Harper Rooftop Bar Credit: Dexter Kim
Perched high above the CBD on Level 7 of Kimpton Margot Sydney, Harper Rooftop Bar is a sprawling retreat designed by FiveFootDesign.
#feelnewsydney
Whether you’re visiting Sydney for the summer or enjoying it as a local, the city is full of decadent and relaxing adventures this holiday season. Book a waterfront lunch or a rooftop party, head out on a sparkling cruise on a superyacht, go on a bar crawl in Sydney’s neighbourhoods and find new art to inspire you.
FOOD AND DRINK
Rooftop oasis
A new place to party has landed sky-high on top of the Kimpton Margot Hotel on Pitt Street: Harper Rooftop Bar. Find a delicious summer-inspired menu (think lobster rolls, grilled octopus, soba bowls) combined with creative cocktails and a tight list of mainly European wines, seltzers and beers. Plus, there's a pool, live music on Sundays and pets are allowed.
Med in the south
Ocean views, prime seafood, light and bright interiors, and a beachfront locale – Bobby's Cronulla brings the Mediterranean to Sydney’s south. With breakfast and lunch Mondays to Wednesdays and all-day dining Thursdays to Sundays, Bobby’s is set to be Cronulla’s new favourite.
Waterfront pop-up
While the Terrigal Sailing Club is under renovation (transforming into the Terrigal Pavilion), revellers can still enjoy a drink by the water at The Pav Pop-Up until the Central Coast venue reopens. The menu features plenty of seafood – oysters, tiger prawns on ice, Moreton Bay bug rolls – as well as a range of margaritas, wines and beers.
City jungle diner
There’s a new garden spot to dine and drink in at Darling Square. Pumphouse Sydney’s Terrace has opened, featuring hundreds of plants throughout the indoor/outdoor space. The tranquil balcony offers an a la carte menu, curated cocktails and live music.
Pier party
You can party all summer long at harbourfront hotel Pier One, as the hotel launches Pier Bar, a new place to eat, drink and socialise by the water. Pier Bar will feature a diverse line-up of DJs over the summer and has $12 cocktails and $2 oysters for its ‘sunset hour’ on weekdays.
North Shore neighbour
Cosy new neighbourhood bar and bistro Folly’s has graced the North Shore suburb of Cammeray. The small but sophisticated spot has an impressive menu, featuring yuzu gin-doused oysters, rib eye with bone marrow butter, rigatoni alla vodka, punchy cocktails and an extensive chilled red wine selection.
Harper Rooftop Bar Credit: Dexter Kim
Perched high above the CBD on Level 7 of Kimpton Margot Sydney, Harper Rooftop Bar is a sprawling retreat designed by FiveFootDesign.
#feelnewsydney
Harper Rooftop Bar Credit: Dexter Kim
Perched high above the CBD on Level 7 of Kimpton Margot Sydney, Harper Rooftop Bar is a sprawling retreat designed by FiveFootDesign.
The Terrace at Pumphouse Sydney Credit: Dexter Kim
Nestled in the heart of Darling Square, The Terrace at Pumphouse Sydney is a lush garden oasis in the heart of the city.
#feelnewsydney
The Terrace at Pumphouse Sydney Credit: Dexter Kim
Nestled in the heart of Darling Square, The Terrace at Pumphouse Sydney is a lush garden oasis in the heart of the city.
A rose by any other name
Beloved waterfront institution The Boathouse Rose Bay has a new name and menu. Rose Bay House serves dishes that draw on chef Natali Mikailoglu’s Turkish upbringing, including za’atar lamb, saffron prawn pasta and eggplant dolma.
RAFI hits the surf
The team behind hatted North Sydney restaurant RAFI is opening a second location in Homebush, RAFI URBNSURF Sydney. This Western Sydney dining experience follows through with the RAFI ethos of using fresh, seasonal produce but with some new twists. While the menu will keep many of the original crowd favourites, a new cocktail menu is being created for RAFI URBNSURF.
Australiana-inspired cocktails and snacks
Darlinghurst has landed a new bar with The Waratah. A 120-seat space spanning two levels, it champions the story of modern Australia by connecting with growers and Indigenous communities, and heroing sustainability and seasonality. Find oysters topped with rosella granita, fries tossed with ‘bush’ salt and fermented potato damper.
EXPERIENCES
Sparkling summer
Luxury Sydney Harbour superyacht The Jackson is adding some sparkle to its summer harbour cruises with the launch of a Veuve Cliquot partnership. Departing select Saturdays in January, February and March, the four-hour onboard experience will include glasses of Champagne, Veuve-inspired canapes, a deluxe oyster bar and live DJs.
Urban artworks
Chippendale’s always-engaging White Rabbit Gallery launches its new exhibit, A Blue Print for Ruins, on 20 December. Curated by David Williams, the exhibition shines a spotlight on the dispossessed within China’s urban metamorphosis and runs until 12 May 2024.
Tour top small bars
A new guided tour takes visitors on a journey to explore Sydney's hidden gems on a Local Sauce Tours small bars and street art tour. Running Wednesday nights in Newtown and Enmore and Friday nights in Redfern and Chippendale, the tours offer a fun night out in Sydney’s coolest boutique bars, while also showing off the neighbourhoods’ best street art.
ACCOMMODATION
New Paddington pad
Launching in December 2024, 25hours Paddington will see a new luxury place to stay the night in the heart of the Oxford Street Village Centre. The Paddington outpost will be the first 25hours hotel in Australia and aims to be uniquely characterised by the neighbourhood's diverse cultural scene.
RAFI URBNSURF Sydney Credit: Applejack Hospitality
A render of RAFI URBNSURF Sydney - opening in Autumn 2024
#feelnewsydney
RAFI URBNSURF Sydney Credit: Applejack Hospitality
A render of RAFI URBNSURF Sydney - opening in Autumn 2024
The Jackson Credit: The Jackson
The Jackson sailing Sydney Harbour.
#feelnewsydney
The Jackson Credit: The Jackson
The Jackson sailing Sydney Harbour.
More News
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
#feelnewsydney
Destination NSW has teamed up with the popular YouTube channel Yes Theory, with its impressive 9.2 million subscribers, and Qantas, to fulfil 102-year-old San Franciso local, Dorothy Smith’s lifelong dream of visiting Sydney, Australia, completing her remarkable journey to every continent in the world.
Yes Theory producers Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor first met Dorothy in October 2024 when they moved into The Redwoods Retirement Village for 48 hours. Moved by Dorothy’s heartfelt regret of not yet reaching her final frontier, Australia, Ammar and Staffan felt compelled to help her complete this remarkable journey.
Reflecting on her motivation to travel and time in Sydney, Dorothy shared, "Travel is important to me because it’s a big world, and each country is different and has something different to offer; I want to see them all and I don’t want to miss anything!
“I loved visiting Sydney; it’s a beautiful city. The people are charming, the food is good, the scenery is just wonderful, and even the weather is nice! We saw the little koala bears, of course the Sydney Opera House, we went to the Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, good restaurants, and the lovely Bondi Beach where we got our feet a little wet and the water was really cold! And the people – they are all so nice, and so friendly!”
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
#feelnewsydney
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
A living link to history, Dorothy is more than twice the age of the Sydney Opera House. In 1922, the year she was born, the NSW Government passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act, laying the foundation for the construction of the iconic bridge. Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge stands as a powerful symbol of Australia’s resilience and connection to the world—a fitting backdrop for Dorothy’s own journey of exploration and discovery.
With Qantas’s support, Dorothy embarked on her adventure to Sydney in comfort, and received an exclusive invite to the cock-pit to meet the pilot, before she was warmly welcomed at Sydney Airport with personalised displays and a crowd of Yes Theory fans eager to celebrate her arrival. Her stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Sydney became a “home away from home,” offering Dorothy the chance to wake up to the breathtaking view of the Sydney Opera House—a landmark she had always dreamed of seeing firsthand.
Ammar Kandil, co-founder of Yes Theory, was driven to support her adventure saying, “Dorothy’s story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and we’re incredibly happy to help her achieve this lifelong dream to visit Sydney and tick of Australia as her seventh and final continent.
“Our mantra is ‘seek discomfort’ and embrace adventure, and Dorothy’s journey truly embodies the spirit of our channel. Her incredible story is set to inspire millions around the world to pursue their own adventures, no matter the obstacles.”
The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
#feelnewsydney
The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
Dorothy’s time in Sydney has been nothing short of iconic, filled with experiences that capture the heart of NSW. Her itinerary included:
- An afternoon cruising on Sydney Harbour, marvelling at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
- An up-close encounter with Australian wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, where Dorothy met koalas, and even a kangaroo named Dorothy.
- A tour of the Sydney Opera House adding yet another milestone to her journey.
- A visit to the iconic Bondi Beach, where Dorothy enjoyed splashing her feet in the waves and seeing one of the world’s most famous beaches.
And Dorothy’s secret to a long, healthy life? “You have to exercise, you have to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and stay hydrated. And also, FUN! You have to have fun so you’ll stay healthy, and you can also enjoy 102 years! And if there’s anything else you want to try, go ahead and try it!”
To follow Dorothy’s journey and see Sydney through her remarkable perspective, check out Yes Theory’s latest video at youtube.com/@YesTheory.
For inspiration for your own Sydney adventure, visit sydney.com
Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
null
Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
#feelnewsydney
Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.