City | Food and Wine 28 June 2016

Things We Love: Sydney Hot Spots

With unspoiled beaches, a buzzing city hub, handful of iconic landmarks, and an exciting line up of year-round entertainment, it’s hard not to fall in love with the ultimate do-all destination: Sydney. Keep reading to discover our favourite hot spots in the illustrious ‘Harbour City’, covering food, fashion, nightlife, festivals and family-friendly fun.
 

Fashion Fix


What do you get when you blend a laidback market vibe with a beachfront location and a cool collection of designer clothing, handmade jewellery and homewares? The famous Bondi Markets! Held every Sunday from 10am to 4pm at the Bondi Beach Public School (located on Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach), the markets are a melting pot of creativity, with countless stalls peddling exotic imports, crafts, unique and retro furniture, and vintage clothes alongside local up-and-coming fashion labels. And with successful Aussie designer brands Sass & Bide and Ksubi, plus coveted boho jewellery label Samantha Wills, all making their start at the popular Bondi Markets, you never know what treasures you may find.
www.bondimarkets.com.au

Garden Dining


Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner that you’re after, follow the locals to the ever-popular The Grounds of Alexandria – a coffee roaster, artisan bakery, organic garden and restaurant that is a major player in Sydney’s food revolution. With a paddock to plate ethos, The Grounds spans an acre and offers three unique places to meet, eat and drink, comprising The Café, The Potting Shed and The Garden. Presenting an oasis of plants, gardens, vegetable and herb patches and even a small animal farm complete with resident pig, Kevin Bacon, The Grounds of Alexandria (2 Huntley Street, Alexandria) is a sure-fire winner with foodies of all ages.
www.thegrounds.com.au


City Lights


Sydney is known for its extensive event schedule but there’s one annual celebration in particular that brings the city together and presents the perfect excuse to plan your trip sooner rather than later. The stunning, citywide light show spectacle that is Vivid Sydney illuminates the city each night, with outdoor light installations and projections that transform major buildings and landmarks – such as the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge – for all to see. Local and international music acts provide the soundtrack to the festival, while those looking to do more than just spectate can indulge in the long list of workshops, forum discussions, exhibits and presentations offered during the three-week event that takes place in May and June.
www.vividsydney.com

Happy Hour

If it’s nightlife that you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. Sydney is home to a myriad of sophisticated cocktail and wine bars, relaxed pubs, and bursting-at-the-seams clubs spread across the city and its surrounds, making it easy (and in some ways, difficult!) to plan your night on the town with so many choices on offer. Emerging as the after-dark ‘see and be seen’ hot spot is Double Bay in Sydney’s east, home to new kid on the block, Casablanca Bar, and the ultra swish Pelicano. While those staying closer to the city can enjoy a drink at laid-back haunts like the beachside Bucket List in Bondi and the upscale Ivy Pool Club in the CBD.
www.casablancasydney.com | www.pelicano.com.au | www.thebucketlistbondi.com | www.merivale.com.au/poolclub

Zoo with a View

If you’re travelling to Sydney with the family in tow, it’s fair to say the family-cation wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the iconic Targona Zoo. With thousands of exotic animals to see and learn about, and multiple interactive experiences for the little ones, Taronga Zoo presents a world of wonder for all ages. And if one day isn’t enough, why not stay a little longer with the Roar & Snore package, where visitors can pitch a safari style tent in the central part of the zoo and wake up with the animals to stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
taronga.org.au