1. Chinese Garden of Friendship
Pier Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Just south of Darling Harbor, within walking distance from Chinatown, there is a secret garden surrounded by skyscrapers, with waterfalls, ponds and exotic plants. The Chinese Garden of Friendship was created in 1988 as a symbol of friendship between Sydney and Guangzhou, the city where the first Chinese immigrants to Australia were from. Opened during the Bicentennial celebrations (commemorating the two-hundredth anniversary since the arrival of the first fleet of British convicts in 1788), the park is designed by landscape architects and Chinese gardeners, following the Taoist principles of Yin-Yang. The area is a one- hectare oasis of peace, with bridges crossing lakes where koi carp swim, hidden paths and a teahouse that serves tea and dim sum.
2. Paddington Markets
395 Oxford St, Paddington, Sydney
At ten in the morning every Sunday since 1973, the stands at Paddington Markets open. Initially intended to support and encourage local artisans, over the years it has managed to involve
more than 150 artists, who sell everything from accessories and jewelry to scented candles and paintings. In the International Food Court you can find local bread and homemade chocolate, while on Saturday night there are live music performances.
• www.paddingtonmarkets.com.au
3. Wicks Surf Shop
1103- Pittwater Road, Collaroy, Sydney
At ten in the morning every Sunday since 1973, the stands at Paddington Markets open. Initially intended to support and encourage local artisans, over the years it has managed to involve
more than 150 artists, who sell everything from accessories and jewelry to scented candles and paintings. In the International Food Court you can find local bread and homemade chocolate, while on Saturday night there are live music performances.
4. Rose Seidier House
71- Clissold Road, Wahroonga, Sydney
In 1950, Harry Seidler finished building a house for his parents, Rose and Max. The Bauhaus-style home received much attention, since it was something radically new in Australia at the time. “People would stand around the window to get a look inside,” said Seidler, perhaps one of the reasons why in 1991 he decided to open it up to the public on Sundays. The house can still be visited today and all indoor furnishings were either purchased by Harry Seifler from New York showrooms or designed and manufactured in Australia based on custom designs for the house.
• www.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au
5. Kate Swinson
Designer & Director at Native Swinson
Kate Swinson is the artist behind Native Swinson, a brand that produces artisan textiles and wallpapers. The leitmotif of her work is nature in a double sense – it serves as inspiration, with leaves, plants, floral patterns, birds and koalas decorating the prints that recall the artist’s childhood memories, and as the ultimate goal, for which all products are made in an attempt to “tread lightly” on the planet.
6. BUNGAN BEACH
Bungan Beach, Newport, Sydney
Six hundred meters long, this beach located around 35 km north of Sydney is one of the few areas that still preserves the wild and unspoiled charm of nature. Surfers can enjoy the waves without the crowds of more touristic areas, while the bush bordering the dunes and the beach make sure that busy streets do not disturb the peace for beachgoers. Here and at the two adjacent reserves, Bungan Head and Morrison Reserve, there are rare oaks and plants. The whole area has often been a discovery point for ancient fossils and the rocky platforms at the end of the beach allow invertebrates to reproduce. It is the perfect spot for resting, sunbathing, fishing and bushwalking, where you can indulge in a little peace and quiet away from the more famous beaches.
