Daily Detours for the Week of July 3

Bookshops come and go, but Gould’s has stood its ground in Newtown since 1988. That’s possibly because shifting the titles anywhere else would require the Army, Navy and Air Force. But the more likely key to its longevity is its second-hand book collection being not only the biggest in Australia, but also one of the most extraordinary anywhere. Forget everything primary school taught you about alphabetical order and the Dewey Decimal system. The whole point of the Gould’s experience is to get lost. Whether you’re looking for a specific book or simply browsing, you’ll be wandering down book-lined alleys, picking your way through stacks and coming across rarities and out-of-print editions. Expect to bump shoulders with at least a few frazzled uni students.

Image: Jesse Jaco.

Since 1983, Lucio’s has brought together two of the best things in life — Italian food and art — in a beautiful terrace in Paddington. Owner Lucio Galletto OAM says the combination is like the air he breathes. The fare is of the Northern Italian variety, made with fresh, seasonal produce and pasta whipped up on-the-spot daily. To sample as many dishes as possible, go for the six-course degustation, and between the courses of hearty eats, feast your eyes on the stunning Australian artworks covering the walls. They’re part of Lucio’s private collection, and among them, you’ll spot pieces by John Olsen, John Coburn, Tim Storrier, Charles Blackman and loads of others. Some even speculate that Lucio’s could be one of the world’s best art restaurants, along with New York City’s Four Seasons, London’s Sketches and Ivy and Provence’s La Colombo d’Or.

Image: Jesse Jaco.

Every Wednesday, the MCA leaves the lights on until 9pm, letting you get to know the gallery when the daytime crowds aren’t around. On July 5, the Sundown Sketch Club returns for the MCA late night, exploring the theme ‘Stage Presence’. This laid back art class gives you a chance to have a scribble and soak up harbour views, as you’re guided through the ups and downs of inspiration by an official MCA Art Educator. Once your masterpiece is complete, head to the Sculpture Terrace to celebrate with live music and a tasty morsel or two at the MCA Cafe.

Image: Leslie Liu.

It’s Thursday and you gotta do something to get through that last bit of the workaday week. So, why not go degustating at Tetsuya’s? This is one of the priciest, fanciest feasts around, with flavours beyond your imaginings that make splashing out worth your while. Since 1992, Tetsuya’s hasn’t spent a year without a Chef’s Hat — or two or three.

Head chef and owner Tetsuya Wakuda arrived in Australia from Japan in 1982 at the age of 22, with nought but a suitcase and a passion for food. He opened Tetsuya’s seven years later, and in 2000, transported it to its current lodgings — a glorious heritage-listed building with beautiful dining rooms and a stunning Japanese garden at its centre.

For all its chilling prescience, George Orwell’s 1984 made us believe that loving Big Brother would be horrifying. That just like the protagonist Winston, we’d all be dragged kicking and screaming into Room 101 for conversion. Not so. It took some time, but as apps became less and less coy about asking to root through our messages and contacts, we became less wary of them. The rebellion never had a chance. Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan aren’t so sure. The pair adapted Orwell’s iconic novel for the West End production, and are now directing the Australian season at STC. 1984, which imagines a world where all citizens are under constant surveillance and the government has a ministry dedicated to fake news, seems to be gaining relevance as it ages. If things keep going Orwell’s way, though, it’s unlikely you’ll get another chance to experience it in a theatre. Or in any form for that matter. So what’ll it be — freedom or happiness? Grab some tickets to tonight’s performance, and have a nice long doublethink.

For a proper weekend escape from the city, head to Lady Carrington Drive in the world’s first national park (after Yosemite in the USA). The Royal National Park south of Sydney has 10km of track starting at Audley in the north, following the Hacking River upstream, and ending at Sir Bertram Stevens Drive in the south. In the late 19th century the track functioned as a carriage route, but these days it’s only open to walkers and cyclists. As you make your way through the Nasho, keep a look out for some pure Australiana in the form of lyrebirds, lace monitors, echidnas and sugar gliders. Post bike ride, make sure you leave time for a picnic at one of three dedicated areas, and stop at Palona Brook for an extra detour to explore one of the nearby caves.

Image: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services.

So, it’s been at least two months since you even thought about swimming. Well, you’ve been missing out. There’s nothing quite like jumping into the ocean in the dead of winter, especially if that ocean happens to be surrounded by Bondi’s famous Icebergs Pool. In fact, the pool gets its name from the folks who gather there every Sunday between May and September to swim competitively and earn their right to be an ‘Iceberg’. Don’t let the chilly water temperatures deter you because once you’ve swum your lap, you can immediately race into the sauna. Plus, when you sit down to linger over double-hatted fare in the upstairs restaurant, you’ll feel as though you’ve also earned your right to feast.

Image: Alex Wong.

Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.

By Jasmine Crittenden and Matt Abotomey.