Summer Guide: Sydney 2020–21
Slap on your sunscreen and get out there — clear blues, secluded bush spots and ice-cold drinks await.
Summer is here, folks. And with it comes eased restrictions, open borders and a whole state (and country) to explore. After spending most of the year indoors, it's time to get outside. It's time to make the most of Sydney's sunny evenings that stay bright long after you've escaped the office, the gold-coloured sunsets at Clovelly, the city's plethora of rooftop bars, the openair gigs by the harbour and the bushwalks ending with dips in waterfalls.
While most years we'd likely pause here and say something about taking it all for granted, in 2020, we're not. We all have a new-found appreciation for the bounty of experiences available to us in Sydney. And to help you enjoy the best of it, we've, together with Jim Beam, put together the Summer Guide: a shortlist of all the good stuff going down in the city between December and March.
So whether you're drinking a bourbon, soda and lemon or putting away a highball in a beer garden, go forth and frolic. Summer is the ultimate Sydney pop-up and it waits for no one.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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The Ten Best Ocean Pools in Sydney for a Dip This Spring
Head to these stunning ocean pools to enjoy Sydney's best beaches, safe from rips and sharks.
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The Best Coastal Walks in Sydney to Try This Spring
Spring has sprung, so isn't it about time you got off of the couch and onto the coast? These blissful seaside strolls deliver stunning ocean views, native flora and fauna, and even the occasional beachside cafe.
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The Ten Best Beaches in Sydney
From napping under palms on the northern beaches to snorkelling in the turquoise waters of a protected marine reserve, these are ten of our year-round go-to Sydney beaches.
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The Ten Best Bike Rides In and Around Sydney
From leisurely city bike rides to stunning bush climbs, here are Sydney's best spots to glide around on two wheels.
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Thirteen of the Best Snorkelling Spots in Sydney You Should Bookmark for Summer
Escape your landlubbing worries under the sea.
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The Most Idyllic Swimming Holes to Visit Around Sydney This Summer
Don't stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.
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Five Secluded Swimming Spots to Discover Around Sydney
The authors of 'Places We Swim Sydney' pick five peaceful swimming spots that every NSW water-lover should visit.
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Five Sydney Seaside Walks for When You Need to Pretend You're on Holidays
From one of the oldest national parks in the world to a lighthouse on the northern beaches.
THINGS TO DO
SUMMER EATS
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Eight Spots for a Sunset Spritz with Your Mates in Sydney
Toast to golden hour and sip on Aperol Spritz as the sun sets near the waters around Sydney.
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Where to Find the Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Sydney
Whether you like your scoops creamy, salty, deep-fried or vegan, you can find them here.
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Sydney's Best Boozy Bottomless Brunches for 2024
Swap your morning muesli for a mimosa and your sunrise coffee for an espresso martini.
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The Best Beachfront Venues to Visit in Sydney to Make the Most of Summer
Enjoy a summery spritz by the beach.
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Sydney's Best Dog-Friendly Bars, Restaurants and Cafes for 2024
All of your friends — most importantly, those furry ones with four legs — are welcome at these friendly haunts.
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The Best Places to Buy Next-Level Cheese in Sydney
These spots see your cheese dreams and raise you with toasties, coffee and wine for a very gouda grocery trip.
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The Best Aperitivo Hours in Sydney
Where to find super affordable Italian drinks and snacks every night of the week.
OUT-OF-TOWN ADVENTURES
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The Five Best Waterfalls Near Sydney You Can Swim Under
Don't stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to — nor the crammed Sydney beaches.
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Five Epic Multi-Day Hikes to Conquer Near Sydney
Pack a tent, water and lots of snacks and walk your way through the most beautiful parts of NSW during these multi-day hikes.
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The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW
All these luxury NSW glamping experiences are under two hours away from Sydney's CBD — making it all too easy to have a weekend wilderness adventure in total comfort.
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The Best Free Camping Spots Near Sydney
At these NSW campsites, all you need is enough money for snacks, wine and petrol to get you there (and back). Then you can just sit back and enjoy some of the state's greatest natural landscapes.
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Sydney's Best Out-of-Town Restaurants, Cafes and Bars for 2024
From regional fine diners to country bakehouses to garden gin distilleries, these are the spots to plan a day trip — or a whole weekend away — around.
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The Seven Best Out-of-Town Ocean Pools Near Sydney for 2024
Jump in your car (or on the train) and head to these coastal swimming holes free from rips and sharks.
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The Best Rivers for Swimming in Near Sydney
Skip the surf and overcrowded sands of Sydney's beaches in favour of floating upstream.
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Ten Extremely Australian Big Things Worth a Detour on Your Next Very Long Road Trip
Giant watermelons, potatoes and lobsters named Larry might sound ridiculous, and they are — but that doesn't stop them from being among our most loved landmarks.
AIR-CONDITIONED ENTERTAINMENT
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The Ten Best Day Spas in Sydney
Check into a Roman-style pool or treat yourself to a massage followed by a long, long lunch at Sydney's best day spas.
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Sydney Bars with Games and Activities for When You Want to Do More Than Just Sit Around and Drink
Sip a shiraz over 'Scrabble' or polish off a pot with a game of pool.
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Eight Blockbuster Art Exhibitions to See Across Australia This Summer
Plan interstate trips to view giant mirrored sculptures by Jeff Koons, check out a major installation by Lindy Lee and explore the world of First Nations fashion — all at Australia's best galleries.
STUNNING GETAWAYS
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The Best Luxury Getaways from Sydney
Sydney is blessed with loads of dreamy destinations ideal for blissed-out breaks with your partner or posse.
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The 15 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia for 2024
Spots where both of you can sit and stay.
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The Mightiest Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW
Escape reality with a few nights spent in a secluded mini abode.
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Twenty of the Most Romantic Escapes for Two You Can Book in Byron Bay
Spend a few days relaxing with your significant other in these serene spots with outdoor tubs and sparkling plunge pools.
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The Most Secluded Waterfront Getaways You Can Book on the Northern Beaches
You can't jump on a plane to the Riviera, but you can escape the city for a tranquil weekend on Pittwater.
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Twenty of the Most Unique Country Stays You Can Book Around NSW
Swap the big-city hustle for some downtime in the countryside.
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The Most Impressive Group Stays You Can Book in Byron Bay
An array of waterfront villas and roomy coastal retreats ideal for a beach vacay with your besties.
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Twenty Blissful Coastal Escapes You Can Book in Shoalhaven
Escape the city for a few nights in a romantic former silo with 360-degree views or a group getaway with private beach access.
THE BEST OF 2020
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Ten Songs You May Have Missed in 2020 But Can Listen to On Repeat Over Summer
Refresh your summer playlist with these tracks — from feel-good hip hop to anthemic indie-rock.
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The Ten Best Films of 2020
With exceptional dramas, joyous concert documentaries and horror mind-benders, 2020 wasn't lacking in excellent movies.
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The Ten Best New TV Shows of 2020
From a topical horror series and a mind-bending sci-fi thriller to an offbeat Aussie sketch comedy — and they're all available to stream.
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The Ten Best Movies Hardly Anyone Saw in 2020
From topical dramas and animated delights to rousing flicks about the 90s electronic music scene and out-there sci-fi horror movies.
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The 11 Best Books of 2020 to Read This Summer
Use your time off to get deep into the winner of this year's 2020 Miles Franklin Award or a gripping memoir on the dark reality of Silicon Valley.
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Sydney's Best New Cafes of 2020
Start your day at one of our favourite newcomers — there are gluten free bakeries in the inner west, sprawling urban farms on the lower north shore and vegan burger joints by the beach to explore.