The Great Outdoors
Summer has officially started. Take five with our guide to getting out and about this holiday season
Top 5 secret beaches
1 Mackerel Beach The exclusiveness of this Pittwater beach hinges on the fact that it can only be accessed by ferry from Palm Beach Wharf.
2 Milk Beach This hidden eastern suburbs gem has fantastic views of the Harbour Bridge and city skyline and still remains a little city secret.
3 Garie Beach It's an unspoilt beach secret of southern Sydney located in scenic national park surrounds. If sunbaking is a little too static for you try the beautiful 26km coastal walk.
4 Redleaf Pool Not many people know about this safe haven just below Woollahra Council's HQ. There's free parking too.
5 Little Congwong Beach Those who like swimming au naturel should try this secluded unofficial nudist beach.
Top 5 ice cream shops
1 Patagonia Get Argentinean ice cream right by the beach.
2 Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop The international ice cream sensation has recently hit Manly Beach and all your favourite flavours are there for the licking.
3 Smile Mart This CBD convenience store offers an interesting take on the soft serve cone. Towering at 32cm, if this doesn't give you an ice cream headache, we don't know what will.
4 Passionflower A great Chinatown ice cream stop featuring delicious black sesame, lychee and plum flavours.
5 Igloo Zoo A healthier fro-yo alternative for those worried about maintaining their bikini bodies.
More... Best Ice cream in Sydney
Top 5 picnic spots
1 Parsley Bay The enclosed swimming area, picnic tables and play equipment make this eastern suburbs spot perfect for families.
2 McCarrs Creek Reserve It's slightly out of the way, but perfect for a Sunday drive and the views over Pittwatter are spectacular.
3 Shark Island It's a picnic spot in the middle of the harbour! Ferries run from Circular Quay and the more extreme picnickers can bag theirs up and hire a kayak from Rose Bay (www.ozpaddle.com.au).
4 Mrs Macquaries Chair This oasis right in the city has unbeatable views.
5 Rosherville Reserve The grassy area behind the beautiful Chinamans Beach is a great location for a dip and a summer picnic.
Top 5 delis for picnickers
1 Simon Johnson The best of the best, Simon Johnson is perfect for when you're splashing out on a romantic picnic. We are particularly fond of the Alexandria and Pyrmont stores.
2 Occello With all things Italian in cheese and cured meat, Occello is perfect for picking up an antipasto platter.
3 El Mercado Get your Spanish meats and treats here.
4 Fratelli Fresh Loads of fresh produce and Italian goods for a DIY spread are available here. Potts Point and Waterloo.
5 Thomas Dux The deli counter of this fancy new supermarket is very well stocked and isn't too pricy. Try the Paddington and Surry Hills stores.
Top 5 fish & chip shops
1 Bottom of the Harbour If the battered standard doesn't hit the spot, try their freshly shucked oysters or grilled fish options.
2 Doyles on the Beach Grab takeaway from this Sydney seafood institution and enjoy it lolling on the grass at Watsons Bay. It's much cheaper than the restaurant.
3 Mongers A popular choice at Sydney's most popular beach.
4 Fish Face Steve Hodges's superb quality flathead and chips comes on its own tripod.
5 Mooney Mooney Workers Club The seafood platter at this scenic RSL is awesome.
Top 5 BBQ hotspots
1 Blackwattle Bay The barbies at Blackwattle Bay are grand-spanking new. Check out the ANZAC Bridge as you sizzle.
2 Bronte Beach Beachside barbequing followed by a large-scale backyard cricket session is summertime perfection.
3 Shelly Beach Just past the Manly Beach crowds is a smaller, more scenic beach with six barbeques and a great north-facing view.
4 The Basin This much-loved camping destination is great for a day trip and offers well-maintained barbeques in beautiful national park surrounds.
5 Centennial Park This is one of the city's most popular barbeque locations, but luckily its 360-hectare expanse means that even the biggest crowd can be accommodated for a relaxing parkland lunch.
Top 5 summer walks
1 Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track Take a high climb to amazing views of the sea, Pittwater and the national park. From the northern end of Palm Beach to Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
2 Manly Beach to Spit Bridge The north side's answer to the Bondi to Coogee has multiple access points and great views. From Manly Beach to the Spit Bridge.
3 Glebe Foreshore You can catch harbour views from various inner west suburbs and dogs are welcome. From Bicentennial Park to the Sydney Fish Markets, Pyrmont.
4 Circular Quay to Botanic Gardens Not just for tourists, this walk showcases our prized architectural icons from great angles. From Circular Quay to the AGNSW.
5 Bondi to Coogee Cliffwalk Everyone does the Bondi to Bronte, but the route through Waverley Cemetery en route to Coogee is the best bit. From Notts Ave, Bondi to Arden St, Coogee.
Top 5 summer bars
1 Barrenjoey House Grab a table and settle in for the arvo at this beach house on the shore of Pittwater.
2 Ivy Pool Club What could be better than a poolside mai tai in the centre of the CBD? It feels like being on the set of Entourage.
3 Bondi Social Enjoy a laidback Bondi vibe and cheap cocktails on the balcony overlooking the beach.
4 Shore Club Head up to the chilled out rooftop bar overlooking Manly beach.
5 Opera Bar No, it's really not just for tourists. Listen to live jazz, watch the ferries go by and drink in just how good it is to live in Sydney.
Top 5 alfresco restaurants
1 Berowra Waters Inn Chef Dietmar Sawyere offers a choice of a four-, five- or six-course degustation menu to enjoy with views over the Hawkesbury River.
2 Otto This high-end alfresco Italian is the place to be seen in Sydney.
3 Newport Arms One of the city's biggest and best beer gardens in NSW serves great pub grub.
4 Catalina Feast on French classics and fresh seafood with a great view over Rose Bay. Ask for a table on the balcony.
5 Le Kiosk The Modern Australian menu is just as good as the view of Shelly Beach.
Top 5 wet weather ideas
1 White Rabbit Peruse this year's best addition to the Sydney art scene – a purpose-built gallery housing four levels of contemporary Chinese art.
2 Palace Verona Cinemas This boutique cinema only shows the best movies. Why not catch two flicks and make use of the bar and in-house café between flicks?
3 The 80s Are Back at the Powerhouse Museum Get retro with this new exhibition of Australian life and popular culture in the 1980s.
4 Take Your Time: Olafur Eliasson at the MCA If you liked their Yayoi Kusama retrospective earlier this year then you're in for a treat with walk-in sculptures from this influential Danish/Icelandic artist.
5 Dugongs at Sydney Aquarium Watch the majestic cows of the sea eat 40kg of lettuce for lunch.
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