We decided to start a new section on the blog to give you some nifty travel tips for your weekends away and wanderings after you’ve finished studying here at Lexis | Byron Bay!

This week, we are exploring Sydney! I lived in Sydney for a year, and got to know some of the hidden corners in this amazing city. Above are some of my photos of different hot spots such as the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Hyde Park, the Bondi to Bronte walk and Darling Harbour – contrary to popular belief, I’m a half decent photographer 🙂

Below are some Must Do’s if you are in the city!

• The Bondi to Bronte coastal walk…do it!! Why stop at Bronte..walk all the way around to Coogee passing Tamarama, Clovelly, Gordon’s Bay and going through the gorgeous clifftop Waverley Cemetery. Starting at Bondi Beach and winding along the coast; there are awesome beaches, natural sea baths, electric barbecues, look out points with killer views and plenty of pit stops for a swift beer. Head to Beach Burrito Company in Coogee for Dos Equis and tasty burritos at the end
• Check out local Sydney breweries – Stone and Wood is not the only NSW beer worth checking out! Lord Nelson Brewery in the Rocks is one of Australia’s oldest pubs and has the great Three Sheets Pale Ale on tap; 4 Pines out at Manly have delicious microbrewery beers from Pale Ale to Kolsch, Stout to Hefeweizen; Young Henrys at Newtown have a funky little tasting bar where you can prop up and sample their Real Ale, Hop Ale or Natural Lager; or go all  the way out to Parramatta and head to Riverside – a relatively new little brewery turning out some amazing beers such as their IPA, American amber, porter or 69 summer ale… Great guys, great beers and you can fill up a growler at their Cellar Door
• See the big sights – yes they are obvious, but they’re world famous for a reason! If you can’t afford to see something at the Opera House, go and have a photo taken outside and then gulp wine at the Opera Bar instead! Walk, run or cycle over the Harbour Bridge – or climb it if you feel like splashing out! Catch a ferry to Manly and hang out at the awesome beach, or great little bars and cafes; and stroll around the Botanic Gardens – there is an Aboriginal Heritage Walk if you fancy it; or otherwise its a great place to wander, jog, laze with a book, have a picnic… Just look out for ultra-fit Sydney dwellers doing pull ups from the branches of trees… Crazy folk
• Explore the Rocks – it has a cool little market at the weekends, and a tonne of history – the Rocks Discovery Centre is free and has lots of information and interesting stories about the early ex-convict settlers. You can also grab your own guide to do a walk around the area and check out some of Australia’s oldest buildings. The pubs also have a lot of history here too – there is a lot of contention over which is the oldest – Lord Nelson, Hero of Waterloo, The Australian… Have a beer in each one and try to decide 🙂
• Govinda’s Cinema.. this one is a little Darlinghurst secret. Darlo is a funky little area anyway, and a hub for Sydney’s gay community. You could spend hours walking around and gawping at everything – and then head to Govindas – an amazing vegetarian buffet with a Movie Room attached – you heap your plate with scrumptious food and then lounge around on huge cushions to see a movie in the lounge cinema
• Stroll Surry Hills – you will literally never run out of things to do in this area – there are so many fantastic bars and pubs, great live music, the best ice cream you will ever have at Messina Gelato, crazily talented tattoo artists and enough vintage shops to make you think that you’ve stepped back to 1927!
• Museum of Contemporary Art – it’s free, it has some incredible modern art, it overlooks Sydney Harbour and has a bar! I don’t see what’s not to love!

My favourite places to eat and drink in Sydney:

I’ll forewarn you…this list may be a little drink-heavy 🙂

1. The Baxter Inn – Basement 152-156 Clarence St, CBD- this is one of my all time favourite bars…its underground and slightly difficult to find, pumps on a Friday night and has a range of over 360 different whiskies
2. Forresters – 336 Riley St, Surry Hills – really fun pub with awesome deals on food – $15 roasts on Sundays, pizza, hot dogs, nachos… They also have the Queenie’s Caribbean restaurant upstairs. The pub does stand up comedy, shows sports matches and hosts trivia nights – and is always heaps of fun
3. Bucket List – Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi – overlooking Bondi Beach, great in the summer or on a sunny day – also a top people watching spot!
4. Dove and Olive – 156 Devonshire St, Surry Hills – awesome selection of craft beers, great deals on delicious food and lots on – such as beer tasting dinners, trivia and craft beer fight clubs – the emphasis is on the beer here!
5. Grandma’s Bar – Basement, 275 Clarence St, CBD – a very cool little bar tucked away in the CBD, with friendly staff and amazing cocktails. These guys are all about the rum!
6. The Stuffed Beaver – 271 Bondi Road, Bondi – a Canadian bar with more personality than all of Canada put together! It sells Little Creatures Pale Ale (my favourite beer), has a hilarious menu which includes the Canadian classic poutine – chips smothered in cheese and gravy,has fun movie nights, celebrates Side Boob Saturday… I could go on. Of course, you will get thrown out if you don’t follow the Dam rules 🙂
7. The Local Taphouse – 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst – I love any pub that serves great beer, and The Local has it in droves. They are also generally fun and laid back, as well as having brilliant Silent Cinema nights on their swish rooftop
8. Chefs Gallery – Shop 12, 501 George Street, Town Hall – this is the only actual restaurant in the list – shocking!! It is a treat though, with the best Chinese food I have ever had – anywhere – in my life! It can be pricey but the food is just absolutely amazing.