Indulge in the finest luxuries, whether adrenaline fuelled pursuits or shopping local designers in this glorious Australian city.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Australia”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Indulge in the finest luxuries, whether adrenaline fuelled pursuits or shopping local designers in this glorious Australian city.

SEE & DO

Fuel up on adrenaline with these amazing and thrilling experiences to see Sydney from a new vantage point.

 

BridgeClimb

For a panoramic view of the city, we recommend the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, especially to watch the sunset or sunrise. You’ll join celebrities like Sam Smith, Eva Longoria and Demi Lovato in this thrilling experience, 134m above the sea with panoramic views of the city. Photos of this memorable experience will be included in the ticket price. Bridgeclimb.com; AUD$218

Ultimate Sightseeing

For a day of ultimate pampering, Lime & Tonic will arrange a limousine transfer to the airport, where a helicopter will be waiting to take you on a sightseeing flight over Sydney. Dine in a suite in the city’s most exclusive five-star hotel, on a bespoke menu specially prepared by the hotel’s Executive Chef. Limeandtonic.com/Sydney; AUD$17,500

Thrilling Skydives

Alternatively, take a day trip to skydive the Hunter Valley with Lime & Tonic from heights of up to 14,000ft, with a freefall at amazing speeds of more than 200kmh for a minute, before enjoying spectacular views of the vineyards of the valley from up above. Limeandtonic.com/Sydney; AUD$299

UNESCO Sights

Travel to the Blue Mountains in a Rolls-Royce jet turbine, air-conditioned helicopter, passing the Three Sisters and Wentworth Falls, before descending and exploring the mountains by private 4WD vehicles, followed by a two-course lunch with wine at Lilianfel’s restaurant. This is available from HeliExperiences. Heliexperiences.com.au; AUD$4,999

Whale Watching

Embark on a whale watching tour from Sydney with Captain Cook Cruises, best in May to November. The cruise onboard an ocean catamaran is reputed to have a 99 per cent chance of seeing a whale – most likely a humpback whale or a Southern Right Whale. We recommend a private charter for the utmost privacy. Captaincook.com.au; AUD$49

Scenic Drives

With Red Balloon, drive some of the most renowned supercars like the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Aston Martin around Sydney’s South Coast, passing Stanwell Tops and the Sea Cliff Bridge. The only caveat is you’ll have to have an Australian licence, and that you’ll need a minimum of eight participants for this. Redballoon.com.au; AUD$1,499

Thrilling Aerobatics

Experience the best skills of Australia’s Jet Fighter pilots in a passenger flight in an L39 Jet Fighter. Available with Red Balloon, slide into the back seat and be thrilled by the 4,000lbs of thrust propelling you into the sky. Be thrilled by the high G combat manoeuvres, and the aerobatics before diving for the hard deck at up 910kmh. Redballoon.com.au; AUD$1,590

STAY

At the end of the day, luxuriate in the finest suites the city has to offer.

Park Hyatt Sydney

One of the best options for accommodation in Sydney is Park Hyatt Sydney, with great views of the Opera House. Its Cove Suite is furnished with a Nespresso coffee machine, a private concierge and marble bath with two Terraces.sydney.parkhyatt.com; AUD$950

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

Families especially will love the amenities at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, as rooms can be childproofed, cribs and rollaway beds added to rooms like the Presidential Suite and changing mats and tables, bottles and bottle warmers are easily available. Children with allergies can sleep on hypoallergenic pillows available on request. Fourseasons.com/Sydney; AUD$365

InterContintental Sydney

Follow celebrities like Oprah, Frank Sinatra and Daniel Craig and stay in the Australia Suite at the InterContintental Sydney. The hotel has 509 guestrooms, and its 245sqm Australia Suite is Sydney’s largest. Other amenities include a grand piano and a walk-in wardrobe. Icsydney.com.au; AUD$248

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley

Out of the city centre – great for a weekend staycation – head to the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. The resort sits on a 7,000ac conservation and wildlife reserve, and has amazing views of the Greater Blue Mountains from your three-bedroom Wolgan Suite. Wolganvalley.oneandonlyresorts.com; AUD$2,050

QT Sydney

The epitome of cool, stay at the QT Sydney, a DesignHotels™ member, located among the State theatre buildings and historic Gowings. It blends a number of distinct designs, with influences from Art Deco, Gothic and Italiante for the building’s exterior architecture. It’s the perfect location for a snazzy event. Stay in the largest QT State Suite, outfitted with designer furnishings and amenities for a stylish, yet comfortable night’s rest. Qtsydney.com.au; AUD$330

Sheraton on the Park

Furnished with Hermès bath amenities and two large plasma televisions with BOSE speakers and DVD player, the 205sqm Royal Suite in the Sheraton on the Park hotel guarantees a luxurious stay, especially with its super king-sized Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® Bed. Starwoodhotels.com; AUD$269

Westin Sydney

Set in the historic General Post Office building, the Westin Sydney’s design pays homage to its legacy, while infusing it with a modern twist. Each of the 416 rooms offer BOSE sound systems, deep plunge baths and of course the Heavenly® bed. Keep fit during your stay –running shoes and a custom running map will be provided. Starwoodhotels.com; AUD$262

EAT

We unveil some of the best Chef’s Hats restaurants to try during your visit to Sydney.

Rockpool est 1989.

With a total of 19 Hats, Rockpool continues to define modern Australian cuisine. Try the tasting menu at dinner, which might include the Blue Mountains Wagyu softly grilled and flavoured with wasabi and pickled chrysanthemum or the original date tart that has been served for 31 years. Rockpool.com; AUD 49

Momofuku Sei?bo

Momofuku Sei?bo is a Three Hat restaurant with a frequentlychanging tasting menu. Group bookings can be made for up to 10 persons, while reservations must be made for lunch and dinner in the 30 – 40 seat dining area. Momofuku.com/Sydney; AUD$185

Marque

Another great place to head to is Marque. Dishes include the New Zealand Bass Grouper with Fish Milk & Scales, paired with 2013 Laurent Tribut Chablis-Burgundy wine from France. Choose the eight-course menu from Monday to Saturday. Book the private dining room that can seat a maximum of 14 persons. Marquesrestaurant.com.au; AUD$49

Guillaumes

Dine on the best French cuisine at Guillaumes, also focusing, like many others on this list, on seasonal, produce driven food. The degustation menu will include Grimaud Duck sourced from the Lower Blue Mountains or King George Whiting at Port Lincoln in South Australia. Guillaumes.com.au; AUD$175

Bentley Restaurant & Bar

At Bentley Restaurant & Bar, on the Corner Pitt and Hunter Streets, definitely try at least one of the wines from the 1,000-odd list. Nick Hildebrandt, three-time winner of the Sommelier of the Year, has procured these wines internationally. The eight-course tasting menu features Murray cod with charred spring onion and scallop roe. Thebentley.com.au; AUD$150 [/ts_one_half] [/ts_row]

Ester Restaurant and Bar

The Restaurant of the Year in 2014, Ester Restaurant and Bar, situated in Chippendale on 46-52 Meagher Street, features a giant wood-fired oven. Run by Chef Mat Lindsay, the menu combines a dose of strange with rustic originality: dishes include sirloin on the bone, flank paired with fermented rice and shitake and a chocolate licorice tart. Ester-restaurant.com.au; AUD$72

Sepia

With 18 Chef Hat Awards, tied with Marque, Sepia offers a five-course and nine-course tasting menu, a collaboration between Sydney Chef Martin Benn and seafood wholesaler George Costi, and is paired with an extensive wine list. Highlights of the menu include David Blackmore Wagyu karubi, hot miso mustard, Japanese pickles and ice plant. Sepiarestaurant.com.au; AUD$165

 

SHOP

Sydney’s best local designers produce pieces that will surely make an unforgettable and in some instances bespoke souvenir.

In three locations across the city, we love Bianca Spender’s summer collection features soft flowy fabrics with interesting silhouettes. These could include exaggerated peplum tops, dramatic yet tastefully plunging necklines, and amazingly detailed skirts. Our favourite is the Wedgewood Faille Pardalote Trench. Biancapsender.com; AUD$145

Alice McCall’s eponymous label now has four boutiques across the country and is available across the world in Japan, Europe and the US, with celebrity fans like Katy Perry, Alexa Chung and Iggy Azalea. We love the Master of the Universe textured jacket, which can be paired with the matching shorts in the spring. alicemccall.com; AUD$160

Create your bespoke jewellery piece with artisan gemcutter Doug Menadue from Bespoke Gems, including Australian gemstones like aquamarines, chalcedony and smokey quartz. These showcase glorious gemstones such as the 18.7ct natural blue topaz with dazzling internal facet patterns and reflections. Bespoke-gems.com; AUD$40/ct

Visit Andrew McDonald for a shoe fitting appointment, the first of three that will lead to a custom-made pair of shoes. Your measurements will be taken to create a last where the toe shape, fitting and heel height are all tailored to you. The whole process will take 6 to 10 weeks, with free international delivery. Andrewmcdonald.com.au; AUD$1,600

Using leather handmade in the city, Charlie Middleton creates bespoke totes, where you select the colour of the vegetable tanned Italian cowhide leather tote and its stud detailing and bring home the totes within six business days. We love the canary and azure blue shades. Charliemiddleton.com; AUD$199

Make a statement at the races with stylish hats at Hatmaker. Celebrities like the Duchess of Cambridge, Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr and Yoko Ono have worn these fashionably stylish hats. Bespoke orders are also welcomed. Hatmaker.com.au; AUD$220

For a memorable souvenir of the local Aboriginal art in the city, head to Kate Owen Gallery. The gallery features original and limited edition works – and some can even be commissioned to fit your specifications. Kateowengallery.com; price upon request

Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

 

If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on World Travel Magazine, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

And if you liked this story, subscribe to our bi-monthly World Travel Magazine, a handpicked selection of editorial features and stories from Global Destinations, Inspire Me, Insider, Style File, Wellness & Travel, City Travel, Suite Life, At Leisure, Short Breaks and much more.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]