Overview
Summer is well on its way, and with it comes infinite possibilities. While Sydney may be best known for its pristine stretches of sand, it turns out not everyone is a beach person (shocking, we know). And even beach lovers need a little break from the ocean every now and then. All that being said, there's still no excuse to waste a perfectly nice day sitting on your couch. Looking at the endless sunny days ahead, we've teamed up with our mates at Adrenaline to bring you a guide to exploring Sydney when the weather is fine but you're not up for a beach sesh. This action-packed itinerary spans hiking through the Royal National Park, ferrying to Cronulla, and even learning to fly a plane.
LEARN TO FLY A PLANE
Turns out flying a plane isn't just for pilots. It's actually much more accessible than you'd think. Start your day by heading to Camden Airport (a one-hour drive from the CBD), where this Learn to Fly experience will have you flying a plane within a few minutes of reaching the airfield — with a licensed pilot in tow, of course. You'll be flying with the team at Curtis Aviation in an orange Citabria aircraft.
After a quick training session, you'll take to the skies, with the option to fly inland over the Blue Mountains or out to the coast over the Sea Cliff Bridge. When you're not flying the plane yourself, your co-pilot will guide you through some daring aerobatics. The extended one-hour pilot training costs $330 all up — trust us, it's worth every penny to explore Sydney from new heights. There are 30-minute and 45-minute sessions also available. The first flight departs at 8am, and we suggest getting an early start so you can pack in more adventures throughout the day.
REFUEL WITH A LATE BREKKIE IN CRONULLA
After an action-packed morning, it'll be time to refuel for the rest of your day. From Camden, drive out to the coast and grab a late brekkie in Cronulla. One of our favourite spots is DBowls, with its charming eclectic fit-out and hanging fairy lights. Pick up an acai bowl and wander down to Cronulla Park so you can watch the waves without getting sandy. All bowls come with granola, banana and strawberry, with additional toppings including honey, peanut butter, blueberry, kiwi and passionfruit on offer. Once your stomach is happy, head to Cronulla Wharf, where you can hop on the ferry to Bundeena. Just don't forget to leave your car parked in an all-day spot.
David Molloy Photography via Flickr
HIKE THROUGH PART OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL PARK
The ferry leaves from Cronulla Wharf hourly and takes just 30 minutes to arrive in Bundeena. The lovely coastal town is perfectly situated to enjoy a hike around parts of the Royal National Park. While there are heaps of trails and treks to explore here, arguably the best hike in the region is The Coast Track — it takes you from Bundeena all the way to Otford. Now, you won't have time to walk the entire 26-kilometre trail, which takes most hikers two days to master. But you can enjoy a few hours of the gorgeous trek, which takes you through heaps of coastal lookouts and swimming holes, including Wedding Cake Rock and Wattamolla picnic area. If you're here in the cooler months, you may catch a sighting of whales on their migration route. And in spring, seasonal wildflowers line the path.
Chris Jamieson
ENJOY AN ARVO BEVVIE BY THE WATER
Once you've had enough hiking, catch the ferry back to Cronulla — the ferry leaves from Bundeena Wharf every hour on the hour until 7pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends and public holidays (check the full schedule here). In Cronulla, grab a drink and some snacks at Next Door. This cafe-bar boasts sweeping water views and a seriously good cocktail list. On a sunny day, go for the Spiced Rhum Sour (Creole Shrubb Rhum, aquafaba, mango and ginger), the Charlene (vodka, passionfruit, lime and rosewater) or the Marjorie (coconut tequila, Cointreau, Himalayan salt and granny smith apple). On Sundays, you can snack from the session menu, which includes Sydney rock oysters, calamari with yuzu mayo, truffle parmesan arancini and tuna sashimi, all for just $12 a piece.
DRIVE BACK TO THE CITY THROUGH LAKEMBA
If getting home requires you to head north towards the city, take a detour through Lakemba. This southwest suburb boasts cuisines from regions all across Asia — from Middle Eastern countries like Lebanon, Palestine and Syria to South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, and Southeast Asian countries including Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia. Wander along Haldon Street and try the eats and drinks from a few different places to get the full experience — our picks are Jasmins Restaurant, Island Dreams Cafe and Afghan Sufra. Though the suburb's famed Ramadan Night Markets aren't on again until April 2021, you can find similar vibes in Lakemba all year round.
Start planning your sunny day adventures in Sydney by visiting the Adrenaline website.
Top image: Uloola Brook, Royal National Park, Andrew Harvey via Flickr