The Travel Group

Day one

MORNING

Begin the day with a stroll along the cliff- hugging Bondi-Bronte walk. This superb coastal walk stretches four kilometres along the ocean, encompassing Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches. The panoramic views are magnificent -particularly when looking back over the rolling breakers of Bondi. You will notice plenty of fit, bronzed Australians pounding the path from dusk to dawn, but there’s no need to rush - a round trip should take around 1.5 hours. If it’s a sunny day, finish with a dip or a surfing lesson at Bondi Beach or simply settle in for a leisurely breakfast at one of the area’s many cafes. Try the organic bircher muesli at Gertrude and Alice, an eclectic bookstore and cafe that spills outside onto the pavement.

AFTERNOON

Amid the cafes and casual beachwear stores, Bondi has a cluster of boutiques featuring emerging designers and high-end fashion - most are along Gould and Curlewis Streets and Campell Parade. On Sundays, fossick to your heart’s content at Bondi Markets – a vintage goldmine where you can snap up rare sunglasses, handcrafted jewellery or clothing from up-and-coming designers. To hunt down some of the eminent Australian fashion labels like Sass & Bide or Zimmermann, take a short bus ride to the cluster of boutiques along the intersection of Glenmore Road and Oxford Street at Paddington. Sydney fashionistas have dubbed the precinct “the Intersection”. The local fashion community has lunch at Jackie’s on the corner of Glenmore Road – known for generous sashimi salads.

EVENING

When it’s time for a sundowner, the terrace is abuzz at North Bondi Italian Food, jam-packed with locals drinking cocktails as the sun sets. To make the most of the views, head to Icebergs Dining Room & Bar, perched above the iconic oceanfront swimming pool and the crashing waves of south Bondi. More edgy dining options can be found in the inner city suburb of Surry Hills, particularly along Crown Street, a fashionable foodie haven sandwiched with on-trend eateries like Toko or Marque. There area also has plenty of nightlife from small bars like Shady Pines Saloon and Sticky to cocktail bars like Eau de Vie and pubs like The Beresford and The Carrington.

Day TWO

MORNING

Wake early to climb the Harbour Bridge for truly wondrous views across the harbour. The fully supervised dawn express climb of Sydney’s much-loved bridge, affectionately known as “The Coathanger”, takes around 2.5 hours. Afterwards, spend some time exploring Sydney’s historic quarter The Rocks, strolling among the cobblestoned streets and sandstone heritage buildings. Along with high-end luxury brands, you can stock up on Aussie items like sheepskin Ugg boots, Aboriginal artefacts or magnificent opals and South Sea pearls. Art lovers should leave some time for the newly renovated Museum of Contemporary Art - past exhibits include Annie Leibovitz. Don’t leave The Rocks without sampling at least one Aussie beer from the Lord Nelson Hotel - Sydney’s oldest pub, with its own boutique brewery.

AFTERNOON

From The Rocks, stroll to the ferry terminal at Circular Quay and take a short ride to Taronga Zoo. With sensational views overlooking Sydney Harbour, it has a vast array of furry creatures great and small, including koalas and kangaroos with wild bird shows held at regular intervals. Alternatively, Manly is only a 30-minute ferry ride away. With a long, sandy surf beach and lively harbourfront, it’s a wonderful spot to experience quintessential laidback Sydney beach culture. Take a relaxing walk along the promenade, have a surfing lesson, hire a bike ride or a kayak to explore the national park and secluded coves along the headland. Some of the tiniest beaches are only accessible from the water. For lunch, grab takeaway fish and chips and picnic on the sand or choose from any one of harbourfront restaurants like Hugo’s Bar Pizza.

EVENING

After returning to Circular Quay, spend another hour taking in the prettiest sights with a foreshore stroll around the iconic Sydney Opera House, through the Royal Botanic Gardens and onto the picturesque headland of Lady Macquarie’s Chair. Return to the Opera House for a ballet or a symphony or head to the west end of the bridge for Walsh Bay. This waterfront stretch is Sydney’s cultural nucleus with the Sydney Theatre Company, the Sydney Dance Company and Bangarra Dance Theatre, along with a handful of stylish waterfront eateries to wine and dine post-show. Try Firefly or The Bar At The End of The Wharf, which has views over the Harbour Bridge.

Day Three

MORNING

The city’s shopping district clusters around the pedestrian-only Pitt Street Mall. The triple-domed 19th century Queen Victoria Building has 200 boutiques over five levels, while covetable Australian designer labels can be found in the Strand Arcade – another striking 19th-century Victorian shopping mall. For global luxury brands and jewellery, Castlereagh Street is Sydney’s answer to New Bond Street or Fifth Avenue while the multi-levelled department stores Myer and David Jones have something for everyone. The behemoth Westfield mall features hundreds of retailers from Miu Miu to Prada and the city’s flagship Zara. For lunch, the gourmet food hall is packed with a plethora of high calibre options, from wagyu burgers at Charlie & Co to New York-style deli sandwiches at Rueben & Moore. Rest your post shopping legs with a coffee on the lawns of the leafy Hyde Park.

AFTERNOON

Sydney is beautiful from the ground, but from the air the city is even more alluring. For a once in a lifetime experience, take a scenic seaplane flight from Rose Bay, soaring over the harbour and beaches to Manly and the Palm Beach peninsula, where Australia’s favourite television soap opera ‘Home and Away’ is filmed. If you’d rather take the slow traveller route, the peninsula is around a one hour’s drive from the city. Unfurl your beach towel, have a leisurely lunch at any one of the beachside cafes, and if you have the energy, hike up to the lighthouse at Barrenjoey headland for panoramic views all the way to the Central Coast.

EVENING

Head back into Sydney and explore Chinatown. Sydney’s Chinese community is centered to the south of the CBD at Dixon Street. This pedestrian-only mall has many restaurants and grocery stores and comes alive at night with a tremendous array of sights, sounds and delicious smells emanating from Asian eateries. Try Din Tai Fung for exceptional dumplings or Golden Century for a 2am Peking Duck feast. After your meal, walk back into the CBD for a cocktail at one of the city’s clandestine, quirky small bars like the 1920s inspired Baxter Inn or Grasshopper – both are tucked down once disused city laneways.

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