Capella Sydney
Bridge Street, CBDA restored 1912 sandstone education building turned into the city’s most composed hotel, with a lap pool beneath a glass roof.
Sydney
A city that dresses for the harbour. Stay close to the water, book the tables early, and give a day to the beaches.
New South Wales · 8 places
Photograph: April Pethybridge / Unsplash
When to go
Spring (September–November) for clear harbour days before the summer crowds.
Stay
Park Hyatt Sydney
The RocksLow-rise on the water’s edge; the rooftop pool looks straight at the Opera House.
Dine
Quay
Overseas Passenger Terminal, The RocksPeter Gilmore’s tasting menu with the best dining-room view in the country.
Saint Peter
PaddingtonJosh Niland’s whole-fish cooking changed how the world thinks about seafood.
Stanley
Manly WharfNew for spring 2026: Louis Tikaram’s 248-seat Cantonese room with live seafood tanks.
See
Art Gallery of New South Wales
The DomainThe SANAA-designed Sydney Modern building and the old gallery, joined by a garden walk.
Shop
The Strand Arcade
Pitt Street MallA Victorian arcade of Australian designers and ateliers.
Escape
Bondi to Coogee
Eastern suburbsThe coastal walk at sunrise, then a swim at Bondi Icebergs.
Melbourne