City of Romance

Description:

Steeped in history, this hotel began life in 1892 as Potts Point Mansion. Today, it is an excellent example of restored architectural heritage in quiet, leafy surroundings. Featuring small, yet luxurious boutique style, the rooms are well comfortable offering everything you need to relax and you will receive a warm and friendly welcome from the superb staff. From here you are within easy walking distance of the Royal Botanic Gardens and the city beyond. Offering an excellent location for exploring the delightful bays of the Eastern Suburbs, you will always plenty of atmosphere and tranquility in this beautiful area.

8 Challis Avenue, tel. 61 2 9356 2199

Trent van der Jagt, Sydney Local Expert

Our Local Expert Says:

You can't help but see it, and that's no bad thing, because it's beautiful.

Description:

Building the Harbour Bridge was a big deal back in the 20s and 30s, when it was being planned - half of Sydney's oldest and most historic area, the Rocks, had to be bulldozed, and that was just a start. Sydney needed its bridge: up til then it had gotten by with the dozens of ferries to-ing and fro-ing from the populous northside over to Sydney proper. And what a bridge it got, the spectacular 'Coat Hanger' (as the locals know it), as seen on a billion postcards.

Description:

For over thirty years the Summit has been a Sydney institution, officially opened by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1968. It was re-opened in November 1998 after a four-month refurbishment. Situated one hundred and sixty five metres above Sydney Harbour, as the world's largest revolving restaurant, it is the perfect place to view Sydney on a clear day. One can view the vista and sample the menu, which comprises a selection of 'Summit Classics' such as King Prawn Cocktail, Smoked Salmon Mousse and Duckling à l'orange.

Description:

Bodhi Resturant is the big sister of Bodhi café (which is to be found underneath Central Station). This is certainly a case of big-sister being cooler - Bodhi Resturant is a truly wonderful find, having a great menu and an even better location. The majority of the seating is outside, underneath shade canopies and while dinner is served, and is very good, yum cha is really the thing here, with friendly wait-staff bearing all kinds of tasty looking delicacies table to table. "Bring your own" wine, and there is a bar that does cocktails and beer.

Description:

The Royal Botanic Gardens makes up 30 hectares of parkland wrapping around Farm Cove. Ponds, walking paths, swimming pools, native plants and feature gardens make up most of this gorgeous parkland. Along the way you will also see a number of historic heritage listed structures and buildings which help add to the Sydney history and experience. Some other highlights include the Pyramid Glasshouse, Herb Garden, Fernery, and Rose Garden. It's impossible not to wan to explore the park in its entirety as it offers so much. The view Opera House and Harbor Bridge from Mrs Macquarie's Chair is a site to behold. The park also offers free admission and guided walking tours daily.

Mrs Macquaries Road, tel. 61 2 9231 8111

Trent van der Jagt, Sydney Local Expert

Our Local Expert Says:

An evening picnic out here is highly recommended.

Description:

Come here at dusk with a bottle of wine, and watch the sun set over [erhaps the finest view of Sydney city, from under the shadows of teh bridge, across the harbor, taking in the towers, the sails, and the Opera House.

There is a lovely little village behind where you can grab a bite to eat before you head down to the grass. Best access: the McMahons Point Ferry stop - grab a ferry from Circular Quay. And take the chance to develop a view on one of Sydney's most notorious developments: the oddly monolithic residential tower that sits right on the point.

Description:

The eponymous Bill is a well known cooking writer in Australia, known for his casual style, and mastery of al-fresco dining. Bills 1 is nearby, in Darlinghurst and is well known for breakfasts, and it is worth seeking out too. Bills 2 is a little more expensive than the average café, but then the food has a little more effort put into it too… Regulars swear by the signature ricotta hotcakes and corn fritters, not to mention the creamiest scrambled eggs in Sydney. This is a great spot to people watch - in the heart of bohemian/trendy Crown Street - and eat Sydney's most celebrated breakfast.

Description:

Owner Angie Honh was one of the first restaurateurs to venture from noodle soup to offering a full Vietnamese menu. Habitually busy, especially on weekends, people come from all over the city to sample these dishes. The staff is friendly and the service excellent. The menu includes Barbecue Beef with Vermicelli, Prawn Salad, and Fried Pancake, and some French-style dishes such as Frog's Legs and Quails.

Description:

Hot air ballooning. Nothing compares to it. The eerie silence, the pre-dawn murkiness, the increasing altitude, the awakening day, the privileged perspective, and the sense of earthly release. An hour's drive west of Sydney, before the undulating hills grow steep and turn 'blue', the weekend sky can be littered with giant, elongated spheres of colour seemingly suspended in the crisp country air.
You need to get to Camden airport, or be picked up at your city hotel. Either way it's an early start. Before dawn. Tea and coffee. Depending on your lung capacity, you can help with the inflating or stand back and be carried away to another world.
You're aloft for about an hour or so, reaching 1,500 feet. On clear mornings, you might be the first person to see the sun hit the continent. Then as day breaks, the landscape emerges; Blue Mountains to the west, rolling rural pasture beneath, and looking east, fringes of Sydney and even outlines of the city's skyline.
On coming back down to earth, breakfast is served. It's amazing what adrenaline does to your appetite. Offers of optional champagne are often taken up, even by non-drinkers. Hot air ballooning. Nothing compares to it. read more