The Sydney Summer Guide 2015/16

It’s that time of year again, when the rising mercury sends us outdoors en masse, pumping our concrete playground with an energy of revelry and renewal.
Concrete Playground
Published on January 13, 2016
  • News

    The Ten Best Secret Beaches in Sydney For a Secluded Spring Swim

    Beat the crowds this sunny season with a trip to these more secluded sands.

  • News

    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.

  • News

    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.

  • News

    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. 

  • News

    Ten Sydney Date Ideas That Aren't Just 'Grabbing a Drink'

    If you're seeking romance that's never stale, here's a bunch of Sydney date ideas that go above and beyond a trip to the bar.

  • News

    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.

  • News

    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.

  • News

    The Best Day Trips from Sydney to Take This Summer

    Blowholes, bush walks, cycle trails and vineyard picnics are only a short drive away.

  • News

    Six Ways to Squeeze the Last Few Drops of Summer Out of the Season

    We can't stop the seasons from changing, but we can keep prolong the end of summer with after-work swims, outdoor movies and sleeping by the beach.

  • News

    The Best BYO Restaurants in Sydney

    Skip the mark-ups and BYO to these excellent Sydney establishments.

  • News

    The Best Cold Coffees in Sydney

    Caffeine hits without the heat.

  • News

    Double Bay Has a Slick New Wine Bar

    Wine lovers, make your way to MISTELLE.

  • Event

    Sunset Cinema North Sydney 2016

    Thu, 21 Jan - Sat, 19 Mar 2016

    North Sydney Oval, North Sydney

    Blockbusters and new releases, backdropped by the North Sydney skyline.

  • Event

    Summer Dance 2016

    Sun, 24 Jan, 2016

    National Art School, Darlinghurst

    Astral People's epic summer parties have returned to the National Art School.

  • News

    Astral People's Summer Dance Parties Return to the National Art School

    With none other than Julio Bashmore kicking things off.

  • Event

    Secret Garden Festival 2016

    Fri, 26 Feb - Sat, 27 Feb 2016

    Secret Location

    Start planning your costume for Australia's beloved one-of-a-kind secret (sorta) festival.

  • Event

    Bennelong Balcony Pop-Up

    Fri, 8 Jan - Sun, 31 Jan 2016

    Bennelong, Sydney

    Spend balmy nights sipping signature cocktails on the Bennelong balcony.

  • News

    Sydney Harbour's Getting a Brand New Australia Day Festival

    Count down the Hottest 100 on your own private island.

  • Event

    Sydney Festival 2016

    Thu, 7 Jan - Tue, 26 Jan 2016

    Various locations across Sydney

    The Flaming Lips, a cardboard city and Festival Village shenanigans aplenty at Sydney's go-to summer event.

  • News

    The Ten Best Movies of 2015

    This year at the movies was about more than Star Wars.

  • News

    Bennelong Is Opening a Summer Balcony Pop-Up Bar

    Spend balmy nights sipping signature cocktails on the Bennelong balcony.

  • News

    Concrete Playground's 2015-16 Summer Reading List

    Ten books to get stuck into by the pool, the beach or on the couch with an Icy Pole in hand.

  • Event

    When Silence Falls

    Sat, 19 Dec 2015 - Sun, 1 May 2016

    An AGNSW show committed to giving a voice to those who have been silenced.

  • News

    QT Hotel Has Opened in Bondi

    Take a little beach staycation.

  • News

    Five Late-Night Art Adventures Happening in Sydney This Summer

    Take advantage of Sydney's balmy summer evenings at these special after-hours events.

  • Event

    Waterman's Bondi Pop-Up

    Sat, 26 Dec 2015 - Sat, 26 Mar 2016

    Waterman's Lobster Co. Bondi Pop-Up, Bondi Beach

    Potts Point's beloved Maine-style rolls are hittin' the beach.

  • Event

    Joy

    Sat, 26 Dec 2015 - Wed, 10 Feb 2016

    Various cinemas in Sydney

    Jennifer Lawrence shines in a film that's both authentic and fanciful.

  • Event

    Suffragette

    Sat, 26 Dec 2015 - Wed, 10 Feb 2016

    Various cinemas in Sydney

    A stirring if somewhat conventional tale about the fight for women's suffrage.

  • News

    The Ten Best Places to See Wildlife in Australia

    Go forth and make friends with adorable animals.

  • News

    Eight Beach Accessories for the Ultimate Summer Day Out

    Next-level beach days come with extravagant towels, everlasting phone battery and the best inflatables.

  • News

    Summer Land Is the New Sydney Festival That Channels Your School Camp Memories

    Stay in a tent, dorm or villa at this brand new boutique festival.

  • Bar

    Henry Deane

    Rooftop, 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point

    The Palisade's luxe rooftop bar is the best place to take in Sydney.

  • Event

    The Ephemeral City

    Fri, 8 Jan 2016 - Sat, 26 Dec 2015

    Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo

    Build a city and tear it down.

  • News

    Sydney Is Getting a Summer of Free Waterside Gigs

    See SAFIA at Coogee Pavilion and Saskwatch at The Newport. For free.

  • News

    Ten Films You Need to See in 2016

    Get excited — a whole new year of cinema awaits.

  • Event

    Sydney Festival 2016

    Thu, 7 Jan - Tue, 26 Jan 2016

    Various locations across Sydney

    This year includes one of the biggest acts the free Domain concert has ever seen.

  • Restaurant

    The Boathouse Shelly Beach

    1 Marine Parade, Manly

    The north shore's favourite restaurant venue group has a delightful accessible-only-by-foot spot at Shelly Beach.

  • News

    The Ten Best Movies Hardly Anyone Saw in 2015

    Do yourself a favour and add these to your must-see movie list.

  • Event

    Moonlight Cinema 2015-16

    Thu, 3 Dec 2015 - Sun, 27 Mar 2016

    Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park, Centennial Park

    Start designating who'll bring the hummus and who's on wine.

  • News

    A Weekender's Guide to Copacabana and Bouddi National Park

    Take a quick drive to shipwrecks, snorkeling, fresh seafood on the beach and swamp wallabies.

  • News

    Meet Handsome Devils Co, Bondi's Resident Hot Sauce and Beard Oil Company

    These Sydney lads make all their favourite things out of one garage.

  • Event

    St George Openair Cinema 2016

    Thu, 7 Jan - Fri, 19 Feb 2016

    Mrs Macquarie's Point, Sydney

    Featuring all the Oscar contenders, summer blockbusters and best 2015 films you could want under the stars.

  • Guide

    Five New Art Exhibitions to See Before the Year is Out

    Travel into outer space, Western Sydney and Grayson Perry's inner life.

  • News

    The Five Best Overnight Hikes Near Sydney

    Spot some incredible wildlife, score some solitude and feel like you're a million miles from civilisation.

  • Event

    Pub Life Kitchen x Barrio Cellar Burger Pop-Up

    Fri, 27 Nov 2015 - Sun, 31 Jan 2016

    Deus Ex Machina, Camperdown

    Two of Sydney's burger monarchs are uniting inside Deus.

  • News

    Sydney's Northern Outdoor Cinema Is Back for the Summer

    Messina's tiramisu choc tops, VIP teepees and all the summer's biggest blockbusters.

  • News

    The Old Clare Rooftop Pool and Bar Is Now Open to the Public

    The rooftop pool we've been dying to cannonball into.

  • News

    The Best Things to Do in Sydney from A-Z

    The ultimate Sydney bucket list.

  • News

    Six Artworks You Shouldn't Miss at The Greats

    See the 1867 painting that pretty much functioned as a movie.

  • News

    A Day Tripper's Guide to Thirroul

    Hit the road for surf, records and insanely good coffee on the south coast.

  • News

    Shucked Is Cronulla's New Hip Hop-Inspired Oyster Bar

    Wasabi and pickled ginger oysters with Biggie on the wall.

  • News

    Darlo Country Club Is The New Bar from The Lobo Plantation and The Island

    The old Victoria Room is now a permanent, old Hollywood-style bar.

  • Event

    Twilight at Taronga 2016

    Thu, 28 Jan - Sat, 12 Mar 2016

    Taronga Zoo, Mosman

    Straight-up, the best summer date in Sydney.

  • News

    The Nine Best Bloody Marys in Sydney

    Cure what ails ya with these gutsy concoctions.

  • News

    The Best Places to Fill Up Your Growler in Sydney

    Get your beer cheaper, friendlier and better for the planet.

  • Guide

    The Ten Best Bars with Free Live Music

    Party paupers, we've got you covered.

  • News

    The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney

    For the ultimate sundowners.

  • News

    The Newport Announces Official Opening Date

    Expect a 'vintage gymnasium', pizzeria and a sprawling outdoor beer garden.

  • News

    The Eight Best Rum Bars in Sydney

    From a Cuban sugar trader's estate to a witch-doctor's apothecary, Sydney's rum destinations are never boring.

  • News

    Zara Home Launches in Australia

    Extend your wardrobe to your walls.

  • Guide

    The Five Best Outdoor Cinemas in Sydney

    Where to get your dose of summer celluloid.

  • News

    Eight Sydney Beach + Eats Trips to Make Before the End of Summer

    For the ultimate summer's satisfaction, combine your beach excursion with a foodie one.

  • News

    The Ten Best Outdoor Gyms in Sydney

    Playground equipment for grown-ups. The perfect way to break up a run.

  • News

    The Ten Best Summer Getaways from Sydney

    You're never more than an hour away from a cabin on the coast and a cocktail to shake in it.

  • News

    Summertime Sips: Three Rum Cocktails to Make at Home this Summer

    Your pool party punch and post-festival nightcap, sorted.

  • News

    Concrete Playground's Guide to Sydney's Islands

    Grab the wine cooler, pack a picnic and go island hopping in your own city.

  • News

    A Guide to the Perfect Summer Playlist from the Makers of JukeCase

    Road tripping, house partying, beach-bumming. Here's how to soundtrack your summer.

  • News

    The Ten Best Harbourside Bars in Sydney

    Because summer drinks are best served by the water.

  • News

    The Ten Best Outdoor Restaurants in Sydney

    Combining two of our favourite things into one amazing adventure: the outdoors and delicious food.

  • News

    Ten Standout Craft Beers to Try Before the End of Summer

    Meet some local beers doing amazing things with hops, water and yeast.

  • News

    Ten Outdoor Accessories to Make Your Next Camping Trip the Ultimate

    The best gizmos and accessories for getting back to nature.

  • News

    The Ten Best Camping Getaways from Sydney

    A digital detox is just a few hours away.

  • News

    The Ultimate Escape in the Daintree and Port Douglas

    For the ultimate Aussie getaway, we head far, far north to Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

  • News

    The Bluffer’s Guide to Summer Entertaining

    Be the host/hostess with the most/mostess.

  • News

    Ten Hotel Oases That Will Cool You Down in Summer

    Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have the lowdown on where the trendsetters sleep.

  • News

    The Best Bicycle Shops in Sydney

    There's a bicycling renaissance afoot, and these are the places where you want to pimp your ride.

  • News

    The Five Best Scenic Running Routes in Sydney

    Sydney provides plenty of opportunities to combine your fitness regime with a view.

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