You've climbed the bridge, taken a ferry to Manly, walked along Sydney's beaches. What next, you might ask. Here are a couple of hidden gems you won't want to miss.
Inside the big house
Everyone has their photograph taken on the steps of the
Sydney Opera House, but wouldn't you like to get a little bit closer than that?
The Essential Tour does just what it says, and given it only takes an hour, it's well worth the effort. You get to see inside all the theatres and hear about the trials and tribulations involved in bringing this modern architectural masterpiece to life. The best reason to tag along, however, is the access you get to the
Utzon Room, a small reception venue near the main foyer. The room features the building's only true Jørn Utzon interior with colourful 14-metre-long tapestry designed by him while he listened to Bach's Hamburg symphonies. The work was created in Australia by the Victorian Tapestry Workshop and the famous architect didn't see the completed project before he died. The only way the general public can see it is by being invited to a function in the room or by taking this tour.
Book online beforehand for a 25 percent discount.
Small bars, Sydney-style
Since the recent change in licensing laws, Sydney has tried to play catch-up with Melbourne and small bars have sprung up like incredibly delicious mushrooms. See what I mean at
LL Wine & Dine in
Kings Cross, hidden away in a space that previously housed an illegal gambling den and swinger’s club (Those hooks in the ceiling? Use your imagination). Or
The Passage, open till 3am in
Darlinghurst. Burton Street has had its own renaissance, collecting
The Commons (Ph: (02) 9358 1487, 32 Burton St, Surry Hills),
Pocket Bar (Ph: (02) 9380 7002, 13 Burton Street, Darlinghurst), and everyone’s favourite,
Shady Pines Saloon (Shop 5, 256 Crown St, Darlinghurst). What about
Oxford Street? Try
Ching-a-lings (Ph: (02) 9360 3333, 133 Oxford St, Darlinghurst). Or head further afield to the
Absinthe Salon (Ph: (02) 9211 6632, 87 Albion St, Surry Hills) if you like your drinks dangerous (and green).
What a difference a street makes
As a local, you often wonder what overseas visitors must make of
Campbell Parade, the long thoroughfare that runs parallel to the famous stretch of sand at
Bondi Beach. It's lined with dead-ordinary shops selling surf wear and cheap CDs, and overpriced cafes that mostly don't even have a decent view. Here's a tip: head one street back to Gould Street and you'll find a strip of cool stores, such as Ksubi, Tuchuzy, Milk Bar, Electric Monkeys and Me + Moo, which all have amazing streetwear. Another lovely lane is the tree-lined Curlewis Street, where you'll find Tea Petal for fashion, ceramics and flowers, and one of the best brekkie spots in Bondi, The Shop.
To market
The best way to gauge the pulse of a city is often by checking out its transient markets alongside the locals. Sydney has a score of them, and the one that’s right for you depends on what you’re looking for. For food, the dependable weekly choice has become
Eveleigh Farmer's Market at
Carriageworks, a short walk from
Redfern Station (Saturday, 8am-1pm). For a more adventurous and rewarding choice take a bus to
Marrickville for the
organic food market instead (Sunday, 8:30am-2pm).
For the treasure hunting and those slogan t-shirts, hit up the ever-popular Glebe Markets (Saturday, 10am-4pm). Gourmet food exists alongside recycled fashion and left-wing socialist stalls. For something a bit more organised, designers peddling their wares and original artworks, you're safe at Paddington Markets, taking over the local school every Saturday right on Oxford Street (10am-4pm).
Lunch like a king
Sydney is renowned for its huge array of fine-diners, but when you’re on a big trip and big night out can make a substantial hole in your travelling funds. Luckily, some smart chefs are doing special Friday-only lunches that deliver much more than the final bill would suggest. At
Marque, Mark Best’s dishes are inspired by molecular gastronomy but still resemble food. However, the $145 dinner degustation menu can leave the credit card with a little indigestion (especially when we add another $75 to the bill to have matched wines). At lunch, however, you get three courses (plus an amuse bouche of chaud-froid egg) for $45. The menu changes each week. Other favourites are
Assiette, where Warren Turnbull turns out three courses of excellent Euro-inspired dishes for $35, and
Foveaux Restaurant & Bar, where you get three courses of Darrell Felstead’s creative cuisine for $40.
Got any more near the beaten track suggestions? Have your say using the comments form below.
By Sydney Insider, Carrie Hutchinson
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