Essentials
Woolworths Metro Surry Hills
413-417 Bourke StDecent sized supermarket
Woolworths Metro Central
302-306 Elizabeth StEasiest to go to while coming back from Central.
Closest supermarket but on small side. If you want quality over price though go here. We often get pre packed sandwiches etc. Bakery good too but sells out of product
160 locals recommend
Maloneys Grocer
214 Coogee Bay RdClosest supermarket but on small side. If you want quality over price though go here. We often get pre packed sandwiches etc. Bakery good too but sells out of product
Light rail stop. Best for going into CBD/Opera House and Bridge, or go the other way for the SCG and Centennial Park.
Surry Hills
Light rail stop. Best for going into CBD/Opera House and Bridge, or go the other way for the SCG and Centennial Park.
Main train station if you want to go to Bondi, CBD, Harbour Bridge, North Sydney, Olympic Park, regional etc. Easy walk down Cooper street.
76 locals recommend
Central Station, Elizabeth St, Stand E
Main train station if you want to go to Bondi, CBD, Harbour Bridge, North Sydney, Olympic Park, regional etc. Easy walk down Cooper street.
Parks & Nature
Kids love the park. Lots of green grass. Otherwise head to Centennial Park (but a bit longer walk)
272 locals recommend
Prince Alfred Park
Chalmers StreetKids love the park. Lots of green grass. Otherwise head to Centennial Park (but a bit longer walk)
Centennial Park
15 Locked BagLong walk, peace and quiet, good run
Must go. If you are fit you can go for an early morning run here. If you run/walk there, go via Riley Street, down Oxford through Hyde Park, cut in behind St Mary’s cathedral. Otherwise catch light rail / train to Circular Quay.
204 locals recommend
Mrs Macquarie's Chair
1d Mrs Macquaries Rd Must go. If you are fit you can go for an early morning run here. If you run/walk there, go via Riley Street, down Oxford through Hyde Park, cut in behind St Mary’s cathedral. Otherwise catch light rail / train to Circular Quay.
Worth making effort on warm day. Easy to drive. Snorkelling, sunbathing, swimming laps.
232 locals recommend
Clovelly Beach
Worth making effort on warm day. Easy to drive. Snorkelling, sunbathing, swimming laps.
Excellent walk from Tamarama beach to Bondi. Tamarama beach is more of a locals beach. The water is much more dangerous to swim.
264 locals recommend
Tamarama Beach
Excellent walk from Tamarama beach to Bondi. Tamarama beach is more of a locals beach. The water is much more dangerous to swim.
Rip Curl Bondi
82 Campbell ParadeGo here if you want to hire a good surfboard.
The north end of Bondi beach is the safest surf end (most of the time). Good surfers go south end (or more likely another beach). Usually better parking at the north end too..
North Bondi Beach
The north end of Bondi beach is the safest surf end (most of the time). Good surfers go south end (or more likely another beach). Usually better parking at the north end too..
Manly Beach
Catch train/light rail to Circular quay and then get ferry to Manly.
Hyde Park
Elizabeth StreetNice way to walk into CBD
Good playground (flying fox, skate bowl) but keep wits as adjacent to housing commission. We have never had a problem there but we know it’s not for everyone.
6 locals recommend
Ward Park
57 Marlborough StGood playground (flying fox, skate bowl) but keep wits as adjacent to housing commission. We have never had a problem there but we know it’s not for everyone.
Shannon Reserve
Crown StreetSmall kids playground with plenty coffee shops nearby.
Food Scene
Holt Street
Holt StreetLocal street with good restaurants and coffee
Crown Street
Crown StreetMain Street in surry hills. Full of bars shops restaurants cafes.
Foveaux Street
Foveaux StreetLocal street with range of takeaway and restaurants and bars
Gelato Messina Surry Hills
389 Crown Stmust see ice-cream shop
Bourke Street
Bourke StreetMore cafes and pubs
Chinatown
A typical “China town”. Restaurants, supermarkets, dollar stores etc.
Forrester's
336 Riley StMainstream pub.
Shakespeare Hotel
200 Devonshire StLocals pub.
Button Bar
65 Foveaux StCocktail bar around the corner.
501 George St
501 George StreetExcellent Japanese food court. Good stop for lunch on way back from CBD.
The Dolphin Hotel
412 Crown StreetPub. Loud and crowded.
Bourke Street Bakery Surry Hills
633 Bourke StSelf explanatory
Humble Bakery
50 Holt StExcellent bakery and good coffee
Fantastic Italian…little different to what you may expect. Excellent morning coffee too.
Mark and Vinny's Spaghetti & Spritz
38-52 Waterloo StFantastic Italian…little different to what you may expect. Excellent morning coffee too.
Armorica
Expensive but good atmosphere and good
Bar Conte
Excellent for a cocktail. Good service. Excellent spot for people watching
Considered touristy by locals but we always like to go. Can’t beat the view.
78 locals recommend
Cafe Sydney
31 Alfred StConsidered touristy by locals but we always like to go. Can’t beat the view.
Shopping
Shopping Mall
Westfield
Market StreetLarge shopping mall
Westfield Bondi Junction
500 Oxford StShopping mall
Neighbourhoods
Main Sydney street. Full of bars, takeaway, shopping, theatres, people. It goes from Central Station all the way to Circular Quay (Harbour Bridge / Opera House).
George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Main Sydney street. Full of bars, takeaway, shopping, theatres, people. It goes from Central Station all the way to Circular Quay (Harbour Bridge / Opera House).
A “Where you go to be seen” scene of restaurants and bars.
Abercrombie Ln, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
A “Where you go to be seen” scene of restaurants and bars.
Stanley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Italian strip of restaurants
Finger Wharf
6 Cowper Wharf RoadwayVery good restaurant strip. Best to book.
Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Nightclubs etc
Fiveways Paddington
239 Glenmore RdA couple of pubs and restaurants
Kings Cross
Night clubs and restaurants
Cinema and restaurant precinct with some shopping. A bit vanilla but consequently very family friendly.
Entertainment Quarter
Cinema and restaurant precinct with some shopping. A bit vanilla but consequently very family friendly.
Sightseeing
Taronga Zoo Sydney
Bradleys Head RoadCatch the ferry for the best experience
Make your way to a Theatre Bar for a drink. The venue can make it seem exclusive to get to them, but you will be welcomed if you are dressed neatly (check they are open). Otherwise go the Opera Bar which welcomes anyone but is not the same experience as sitting inside the house.
1998 locals recommend
Sydney Opera House
Make your way to a Theatre Bar for a drink. The venue can make it seem exclusive to get to them, but you will be welcomed if you are dressed neatly (check they are open). Otherwise go the Opera Bar which welcomes anyone but is not the same experience as sitting inside the house.
The Rocks Discovery Museum
Kendall LaneIt’s where Sydney was founded.
City advice
Getting around
GoGet car hire
GoGet is an easy way to hire a car. But you need to register a few days before you need it the first time. Once registered it’s very easy with a lot of cars nearby.