Sunrise at Bondi is magical. If it’s a fresh morning, pack a blanket, grab a patch of grass on the hill and sip a mug of hot chocolate as you watch the beach come to life. To warm up afterwards, head to the Bondi branch of Sydney institution Bills for a plate of the best eggs in the world.

See art after hours on Wednesday evenings. It’s the one night of the week when doors stay open till 9pm, and visitors can indulge in talks and events, drinks and food, and the gallery’s expansive collection.

Sydney’s premier quayside address places guests in the dazzling center of the harbour city. Most rooms in this Sydney hotel have balconies angled directly towards the Opera House and Circular Quay for uninterrupted views. For a shift in perspective, grab a plate of Sydney rock oysters at the sea-level The Dining Room.

Hire a kayak from Rose Bay Aquatic and set a course for Shark Island (Boowambillee) in the heart of the bay to swim, explore and marvel at the Port Jackson panoramas. Pack a picnic or pick up a roasted Murray cod roll from chef Josh Niland’s new Rose Bay takeaway Charcoal Fish.

For more than 20 years visitors have been able to scale the Harbour Bridge thanks to BridgeClimb Sydney, which offers a suite of adventures, including the “Ultimate Climb” across the full expanse of The Coathanger. For the heights-averse, take a tour of the south-eastern pylon then settle in to paint the bridge and enjoy a drink.

For a classic Sydney day out, jump on the Watsons Bay ferry at Circular Quay. Enjoy drinks at the eponymously named hotel or book a table at Doyle’s on the Beach – the grandfather of Sydney seafood restaurants. Walk it all off with a wander over to Camp Cove Beach and along the South Head loop to the candy-striped Hornby Lighthouse.

Experience the unique Sydney thrill of semi-wild swimming at sea baths in Coogee. Wylie’s is quite the scene with yoga and Pilates classes on site, while intimate Giles Baths permits just 10 swimmers at a time.

On the north shore, the 10km Spit Bridge to Manly Walk is an easy-going track that offers awesome harbour views without the Fitbit crowds on the Bondi Coastal Walk. Stop for a dip or picnic along the way at Reef Beach or Clontarf Reserve.