Kiln, Ace Hotel Sydney Credit: Anson Smart
Kiln, the new restaurant from Chef Mitch Orr is a rooftop dining destination crowning the recently opened, Ace Hotel Sydney.
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From new bars and eateries that invite relaxed catch-ups, to revitalised hotels for stylish stays and experiences to enliven, Sydney is ready to celebrate the arrival of longer and warmer days.
NEW ACCOMMODATION
Wellbeing on the harbour
Sydney’s self-care rituals will be elevated with the opening of the two-storey Sofitel Spa at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour in January 2023. The luxurious urban retreat will deliver a holistic and indulgent experience tailored to deeply rejuvenate body, mind and soul.
Crystalbrook connection
The Rydges Sydney Harbour will be welcomed into the five-star, environmentally responsible Crystalbrook Collection. This new acquisition adds to Crystalbrook’s growing luxury hotel portfolio in NSW, which includes Crystalbrook Albion, Crystalbrook Byron and Crystalbrook Kingsley.
A Rydges revamp
After being closed for an extensive refurbishment, Darling Harbour’s former Radisson Hotel and Suites Sydney relaunches with a revitalised offering under The Rydges brand. The 98-room property has transformed into the cosmopolitan Rydges Darling Square Apartment Hotel with an update on the apartments and studio rooms, restaurant, bar, and conference rooms elevating the hotel with a relaxed urban elegance.
Paris via William Street
Sydney adds to its collection of refined boutique stays with the opening of William Street’s The Strand Hotel. A sensitive restoration sees the 99-year-old Darlinghurst pub emerge as an elegant 17-room, French-accented inn, paying homage to the style of bohemian Paris. Once dusk settles on the city guests and locals can also head to the adjoining The Strand Bistro and The Strand Rooftop bar.
NEW FOOD & DRINK
Cronulla cantina
Cronulla’s new Mexican eatery, El Rey, serves up vibrant plates overlooking The Kingsway and undulating blues of the ocean. Adopting a contemporary treatment of fresh seafood, slow-cooked meats and well-tended cocktails in a breezy beachside locale, its casual style accommodates both post-swim bites and special occasions.
Park picnic
Visitors to the UNESCO-listed Parramatta Park will be able to end their walk with a satisfying meal at new eatery Misc, by Gogglebox star and restaurateur Jad Nehmetallah. Dishing up Middle Eastern- and Mediterranean-inspired fare from head chef Joel Bennetts (formerly of Fish Shop, Bondi), the restaurant is open just in time for long summer lunches.
Dinner for good
Diners can feel good about this new nine-course dinner ‘Degustation for Change’, where each dish is inspired by an individual’s story of change. Held from October 19 to 21 in Darling Harbour, the dinners are the brainchild of Shaun Christie-David (founder of Colombo Social, Kabul Social and #PlateItForward), and Nelly Robinson of nel. restaurant. Robinson has mentored each person to turn their dish into a masterpiece and all proceeds will go to Plate It Forward.
Dishes at The Strand Hotel, Darlinghurst Credit: Trent van der Jagt
The Strand Hotel on William Street, Darlinghurst has completed the final phase of its multi-level restoration of the 99-year-old pub with the new 17-bedroom The Strand Hotel and Rooftop Bar now open - joining the French-inspired Strand Bistro.
#feelnewsydney
Dishes at The Strand Hotel, Darlinghurst Credit: Trent van der Jagt
The Strand Hotel on William Street, Darlinghurst has completed the final phase of its multi-level restoration of the 99-year-old pub with the new 17-bedroom The Strand Hotel and Rooftop Bar now open - joining the French-inspired Strand Bistro.
The Rooftop at The Strand Hotel, Darlinghurst Credit: Trent van der Jagt
The Strand Hotel on William Street, Darlinghurst has completed the final phase of its multi-level restoration of the 99-year-old pub with the new 17-bedroom The Strand Hotel and Rooftop Bar now open - joining the French-inspired Strand Bistro.
#feelnewsydney
The Rooftop at The Strand Hotel, Darlinghurst Credit: Trent van der Jagt
The Strand Hotel on William Street, Darlinghurst has completed the final phase of its multi-level restoration of the 99-year-old pub with the new 17-bedroom The Strand Hotel and Rooftop Bar now open - joining the French-inspired Strand Bistro.
Only the Negroni
Bar Conte is the negroni-focused aperitivo bar Sydney didn’t know it needed. Launched in September with perfect timing to leverage spring drinks, the Surry Hills bar whips up 20 iterations of the classic and much-adored cocktail to delight aficionados.
Lobster breakfast club
Dine on a decadent lobster-filled breakfast experience 36 levels-high at the Shangri-La Sydney’s lofty Altitude Restaurant. Running from Thursday to Sunday, this crustacean-centred menu sets a luxurious tone for a perfect Sydney day.
Perfect pintxo
An homage to the original pintxo (small snack) of San Sebastian, which comprises three simple ingredients – a guindilla pepper, an olive, and an anchovy – chef Lennox Hastie’s new wine bar, Gildas, unleashes the flavours of Basque country in Sydney’s Surry Hills.
Hair salon to tapas salón
Adding to the swag of excellent establishments from the Porteño Group (which includes Porteño, Continental Deli, and Bastardo), the new Bar Louise whips up incredible Spanish tapas accompanied by good pours. Serving from the retro neighbourhood treasure that is the Mary-Louise Salon on Enmore Road, this is must-stop on a summer bar tour.
Kiln’ it
As if Sydney’s Ace Hotel wasn’t hot enough, the new rooftop, wood-fire restaurant is sure to set the city alight with head chef Mitch Orr’s (CicciaBella and ACME) flame-licked menu. Teetering 18 levels above Surry Hills, Kiln’s food offering draws from the culinary catalogues of Italy, Japan and Southeast Asia, and tote a drinks list curated by P&V’s Mike Bennie.
Delicate indulgence
Designed by master pâtissier and moment-maker Adriano Zumbo, QT Sydney’s QTea high tea experience now invites indulgence that caters to dietary differences with a new plant-based and gluten-free menu.
Hops to fresh brews
Freshwater Brewing Company has delivered the beer-loving Northern Beaches a new taproom, which opened on 21 September to become the eighth brewery in the local area. The Brookvale taproom is open Wednesday to Sunday and offers eats, such as fish sangas, to enjoy with your beer.
NEW EXPERIENCES
A walk through Gadigal history
The nine-kilometre curated walk from Pirrama (Pyrmont) to Wallamool (Woolloomooloo) offers an enthralling connection to Country with eleven interpretive markers highlighting historically significant Aboriginal people and places. Called Yananurala, a name from the Gadigal language that translates to ‘walk Country’, it is led by Indigenous curator Emily McDaniel and is part of the Eora Journey that brings Aboriginal histories and stories to life through public artworks and installations.
Dinner and a show
For one night only on Thursday 20 October, Sydney’s beautiful Beckett’s in Glebe will show the fourth instalment of their exciting theatre-dinner vignette series. Served as a theatrical intermission within a four-course meal, two excerpts from Walkley Award winner Victoria Midwinter Pitt’s brilliant new Australian play I’m With Her will be performed in the beautiful sandstone cellar by stage icons, Lynette Curran and Deborah Galanos.
Gildas, Surry Hills Credit: Nikki To
Lennox Hastie's 60-seat Surry Hills wine bar, Gildas.
#feelnewsydney
Gildas, Surry Hills Credit: Nikki To
Lennox Hastie's 60-seat Surry Hills wine bar, Gildas.
Kiln, Ace Hotel Sydney Credit: Anson Smart
Kiln, the new restaurant from Chef Mitch Orr is a rooftop dining destination crowning the recently opened, Ace Hotel Sydney.
#feelnewsydney
Kiln, Ace Hotel Sydney Credit: Anson Smart
Kiln, the new restaurant from Chef Mitch Orr is a rooftop dining destination crowning the recently opened, Ace Hotel Sydney.
More News
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.