Murray Rose Pool, Double BayCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk by Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay.
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Glitz and glamour come together with spectacular beaches and great food in Sydney’s chic eastern suburbs. Though the first neighbourhoods of the eastern suburbs are around five minutes by car from the city centre, the area feels like a world away with hidden ocean pools, leafy parks, breezy beachside bars and elegant shopping strips at every turn. Here’s how to spend your time.
Highlights:
- Take a dip in Sydney’s most famous beaches and ocean pools
- Walk the rugged clifftops on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Dine at intimate wine bars and buzzy beer gardens
Where to eat
Start the day with breakfast at local favourite Ruby’s Diner on Bronte Road, Waverley, a 15-minute drive from the city. The light, bright space has communal tables, outdoor seating and a nourishing clean-eating menu. If you’re staying in Bondi, grab your morning coffee from hole-in-the-wall café La Piadina and a bagel from Lox In A Box.
Yum cha has become a Sydney staple. Head to Fei Jai in Potts Point for dumplings and cocktails from noon every Saturday and Sunday. Not far away, on Macleay Street, tuck into authentic Italian from the daily blackboard menu at Fratelli Paradiso, or book dinner at Bistro Rex for contemporary French cuisine.
For a romantic supper in the terrace-house lined Paddington, try the small bar 10 William Street, with its thoughtful wine list and innovative Italian menu. Fred’s, on busy Oxford Street, masters the French bistro vibe and delicious desserts, while also on Oxford Street, Saint Peter serves sustainable sourced Australian seafood prepared and served to perfection.
In Woollahra, the next suburb east of Paddington, farm-to-table favourite Chiswick has an elegant greenhouse feel with seamless service and a hearty menu with many ingredients sourced from its kitchen garden. A pretty spot for a coffee in Woollahra is the Parisian courtyard at Café Parterre behind Parterre homewares, with French garden chairs and potted citrus trees.
In Bondi, a 20-minute drive from the city, dinner options are abundant. Book well in advance for Totti’s and tuck into a bowl of pasta and wood-grilled meats beneath the olive trees. Or join the A-listers at Icebergs Restaurant and Bar dining on regional Italian cuisine while overlooking Bondi’s golden crescent of sandy beach.
Where to drink
On Coogee beach, a 20-minute drive from the city, don’t miss bar and dining mainstay, Coogee Pavilion. It’s housed in the historic former Coogee swimming baths and aquarium, completed around 1887. At ‘The Pav’, relax in the expansive family-friendly casual dining area, or for grown-ups, head upstairs to the summerhouse-style rooftop bar with its panorama of the beach.
A 10-minute drive further east along the coastline, the Pavilion Beachfront Maroubra has a laid-back feel and Summer Sessions from 4pm every weekend, where you can lounge outside on blue bean bags with a beer.
Harbourside, sip an Aperol spritz on the balcony at Catalina overlooking Rose Bay, a 15-minute drive from the city centre, or head further along New South Head Road and have a drink and fish and chips at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, nestled among a natural wonderland of parks and harbour beaches at Watsons Bay.
For a classic suburban pub, The DOG in Randwick, overlooking the coast above Coogee, has a hearty pub menu and lots of inviting spaces for an afternoon ale. Or head to the historic Charing Cross Hotel in Waverley, which has a stylish interior, sunny beer garden and solid selection of craft beers on tap.
Oxford Art Factory in Darlinghurst, on the fringe of the city centre, is the place to go for live music, which presents a stellar line up of international and local acts. Or check out the gig guide at Hordern Pavilion at the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter.
Chiswick Restaurant, Woollahra Credit: Destination NSW
Head Chef Tom Haynes in his kitchen at Chiswick Restaurant, Woollahra in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
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Chiswick Restaurant, Woollahra Credit: Destination NSW
Head Chef Tom Haynes in his kitchen at Chiswick Restaurant, Woollahra in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney CBD from Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay.
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Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney CBD from Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay.
Where to shop
In Paddington, head to The Intersection, the tree-lined point where Glenmore Road meets Oxford Street. The stylish enclave is home to high-end Australian designer boutiques, niche art galleries and hole-in-the-wall cafes. Start at Jackies Café with a lazy sunlit brunch in its leafy courtyard.
For all the big brands under one roof, Westfield Bondi Junction is one of the biggest retail centres in Australia and offers high-end services such as valet parking and personal styling. The centre houses Australia’s leading retailers and more than 320 specialty stores, including designer names such as Chanel, Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton.
Bondi Junction’s surf-loving neighbour, Bondi Beach is all about the boutiques, with signature retailers like Bondi Wash, Hope & May, Nimble Activewear and Commune emulating the laidback lifestyle.
Where to play
Get outside in the city’s greatest green space, Centennial Parklands. The 360-hectare swathe of undulating parkland and woods encompasses Centennial Park, Queens Park and Moore Park. In these three interlinked parks you can enjoy multiple outdoor activities, including horse riding at the Equestrian Centre, cycling, rollerblading, football, cricket — or just long, rambling strolls. Stop at Centennial Homestead for a meal, milkshake or glass of bubbles on the deck and watch children race around on the grassy slopes.
Along the 6km Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, you can cool off in one of the five beaches along the route or have a dip in the little oasis that is Gordons Bay, around the bend from Clovelly. Swim in picture-perfect ocean pools, including Bondi Icebergs, Bronte Baths, or heritage-listed McIver’s Ladies Baths in Coogee.
Or spend an afternoon meandering around the inner-city oasis of Potts Point. This historic neighbourhood is strung by gorgeous Art Deco and Victorian architecture, interconnecting laneways and leafy streets. If you’re visiting on the weekend, be sure to stop by the Kings Cross Organic Food Market held here each Saturday and Sunday.
Where to stay
In the elegant harbourside village of Double Bay, with its designer boutiques, jewellers and coffee haunts, the InterContinental offers a serene and faultless stay. Relax with a drink poolside at the rooftop bar and on a sunny day, visit the nearby Murray Rose Pool or explore the laneway cafes.
For a glam beachside stay on Bondi Beach, top picks are QT Bondi or boutique hotel Ravesis. Ravesis has two levels of hotel suites above its lively corner bar and the highly photogenic rooms are decorated Palm Springs-style with putty pinks; ottomans to lounge on post-swim; and big beach views from petite Juliet balconies. And QT Bondi offers luxury holiday apartments right on the beach, with spacious rooms, 24-hour reception, free wifi and access to Speedo Fitness Club.
Closer to the city, Spicers Potts Point offers a mix of rooms and suites tucked into a trio of 1870s terrace houses, that evoke the feeling of staying in a grand home. The hotel offers a genuinely intimate stay with relaxed and personal service.
Gordons Bay, Coogee Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a morning visit to Gordons Bay, Coogee.
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Gordons Bay, Coogee Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a morning visit to Gordons Bay, Coogee.
Intercontinental Hotel, Double Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Guests relaxing by the rooftop pool at the Intercontinental Hotel, Double Bay.
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Intercontinental Hotel, Double Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Guests relaxing by the rooftop pool at the Intercontinental Hotel, Double Bay.
More Inspirational Stories
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, CorowaCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa.
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Feast on the riches of one of Australia’s most important food bowls on a road trip through the Murray, named after the mighty river that flows through this southwest area of New South Wales. Float down the river on a historic paddlesteamer wine cruise, stop by farm gates to sample incredible fresh produce, and dine at chic restaurants and bars in this unique culinary playground.
Take the back roads for gourmet treats
Head off the beaten path along The Backroads Trail, a 250km driving route that passes through the small pastoral towns of Barham, Moama, Mathoura and Deniliquin on the upper reaches of the Murray River. Sink your teeth into fresh olives, avocados, free-range pork, honey and citrus fruit from farm gates along its loops and trails, and taste the region’s wines at vineyards such as Restdown Wines. While you’re at this winery, venture out along the Restdown Wetland Walk to encounter Aboriginal cooking hearths and an old sheep camp.
Cruise along to The Old School Winery & Meadery in Womboota to pick up wine, pottery and honey mead. Or seek out Ivy Joyce in Barham to indulge in a warm space, offering local produce from farms for a truly paddock to plate experience in the heart of Murray River country. For more snacks and meaty fare such as British-style pork pies and sausages, head to Pacdon Park’s factory shop in Moama.
You can work up an appetite as you build your own itinerary on the theme of food, paddocks and produce, and find suggested routes and maps to Murray River farm gates, at the Echuca Moama Visitor Centre.
Wine and dine along the river
Embark on a wine tour by water in Moama, where the first steamboats made their way up the Murray in 1853. Take a Murray River Paddlesteamers Wharf to Winery Cruise from the town to Morrisons Riverview Winery for a leisurely lunch. Or drive along the river, stopping in at Three Black Sheep for risotto and woodfired pizzas, and tasting crisp dry whites and full-flavoured reds at St Anne’s Vineyards, where you can nibble on a cheese platter overlooking a scenic lake.
Head east along the riverside roads to rest and recharge in the town of Tocumwal, known for its riverside beaches, golf courses, glider flying and iconic Big Murray Cod statue. Start the following day with a solid foundation of breakfast pizza (topped with bacon, eggs and a hash brown) at The Old Bank and indulge in a scoop of ice-cream or sorbet from Tocumwal Ice Creamery – flavours include rocky road, green apple or macadamia. If you’re in town on a Saturday, pick up honey, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, dressings and other condiments made by local producers at the Tocumwal Foreshore Markets.
Continue your odyssey along the river to Corowa, the birthplace of Australian Federation. Immerse in the town’s rich turn-of-the-20th-century colonial heritage as you make your way to the former 1920s flour mill housing Corowa Distilling Co. Here you can book a whisky tasting and behind-the-scenes tour and buy locally made chocolates and sweets from sister shop Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Work off an indulgent afternoon with a walk along the river before settling into the stylish Circa 1936 hotel, which is housed in an Art Deco former bank on the main street of Corowa.
Celebrate regional ingredients in Albury
From Corowa, follow the Riverina Highway eastward to the city of Albury, a food, wine and culture hub. Taste how seasonality and locality are expressed at The Proprietor, a former butcher shop turned cafe offering brunch treats such as fruit toast with Beechworth honey and whipped ricotta, and banana waffles with Gundowring vanilla ice-cream. Or try the all-day breakfast offering at Mr Benedict, from cheesy bacon waffle with popcorn chicken to one of its signature eggs benedicts, including one with cider-braised ham hock.
At The River Deck restaurant, local ingredients are celebrated alongside stunning river views, and dishes may include chicken Caesar salad with Milawa eggs or beef brisket braised in coffee by Albury roaster The Brothers Cup. At tiny and elegant Bistro Selle, complement warm Gooramadda olives with a buttery Australian chardonnay and fresh market fish. Yardbird offers a bold-flavoured menu featuring dishes like scorched Albacore tuna, along with meats grilled in a Spanish woodfired oven.
In between meals, stroll along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and take in the contemporary artworks by Aboriginal artists that line the Wagirra Trail. Meander through the Murray Art Museum Albury’s contemporary photographic collection, Aboriginal art and works by renowned Australian artist Sir Russell Drysdale. Afterwards, order lunch or dinner at the museum’s excellent Canvas Eatery – try the saltbush lamb rump or one of their Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
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The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
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Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.
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Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.