The best summertime waterfront experiences in Sydney

Sydney’s stunning harbour-side theatre district is home to many of the city’s top cultural institutions, meaning you can drink and dine on the water, and still make it on time to the show. Among the award-winning warehouse conversions of heritage-listed piers in Walsh Bay is Sydney Theatre Company. This December, you can watch the epic sci-fi drama Oil, which chases a mother-daughter duo across the rise of industrialisation. It’s on stage at Wharf 1 Theatre until December 16 and you can head to Walsh Bay’s hidden gem, The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf, for a post-performance tipple, featuring some of the best views of Sydney Harbour. 

This summer, you can also get up close with the Australian Chamber Orchestra at one of two exclusive performances by accordion virtuoso James Crabb and British violinist Anthony Marwood. The close friends will perform elegant and evocative arrangements by Haydn and Vaughan Williams in The Neilson on December 1 and 2. 

Those who can’t resist the spotlight can take centre stage in one of Sydney Dance Company’s summer dance classes. Learn the basics of classical ballet, strut it out in jazz or get down with Latin funk, with more than 75 available every week.

Wander around the windy lanes of Rozelle and Balmain and you’ll quickly forget that you’re in the big smoke. Charming old-style pubs and welcoming cafés line the streets, set amongst lovely old terrace houses overlooking the harbour. Start your morning with a dip at Balmain’s historical harbourside Dawn Fraser Baths, before getting lost in a treasure trove of stalls at Rozelle Collectors Markets (every Saturday from 9am to 3pm). Continue wandering down Darling Street to discover incredible gift offers from the suburbs’ enticing independent stores including plant mecca, That Plant Shop and lifestyle boutique, We are Mindful.

If you find yourself in Rozelle, then refuel at the newly opened Chez Blue with a croque monsieur or steak frites. Then hit up any of the 19 watering holes on Balmain-Rozelle’s Heritage Pubs Trail, including the recently-refreshed Dry Dock; grab a pint at the famous craft beer establishment White Bay Beer; or taste locally brewed gin and vodka at Blackwattle Distillery. 

Summer is pumping on the Pyrmont Peninsula with indoor and outdoor adventures spread across the waterfront. You can beat the heat at Sydney’s contemporary Powerhouse Museum Ultimo, where you’ll find the ornate 1001 Remarkable Objects exhibition, Yuki Kihara’s colourful Paradise Camp exhibition and the diverse Future Fashion showcase. Stroll down to Sydney Fish Market for the freshest seafood lunch or learn to cook fish like a pro in one of Sydney Seafood School’s summer cooking classes.

If you’ve got enough steam in the tank, continue adventuring around the peninsula to the Australian National Maritime Museum. As part of the Sea Museum’s Wonderwater summer activation, you can enjoy more than 25 events, activities and performances, including the world-premiere Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition and lively New Beginnings Festival. 

The Uptown program is a NSW Government initiative being delivered by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.