Jeffrey Street, located in the scenic harbour side suburb of Kirribilli, is a vantage point for…read morepanoramic views of the city, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The street is situated immediately across the harbour from Circular Quay, and is a popular location for wedding photography and a prime destination for tourists, especially on New Year's Eve. The size of the crowds that gather here to watch the fireworks now requires a strong security presence. Channel 10 often uses Jeffrey Street as a backdrop for Tim Bailey's evening weather reports. Jeffrey's Street Wharf is no longer used by Sydney Ferries (only private charter services) but it is a good spot for fishing. Sunbake in the little foreshore park or simply take in the impressive lookouts. Benches (but no picnic tables) are available. If you walk uphill from the harbour, you'll find no shortage of cool and intimate cafes in the nearby shopping village. If you're thinking of celebrating NYE or Australia Day here, contact the North Sydney City Council on the number provided for any tips to help keep you safe on the night.

My favorite activity for my first week in Sydney. I can see from this trail how people can become…read moreenamored with the city. Easy access From Bondi Junction, a 20 minute bus ride depending on where you want to start. I walked 90% of the trail because i wanted shorter Bus route. FYI, the bus is within the building of Bondi Junction above the train station not street side. Reminds me of some of the cliffs along the beaches of California. Some tips. Bring swimming trunk, lotion, sun protection, and water bottle. There are refill stations along the way and bathrooms. Not much shade even on this cloudy day. Multiple beaches along the route where you can take a dip. Restaurants are also accessible, but I prefer a picnic lunch so you can enjoy the views with the plenty benches and the beaches. Some have some shady seating options. I went on a weekday so I'm guessing on weekends more crowds. The beaches often have showers and restrooms.

An amazing, 4 mile walk! Truly breathtaking in all the ways possible. From the beautiful,…read morepicturesque spots, to the graveyard and most perfect blue water I've ever seen, this walk was worth every minute, every mile and every step. One of the most memorable, special moments of my time in Sydney. Pictures don't do it justice, but the memories will last a lifetime. Stop along the way at clovelly beach, dolphin look out, and take in natures finest when you finally make it to the Bondi icebergs!

Norwest business park was started in the late 80's and the developers built this large lake smack…read morein the middle of it with the shopping centre, restaurants, and grassed areas along its shoreline. The lake is great for kids as there are a heap of ducks who live there are jettys along the edge allow the kids to reach out and feed them with bread etc. On the weekend there are often groups of older men racing their radio controlled yachts around the lake which is also great to watch. Or if you just want to relax head to the side closest to the shopping centre and there is a few grassed areas shaded by trees. Theres also a great seafood place in the shopping centre so fish & chips by the lake is a great relaxing arvo!

Oh my, how I loved this park as a kid. I still remember gazing in awe at the child-sized choo-choo…read moretrain as it endlessly did round after round after round of the mini train track, it was sooo exciting when he'd toot the horn occasionally. I laugh so hard when I see it now compared to the uber-stimulation kids get these days, and I LOVE that it still exists and is probably still 20c a ride. This lovely family-friendly park always has a few dogs running around, a few games of Frisbee going on and a few people kicking a football around, is well-maintained, expansive, and with ample barbeques and plenty of shade. There are plenty of cubicles in the bathrooms, plenty of room to shower and change in the change room and, rarely for the Eastern Suburbs, some privacy is even offered for the more modest amongst us. (Not me, I grew up here.) If the BBQ's are all in use (common in Summer), supplies can be found at the Bronte Kiosk and fish'n'chips and the like can be had from any of the shops across the road. DO NOT expect to find a newspaper down here though, the caffs all have them to read on the premises but if you plan on reading the trashy Sunday papers in the park or on the beach it's BYO.

Whether you've made it to Bronte Reserve because you're half way through a Bondi to Bronte Walk or…read moreyou've purposefully decided to head down there to meet mates or play with your kids - this park never disappoints. This grasslands sits right near the beach and offers a place to play with the kids, throw ball with the dog or to chill with your friends and have a BBQ. It gets busy in summer but not as bad or as touristy as Bondi, so locals tend to head here instead. It's a great place for a picnic and if you can't be bothered cooking there are heaps of great cafes near where you can grab something, sit on the grass and enjoy the stunning view. A great park for all!

Yesterweek, in the intense autumnal sun* I walked along the Parramatta riverbank. I was not…read moreunaccompanied. Sunday morning joggers, dog-walkers, touristy hikers passed me by while less active nappers stretched out on the grass. But my Riverside Walk was also accompanied by something else: a colonial soundscape. Before setting out on my self-guided tour of four historically-evocative artwork installations on the river foreshore, I downloaded the FREE podcast "Life Along the Riverbank" via iTunes, which includes four audio tracks and a full colour brochure of the tour. The idea is that the artworks, the text incorporated into these visual works, and the audio conjure up the colonial world of the early 1800s. You get to hear real stories of real everyday people; cons, free men and women, children, aboriginal people of the region - the Burramatta - and soldiers, while you stand in the very spots where their histories unfolded and became entangled forever. The audio tracks are great; the voiceovers capture the accents authentic to the period and the quotations have been pulled directly from primary sources. Some choice sound effects also transport you to a time when Parramatta was a brutal military garrison town. The artworks and soundscape aim to reveal "stories of hardship, love, loss, survival, order and punishment" and in that they certainly succeed! The tour itself is very short in terms of walking distance; beginning just behind the Parramatta Wharf where the Rivercat comes in and ending at the Gasworks Bridge. The audio tracks are also not overly long. I still managed to draw the whole tour out to a couple of hours, however, as I photographed every inch of the spaces at every conceivable angle and, if I'm honest, had a little difficulty finding Stop 2 and Stop 4...but I'll say more on that later. You could do the whole tour much quicker than I did. In fact, the total audio time is approximately 10 minutes. Stop 1 "STORYWALLS" harmonise nicely with the natural landscape as they look like brown hills beneath a beautiful old shady tree. Each "hill" contains text; details of notables who lived in Parramatta; an Aboriginal missionary, a female teacher, convicts (including poor Ann Mash who was sentenced to seven years for stealing a bushel of wheat!), and the painted, spear-weilding Baluderri who "came to Governor Phillip's hut in a violent rage" threatening to kill the white men who had broken his canoe." These people are made more real to you as you listen to the podcast. Stop 2 "THE BACKYARD OF HARRISFORD" was a bit hard to find! I also recommend you actually walk up the path and follow it right past the new apartment blocks there to look at the front of HARRISFORD, which was the original school for colonial children and went on to become the first King's School. Conservation work is currently underway, but there is plenty to see even from the outside. Listen to the podcast to hear the tales of students who used to play there. Stop 3 "SENTRY BOX" - you can't miss this one. A bright red and white striped artistic re-interpretation of a colonial military Sentry Box that once stood here in the 1790s. It is rather gothic-looking with the shovels and pitchforks etc that stick out the top. Inside the Sentry Box are more primary source quotes, which you can listen to on the podcast. Stop 4 "WINDMILL SHADOW" - I walked right over this one just in front of the Gasworks Bridge initially as this artwork is subtle compared to the nearby Sentry Box. It is comprised of charcoal tiles against the otherwise white cement pavement. The charcoal lines represent approximately where the shadow of Howell's mill would have fallen if it were still standing. The audio track for this one was my favourite. A 48-second folk song about Howell's Mill sung in that really open-throated colonial way that you'd normally associate with sea shanties including songs like "Botany Bay." I confess to playing that track a few times before moving on! It utterly transported me to a time when the colonists relied heavily on windmills for the power that would help them survive an incredible unforgiving environment. It's so peaceful here now, but the self-guided tour podcast and these artworks go a long way towards helping you imagine a time when it was anything but. The artworks and the podcast are all part of Parramatta City Council's "Parramatta Stories Project" and were created by historian Michael Flynn and artists Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse. It's great that Parramatta Council has made such an effort to preserve the incredible historical heritage of Parramatta. *Review was originally written and posted 29 March 2014.

When you get off the Rivercat at Parramatta wharf, you're right at the end of the navigable part of…read morethe river. There's a little weir, with a walkway over the top, and beyond that, parks and walkways along the foreshore. When I arrived on a bright, sunny day, there was a guy fishing over the weir, officeworkers inhaling lunch under the trees and others power-walking, trying ever so hard not to puff. As I sat on the plentiful grass, a kookaburra chased off some somnolent looking pigeons and then flew off over the waterlilies. Never having visited the river here before, I was amazed to see so much green space so near the city centre of Parramatta, and greatly enjoyed my walk up to the Heritage Centre, just over Lennox Bridge. Along much of the way, you can enjoy the 'Riverside Walk' artpiece by Aboriginal artist Jamie Eastwood. It visually represents the history of the area from an Aboriginal point of view. There's little plaques giving a historical backing to the visuals, and would make a great way to educate the kids. This area's been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, and it's quite a legacy to think about as you take each step. The ancient history of this country and its people may not be as visible as the Pyramids or Stonehenge, but it's here, under our feet. It just takes a bit more imaginative effort and interest on our part to conjure up. It's only a ten minute walk or so up to the Heritage centre (and a stop on the free bus loop) and beats pounding the asphalt no end.

Extending from Collaroy beach pool south to Long Reef life saving club, the aquatic reserve is a…read moredesignated protected habitat for sea life, which thrives on the rocky platform that borders the Long Reef headland. Exploring the platform at low tide is a simple and interesting diversion for kids. Park near the golf club, either in the paid foreshore carpark or in the neighbouring streets, and make your way on foot along the beach to reach the rocks. Signage explains the wildlife and plantlife you are likely to see. A path climbs up from the outer point to to top of the headland, where you get a different perspective on the geography of the site, and one of the best views in Sydney stretching from the city skyline all the way north to Barrenjoey Head. The Park is a haven for fish, and whilst it is illegal - and highly penalised - to interfere with shorelife, individuals can fish for fin-fish off shore with lines or spears. An historic fisherman's hut is maintained on the northern side of the headland, dedicated to recreational fisherman. Convenient sinks with running water are provided for the successful to gut and clean their haul, with an enthusiastic bunch of pelicans and seagulls on-hand to enjoy the spoils.

Snorkel experience not recommended. The guide took us to a location with poor visibility and choppy…read morewaves, there was little to see and he was not forthcoming in describing what there was or advising what to look for. The worst part was they insisted we wear heavy ill-fitting wetsuits. Mine was 7mm which would be fine if the water was 15°, but it was 22° and the day was 35°. We died from heat, and the suits made it impossible to mitigate the bad visibility by diving. We called the session early and got out of there, my worst snorkel outing at Sydney by far. All of this is the result of them not understanding how snorkeling is different from scuba. Go anywhere else for your intro.

Amazing dive centre with knowledgeable staff. If you want the best diving in Sydney, this is the…read morespot.

We took a walk down to this pretty park from our nearby apartment. It's got a bit of everything -…read morewalking/running paths, great water views, tennis courts, play equipment for the kids and more! We walked along the bay for a bit, and stopped at the marina for a drink. There are signs warning you that sharks have been spotted in the bay, so not a place for a refreshing dip. But if you have a boat, it sure seems like a nice place to dock it. For a place so close to the CBD, it was quiet and felt like smiles away from the noise of the city.

Rushcutters Bay Park has a few hidden gems (ok maybe not that hidden) that are great if you are…read moreactive or not. The monkey bars at the south end are actually a great area to do a workout. Watch out for peak hour - right after work - sometimes there are groups of people being coached in that area so you might need to wait for specific stations. There are tennis courts at the south west side of the park - book them online but if you try for early evening there are some people that have standard bookings each week. Later at night is good since they have a great lighting system. Even better is during the day with fewer people around. There is a cafe here that is decent for a coffee but there are so many other coffee shops nearby that you may want to walk a bit. At the Cruising Yacht Club there is a restaurant as well. Fantastic outdoor deck seating and fish and chips are ok. Of course nice cold beer is available as well. You can get reservations and some weekends are very busy. Never tried the indoor seating (why would you when you are by the harbour?). The whole park is dog friendly so be prepared for some visitors if you are having a picnic. Some dogs running 'free-range' but never had a problem. Just make some new friends.

If there's one thing that Sydney does well, it's parks. As a treasure trove of history and nature,…read moreBallast Point Park in Birchgrove is up there with some of Sydney's best. The 'green-ness' of this park is present in a few different meanings of the word: Green (newborn) Ballast Point was only officially rereleased as public property in 2002 and was only opened as a park in 2009 and thus is one of Sydney's newest parks. Its lawns are pristine, the plants are but babes and the only form of graffiti (if you can call it that) is the wall of padlocks, engraved and locked to the wall by lovers and friends. I'd previously only seen such a thing at the Pont des Arts in Paris. Finding something so beautiful glistening in the sun and within a keys throw from my house was a delight. Green (environmentally friendly): With a history in crude oil, Ballast Point Park is now working towards a future fuelled by renewable energy. A trip to this park doubles as a local history lesson, as placards and engravings around Ballast Point explain the sites timeline, from it's Aboriginal origins to its role in European Shipping (from whence it gets its name), to when it housed Menevia House and then the house was turned into a boarding home before falling into disrepair and being demolished. The site was then bought by Texan Oil Company before being sold to Caltex and then finally being released as public territory. Now, the park that played such a big role in Australia's energy has installed eight wind turbines, affixed to artistic structures to power all the lights of the park. Green (the colour of grass): Ballast Point Park's grasses are so green and pristine due not only to the newness of the park, but to the carefully carved and easy to follow tracks around the park - tracks that one feels obliged to stick to in respect to the beautiful grounds. This place is a beautiful find. Aside from the faint chug of ferrys, Ballast Point Park is a peaceful waterside retreat. Perfect for fishing (lots of benches, Horse Shoe life-saver thingys and fishing line disposal points), walking the dog (on leash, you can let it off leash once you reach Mort Bay Park around the corner) or just sitting in the sun on one of their copious park benches, Ballast Point Park is a new love of mine. Also, it smells like rainforest. Perfect.

During our visit to Manly, since we thought it was a bit too chilly to hang out on the beach, we…read moretook a nice walk along the Manly Scenic Walkway from the corner of Manly Beach by the Manly Life Saving Club to Shelley Beach, and back again. It is a relatively safe, mostly fenced in path by the water. Basically, you would have to be taking some large risks to fall in, though there are places you may venture forth onto relatively flat rocks or around a neat outdoor swimming pool. With a leisurely pace and pauses for photos or just to sit back and relax, the round trip took us an hour and 15 minutes. I particularly enjoyed the metal sculptures set in the rocky ledges along the walkway leading towards Shelley Beach, known as the Cabbage Tree Bay Eco Sculpture Walk. Also outstanding, at Shelley Beach, there were quite a few wild turkeys wandering about.

The Manly to Shelly Beach Walk is located in an area known as the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve…read more The boundaries are from the south end of Manly Beach to the north end of Shelly Beach. This area is full of rocky shores which you see numerous people walking around in. The waters of the reserve is home to more than 160 species of fish along with kelp and seagrass. While the actual walkway on Marine Parade is a nice place for walker and joggers/runners to get some physical activity while being amidst some natural beauty. Along the walk you see a lot of waterfront houses. Saw a number of houses perched on top of rock formations and walls. It must be nice living in these homes as they are seaside, but in walking distance to the city portion of Manly. At the end of walk you arrive at Shelly Beach which is a pleasant beach that is more secluded than the larger Manly Beach. It is also covered in trees so it has an island paradise vibe to it. If you are looking for a relaxed beach, Shelly Beach is a good spot. While Manly Beach is the main attraction in the area, this beach walk is nice too as you can get an opposite side view of Manly Beach. The rocky shores and rock wall formations in the area also are reasons to take this walk.