nude beach). Alternately if a quick swim is all you have time for try the stunning Boy Charlton Pool, which is set on the water at Woolloomooloo Bay or pick up a complimentary pass at reception to the Cook and Phillip Park Swimming Pool — an Olympic size pool near Hyde Park.

// Paddington & Darlinghurst

You’re here, Sydney’s SoHo! Darlinghurst is the home of the ‘creatives’, including artists, designers, young filmmakers and the café society! You must visit the eclectic coffee strip in Victoria St - the Tropicana café (known as the Trop) is the café behind the Tropfest, the internationally acclaimed amateur film festival. Just around the corner is Paddington. Explore this small inner city suburb with its maze of streets, rows of Victorian terrace houses, pubs, restaurants and art galleries. Continue on to neighbouring Woollahra for some of the best antique shops.

// Centennial Park

The city’s largest park provides the opportunity to walk, cycle, horse-ride or picnic.
Centennial Park Cycles Ph: 02 9398 5027. East Side Riding Academy Ph: 02 9360 7521.
Alternatively the Botanical Gardens and the adjoining Domain offers not only beautiful gardens with exotic plants, it is also the home of the National Art Gallery of NSW. Ph: 02 9225 1700.

// A Guided Walking Tour

Sydney Eastside has a tour of the early colonial buildings including Parliament House, St James Church, Hyde Park Barracks, together with Government House and St Mary’s Cathedral Ph: 02 9660 7157.
An alternative to walking is speed walking or jogging - why not make an appointment with a personal trainer and run around the foreshore of Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte or from the hotel to Hyde Park to the Opera House and back or beyond? The hotels preferred Gym, Bayswater Fitness can organise a personal trainer. Ph: 02 9356 2555.

// Shopping and Dining

For shopping, check out the concise shopping list in our Hotel Companion (the information book in your guestroom). The book also includes a restaurant, café, bar and nightclub guide. However for a uniquely Sydney shopping experience make sure you visit Paddington’s Oxford Street. For dining, the hotel team recommends, “Doyle's on the beach” at Watson’s Bay - fabulous views! It is a traditional Sydney dining experience where the locals and tourists mix - and where the freshly delivered seafood is straight from the trawlers. Doyle’s is located on the beach at, 11 Marine Parade, Watson’s Bay. For bookings - Ph: 02 9337 2007.

Compiled by the hotel team with the help of - Vogue Entertaining and Travel