Summer weekend in Sydney
How locals do summer in Sydney — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Sydney
Manly Ferry & Beach
FamilyManly
30-minute ferry from Circular Quay — beach, surf school, fish & chips.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
OutdoorsEastern Suburbs
6 km cliff-edge path past Tamarama and Bronte — best at sunrise.
Royal Botanic Garden
OutdoorsCBD
Harbour-side park with Mrs Macquarie's Chair — the postcard angle.
Newtown
NightlifeInner West
King Street — live music, late-night Thai, vintage shops and the Enmore Theatre.
Surry Hills
Food & DrinkSurry Hills
Crown Street brunch, Crown Street dinner, tiny bars in between.
Where to eat
Quay
$$$$Contemporary Australian · The Rocks
Peter Gilmore's tasting menu with Opera House and Harbour Bridge views.
Tetsuya's
$$$$Japanese-French tasting · CBD
Tetsuya Wakuda's restored federation home — confit ocean trout is legend.
Bourke Street Bakery
$Bakery · Surry Hills
Sausage rolls, ginger brulée tarts and queue out the door.
Chin Chin
$$$South-East Asian · Surry Hills
Loud, large and very good — book a couple of weeks ahead.
Spice I Am
$$Thai · Surry Hills
Properly spicy Bangkok-style — get the jungle curry.
Live & on stage
Splendour in the Grass
Byron Bay · Jul 24–26 · Festival
Sydney Festival
Citywide · Jan 7–26 · Mixed
Vivid Sydney
Harbour & CBD · May 22 – Jun 13 · Light & music
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Royal Botanic Garden, Surry Hills. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Sydney and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.