Guidebook for Sydney
Arts & Culture
An ambitious, young, vibrant institution, this is a wonderful place to visit with teenagers—it’s full of surprises. Many exhibitions have bonus educational references and activities especially for kids, and the rooftop cafe here is breathtaking, with unbroken views of the harbour. I order Champagne and my daughter gets a chai latte, and we sit out in the sun.
The gift shop is excellent, with lots of books and other cool creative inspiration, like a sunprint kit or guide to making movies on a smartphone.
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Listasafn samtíma
140 George StAn ambitious, young, vibrant institution, this is a wonderful place to visit with teenagers—it’s full of surprises. Many exhibitions have bonus educational references and activities especially for kids, and the rooftop cafe here is breathtaking, with unbroken views of the harbour. I order Champagne and my daughter gets a chai latte, and we sit out in the sun.
The gift shop is excellent, with lots of books and other cool creative inspiration, like a sunprint kit or guide to making movies on a smartphone.
Aside from this being my favourite building in the world, I take my teens here for anything and everything they’re willing to see. There’s such a diverse program in place, from concerts to theatre to comedy, and sometimes performances—like Tame Impala or Florence and the Machine—are held outdoors on the steps. Be sure to try the Opera Kitchen’s sliders.
The Opera House is within easy reach of all manner of public transport: You can take a bus, catch the train to Circular Quay, or get a ferry here. If you do drive, and park in the Opera House car park, make a note of your floor—we have spent many hours walking round and round searching for our car.
1998 íbúar mæla með
Sydney óperuhús
Aside from this being my favourite building in the world, I take my teens here for anything and everything they’re willing to see. There’s such a diverse program in place, from concerts to theatre to comedy, and sometimes performances—like Tame Impala or Florence and the Machine—are held outdoors on the steps. Be sure to try the Opera Kitchen’s sliders.
The Opera House is within easy reach of all manner of public transport: You can take a bus, catch the train to Circular Quay, or get a ferry here. If you do drive, and park in the Opera House car park, make a note of your floor—we have spent many hours walking round and round searching for our car.
Classes at this big studio space are designed to ignite your inner creative. Regular workshops will have you making candles, learning to knit, or getting tips on styling and interior design. I also host screen-printing classes here. It’s a dynamic place for teens to interact and get hands-on, and there’s a good program during school holidays.
The School is next to an outlet of Koskela, a vibrant homewares store that we love. You could spend hours in here browsing the rugs, pots, art, and books—the space hosts a new exhibition every month. You can also book in for creative classes there, including pottery and Aboriginal weaving.
The School
85 Dunning AveClasses at this big studio space are designed to ignite your inner creative. Regular workshops will have you making candles, learning to knit, or getting tips on styling and interior design. I also host screen-printing classes here. It’s a dynamic place for teens to interact and get hands-on, and there’s a good program during school holidays.
The School is next to an outlet of Koskela, a vibrant homewares store that we love. You could spend hours in here browsing the rugs, pots, art, and books—the space hosts a new exhibition every month. You can also book in for creative classes there, including pottery and Aboriginal weaving.
Shopping
The diversity of books at this Japanese-owned English-language bookstore is quite staggering, with titles covering art, design, travel, cookbooks, manga, and novels for young adults. It’s also home to a great stationery section, and there’s a gallery showcasing emerging artists. You can interact with authors at frequent talks and book launches.
The bookstore is on the edge of Haymarket, Sydney’s Chinatown. We like to go for yum cha at one of the many bustling restaurants in this neighbourhood. There are endless choices, but The Eight is popular for its incredibly fresh dumplings and barbequed meats.
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Kinokuniya Book Store
500 George StThe diversity of books at this Japanese-owned English-language bookstore is quite staggering, with titles covering art, design, travel, cookbooks, manga, and novels for young adults. It’s also home to a great stationery section, and there’s a gallery showcasing emerging artists. You can interact with authors at frequent talks and book launches.
The bookstore is on the edge of Haymarket, Sydney’s Chinatown. We like to go for yum cha at one of the many bustling restaurants in this neighbourhood. There are endless choices, but The Eight is popular for its incredibly fresh dumplings and barbequed meats.
Entertainment & Activities
My teenage daughter talked me into doing the BridgeClimb. I generally don’t like walking, or heights, but this experience is truly awesome. You learn a lot about the history of the city and how the Harbour Bridge was built, and you get to enjoy spectacular views of Sydney and the harbour from the top. It’s a special and bonding experience.
There are a number of different climbs on offer, including a short 1.5-hour sampler where you only go halfway up, as well as one that goes all the way to the top—more than 1,300 steps—in 3.5 hours. I recommend booking a climb at sunset, when it’s unbelievably scenic and peaceful.
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BridgeClimb Sydney
3 Cumberland StMy teenage daughter talked me into doing the BridgeClimb. I generally don’t like walking, or heights, but this experience is truly awesome. You learn a lot about the history of the city and how the Harbour Bridge was built, and you get to enjoy spectacular views of Sydney and the harbour from the top. It’s a special and bonding experience.
There are a number of different climbs on offer, including a short 1.5-hour sampler where you only go halfway up, as well as one that goes all the way to the top—more than 1,300 steps—in 3.5 hours. I recommend booking a climb at sunset, when it’s unbelievably scenic and peaceful.
There are lots of beautiful ocean pools in Sydney, but this harbourside tidal enclosure is particularly popular among teens, who flock here to hang out after school. There’s grassy space and a sandy beach, a big, safe swimming area, and there’s a wooden pontoon for jumping off of. I usually go to the kiosk for a coffee while the kids swim in the water.
Located in leafy Double Bay, the pool is a short walk from the village’s designer boutiques. My daughter loves shopping, and this is a good place to browse the city’s latest fashions minus the crowds that you’ll find at big shopping malls.
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Murray Rose Pool
536 New South Head RdThere are lots of beautiful ocean pools in Sydney, but this harbourside tidal enclosure is particularly popular among teens, who flock here to hang out after school. There’s grassy space and a sandy beach, a big, safe swimming area, and there’s a wooden pontoon for jumping off of. I usually go to the kiosk for a coffee while the kids swim in the water.
Located in leafy Double Bay, the pool is a short walk from the village’s designer boutiques. My daughter loves shopping, and this is a good place to browse the city’s latest fashions minus the crowds that you’ll find at big shopping malls.