Sydney Like You've Never Seen It Before
You may have been to Sydney countless times before, however, I guarantee you, you haven't been to at least one of the places listed below.
Having travelled to Sydney quite a lot, especially recently (nine times within the last 18 months!) I have been able to explore the city and its surrounds quite extensively. Such exploration has meant I have managed to uncover a handful of hidden gems, that most would simply walk straight past and never know even existed.
Sydney is a city full of surprises and is so much more than just the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, that is for sure. It is for this reason that I never get bored of Sydney, and likely never will; no matter how frequently I venture down south, I, without fault, always manage to discover something new, that only deepens and reaffirms my love for this one of a kind city.
So I share with you in this blog just some of the more surprising and unique places that I have stumbled upon during my travels throughout the city.
Carriageworks | Eveleigh
Housed within an old, industrial-style building, very similar to the Powerhouse in New Farm, Carriageworks is a contemporary multi-arts centre, that displays some truly amazing, artist-led exhibitions that are definitely worth checking out if in the area. The various contemporary exhibitions at the Carriageworks change fairly frequently, only lasting a few months before being replaced so it's important if planning a visit to first check out the Carriageworks website to see 'What's On'.
Upon my first visit, the exhibition on at the time was the rather unusually titled, 'The Horse Trotted Another Couple of Metres, Then it Stopped' by renowned German-artist Katharina Grosse. This particular installation consisted of an unbelievable eight thousand square metres of spray-painted hanging fabric, that took ten full days to spray paint!
Returning again only last month, a new display by French artist Daniel Buren, titled 'Like Child's Play', was on, which comprised of 100 oversized coloured woodblock toys.
Additionally, although I have not yet been, though is definitely on my list for the next time I'm back in Sydney, each Saturday from 8.00am - 1.00pm a massive farmer's market is held, where an abundance of fresh seasonal produce from farmer's and artisan producers from across New South Wales can be brought.
245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
Open 7 Days 10.00am - 6.00pm
Camp Cove | Watson's Bay
Camp Cove, just a short stroll from popular Watson's Bay, not only boasts a stunning stretch of sand, and million-dollar views looking back at the city of Sydney, however, you'll also find a cute little beach hut - perfect for photos! My tip though, whether a photographer or not, is to try to time your visit to enjoy the sunset as it's a pretty special spot to be to end the day.
Paddington Reservoir Gardens | Paddington
An oasis of greenery, right within the heart of the affluent neighbourhood of Paddington, the Paddington Reservoir Gardens is a cool little hidden gem I stumbled across one day. Once a water reservoir which accepted water from the Botany Swamps pumping station to supply to parts of Sydney between 1866 to 1899, the gardens now, lovingly transformed, form a breathtaking and unique urban green space that seamlessly blends old and new.
251-255 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021
Open 7 Days 7.00am - 7.00pm
Angel Place Birdcages | CBD
Unless you go searching for this one, chances are you're going to miss this one completely, as although situated right within the CBD of Sydney, sandwiched between Pitt and George Street, easily two of the busiest streets in the city, it's in a laneway you just wouldn't really ever think about venturing down. However, if you do, make sure you look up, as you'll find 'Forgotten Song', a public artwork by Michael Thomas Hill consisting of a canopy of birdcages suspended above Angel Place.
A nice and unexpected touch is that while walking below the birdcages pre-recorded bird calls of species of birds that use to live in central Sydney years ago play, and these change as day shifts to night, for example as the sun sets bird calls of nocturnal birds play!
Angel Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
Open 7 Days 24 hrs
The Calyx | Royal Botanic Gardens
Situated within Sydney's vast Royal Botanic Gardens, the Calyx is a fairly recent development that I only came across earlier within the year. The primary attraction is the free floral display known as Pollination, in which within a massive greenhouse-like structure features a collection of plants and flowers, all aimed at showcasing the role colour plays in nature’s magnificent act of pollination.
However, it is the massive green wall, the largest of its kind in Australia, standing at six metres high and spanning fifty metres, that is the display's hero piece or show stopper that will undoubtedly leave you in awe.
Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
Open 7 Days 10.00am - 4.00pm
Badu Gilli | CBD
Only launching last year, on the 28th of June, Badu Gilli — meaning ‘water light’ in the language of the traditional owners of Bennelong Point, the Gadigal people — is a daily experience that explores ancient First Nations stories in a spectacular seven-minute projection. The free experience illuminates the Opera House’s eastern Bennelong sail year-round at sunset and 7.00pm and is best viewed from the top of the Monumental Steps.
Sydney Opera House's eastern Bennelong Sail
Sunset & 7.00pm daily
University of Technology | Ultimo
The Goods Line is a walking route that leads from Central Station down to Darling Harbour over disused train lines, that have been beautifully restored and landscaped; think the High Line in New York City, if familiar. Beyond being a pleasant walk, there is also some incredible architecture to look out for along the way, notably the Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building, part of Sydney's University of Technology (pictured).
Designed by highly celebrated architect, Frank Gehry, the Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building provides teaching, learning, research and office accommodation for the Business School – as well as extensive public spaces – across 11 occupied floors. The building is named for Australian-Chinese businessman and philanthropist Dr Chau Chak Wing, who donated twenty million dollars to the project, along with an additional five million dollars for Australia-China scholarships. Dr Chau Chak Wing’s son studied architecture at UTS.
Building 8, 14-28 Ultimo Rd, Ultimo NSW 2007
Open 7 Days 8.00am - 10.00pm weekdays & 8.00am - 6.00pm on weekends
Tramsheds | Forest Lodge
Housed in the former historic Rozelle Tram Depot, the Tramsheds, located only minutes outside of the CBD of Sydney, just a quick trip on the light rail, is a haven for foodies. With a variety of vendors, offering every type of food and cuisine imaginable, the hardest part will be deciding on what to have!
Plus, the Tramsheds regularly hold a number of events, from wine tastings to adult pasta classes, and on Sunday's, from 8.00am - 2.00pm hosts the Tramsheds Growers Markets.
I have visited on two occasions, first enjoying pizza and pasta at Heritage Bakery & Pizzeria, a bakery, pizzeria and mill, and also indulging in a range of seafood offerings at Fish and Co, a sustainable seafood eatery driven by a 'fisherman to plate' philosophy.
1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge NSW 2037
Open 7 Days 7.00am - 10.00pm
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