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.
The spirit of summer is a celebration of what it means to be alive. We rediscover our joie de vivre with sandy toes, burnished skin, BBQs by the beach, and one too many daiquiris. But with so much going on at this time of year it’s hard to know where to begin, and what is supposed to be some well-deserved chill time can become a full-blown panic attack. So, what do you do when overwhelmed with options?
Welcome to the Concrete Playground Summer Guide, a shortlist of the best this city has to offer over the warmer months, from rooftop bars to beaches to picnic spots to outdoor dining and much more. You’ll never be without access to the best of everything, because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre.
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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.
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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 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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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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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.
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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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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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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 Best Day Trips from Sydney to Take This Summer
Blowholes, bush walks, cycle trails and vineyard picnics are only a short drive away.
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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.
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The Best BYO Restaurants in Sydney
Skip the mark-ups and BYO to these excellent Sydney establishments.
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The Ten Most Incredibly Designed Public Swimming Pools in the World
Dip a toe into the pool of amazing aesthetics.
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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.
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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.
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Astral People's Summer Dance Parties Return to the National Art School
With none other than Julio Bashmore kicking things off.
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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.
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Bennelong Balcony Pop-Up
Fri, 8 Jan - Sun, 31 Jan 2016
Bennelong, Sydney
Spend balmy nights sipping signature cocktails on the Bennelong balcony.
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Sydney Harbour's Getting a Brand New Australia Day Festival
Count down the Hottest 100 on your own private island.
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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.
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Bennelong Is Opening a Summer Balcony Pop-Up Bar
Spend balmy nights sipping signature cocktails on the Bennelong balcony.
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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.
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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.
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Five Late-Night Art Adventures Happening in Sydney This Summer
Take advantage of Sydney's balmy summer evenings at these special after-hours events.
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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.
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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.
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The Ten Best Places to See Wildlife in Australia
Go forth and make friends with adorable animals.
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Eight Beach Accessories for the Ultimate Summer Day Out
Next-level beach days come with extravagant towels, everlasting phone battery and the best inflatables.
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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.
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Bar
Henry Deane
Rooftop, 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point
The Palisade's luxe rooftop bar is the best place to take in Sydney.
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The Ephemeral City
Fri, 8 Jan 2016 - Sat, 26 Dec 2015
Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo
Build a city and tear it down.
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Guide
The Ten Best Sydney Festival Events That Will Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck
Top quality culture can come on the cheap.
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Meet the Belgian Dance Company That Will Be Knocking Your Socks Off at Sydney Festival
Rosas will show you how moving contemporary dance can be.
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Sydney Is Getting a Summer of Free Waterside Gigs
See SAFIA at Coogee Pavilion and Saskwatch at The Newport. For free.
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Guide
The Ten Best Gigs at Sydney Festival 2016 to Buy Tickets to Right Now
Let the wild rumpus start.
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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.
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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.
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The Ten Best Movies Hardly Anyone Saw in 2015
Do yourself a favour and add these to your must-see movie list.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Guide
Five New Art Exhibitions to See Before the Year is Out
Travel into outer space, Western Sydney and Grayson Perry's inner life.
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The Five Best Overnight Hikes Near Sydney
Spot some incredible wildlife, score some solitude and feel like you're a million miles from civilisation.
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Gelato Messina Is Now Delivering Ice Cream to Your Door, For Real
Netflix and chill just got turned up a notch.
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Have the Fanciest Summer of Your Life at Mollymook's New Boutique Hotel
Languish in luxury on NSW's South Coast.
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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.
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You Can Do Long Sunday Lunches on Sydney Harbour's Fort Denison This Summer
Possibly the best Sydney date idea ever.
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Sydney's Northern Outdoor Cinema Is Back for the Summer
Messina's tiramisu choc tops, VIP teepees and all the summer's biggest blockbusters.
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The Old Clare Rooftop Pool and Bar Is Now Open to the Public
The rooftop pool we've been dying to cannonball into.
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This Private Island Off the Coast of Tassie Lets You Take the Ultimate Break From Reality
And it's all oysters, wine and seaside views.
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Six Artworks You Shouldn't Miss at The Greats
See the 1867 painting that pretty much functioned as a movie.
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Sydney Harbour's New, Permanent Floating Venue Has Arrived
Seadeck is finally anchored in Sydney.
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A Day Tripper's Guide to Thirroul
Hit the road for surf, records and insanely good coffee on the south coast.
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Shucked Is Cronulla's New Hip Hop-Inspired Oyster Bar
Wasabi and pickled ginger oysters with Biggie on the wall.
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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.
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Manly Pavilion Could Be Sydney's Next Big Waterfront Revamp
Looks like the Pav has a new owner.
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New York's Surf Lodge Is Coming to the Watsons Bay Hotel for New Year
Headlined by a top secret international act.
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Australia's First Horror Movie Campout Is Coming to a Creepy Forest Near You
Peace, serenity and the soothing sound of screaming.
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Event
Twilight at Taronga 2016
Thu, 28 Jan - Sat, 12 Mar 2016
Taronga Zoo, Mosman
Straight-up, the best summer date in Sydney.
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The Best Places to Fill Up Your Growler in Sydney
Get your beer cheaper, friendlier and better for the planet.
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The Newport Announces Official Opening Date
Expect a 'vintage gymnasium', pizzeria and a sprawling outdoor beer garden.
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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.
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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.
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The Ten Best Outdoor Gyms in Sydney
Playground equipment for grown-ups. The perfect way to break up a run.
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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.
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Summertime Sips: Three Rum Cocktails to Make at Home this Summer
Your pool party punch and post-festival nightcap, sorted.
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Concrete Playground's Guide to Sydney's Islands
Grab the wine cooler, pack a picnic and go island hopping in your own city.
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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.
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The Ten Best Outdoor Restaurants in Sydney
Combining two of our favourite things into one amazing adventure: the outdoors and delicious food.
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Ten Standout Craft Beers to Try Before the End of Summer
Meet some local beers doing amazing things with hops, water and yeast.
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Ten Outdoor Accessories to Make Your Next Camping Trip the Ultimate
The best gizmos and accessories for getting back to nature.
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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.
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Ten Hotel Oases That Will Cool You Down in Summer
Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have the lowdown on where the trendsetters sleep.
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The Best Bicycle Shops in Sydney
There's a bicycling renaissance afoot, and these are the places where you want to pimp your ride.
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The Five Best Scenic Running Routes in Sydney
Sydney provides plenty of opportunities to combine your fitness regime with a view.