Guidebook for San Francisco
Parks & Nature
Just below Bondi’s southern cliffs, there’s a sacred space we call The Temple, and at dawn it’s met with the rays of the rising sun. Where the sand meets the cliffs you’ll find a concrete platform where people do their morning practice—from tai chi to qi gong, yoga, and meditation. It’s the perfect spot for stillness and contemplation.
It’s best to be there at sunrise because it can get windy as the day progresses. In winter, as the sun moves, it can also become shady and cold.
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Bondi Beach
Just below Bondi’s southern cliffs, there’s a sacred space we call The Temple, and at dawn it’s met with the rays of the rising sun. Where the sand meets the cliffs you’ll find a concrete platform where people do their morning practice—from tai chi to qi gong, yoga, and meditation. It’s the perfect spot for stillness and contemplation.
It’s best to be there at sunrise because it can get windy as the day progresses. In winter, as the sun moves, it can also become shady and cold.
This beautiful sunny location opened in 2015, with terraced topography and hundreds of scattered sandstone blocks by the water’s edge—perfect for leaning against and meditating. Newly planted eucalyptus trees give it a very Australian feel, enhanced by the Harbour Bridge just to your right.
Although you’re right at the harbour’s edge, the blocks are protected so you can get out of the wind. Find one that’s comfortable for you and begin your meditation.
Barangaroo Avenue
Barangaroo AvenueThis beautiful sunny location opened in 2015, with terraced topography and hundreds of scattered sandstone blocks by the water’s edge—perfect for leaning against and meditating. Newly planted eucalyptus trees give it a very Australian feel, enhanced by the Harbour Bridge just to your right.
Although you’re right at the harbour’s edge, the blocks are protected so you can get out of the wind. Find one that’s comfortable for you and begin your meditation.
At the tip of South Head in Watsons Bay—at the mouth of Sydney Harbour—there’s an empty Australian colonial-style building built in the 1800s, and I like to lean against the building’s fence, on the north side, for a morning meditation. It’s in one of the most stunning locations overlooking harbour views.
Alternatively, you can walk about 100 metres to the distinctive red-and-white striped Hornby Lighthouse perched on the cliff and greet the morning there, at its base. Both are great meditation locations when there are southerly winds, as they’re sheltered.
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South Head
Old South Head RoadAt the tip of South Head in Watsons Bay—at the mouth of Sydney Harbour—there’s an empty Australian colonial-style building built in the 1800s, and I like to lean against the building’s fence, on the north side, for a morning meditation. It’s in one of the most stunning locations overlooking harbour views.
Alternatively, you can walk about 100 metres to the distinctive red-and-white striped Hornby Lighthouse perched on the cliff and greet the morning there, at its base. Both are great meditation locations when there are southerly winds, as they’re sheltered.
One of my favourite Sydney locations for tranquility. At the centre of this 189-hectare city park is a pine forest that feels like walking into a fairy tale. As soon as you enter you can hear the trees singing as the wind blows through the pines. Pick your favourite tree and sit in stillness.
I love going here after or during rain and smelling the freshness of pines and the wet earth. It’s bliss.
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Centennial Park
15 Locked BagOne of my favourite Sydney locations for tranquility. At the centre of this 189-hectare city park is a pine forest that feels like walking into a fairy tale. As soon as you enter you can hear the trees singing as the wind blows through the pines. Pick your favourite tree and sit in stillness.
I love going here after or during rain and smelling the freshness of pines and the wet earth. It’s bliss.
As soon as you pass through the gates here, you’ll feel an immediate energy shift. Located in the bustling CBD, it’s bordered on one side by towering skyscrapers and on the other by the harbour’s glistening waters and offers 30 hectares of manicured gardens for meditation and contemplation.
To find a spot away from the city’s lunchtime joggers, you’ll need to walk deep into the garden away from the city. Down by the herb garden you can find a comfortable chair and a quiet nook, and you can meditate while surrounded by great-smelling herbs.
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Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Mrs Macquaries RoadAs soon as you pass through the gates here, you’ll feel an immediate energy shift. Located in the bustling CBD, it’s bordered on one side by towering skyscrapers and on the other by the harbour’s glistening waters and offers 30 hectares of manicured gardens for meditation and contemplation.
To find a spot away from the city’s lunchtime joggers, you’ll need to walk deep into the garden away from the city. Down by the herb garden you can find a comfortable chair and a quiet nook, and you can meditate while surrounded by great-smelling herbs.
This is one of the few places in Sydney where you can watch the sun set over the ocean, because the beach is south-facing. The grassy knoll is at the northern end of the beach, at the end of the sand, so you can sit quietly as the golden sun reflects on the water. It’s also protected from the cold, southerly winds during winter.
Because it’s such a great spot, it can get very busy. But there’s also a place on the second tier, on the Ramsgate Avenue roadside, that’s always quiet. In summer it’s ideal because there’s lots of shade—a real bonus when it’s extremely hot.
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North Bondi Grassy Knoll
This is one of the few places in Sydney where you can watch the sun set over the ocean, because the beach is south-facing. The grassy knoll is at the northern end of the beach, at the end of the sand, so you can sit quietly as the golden sun reflects on the water. It’s also protected from the cold, southerly winds during winter.
Because it’s such a great spot, it can get very busy. But there’s also a place on the second tier, on the Ramsgate Avenue roadside, that’s always quiet. In summer it’s ideal because there’s lots of shade—a real bonus when it’s extremely hot.
Sightseeing
Right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD is this remarkable oasis of quiet. It’s a Catholic church and one of the best examples of English-style gothic-revival churches on earth. With many stone arches and stained-glass windows, it’s also an ideal setting for retreating from the urban world and relaxing into a meditation.
There are always tourists walking through the cathedral, so before sitting down, look around and find a pew in a quiet nook.
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St Mary's Cathedral College
2 St Mary's RdRight in the heart of Sydney’s CBD is this remarkable oasis of quiet. It’s a Catholic church and one of the best examples of English-style gothic-revival churches on earth. With many stone arches and stained-glass windows, it’s also an ideal setting for retreating from the urban world and relaxing into a meditation.
There are always tourists walking through the cathedral, so before sitting down, look around and find a pew in a quiet nook.
This stunning early Victorian, Italianate-style public mansion is surrounded by rolling green grass and lush gardens. It has its own gorgeous beach—Milk Beach—and the property looks straight down Sydney Harbour. At sunset it is an amazing spot to meditate.
Milk Beach can get very crowded on weekends, so go midweek for the most relaxed experience—you should be able to find a quiet space on the sand. Alternatively, there are plenty of spots on the lawn under big, shady trees. BYO rug and towel.
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Strickland House
52 Vaucluse RdThis stunning early Victorian, Italianate-style public mansion is surrounded by rolling green grass and lush gardens. It has its own gorgeous beach—Milk Beach—and the property looks straight down Sydney Harbour. At sunset it is an amazing spot to meditate.
Milk Beach can get very crowded on weekends, so go midweek for the most relaxed experience—you should be able to find a quiet space on the sand. Alternatively, there are plenty of spots on the lawn under big, shady trees. BYO rug and towel.
Another oasis of peace and quiet in the heart of the CBD. It’s Australia’s oldest library, with a striking portico and ornate vestibule and multiple levels for you to explore. Find a quiet space to sit, close your eyes, and meditate. There is something peaceful about sitting among all those books and information and emptying the mind.
I like to head straight for The Friends Room on the ground floor, which was built in 1901 as the original Mitchell Library reading room. It has lead-lined cabinetry, Art Deco rugs designed by the Australian designer Florence Broadhurst, and comfortable leather chairs where you can sit undisturbed.
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State Library of New South Wales
1 Shakespeare PlAnother oasis of peace and quiet in the heart of the CBD. It’s Australia’s oldest library, with a striking portico and ornate vestibule and multiple levels for you to explore. Find a quiet space to sit, close your eyes, and meditate. There is something peaceful about sitting among all those books and information and emptying the mind.
I like to head straight for The Friends Room on the ground floor, which was built in 1901 as the original Mitchell Library reading room. It has lead-lined cabinetry, Art Deco rugs designed by the Australian designer Florence Broadhurst, and comfortable leather chairs where you can sit undisturbed.