Young Henrys, NewtownCredit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying the beer at Young Henrys bar and brewery in Newtown.
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When the madness of Christmas is behind you and the fireworks of Sydney’s iconic New Years Eve have faded, what better way to take a load off and relax into a Sydney Summer than taking a trip to the Inner West Ale Trail.
As the undisputed craft beer capital of Sydney, the Inner West Ale Trail boasts 18 independent breweries spanning six suburbs within a 5km radius – Marrickville, Newtown, St Peters, Camperdown, Enmore and Rozelle – with many of them just a short stroll in between.
The epicentre of Sydney’s indie beer boom, the Ale Trail bubbled up in the mid-2010s as craft-loving pilgrims followed paper maps and paths to new breweries in search of good times and great beer.
But it is more than just the amazing beer... The Trail also offers up some of Sydney’s best eats – from juicy burgers to fresh oysters, tasty vegan dishes to deep-fried Viennetta – along with non-beer options including cocktails, wine, ciders, seltzers and more.
Plus, there’s always something on with an exciting array of free events and deals happening across the Trail.
The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Marrickville Credit: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre
Ansett Bar, The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville
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The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Marrickville Credit: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre
Ansett Bar, The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville
Marrickville is home to 50 per cent of the breweries on the trail from the well-known The Grifter Brewing Co known for its retro aesthetic and fruity beers like the Serpent’s Kiss watermelon pilsner and Philter Brewing which resides in a converted abandoned yoghurt factory. There is also the award-winning Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre which takes punters a step back into the 1980s, just with better beer thanks to Hawke’s Brewing. The throwback venue is complete with retro RSL carpet, cricket commentary in the bathrooms and the Lucky Prawn Restaurant which specialises in 80s Aussie-Chinese.
One of the Trail’s biggest breweries is hiding down a tiny lane with a not so tiny beer garden, Sauce Brewing Co. is perfect for families and dogs. Meanwhile, Batch Brewing Co does it for the locals by slinging iconic beers such as Marrickville Pale Ale and is often used as the first stop for Trailers!
Forget modern beer trends and fads Wildflower Brewing & Blending brews barrel-aged Old-World styles with wild yeasts collected from native flowers. While Mixtape Brewing & Bar which has something for everyone and is part brewhouse, part community club house fixed with retro game machines and then there’s Pickled Monkey Brewing Co. which boasts 24 taps in its Groundfloor brewpub. To round out the Marrickville leg there is Kicks Brewing with its friendly neighbourhood taproom bar, full of good vibes and stylish touches.
Just up the road in St Peters is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s favourite watering hole, Willie the Boatman brewery. Albo is such a super fan, that he even lends his face to their famous Albo pale ale.
Brickworks Brewing is right by St Peters station which serves up 12 beers in a myriad of styles and just up the road are the two new kids on the block Future Brewing which opened in 2023 and Chuck & Son’s Brewing Co which has been opened by none other than Chuck Hahn (‘the godfather of Aussie craft beer’) and the brewer behind James Squire, Malt Shovel and Hahn Brewery.
In Newtown lives an Inner West institution Young Henrys. A rock ‘n’ roll den and local clubhouse famous for their flagship Newtowner Pale Ale – not only an Inner West favourite, but a favourite all around Sydney.
Around the corner in Rozelle in the heart of the Balmain peninsula is White Bay Brewery, located in a rustic 150-year-old steel mill fitted with an industrial beet hall, perfect for a summer afternoon with friends.
Wayward Brewing Co. is Camperdown’s craft brewery which includes 24 taps of award-winning brews, limited editions and their own W Seltzer range. And finally in Enmore lives Australia’s first brewing co-op – Hopsters Co-operative Brewery. Democratically funded and run by its members but open to everyone, this relaxed beer bar haven serves Hopsters’ own brews alongside an ever-changing array of guest taps.
Bracket Brewing is the Trail’s 18th brewery – which will open later this year.
Young Henrys, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying the beer at Young Henrys bar and brewery in Newtown.
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Young Henrys, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying the beer at Young Henrys bar and brewery in Newtown.
More Inspirational Stories
Bondi to Manly Walk, Bondi BeachCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Bondi Beach, Sydney.
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From sun-drenched beach swims to surprising new ways to play, Sydney's golden days are extraordinary – throughout spring, summer and well beyond. Here’s a guide on how to make the most of the city’s stunning rays.
Become part of the harbour’s sparkle
Let Sydney Harbour fill you with inspiration as light dances across the harbour’s surface on an early-morning adventure with Ozpaddle, or take your place on the water on a boat adventure with EastSail or My Sydney Boat. If you’d prefer to stay ashore, enjoy long, sunny days exploring the harbour’s secret beaches and islands, then roll into twilight and wonder at the city’s glittering skyline. Come nightfall, relish in the harbour backdrop as you dive into world-class events at the Sydney Opera House and world-class dining at Bennelong.
Reconnect with nature at sunrise
Wake up with the animals at the Roar & Snore accommodation experience at Taronga Zoo, salute the sun with a free Yoga Under the Bridge class or ease into the day with a stand-up paddleboarding adventure from Manly Kayak Centre. Back on land, see the sandstone cliffs and world-famous beaches on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, enjoying the cafes and kiosks along the way, or head inland to Lake Parramatta, Western Sydney Parklands or Ku-ring-gai National Park for a gentle meander through lush bushland.
Sydney Harbour Boat Tours, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
With Sydney Harbour Boat Tours, discover the hidden gems on Sydney Harbour. Small-group personalised experiences where you will see wildlife including whales, dolphins and seals. Stop in at secluded national park bays and beaches.
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Sydney Harbour Boat Tours, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
With Sydney Harbour Boat Tours, discover the hidden gems on Sydney Harbour. Small-group personalised experiences where you will see wildlife including whales, dolphins and seals. Stop in at secluded national park bays and beaches.
Taronga Zoo, Mosman Credit: Destination NSW
Resident giraffes at Taronga Zoo, Mosman in Sydney.
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Taronga Zoo, Mosman Credit: Destination NSW
Resident giraffes at Taronga Zoo, Mosman in Sydney.
Drift off to the sounds of the sea
Sun, surf and sunshine make every beach holiday worthwhile – but it’s staying in laidback luxury that make a Sydney holiday sing. Kick back and relax at Lilypad Palm Beach, a floating villa surrounded by the beauty of Palm Beach and/or dine or wine at Jonah’s Whale Beach, after a day spent exploring the Northern Beaches peninsula. Post sunset, soak up views of Sydney’s sparkling harbour from the comfort of your suite at Pier One Sydney Harbour, Four Seasons Hotel, W Sydney, Sebel Quay West, or Ovolo Woolloomooloo.
Be revitalised by a new rush
Feel on top of the world as you climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an Aboriginal storyteller on BridgeClimb’s Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience. Take a scenic Sydney Seaplanes flight, then learn to surf in Bondi or Manly – the sweeping views between these two seaside suburbs are worth checking out on one of Sydney’s most epic trails: the Bondi to Manly Walk. Head south of the city to Cronulla for more incredible surfing, plus access to the jaw-dropping 26km Coast Track through the Royal National Park. Here you can continue your adventures by mountain bike riding the Loftus loop trail, or hiring a canoe or kayak from Audley Boat Shed.
Make the most of the long, warm nights
The energy is electric come nightfall in Sydney, as a balmy breeze casts its spell across the city. Assemble your crew for drinks with a view at Henry Deane, Smoke, Aster or Opera Bar, or clink glasses in YCK Laneways’ secret speakeasies. Then make the most of Sydney’s jam-packed calendar of sporting events, theatre shows and live music, or head to the Inner West for a headline gig at the Enmore Theatre, NSW's longest-running theatre. Afterwards, debrief over a late-night feast in Darling Quarter (near Darling Harbour) or Chinatown.
Lilypad, Palm Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Couple lounging on the dock of the Lilypad enjoying the calm waters in Palm Beach.
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Lilypad, Palm Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Couple lounging on the dock of the Lilypad enjoying the calm waters in Palm Beach.
Sydney Seaplanes, Rose Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a pre-flight champagne before departing on their Sydney Seaplanes experience from Rose Bay, Sydney.
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Sydney Seaplanes, Rose Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a pre-flight champagne before departing on their Sydney Seaplanes experience from Rose Bay, Sydney.
Revive your spirit in soothing waters
With a plethora of beaches between Cronulla and Palm Beach, Sydney is a saltwater playground for every swimmer. Strap on your snorkel and immerse yourself in the marine wonderland of Cabbage Tree Bay or get your wildlife fix on dry land at Cape Solander, where whales migrate past the soaring sandstone escarpment (peak season is around June and July). When it’s time to just kick back and rejuvenate, make it your mission to visit each of the city’s outdoor pools, stunning oceanside swimming spots, many of which have been spectacularly carved into the rock.
Plate up new memories
Match these shiny days with memorable foodie experiences across the city. Savour fresh seafood at the Sydney Fish Market, enjoy a long lunch on the water at Catalina, dine al fresco on the Woolloomooloo wharf or let your tastebuds guide you through Chinatown, where there’s an incredible mix of cuisines from Cantonese to Korean barbecue, plus cocktails and excellent yum cha.
Let curiosity lead you out of town
With so many incredible holiday hubs within easy reach of the city, why not savour a scenic day trip? Journey south and follow the Grand Pacific Drive across the Sea Cliff Bridge for a memorable day on the South Coast. Head north and beach hop along the Central Coast or west to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains for a day of wild walks, grand gardens, and cable-car adventures.
Beyond Skyway, Katoomba Credit: Cam Jones Imagery
Man atop the Scenic Skyway cabin as part of the Beyond Skyway experience at Scenic World, Katoomba.
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Beyond Skyway, Katoomba Credit: Cam Jones Imagery
Man atop the Scenic Skyway cabin as part of the Beyond Skyway experience at Scenic World, Katoomba.
Mahon Pool, Maroubra Credit: Destination NSW
Swimmers enjoying Mahon Pool, Maroubra.
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Mahon Pool, Maroubra Credit: Destination NSW
Swimmers enjoying Mahon Pool, Maroubra.