A good pair of shoes, your Opal card and the Sydney Trains timetable are all you need to get around the inner city. Central Station is the bustling transport hub of Sydney — from here, you’ll be able to find your way anywhere you want to get to either by train (to Redfern and around the city circle), light rail or on foot.

Say what you will about Sydney’s nightlife, but it does boast a thriving small bar scene. These haunts, including the CBD’s PS40 and Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern, and The Bearded Tit in Redfern, are experts at stirring, shaking and serving up inventive cocktails, and live entertainment, for the post-work crowds.

The CBD’s Pitt Street is where you’ll find high-end boutiques and big-name brands, while Barangaroo Avenue plays host to specialty food stores and eateries. Meanwhile, Redfern’s high street offers a more suburban experience with an eclectic mix of buzzing bars and neighbourhood essentials.

In a city that’s seen a few facelifts (hello Light Rail and Barangaroo), it’s comforting to know that good local businesses can withstand constant change. Nowhere maintains this sense of history and local pride better than the Victorian-era mall, the Strand Arcade, housing longstanding milliner Strand Hatters, cobbler Andrew Macdonald Shoemaker, and the artisan hub Courtesy of the Artist. Head inside for a history lesson in quality customer service and craftsmanship.