Laid back and fun loving, Sydney is known for its beautiful harbour, its iconic Opera House, the historic and cultural attractions of The Rocks district, vibrant beaches, and world-class surfing. To help you make the most of your visit, we asked Jorge Sousa, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, to share his insider tips for the best things to see, do and eat in this coastal metropolis.

GO TO MARKET
In the centre of the Pacific Rim, Sydney is one of the world’s great food cities. The Sydney Fish Market is the world’s third-largest, and besides selling 50 tonnes of seafood daily, it also has everything from off-the-boat fresh sushi to wharf-side dining. It also offers seafood classes and behind-the-scenes tours. The Rocks Foodies Market on Fridays, and The Rocks Markets on weekends, are just a quick stroll from the Hotel and are a melting pot of food, fashion and fun. David Jones is Sydney’s answer to London’s Harrods, complete with massive food halls in the Market Street flagship. Here you’ll find numerous dining options, endless gourmet fare and a vast Aussie wine selection.
SCALE NEW HEIGHTS
New Zealand gave us bungee jumping, but Sydney invented the BridgeClimb, a harnessed excursion above and across the landmark Harbour Bridge. In just 15 years it has become the city’s runaway favourite attraction, a must that has seen more than 3 million climbers, up to 100 years old, scale the bridge’s catwalks and ladders. There are two versions of the 3.5-hour tour, and if you’re short on time, there is the Express Climb, designed for smaller groups to give all the thrills in two hours and fifteen minutes. Just a short walk from the Hotel, you can time your climb to take place during the day or at night, twilight or dawn.

TOUR WINE COUNTRY

Australia has leapt onto the world stage with its fine wines, especially with its Shiraz. The nation’s oldest production region is just two hours away in the gorgeous Hunter Valley. This is a favourite escape for Sydneysiders, and an easy day excursion for visitors as well. Door-to-door tours begin with early-morning hotel pick-up and return in time for dinner; they include lunch and private visits to several wineries, cheese tastings and a chance for gift shopping. High-end small group tours and private charters are readily available seven days a week.

SAMPLE SEAFOOD
Since Sydney is all about its harbour, surrounding beaches and views, enjoy an ultra-scenic, round-trip seaplane flight to Palm Beach with Sydney Seaplanes . Waterfront dining is a beloved activity around Sydney, and Doyles  at Watsons Bay is one of Australia’s oldest seafood restaurants. Other top options include Bathers’ Pavilion at Balmoral Beach, Garfish in Manly and Manta at Woolloomooloo. For something a little more local with a little less view, try  Fish at the Rocks  right across from the historic Lord Nelson Brewery , one of Sydney’s oldest pubs.

Eat local

Just off the Hotel lobby and overlooking George and Alfred Streets at Circular Quay, is the artisanal bar GRAIN, where the emphasis on seasonal, local ingredients continues. Choose from a selection of locally brewed beers and a largely organic and biodynamic wine list. Or let the expert team of mixologists put a contemporary twist on your favourite cocktail.

Surfing

Australia and surfing are an almost cliché coupling, but for good reason: Sydney is surrounded by nearly 40 beaches and beach towns. The most famous is Bondi, and though the beach itself may be overrun with camera-toting tourists, the waves are not. Bondi’s highly regarded Let’s Go Surfing school caters to visitors and offers a two-hour Bondi Surf Experience for true surf novices 365 days a year.
BECOME AN OPERA FAN
People with no opera experience often take in their very first performance here, thanks to one of the world’s most iconic buildings, the Sydney Opera House. It is also home to the Australian Ballet and Sydney’s Dance and Theatre companies, but if you can’t find a show that suits your fancy, take the hour-long tour offered every day. Afterwards, stop for a bite or a cocktail at the gorgeous waterfront Opera Kitchen and Opera Bar, nicknamed “the best beer garden in the world,” though it is more an outdoor cocktail lounge.

BUY AN OPAL
These radiant stones contain a near-cosmic array of swirled colours and are totally unique—really a hardened gel, a combination of minerals and as much as one-fifth water. Australia is home to 97 percent of the world’s opals, including the finest, and Sydney is the best place to buy jewellery-quality opals. Ask the four seasons Concierge for current recommendations on the most reputable shops.

By four seasons

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