Spectacular Sydney! Sea, surf, sky, and sights

, , Comments Off on Spectacular Sydney! Sea, surf, sky, and sights

Sydney is one of the world’s most spectacular cities with a sparkling harbor, lovely waterfront, gorgeous Sydney Opera House, and iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, all the while offering outstanding museums and great food. A swim at Bondi Beach or ferry to Manly makes for a quintessential Aussie experience.  

We enjoyed a week in Syndey January 2023, exploring and visiting friends!

One of Sydney’s key sights is Sydney Opera House, a World Heritage-listed building and Australia’s most recognizable landmark. Designed like a yacht’s billowing white sails, the Opera House has a commanding presence on the harbor. You can experience the building with a tour or a show in one of the five performance spaces.  

Another key sight is Sydney Harbour Bridge. Known as the giant “coathanger” by locals, the Sydney Bridge has spanned the harbor since 1932. 

Manly Beach

We caught a 30 minute ferry to Manly Beach to explore the outer harbor and beach. The view of the Sydney Opera House as the ferry glides us past its billowing sails is terrific. 

The ferry dropped us off at Manly, one of Sydney’s best surf towns, and from there, we walked along the coast to Shelly Beach’s beautiful overlook.
Pause to read the verse and pray at the Shelly Beach overlook: “Mightier than the thunder of many waters, Mightier than the waters of the sea, The Lord on High is Mighty” Psalm 93:4. God is always greater than any of our troubles.

Manly’s beach is wide and a popular place to laze and surf in the summer days. The Manly Surf School, since 1983, offers lessons for beginners to seasoned surfers.

Right off the ferry is a great bakery! Sonoma Bakery has terrific sourdough bread and croissants, perfect to go along with juicy peaches, sweet mangos, and ripe avocados from the fresh market a short walk north.

The Rocks

Back in Sydney, we explored The Rocks, meandering through the historic narrow lanes. We paused at one of the outdoor cafes for an expertly pulled long black. Can you see the Bridge in the background?

We like to write postcards and send them to family and friends.

We walked around the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney many times. Its close proximity to downtown made it easy to enjoy views of downtown and the harbour, smell the roses, and muse under the trees.

Scenic backdrop of The Rocks, historic wharf, and downtown

More photos with the Opera House and Sydney Bridge. 🙂

University of Sydney

University of Sydney, 1850, oldest university in Australia

Friends from Singapore, Jacqui and Gerrard showed us around historic Sydney Uni where Gerrard works.

Coastal walk from Bronte to Watsons Bay

Gorgeous clifftops! A paved path connects the beaches along the coast of Sydney including Bronte Beach to Bondi to Watsons Bay.  
Kelsi overlooks Bondi Icebergs, one of the most photographed pools in the world. The spectacular ocean pool along the shore of Bondi Beach was established more than 100 years ago and is open to the public.
Keri at Macquarie Lighthouse, 1818, the first lighthouse in Australia and still used today. 
Fantastic view of downtown Sydney from Watsons Bay

Refuel with fish and chippery at Doyles on the Beach at Watsons Bay for panoramic city views.

Delightful cafes

Nice times with Jacqui and her daughter Bianca

Black Pastry Star, home to the famously aromatic rose strawberry-watermelon cake, described by The New York Times as, “Australia’s most Instagrammed dessert”. It is as delicious as it is beautiful.

Enjoying Australia’s amazing summer produce!! Mangos, peaches, broccolini, parsnips, leeks, black kale, herbs, tomatoes, carrots…

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Art Gallery of New South Wales with wonderful Impressionism, Cubism, and Australian landscape painting.

Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair

Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, offers beautiful views of the bay, Opera House, and city skyline. Sit at the chair and view the harbor like Elizabeth, wife of Governor Macquarie, did in 1812 and for whom the chair was named.

Running! Loved the sunny, dry weather with temps of 70s
Bourke Street Bakery! Delicious raspberry muffin, long black coffee, and cinnamon raisin sourdough bread easily became a regular treat post run.

More delicious food- Greek feta ricotta tiropita (pastry made with layers of buttered phyllo and filled with cheese) and a pistachio cream cruffin from Sweet Lu, a modern Chinese pastry shop

Right near our Airbnb in town were two great cafes- Skittle Lane and Industry Beans

Frida Kahlo exhibit

Enjoyed a special exhibit of Frida Kahlo, Mexican artist known for her many self-portraits, with an immersive, digital experience.