Get the low down on the land down under.
Sydney is the city I was born in and it is still my favorite. Sydney is huge—there are some parts I’ve never even been to. The beach was always a big part of my life. Weekends were always spent here—with family, boyfriends, girlfriends, and whoever else is around—having barbies, taking the boat out, tanning it up, sinking a few beers, and chatting balmy nights away.
EAT:
For a lovely dinner, the Woolloomoolloo Wharf is perfect. Always be sure to get a delicious piece of perfectly cooked fish, yummy fat chips, and great vino. There are also great little Thai diners everywhere in Sydney—even in shopping malls you can find yummy Thai and Asian food.
Fratelli Paradiso in Potts Point has the most delicious salt-and-pepper squid and caprese salad ever!
SHOP:
Sydney has lots of amazing vintage and market shopping. Fringe Bar Markets is a small, newer place around the corner from my house. It’s only been going for a couple of years and only open on weekends, but it’s fabulous. Saturday is the better day.
Surf shops are the best in Sydney. They stock everything from cool beachwear and essential flip-flops to Aussie paraphernalia. Surfection and General Pants are two good ones.
STAY/REST:
Whenever my friends come to stay in Sydney, I recommend Kathryn’s on Queen. It’s not far from my place in Paddington, and it’s the cutest B&B accommodation.
SCENE:
After a good meal out with friends, I might pop up to Will and Toby’s, where we are bound to see people we know and have a little dance.
There is always a packed scene at Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross, if you’re into that, but that “scene” is something I tend to avoid.
TO SEE/CULTURE FIX:
Sydney has amazing cultural offerings. The Australian Museum, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Museum of Contemporary Art are our largest galleries.
Whenever I’m home in December and January, there is a wonderful arts festival called the Sydney Festival. There are free concerts, international performers, acrobatics, plays, and other unique events. It happens in both indoor and outdoor venues all over the city.
Outdoor cinema is a popular thing in Sydney in the summertime; with the cinema set up right beside Sydney Harbour, it’s pretty special.
