LakesideChick

Hi everyone

I will be in Sydney for 5 days in April, left to my own devices during the day while my partner is at work. Ive been to Sydney before and climbed the bridge / done a harbour cruise / been to Watson Bay etc, and while I will relive some of these experiences, I am looking for some more off-the-beaten track ideas. I wont have a car but happy to use trains to do day trips. Any thoughts?

Bokhara2

Hi LakesideChick,

If you like walking, there are some great opportunities for short and longer walks. One of my favourites is Bondi to Bronte (or Coogee for a slightly longer stroll). Manly (30 mins on the ferry from Circular Quay) is another nice spot.
Nice walks along the beach - north to Queenscliff or around to Shelley Beach.

Here are a couple of links to what's on in April
http://www.bcl.com.au/sydney/wotson-april.htm

Art: http://artmonthsydney.com/
The Archibald, Wynne & Sulman exhibitions are on at the Art Gallery of NSW. Always controversial, well worth a look if you're interested in art. Often of equal or greater interest is the "Salon des Refuses" at the SH Irwin gallery on Observatory Hill,http://artmonthsydney.com/exhibition...n-des-refuses/ and the satirical "Bald Archys" http://www.lookforward.com.au/Pages/...e-697a297b90f9

Paddington/Woolahra/Surry Hills in the Eastern Suburbs are interesting areas for browsing art galleries, fashion, antiques, architecture with lots of little corner pubs offering very good food. http://www.fourinhand.com.au/

Newtown in the inner West(about 15 mins from Wynyard in a bus) is fun; very eclectic and wall-to-wall cheap & cheerful eats of every ethnicity.

Take a ferry to Balmain - walk up Darling Street (or take the bus). Funky fashion & homewares, coffee shops, pubs.

http://www.sydney.com/area/Balmain.aspx

LakesideChick

Bokhara, thank you so very much, awesome ideas and I wouldnt have thought up any of them myself! Thank you for your time

Bokhara2

My pleasure, LakesideChick. Where's home for you? I'm sure you'd be able to give just as many hints for a Sydneysider visiting your place.

Just thought of something else you might like: Take the ferry to Kirribilli and have a wander around there. Charming area with lots of lovely terraces & cottages - then walk under the bridge to Ripples for a coffee/lunch. Ripples at Milsons Point
www.ripplescafe.com.au

McMahons Point is just up the hill & about 10 mins walk (turn left)
and there are some interesting galleries etc., along Blues Point Road.

LakesideChick

Adelaide is home for me, so if you ever want tips about the Barossa, the Hills or the coast, give me a yell I didnt know you could even go to Kirribilli, thought that was just for the PM!!I am going to have a fabulous week, thanks to you!

Bokhara2

Thanks, I'm thinking about a trip to Port Lincoln & Coffin Bay next month, so might just do that . I'll post again when I sort out dates etc. Enjoy your week here.

If you're interested in theatre, The Ensemble is in Kirribilli & its restaurant has lovely water views. http://www.ensemble.com.au/2010/Home.html

lavandula

Hi, I just wanted to echo Bokhara2's suggestion of Paddington / Woollahra for shopping; you might like to start from the corner of Ocean St and Queen St in Woollahra (small shopping centre with cafes, antique shops, boutiques, etc), walking the length of Queen St towards Oxford St, and then from there into Paddington. You would probably need a hot chocolate for strength from Max Brenner by then (specialty cafe-chain selling chocolate products but mostly drinks), and if it's Saturday, the Paddington Bazaar is open (trendy market with fashion, art, gourmet food). You can then keep walking towards the city - it's an incredibly long way but there are interesting shops until Darlinghurst, where quirky gives way to seedy (OK, some people like the seedy bit, I don't). You can of course catch a bus at any point which would take you back to the city. To get to Queen St, catch a train to Edgecliff and then take the 200 bus towards Bondi Junction. Ask the driver where to get off. If the bus isn't running, as it runs limited hours, you could just walk from the station. It's a longish walk but a pretty one due to the arcade of plane trees along Ocean St and surrounding streets.

Lavandula

LakesideChick

Thanks a million, I really like walking when I am exploring a new place so your suggestions are fabulous for me!

Bokhara2

Here's a good website to check out art galleries & exhibitions.

http://www.artwhatson.com.au/newsletter/100304412.html