Enshrouded in rich azure and bathed in sun from dawn to dusk, Sydney’s eastern suburbs are nestled among the pretty Rose Bay with its beautiful harbour views and Double Bay, known for its famous jewellery designers’ workshop. If you like salt in your hair, head straight for Rushcutters Bay and explore the harbor from a hired yacht. Further inland, Bondi Icebergs Cub welcomes visitors as well, with major sporting events being held at Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium in Moore Park. However, there is much more to Sydney’s east than that.

Spirit of Sydney’s East

Most people visiting Sydney have heard about the famous Bondi beach, so we’re starting your journey from there. This crescent-shaped stretch of whitewashed marble sand and rolling waves are an epitome of the laidback beach culture of the city. You can reach it from the city centre by taking a train from Kings Cross to Bondi Junction, where you can catch a bus to the beach. Beyond Bondi, there are stretches of attractive Sydney neighbourhoods such as Watson’s Bay, Australia’s oldest fishing village, Double Bay, and Paddington’s Oxford Street, known for its markets and shopping venues.

Bondi

Located just 8 km from the city centre, Bondi is definitely one of Sydney’s busiest suburbs, with more postcards sent from there than anywhere else in Australia. Its sun-drenched lifestyle and carefree demeanour invite you to walk along the main promenade and up to its northern headland for whale watching, while Hall Street welcomes you into its many glitzy cafes and dining venues. Try out some of the best Australian beers in pubs such as Beach Road Hotel or Hotel Bondi, or check out delightful cocktail bars such as Ravesi’s, Bucket List and Anchor.

Coogee

This place keeps all the relaxed trademarks of Sydney’s lifestyle and gives you plenty of things to do. One of the city’s oldest suburbs, Coogee has last remaining women’s and children’s ocean bath in Australia, McIvers Bath, perched on the headland between Coogee Beach and Wylie’s Baths. Besides bathing, there is a picturesque 6 km-pathway between Coogee and Bondi, ideal for sunrise walks. And if you’re heading from Bondi, nothing spells reward better than lobster rolls from the Coogee Pavilion or a beer at the Coogee Bay Hotel.

Little Bay

Although it would be unjust to call any stretch of Sydney’s eastern suburbs as undiscovered, Little Bay is as close as it could get to a hidden gem. Formed around Prince Henry Hospital more than 100 years ago, this sprawling coastal site has captured the attention of house hunters and realtors. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this suburb, sandwiched between Malabar and La Perouse, is also become the home of an awarded dementia care program, with highly trained staff offering 24-hr clinical support and ensuring stability, security and peace of mind for their residents and their families.

Watsons Bay

Australia’s oldest fishing village, Watsons Bay remains a thriving local inlet, popular among the visitors and residents alike for its splendid views, delightful park and fresh seafood. The best way to reach it is by a ferry from Circular Quay across marvellous Sydney Harbour. With unmatched views of the harbour, Doyles on the Beach has for many years remained one of Sydney’s finest eateries for fresh fish, lobsters, and prawns. One of the paths from the Watsons Bay wharf takes you north, past Lady Bay beach, where nude bathing is permitted, and onto South Head, with its breathtaking vistas of the Hornby Lighthouse.

Darling Point

The jewel of the Sydney’s East, this affluent suburb is all about grand estate homes, neatly manicured gardens and incredible views over the Harbour. Sharing one side with Rushcutters Bay with its million-dollar yachts, Darling Point is perfect for people who love to sit back and enjoy their serene surroundings, whether in the foreshore parks or their own private harbour inlets. Darling Point is the home of some of the city’s wealthiest residents, but the central waterside location and the availability of beautiful apartments have drawn the attention of many successful young entrepreneurs as well.

Bordered by Sydney Harbour and the Pacific Ocean, the Eastern Suburbs are home to incredible dining, café and bar culture, fascinating beaches, waterfront walks, but also the city’s high rollers and A-list celebrities. With an addictive vibe that varies from bustling Bondi to tranquil Little Bay, it’s hard not to want a slice of Sydney’s east for yourself.

by Lillian Connors