Chris Carroll - Sydney Precincts: A Curated Guide to the Citys Best Shops, Eateries, Bars and Other Hangouts

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and copyright holders.

CONTENTS

Welcome to Sydney Precincts; a guide to the best venues this glorious city has to offer. Broken into 19 precincts, this book will give you an insider look into some of Sydneys best suburbs and what makes them so stellar.

Think of this book as a collection of amazing, intriguing, sometimes unexpected, but jaw-droppingly awesome places to eat, drink, shop and play. The hardest part about authoring this book was having a limited number of pages to try and squeeze in all of the venues I wanted to include! Sydney is like no other city in the world. Its harbour is breathtaking at every turn and its stunning natural beauty, Harbour Bridge, headlands, yachts, marinas, and surf beaches make it cosmopolitan with a view.

In each precinct Ive also interviewed a local who knows their suburb inside out. They reveal their fave places to hang out, so that you know where the locals go.

The suburbs of Sydney are like an extended family; theyre all intertwined and uniquely different. Diversity is king here. The kind of day youll have at Bondi Beach is worlds apart from the day youll have in Newtown. As you travel youll come to find the precinct that you feel most at home in.

You might even, as I have, hold a love for several pockets and for different reasons. Ive lived and worked in almost all of these precincts and if theres one thing Ive learnt, its that no suburb has it all. And I kinda like it that way.

Getting around doesnt have to be confusing, and in most cases public transport is your best bet, with ferries being both a transport means and a spectacular way to sightsee.

And if you get stuck, ask a local. Sydneysiders (for the most part) are on the ball when it comes to getting around. Theyve experienced all the different modes of public transport, they can tell you when youre better off walking rather than waiting in traffic, and they know great places to stop for a coffee (we do a pretty good brew no matter what our Melbourne rivals might say!).

Its time to discover the best experiences Sydney has to offer. Enjoy!

Chris Carroll

For me, a fabulous Sydney day starts with brunch. But those of you who are into a far earlier rise will want to experience a killer breakfast. If theres one place to do that its at the beach. in Bondi is a good spot to start, followed by a walk along the iconic beach to see the famous lifesavers and surfers. Everyone around Bondi Beach will be exercising early, so sit on the sand of a morning and take in the scenery.

If you want to save your seaside adventure for later in the day, swing by in Double Bay and grab breakfast there. Its just as relaxed and there are some great retail outlets nearby if you want to pick up a pair of shoes.

Im addicted to home decor, so on a weekend morning youll find me popping my head into places like . They really cannot be beaten.

If youre into a faster-paced shopping experience and youve got your heart set on fashion finds, get the train to Town Hall and explore the QVB and Galleries Victoria. Not only are these buildings historic and artistic, but the shopping is just as worth a view. Hop over to nearby for some amazing designer fashion moments.

Lunch, especially if its sunny outside, calls for a trip to the harbour. You cant go past either fish and chips on the rooftop at at Sydney Opera House, which is a truly lavish experience right on the waterfront (and they do some tasty pizzas).

Wherever Ive lived, I always found a good spot to run, which has enabled me to discover the local picnic spots. Centennial Park is so mammoth youll be spoilt for choice in terms of where you lay down your picnic blanket. Sydney Park has also come leaps and bounds over the years and is a dog-lovers paradise. On your way to Sydney Park, grab some picnic fare from nearby Salt Meats Cheese. Or do the Botanic Gardens in the city and have an afternoon wine at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool.

If youre after an afternoon of culture, head to the the city.

An afternoon ferry trip to Manly or Rose Bay is the best way to admire the stunning harbour, Harbour Bridge, yachts and waterfront properties. Go a little further and have a bite to eat at .

For dinner, set your compass for either Surry Hills or Newtown. Surry Hills is easy to get to from the CBD and has many reliable haunts, like also puts on roaring times and has dinner options to boot!

The Inner West is full of amazing night spots, such as , both in Glebe, which is one of the few areas with no lockout laws (which means you can pub crawl or bar hop with ease).

Sydney is sure to put on a good show! Its all big lights and loads of razzle dazzle (especially of an evening), but underpinning that is a laid-back beach culture with a lot of history waiting to be uncovered. You just have to look for it.

CENTRAL SYDNEY

Sydney Opera House

This modernist masterpiece has a fascinating story behind it go on a guided tour to discover the inside story.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Walk across the bridge from The Rocks to Kirribilli for the best view in Sydney. Look away if youre scared of heights you can also walk to the top with a BridgeClimb.

GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW)

Housed in a stately old building, the gallery is famous for both its permanent collection and exhibitions. Come for Art After Hours if you can!

Museum of Contemporary Art

The MCA has recently had a major upgrade, and now features a boxy contemporary extension adjoining the original 1953 building.

Australian National Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is a nautical playground, with ships including old naval vessels and a replica of Cooks Endeavour moored next to the museum ready to be boarded.

Susannah Place Museum

The four terraces that house the Susannah Place Museum were built in 1844 and are some of the oldest in town. They are a remarkable glimpse into early life in Sydney.

ARTS, HISTORY & SPORTS

Royal Botanic Gardens and Government House

The Royal Botanic Gardens spans the harbour from the Sydney Opera House to the AGNSW and enfolds Government House. Dont miss the view from Lady Macquaries Chair.

Andrew Boy Charlton Pool

Boy, what a view! The pool is just down from AGNSW and overlooks Garden Island. Have an afternoon aperitif at the cafe.

Macquarie Street (Hyde Park Barracks, The Mint, State Library)

This is Sydneys power street, featuring Parliament House and offices of the rich and the influential. It also has some historical buildings, like Hyde Park Barracks (convict history done for kids), The Mint and the State Library of New South Wales (which often has great exhibitions). Sydney Museum is just off Macquarie Street.