This is a bit of a pain to get to - all Hogwarts-style alleys and secret staircases too narrow for…read moretwo people to walk abreast - but the payoff is pretty great. Oh yeah and parking suuuuuucks, especially as literally every house in the little cul-de-sac is doing renovations because they're rich, why not slap on another level every couple of years? Once you've got a park, sneak down the alley (there's a signpost) next to the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, which is looking a little worse for wear mind you, and there you are, an entire small-but-perfectly-formed beach all to yourself and whoever you came with (a date? Did you bring a date? I hope it goes well. Good beach choice, by the way. You'll score points). Can get choppy on overcase days, best to come when the sun's out and your guns are also out. It's a cracking place to while away an afternoon, plus you can look at all the giant houses and wonder what the hell these people do for a living.

Stumbled upon this amazing spot when walking to my hotel. The food is yummy, the view is gorgeous…read more Such a great secret spot.

Ever go somewhere and it's phenomenal but then you kind of forget how good it is until you go there…read moreagain? It's kind of how I imagine many girls feel about my bedroom. Probably. But yeah, Redleaf. Halfway between Kings Cross and Vaucluse, it really is just a peach of a place. Stroll down through some magic manicured gardens to a hidden slice of damn near perfection. Long, lovely sand, a shady hill with green grass to sprawl on (shoot for a prime spot under the trees, or miss out and quietly get well jell of the people that did manage to jag a tree spot) and a big, beautiful private swimming pool made of the harbour itself. Swim out to the pontoons and have yo-self a little ol' pontoon party. That's what the cool Eastern Subbsies kids do. And pretending you're one of them can't hurt. You just have to get the strut right.

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.

Good lord, what a find. Stumbling upon Athol Bay is like uncovering secret treasure, only with more…read moresand and less gold. I've lived i this area all my life and yet I've only just discovered this gorgeous secret beach, which gives you some indication as to its preference for anonymity. Wedding planners are a canny and secretive lot. If they weren't, we'd have known about this ages ago. As it is I only discovered Athol Bay when at a wedding at Athol Hall. I saw a path into the bush. Followed it. Emerged at a glorious small stretch of sand with the ocean behind it and the widest, cleanest, clearest view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge I've seen since that time I hijacked that police helicopter and went joyriding. Spectacular.

Running alongside The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, tucked away down a flight of steps is this…read morehidden reserve. There's seating and a small little beach, with waves lapping against the shore. It's not exactly a point break so leave your boogie board and flippers at home. This isn't the quietest spot, the tinkering tap of metallic sail lines, and the buzz of the bistro above are stark reminders of the noisy world in which we live. However, this splash of green, in a never-ending sea of grey does provide some welcome respite.

This is a community swimming pool inside the botanical gardens. We passed through in November, it…read morewas 70 degrees and too cool for swimming. The location along the harbor is perfect.

Generally, Sydney is a swimmer's paradise. I'm visiting from California and cannot believe the…read moreoptions for pool and open water swimming. ABC Pool hasn't disappointed. Awesome location and views, always plenty of lane/circling space and a solid post-swim cafe experience.

A great location, right near St Mary's Cathedral; The Domain; Hyde Park and the Australian Museum…read more If you want to give the Boy Charlton Pool a bit of a break (and great swimming in winter here) then come and swim your laps here. A great, fast pool (like the Homebush aquatic centre) with great aqua classes for toning and shaping your body; especially if you want to give the traditional gym machines a miss. And it is extremely close to Kings Cross. Local residents living in Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and Elizabeth Bay normally come to this gym, or to City Gym on Crown Street. It is the type of establishment that you want to come back for more, and more. Gym junkies and fitness fanatics rejoice. I have mainly been a causal visitor, although I have friends and business associates who are on memberships here; and once they have left the chain gyms behind; they become addicted to adrenaline here in addition to using the swimming pool. It is bliss to also be surrounded by an abundance of greenery; and an inspiring way to workout. Their fitness trainers are also quite professional, and it is the type of health club where you don't feel like your left out or forgotten weeks after joining up.

Australia and Sydney has some of the best swimming pools in the world in my opinion. When I lived…read morein Australia I used to go here every time I visited Sydney. The facilities are outstanding and it opens up in summer, it has nice wall art and it's a full 50M pool with lots of lanes open for lap swimming. When I think about the best pools I've been to this is the one that I think of. If I lived in Sydney I'd go here every day. The price is quite honestly cheap for what you get. Seriously, just go here and enjoy an excellent facility.

So this park is just a little sentimental to me. I went to Double Bay Primary School (across the…read moreroad), and this sprawling patch of harbourside green was my lunchtime playground... little did I appreciate it at the time. This is the perfect picnic spot. Settle in the shade of a majestic fig tree, and marvel at the endless park activity... frisbees, cricket, tai chi, footy, runners, dogs... dogs love it here. There's a playground for the kiddies, and a big gazebo to sit inside if lying on a blanket on the ground ain't your thing... but you might have to share it. Plenty of cute boats to ogle. And lots of water action, particularly when the 18 footers are in full sailing swing. Head towards the club (perched over the water) and you'll see Double Bay beach to the right. This could be the world's smallest beach, but it's cute and picturesque. Keep an eye out for the resident gaggle of geese... work on your harbourside tan... or frolic in the shallows and cool off on a hot day. Tip: avoid Steyne park like the plague on school days, or prepare to be overrun by hundreds of rambunctious primary schoolers.

Nestled next to the water's edge, this is a fabulous grassy patch/playing field/exercising area…read more There's a well equipped children's play park with swings and climbing frames, as well as plenty of space to run wild. Set convieniently close to Double Bay and an easy walk to Rushcutter's, this is a wonderful destination on a summer's day for a picnic and a play.