Australian Open: Summer in Sydney & Melbourne

Arrival

We decided to take a night flight, so we were lucky to arrive in Sydney around 10 am on a Saturday morning. The public transportation system is easy, so you can take the train right from the airport and stop in the center. We opted to stay in Hyde Park, which was honestly the best location, near the metro station, three stops from the Quay Warf/CBD and with a straight bus line to Bondi Beach.

Afternoon

We headed straight to Sydney Fish Market for lunch. Lucky enough, the brand-new fish market opened three days before our arrival, which made the place super busy with thousands of people in the building, but a great vibe and delicious fresh seafood. We found a counter seat at the back of the market (TJ's Po Boys), and finally enjoyed our first meal, some fresh oysters and prawn rolls. The market has a great view of the Anzac Bridge, with a blue sky, a perfect day for our first walk around town.

Within 15 minutes walking distance is Sydney’s Darling Harbour, with a path by the river which allows you to walk through the pier and boats. One of the great advantages of the city is that the ferry is part of the public transportation system, so you can easily hop on a boat instead of a bus or train (and just pay by tapping your credit card). Therefore, we decided to do that and hopped from Darling Harbour to Quay Wharf, a 20 minute ride, passing under the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and witnessing for the first time the beautiful architecture of the Opera House.

From Quay Wharf, you can easily walk back to Hyde Park, scrolling through Sydney’s streets and discovering the city through a different light. We stopped by St Mary’s Cathedral, one of the many beautiful monuments that Sydney has to offer.

Evening

For our first dinner, I picked a unique venue, Firedoor. A pure Aussie gem serving delicious and local products cooked traditionally over a charcoal wood fire, and an open kitchen concept that allows you to witness all the chefs at work right from your counter seat. A real taste of what Australia has to offer locally, full of flavors and charisma.

The great thing about Sydney is that there is so much to do within the city, but many day trip options as well.

Today we went on an excursion to Blue Mountains, around 1h30 from Sydney. We first made a stop in the township of Glenbrook (perfect for some local pie for breakfast). We spent the whole morning in the National Park, riding three different cable cars, and learning about nature and culture. We witnessed some breath-taking views and visited beautiful sites like Elysian Rock, the observation deck at Echo Point, Katoomba Cascades Waterfalls, Cahill's Lookout, where you can capture sweeping views of the Megalong Valley, and the Three Sisters. We were lucky enough to have a great guide, Grant, who really took the time to share his love for his country and heritage.

We had lunch in a local restaurant that served delicious food and then made our way to the largest wildlife reserve in Australia, where we had the chance to face hundreds of animals in their habitat, including kangaroos, koalas, penguins, and many others.

Our last stop part of the tour was a boat ride from the Olympic Park all the way to Quay Wharf in the CBD. The ride took us through the city suburbs, and it was honestly quite magical to see all the habitations by the sea and the beauty of dozens of hidden beaches or bays.

Sydney Harbour Bridge climb

I wanted to have a unique experience as part of this trip, and I surprised my partner with a sunset climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Since the drop-off point for our mountain tour was right at the location of the bridge climb, I decided to end the day with this adventure.

• Note: I do not recommend this to everyone. If you are afraid of heights or not up for crazy challenges, I do not suggest you go for it. This is really an add-on, but it is worth it.

The sunset climb starts at 5.45 pm, but there is almost 1 hour of preparation with your instructor going through a briefing, being equipped, climb practice, and overall introduction of what will be happening while climbing. The climb lasts around 2 hours and a half, but it includes several stops and picture taking. The rhythm is quite slow and there is no rush, so do not be worried about it and it is only for small groups (up to 15 persons max).

The view from the bridge is just breathtaking. Watching the sunset from such a unique perspective is unbeatable. It is honestly very expensive, but it will be a memory I will cherish forever.

Afternoon at Bondi Beach

Yesterday was a full day, so today we are chilling at Bondi Beach! Our first stop was “Speedos Cafe” for a coffee while watching the waves before heading to the beach for a few hours of reading, swimming, and just enjoying the sun and the waves. By the beach, you will find a public gym, lots of people strolling, running, just a great area to spend a half-day relaxing. It was a super wavy day so we could not swim everywhere but you have access to “open pools” which is a good alternative as well.

After a few hours, we walked our way to Iceberg Pool Club, the very famous pool of which you can find hundreds of pictures online. This is a private club, but they offer a daily access pass where you can swim for an hour or two (which we decided not to do because the main pool was closed due to the weather).

Above the pool club, you will find a bar/restaurant with a beautiful terrace and mind-blowing view of the Bondi Pool and sea—a perfect spot for a quick lunch, oysters, wine.

Evening at Sydney Opera House

Time for a quick stop at the hotel before heading back to the city for another bucket-list moment—watching a live Opera inside the Sydney Opera House. We chose an Opera Hits medley that lasted just 1 hour. It was a great way to discover the Opera from the inside, both its history and architecture.

• Tip: The Opera House hosts a beautiful bar and restaurant named Bennelong, with a beautiful view of the bridge. Perfect for a drink or dinner post opera, our cocktails were delicious. Great service and super tasty snacks.

It’s then only a small walk back to Hyde Park with plenty of dinner options on the way. From the local pub to fine dining options, the list is long depending on your preferences.

Today we are making our way to Melbourne, where the Australian Open is happening. We will be staying for three nights.

Apparently, today is the hottest day since the summer has started (43 degrees)—so no other option than heading to the beach in St Kilda (with a lot of sun cream). A 30 minute tram ride to reach the promenade from the center of the city makes for strolling beside the sand, where you can easily stop for a snack/lunch at one of the many beach bars. If you stay until late afternoon, beside St Kilda Pier and just before dusk, a group of teeny-tiny penguins swim ashore, it is a one-of-a-lifetime sight. For a nice happy hour, stop by The Esplanade for a great view and great drinks.

• Tip: Note that in Melbourne, the tram in the center of Melbourne is free for everyone—it is written at the stop “free tram zone”.

Evening

For dinner tonight, I selected Matilda 159 Domain, a sleek restaurant located near the Botanical Garden that serves contemporary Australian food with a feeling of comfort, highlighting local products cooked to perfection. They offer a wide wine selection. We opted for oysters, lamb ribs, a sirloin steak, and baked potatoes—it was just delicious.

If you are up for a nightcap, you can head to Fitzroy neighborhood, an area of Melbourne full of life with live music bars, beer pubs, and plenty of dining options (including many Asian spots).

If you are a wine lover, you cannot visit Australia without at least one or two wine tours. Melbourne is the home of the Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s prominent wine-producing areas, exporting all over the world. Since we do not drive and drink, the best way is to spend some time researching and picking the right tour for you. With a pick-up in Melbourne, it is convenient and gives you a chance to make the most of it.

We first stopped at Yering Farm, a small local producer. Their cellar is in an old barn located in the center of the vineyard, and they produce cider as well with the apples from their garden. Then we made our way to TOKAR, a family-owned winery opened on a huge garden with easy access to the vines and a rosary. It is quite mesmerizing to come so close and see the grapes just before the harvesting season.

Lunch was at Quarters, a cool spot well known for their homemade pizza. I had a trout with miso, which was delicious. They offer a wide range of wines by the tap (some unique to Australia).

Four Pillars Distillery

Then came my highlight of the afternoon, the stop at Four Pillars Distillery. For anyone who loves gin, this is a must. I have been an unconditional fan of their gin for more than a decade and finally having the chance to come here was just a great experience. They have a shop that offers dozens of products that cannot be found anywhere else in Australia or in the world. Ensure you keep some space in your luggage, including check-in luggage since you can’t carry one liquid over 100ml.

Our excursion ended with a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, where we had the chance to taste more than a dozen of chocolates as well as their delicious ice cream. This is another perfect opportunity to buy some souvenirs to bring home.

Dinner

That was a long day, so for dinner, we decided to head right across the street from our hotel to the Queen Victoria Market (only on Wednesday night during summer), where you can find more than 20–30 food stands from all over the world, surrounded by music, gift shops, drinks, and many other activities. It was the perfect way to end a great day.

Last day in Melbourne and a busy one since. Finally, tonight is when we get to watch the Australian Open women’s semi-final.

Fitzroy & The Botanical Gardens

But first, we spent our morning strolling through the streets of Fitzroy neighborhood, the first—and smallest—suburb, crammed full of fantastic restaurants and bars, boutiques and galleries, and heritage buildings. One of the most famous bakeries is located in that area, Lune Croissanterie, serving delicious freshly baked pastries, a great place to start the day.

Then we just walked around the neighborhood, stopping by some cool shops like The Hub Generation, The Standard Store, or the Third Drawer Down. There are plenty of coffee shops and art gallery scattered around, so just enjoy your time and explore the surroundings.

We wanted to chill and spend a few hours relaxing, so we decided to stop by the Botanical Garden where we first had lunch at The Terrace, a cute outdoor restaurant by the lake serving fresh salad and sandwiches among others with generous portions, before finding a quiet spot to take a nap and read for a few hours.

The park extends across 38 hectares, passing through the river, trees, garden beds, lakes, and lawns—it is an ideal place to spend a whole day if the weather permits.

Before heading to Rod Laver Arena, we hopped on a 1-hour Yarra River cruise, easily accessible from the city center. It takes you around the river and gives you a chance to explore the city from a different viewpoint. You can bring wine and your snacks to make the ride even more enjoyable and let yourself be immersed in the history of the city and its surroundings.

The Australian Open

The cruise ended right at the entrance of the arena, so it was just a quick walk away to the gate. Having downloaded our ticket ahead of time, the whole process was smooth, and it only took us less than 10 minutes to get to our seats. We purchased tickets for the women’s semi-final not knowing who would be playing and not knowing we could actually watch the two games back-to-back, so it was a great surprise.

The first game was Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Elina Svitolina in less than an hour and a half. The second game was Elena Rybakina (2026 champion), who defeated Jessica Pegula, and that was a nerve-wracking game. We had the best time. The whole atmosphere was electric, the ambiance inside and outside of the stadium was just unique. Definitely something I recommend if you have the chance to find yourself in a country during a tournament.

Time to say goodbye to Melbourne and head back to Sydney for our last two days. Since we had an early flight, we made it back to Sydney by 10 am.

Afternoon in Watson Bay

We had time to relax at the hotel and then explore another part of the city (which was recommended by one of our previous guides)—Watson Bay.

Easily accessible through the ferry, it is a small hidden gem in a quiet suburb. You will find local eateries by the water and a small stand strip where you can lay your towel and relax for the afternoon.

We treated ourselves at Doyle’s, the oldest eatery in the neighborhood, well-known for their fish and chips. It did not disappoint. Along with oysters and mussels, everything was delicious.

The boat ride is less than 30 minutes from Quay Wharf and it is beautiful. The last public boat leaves the bay by 4:45 pm, so just remember to hop back on time (otherwise your ticket will cost triple the price).

Evening

For dinner, we discovered Elements Smokehouse and Bar, an American restaurant serving delicious smoked meats in generous portions. We opted for the smoked chicken and the beef brisket, served with a (huge) side of salad and baked potato—one of the best meals we had during our stay.

Service was very good (which is not always the case), sitting outside on a large terrace with music and great company. They offer a large beer selection as well as Australian wines, of course.

What best way to end this Australian trip than with a Hunter Valley wine tour. Contrary to the Yarra Valley, the Hunter Valley often produces wines that are only for domestic consumption, with mostly family-run boutique operations, offering cellar-door wine tastings and vineyard tours.

Irongate Estate, The Farm and Tempus Two & McGuigan

At our first stop, Irongate Estate, we tasted more than eight wines. They offer a very unique selection with an interesting sparkling red, a remarkable Verdelho, and a white Port, which is a rare find even in Portugal. The winery is located on a beautiful property with an outdoor terrace, a Spanish restaurant, and the cave next to the vineyard where they will gladly walk you through the whole fermentation process.

We then headed to The Farm, a large property situated in the picturesque heart of Pokolbin. It hosts a restaurant, a winery, and brewery, and offers 100 acres of natural beauty, featuring stunning views of the Brokenback Range and Barrington Tops. Perfect stop for a classic steak frites before a unique wine and cheese tasting, promoting locally produced cheeses (you will taste 4–5 kinds paired with their wines). If you are a cheese lover, it is a great little treat to take home. (We bought two cheeses and some wine, enjoyed it the same evening, Sydney while watching the tennis AO final).

Last stop of the day: the Tempus Two & McGuigan cellar, two-in-one with a chocolate tasting perfect for the ones with a sweet tooth. The winemaker provided us with great insight on which wine would pair the best with each chocolate, and it really gives you the opportunity to match it based on your preferences and taste.

Evening

The drive from the Hunter Valley is more than 2 hours away from Sydney, so it is a long day. For your last dinner, I suggest to either dine at the hotel or find a local eatery near your hotel to avoid the hassle after such a long day.