I have lived in Sydney for 10 months.

Beaches, Parks, and Nature

Manly-to-Spit Bridge Coastal Trail – Exquisite six-mile path winding through thickets of gum trees and along seaview cliffs, secluded beaches, and Aboriginal landmarks.

Since it's long, bring water and a TGA-approved (Australia-safe) sunscreen with a high SPF.

Gordon's Bay – Glittering Eastern Beaches cove whose turquoise waters, frequently topped with pool floats shaped like flamingos and camper vans, evoke a tropical lagoon.

The other lovely beaches and bays of the Bondi-to-Coogee trail are also worth exploring.

The Lavender Bay Parklands and Wendy's Secret Garden – Secluded hillside green above an old railway line and marina, featuring landscaping by local arts figure Wendy Whiteley.

Marrinawi Cove – Newly opened limestone swimming hole along the northern Barangaroo nature reserve. It's a playful take on urban regeneration that feels very Sydney.

Royal Botanic Garden – Dramatic park unlike any other. Set between the CBD, the Domain, and quieter Woolloomooloo, it offers native flora alongside bridge and opera-house vistas.

Hyde Park –

Parsley Bay Bridge –

Camp Cove –

Hermitage Foreshore Track –

ABC Pool "leisure pool" – Seawater public pool whose location, adjacent to the Domain and perched over Woolloomooloo Bay, gives it an atmosphere as dramatic as any luxury hotel pool.

Cultural Attractions

The Rocks –

Grounds of Alexandria –

Eastern Suburbs terrace-house streets –

Coca-Cola sign –

Sydney Opera House –

Oxford House Pool Bar –

Museum of Contemporary Art –

Forgotten Songs –

Wedge Gallery at Kinokuniya –

Potts Point Deco streets –

Restaurants

The Butler –

Fred's –

Ms G –

Challis Avenue –

Celsius Coffee Co. –

Bills (Darlinghurst location) – Whitewashed, sun-filled birthplace of brunch culture as the world knows it today, including some associated staples, like upmarket avocado toast.

Mr Wong –

The Apollo –

Cho Cho San –

Bar Totti's –

CBD –

Donut Papi –

Mimi's/Will's –

AP Bakery – at Paramount House Hotel

Lucky Kwong – Cafeteria-style spot serving accessible, lunch-friendly takes on the Australian-native-ingredient-driven Sichuan cuisine that owner/chef Kylie Kwong is famous for.

Eastern Suburbs Italian eateries – including Sagra, A Tavola, Buffalo Dining Club, Marta

Chinatown –

Chin Chin –

Bars

Shady Pines Saloon –

Big Poppa's –

The Lobo –

Maybe Sammy –

Shops

IN BED –

The Intersection – including Maggie Marilyn, Oroton, Lee Mathews, Zimmermann, Flannel, and (in area), Aje, Bassike

Helen Kaminski – mention arcades in general

Nonna's Grocer –

Maison Balzac –