Australian adventure

Carmela Phillips

When we Aussies fondly refer to our homeland as “The Land of Oz,”

then Sydney is surely its Emerald City. If you’re headed Down Under

anytime soon and love to hang at the beach, rub shoulders with the

locals and savor incredible cuisine, then here’s a glimpse of the

best of Sydney from the Phillips family.

Beach Babies

As soon as we arrive, we head to the beach -- it doesn’t matter

which one, they are all magnificent. With literally hundreds of

sparkling white sandy beaches sprinkled along the coast and harbor

inlets, it would take a brochure to mention them all. Our first stop

-- Coogee (pronounced Cu-jee). The beach is beautiful, a perfect

crescent of white sand and crystal clear, aqua-colored ocean. Surf,

body board, swim laps in the fresh saltwater pool or just soak in the

sun and build sandcastles on the beach with the kids, and you know

you’ve arrived in Oz. If you’re feeling a bit peckish (hungry) after

all this activity, then stroll across the sand to the incredible

selection of foods only steps from the beach: Indian curries, Turkish

kebabs, haute sushi, paella, pizza, or fish ‘n chips hot off the

beachside grill -- guaranteed to cure any jet lag!

Walkabout

Starting at Bondi Beach, perhaps one of the most beautiful

cliff-side walks anywhere lines the array of coastline to Bronte.

Taking about an hour, you’ll work up an appetite -- good news,

there’s plenty of cafes along the way offering cappuccinos and

gourmet morsels to satisfy even the most ardent trekkers. Need to

tighten up those abs and biceps? Stop for some crunches and chin-ups

at the workout stations along the way.

Rock ‘n Thai

We stay at the beach, so if we want to get into the city, we take

a ferry from Rose Bay into Circular Quay. Sydney is blessed with one

of the most visually spectacular harbors in the world and nothing is

more romantic than a sunset cruise past the Opera House and the

Bridge to dinner. Within a few steps of arriving, head to the

historic Rocks area filled with art galleries, designer boutiques and

pubs, to Sailors Thai Restaurant. Eat the most amazing Thai inspired

meal in the kitchen at the long trestle table that requires no

reservations. Work off that delicious fare after dinner, by popping

into one of the many pubs in the Rocks for an after-dinner toddy and

if you have a fine singing voice, you may want to join the locals

with a few bars of a bush ballad like “Waltzing Matilda.”

Zoo- Woolloomooloo-ooh!

Take the afternoon Mosman ferry to Taronga Park Zoo and spend the

night on the Snore Overnight Safari. Take the guided tour of the

zoo’s nocturnal inhabitants before sleeping in tents and waking to

breakfast and a Sydney Harbor dawn. After a day “in the wild,” head

back and over to Woolloomooloo Wharf for waterfront dining and

cocktails -- oh, I forgot to mention, there’s only about a dozen or

so different and fabulous restaurants and cafes to choose from. With

dining options to suit anyone’s tastes, you may find yourself

checking out all the beautiful people as they saunter by on the

boardwalk, although the views across to the city and harbor are hard

to compete with. You may also find yourself sharing a beer with

Russell Crowe if he’s in town, as he has a penthouse nearby above the

trendy W Hotel. Still hungry? Then just around the corner, stop by

Harry’s Cafe de Wheels (Oz version of “Pink’s” in LA) and have a

tiger pie (meat pie with peas, mash and gravy).

Bondi Surfers

Learning to surf couldn’t be easier or more enticing. Let’s Go

Surfing is a slick operation on Bondi Beach that has put us all on

boards and surfing within hours. Perhaps Sydney’s most famous beach,

Bondi has it all. Great waves for the die-hards and gorgeous beach

vistas for the rest of us. If you’re lucky enough, you might catch

the North Bondi Surf Lifesavers, bronzed and in Speedos, firing up

the barbie on the sand and selling snags (sausages) ‘n sauce

(ketchup) on a roll at their Sunday fundraiser. Ordering seconds and

thirds was never easier!

Front Row

There’s no better New Year’s Eve than a window table at Quay

Restaurant (French/ Modern Australian) gourmet dining and savoring

superb Aussie wines while the fireworks go off over head on the

Harbor Bridge and Opera House. Afterward, dance the new year in at

the Establishment -- tres chic nightclub -- it helps to tip the

concierge at the nearby Four Seasons Hotel for a door pass.

Fond Farewell

The last day is bittersweet -- we soak in the last of Sydney with

a farewell swim at Nielson Park. A gorgeous harbor beach set among

beautiful gardens, spectacular views with a traditional old fashion

cafe nearby. The kids can get homemade ice cream and we have our tea

in china cups served with freshly baked scones with strawberry jam

and cream.

Later in the day, head over to Doyle’s at historic and picturesque

Watson’s Bay for the best fish ‘n chips of your life -- perhaps it’s

the setting? Dine on the boardwalk with spectacular views straight

down Sydney Harbor and while the kids play on the beach, we look at

each other and toast for a speedy return -- life is good!

* CARMELA PHILLIPS is a former Sydneysider who now lives in

Newport Beach.