For a lot of people (the lastminute lovelies included), the first week in January sees a return to the office. It’s easy to feel a little deflated that your summer break is over but don’t forget, there are still plenty more summer days to come!
And it doesn’t get any better than Summer in Sydney. Whether you can squeeze in a quick getaway to the NSW Capital or you’re a Sydneysider yourself, here’s my wrap up of the top ten ways to make the most of the Sydney summer:
1. Pay a visit to the St. George Open Air cinema – Nestled in at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, it’s the perfect way to hold onto that holiday feeling after a day at work, watching new releases with the Harbour lapping at the shore. Get there when the gates open to nab your seat then have a drink and a bite to eat as you watch the sun set. Pre-purchase tickets are sold out but there are a limited number available on the door each night. If movies are your thing, put Tropfest in your diary too.
| Hot tip: Save room for a Pat and Stick’s ice-cream sandwich. You won’t regret it. |
St. George Open Air cinema
2. Discover the bar scene – Whether you go rooftop (The Glenmore Hotel in The Rocks or Sweethearts in Potts Point), or waterside (The Bar at the End of the Wharf in Walsh Bay or Manly Wharf Hotel) sipping delicious cocktails outdoors in summer is a must.
| Hot tip: The Glenmore has had a refurb and is well worth checking out, even if you have been there before, for perfect Harbour views. |
Manly Wharf Bar
3. Hit the Harbour – No summer trip to Sydney is complete without some serious Harbour time. Soak up THAT view with a bite to eat at Opera Kitchen or Cafe Sydney (according to the fabulous Mrs Woog, the waiter she had added to the gorgeous view), book a Sydney Harbour Cocktail Cruise or tick the Bridge Climb off your bucket list and be rewarded with the ultimate postcard perfect view.
| Hot tip: Credit card take a bashing at the Boxing Day sales? A ferry ride to Manly and ice-cream by the beach is one of Sydney’s simple (and cheap!) pleasures. |
4. Say hello to Bondi – Yes it’s cliché but Bondi is popular for a reason. Get up close and personal to the iconic beach with your very own private surf lesson. If you’ve still got some energy, hit the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk or simply celebrate your surfing prowess with a meal at Icebergs. If you’re there on a Sunday, make sure you hit up the markets. Samantha Wills started out selling her gorgeous jewellery there so you never know what up and coming designer could be selling their wares.
| Hot tip: If the crowds at Bondi are a bit of a turn off, check out our other beach faves here. |
Enjoy the waves at Bondi Beach
5. Indulge your inner performer – If a trip to the cinema to see Hugh and Russell in Les Miserables this summer hasn’t scratched your musical itch, a dose of Legally Blonde: The Musical or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang should do the trick.
| Hot tip: Combine seeing Elle Wood and her Legally Blonde besties with a Sydney hotel stay with this stay and play package. |
| Hot tip: Visit the ‘ANZ Tix for Next to Tix’ booth at bottom of Martin Place for tickets to shows on the day for $25. |
7. Take to the skies – You’ve got to admit, seeing Sydney from above is a pretty attractive option. We recently sent one of our favourite bloggers Chantelle Ellem, aka Fat Mum Slim, to do just that and if it was even half as amazing as her photos looked, sign us up pronto.
| Hot tip: If you want a bit more adrenalin in your sky-high adventures, there’s always sky-diving or learning to fly a plane – eek! |
Image courtesy: Fat Mum Slim
8. Chase the food trucks – We heart the Sydney food truck movement and balmy summer evenings are all the excuse you need to indulge in a tasty alfresco meal. My personal fave is the Agape Organic Food Truck (one bite of their Pulled Pork Spelt Taco with Salsa Verde and I was hooked!)
| Hot tip: Download the app to suss out the food trucks closet to you. |
9. Culture vulture – Escape the summer sun and while away a few hours at The Australian Museum with the Alexander the Great: 2000 Years of Treasures exhibition or see one of the world’s greatest ballet companies without your passport, courtesy of the Paris Opera Ballet return to Australia with their performance of Giselle at the Capitol Theatre.
| Hot tip: A trip to the Capitol Theatre wouldn’t be complete without a cheeky drink, meal and/or stay at the city’s newest five-star hotel, QT Sydney. |
Enjoy a luxe stay at QT Sydney
10. Get sporty – A Mexican wave or two and cheering on Michael Clarke and co at the cricket? Or barefoot bowls with an ice-cold beverage in hand? Whatever your idea is of a day of sporting success, Sydney has you covered. If the water is calling your name, kayaking will burn off some of those Christmas calories.
| Hot tip: A cycling tour will have you getting active while soaking up the sights of the city – bonus. |
To plan your own Summer in Sydney, click here.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Sydney in summer? Let us know in the comments below!