Spit Bridge to Manly walk
Sydney is full of beautiful walks and this is supposedly one of the best. It didn't disappoint. Starting at Spit Bridge, which joins the North Shore area of Sydney to the Northern Beaches, including Manly, Curl Curl and Dee Why. Snaking along the coast, the trail takes you around quiet inlets with crystal clear waters and bobbing yachts. The walk then ventures into the bush and you'd have no idea you are so close to a city. Views across the to Balmoral, Watson's Bay and the city are with you for a lot of the walk, meaning there are plenty of photo opportunities. The final stretch of the walk offers a view of Manly, a buzzing town with a long sandy beach. Back to the city on the famous Manly Ferry. This is a fantastic walk and takes around three and a half fours. It offers a different scenic route to the well known tourist traps closer to the city.
Now I've always been a bit skeptical of Opera. Not now. Verdi's tragic La Traviata was performed in Sydney Harbour with astounding views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Under the stars, with an iconic backdrop, it would be an understatement to say the Opera was atmospheric. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs MacQuaries Chair and the waters of Syndey Harbour provided a captivating outdoor theatre. Familiar melodies and even subtitles provided a fantastic experience. A tragic story, phenomenal singing and stunning fireworks made La Traviata a true spectacle. This was the first Opera put on in the harbour by HANDA and I hope it isn't the last.
I was told by someone that Coogee was "interesting". They said it a way that wasn't good, a euphemism for awful perhaps. Well this person clearly hadn't beent there or was too quick to judge. Full of coffee shops, fashionable restaurants and a stunning sandy beach. Just a few bays south of Bondi Beach, I feel that Coogee is the best beach I came across. Bondi itself is arguably quite tacky and thronged with people. Coogee has the perfect balance, a great atmosphere but not too busy, close to restaurants and easy to get too. A walk from Coogee to Bondi showed the power of the sea as several of the beaches prohibited swimming, including Bondi. Coogee is relatively safe, with fun but often powerful waves. My final day included a visit to Coogee Beach, the waters were ridiculously clear, the water refreshing and the beach buzzing with families. There was even a sea swimming competition around Wedding Cake Island. Underrated Coogee is certainly interesting, in a good way.
This may seem odd but I don't particularly like fish but the fish market is a must. A bustling experience, admiring the catches of the day. Oysters everywhere, calamari, crabs, lobsters and sea urchin roe. An assault on the senses.
The centre of Syndey is fantastic, whether shopping in the Queen Victoria Building, catching a ferry from Circular Quay or enjoying some seafood in Darling Habour. Explore further from the CBD and you''ll find even more exciting experiences.
My next post will look at places further afield from Sydney, so make sure you visit soon.
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