What's Worth It
Where to stay
Shangri La Hotel
Situated in the Historic Rocks District at the very heart of bustling Sydney, this property offers far more than just a place to rest. Furnished with comfort and elegance in mind, rooms and suites alike are adorned with native flora and dappled with azure blues. Drenched in sunshine, the Grand Premier Sydney Harbor Room provides an exquisite view of the icon you came here to see, while the rich cappuccino interior of the Horizon Club Royal Suite offers a panorama of the city’s very best. Surrounded by some of Australia’s finest restaurants and museums, reach the world-renowned Sydney Opera House by foot in just 15-minutes, or golden Bondi Beach by car in under 30.
Park Hyatt Sydney
In one of the most iconic cities on earth, experience a hidden world nestled at the feet of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Decadent with warm hues, soft lighting, and plush furniture, find solace in a refined atmosphere designed for privacy and coveted for location. Amidst the buzz of Sydney’s magnetic energy, let luxury come to you in a haven where contemporary Australian art meets quintessential, floor-to-ceiling views of a vista you won’t soon forget.
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney
Treat yourself to a little extra elbow room in one of the city’s largest suites, suited with an extra deep bathtub and access to a private business class lounge. With a contemporary and chic interior, yet featuring an original 19th century sandstone façade and a history just as dated, this 5-star property sits where the sun meets the sea, just footsteps from Sydney’s charming Harbor. Surrounded by luxury shopping, prestigious restaurants, and in close proximity to the Queen Victoria Building and Martin Place, this property once known as the Fairfax Newspaper Empire is now called home-away-from-home by visitors from every corner of the globe.
Things to do
Sydney Opera House
Guided by his modernist thinking, inspired by ancient architecture, and grounded in significance of place, Danish architect Jørn Utzon blew the competition away with his design for Australia’s new Opera House in 1956. From the ease of repetitive shell-shaped rooves to a three-year search for the perfect tile, this architectural feat mirrors the coastal cliffs and stark white sails of Sydney’s dazzling Harbor. Opened in 1973 and recognized today as one of the world’s greatest buildings, The Sydney Opera house entertains over 1.5 million visitors annually inside its concert halls, lavishly outfitted in harmonious hues of cream and gold.
Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk
For those in the mood for a little exercise, a lot of sunshine, and a bounty of dramatic coastal landscapes, lace up your sneakers and follow the 3.8 mile stretch across walkways, boardwalks, and strips of golden sand alongside five of Australia’s most renowned beaches. Beginning in Bondi and stretching across Tamarama, Bronte, Waverley, Clovelly, Gordons Bay, and Coogee Beach, the trail takes roughly three hours one-way depending on pace, with a surplus of shaded outlooks, cafes, and restroom facilities along the way.
Wildlife and Sealife Sydney
One of the best ways to experience Australia is to meet some of its many native species found nowhere else on earth. Come face-to-face with a mammoth saltwater crocodile, attend a Tasmania Devil Keeper Talk, and enter the Walk-About Exhibit to see western grey kangaroos, wallabies, and princess parrots behave as they would in the wild. Visit the Koala rooftop area in the morning when they are most active, marvel at the vibrant reef abundant with tropical fish, and watch an array of the world’s largest aquarium sharks swim overheard in Shark Valley.
The Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves
Only one-hour outside of Sydney, spend the day away where an expanse of unspoiled wilderness stretches as far as the eye can see. Canopies of eucalyptus trees emitting oil droplets mingle with the water vapor of neighboring waterfalls to create short rays of light predominately blue in color. Enjoy the serenity of The Blue Mountain Range’s valleys and plateaus to your heart’s content or descend a little deeper into one of 11 accessible caverns along The Jenolan Cave network to explore crystal formations, underground rivers, and caves galore.
Where to eat
Hunter and Barrel
Take a seat where an open fire and signature rotisseries meet a highly refined menu of barrel-aged liquors. Inspired by the tradition and boldness of the Hunt, select-cuts of meat include slow roasted tender beef rib, charred Kransky sausage, spit cooked chicken, and skewered Tasmanian kangaroo accompanied with sides of seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood. Poured from matured oak barrels and straight from the tap, enjoy your server’s recommendation of an aged cocktail, fat-washed spirit, craft beer, or boutique wine while absorbing the rustic ambience of an authentic Australian Steakhouse.
Bondi Icebergs Club
Conveniently located between Coogee and Bondi Beach, the dining room remains somewhat of a hidden gem despite the international attention of one of Sydney’s most photogenic trademarks: the Bondi Bath pools. Primarily serving members, this club also welcomes visitors at a minimal fee, offering stunning terrace views of the roaring Pacific aligned with their favorited espresso martini and fresh oysters. The dining room, a laid-back bistro-style experience in a sophisticated atmosphere, encourages the hungry, sun-kissed explorer to indulge in a blend of Italian flavors, artisanal produce, and sustainably-harvested local seafood.
360 Bar & Dining
With over fifteen years in the industry and known for his unique flair, Executive Chef Elton Inglis brings seasonally-inspired Australian dishes with subtle European influences to the table. He prides himself in crafted recipes as vibrant as they are flavorful and a curated 300+ wine list selected from around the globe; but this isn’t all that sets his restaurant apart. In the 360-degree revolving peak of the 19-story-tall Sydney Tower Eye, enjoy a true fine-dining experience or pop in after hours for a cocktail in the clouds, all with a bird’s eye view.
