Surry Hills has fast become one of Sydney’s most exciting suburbs, with a smorgasbord of shops, bars, pubs, restaurants and galleries on every corner and hidden away down every alleyway. With Sydneysiders loving a drink or five, it’s not surprising that one of Surry Hills’ most popular attractions is its many watering holes. From trendy wine bars to relaxed pubs, there’s something for everyone when it comes to enjoying a drink in Surry Hills. Whether you’re after a small bar, a pub or a wine bar, here’s a selection of a few of Surry Hills’ best.

• Small bars. The small bar revolution has hit Sydney, and Surry Hills has not been immune. Long gone are the days of the big Aussie pub, with Sydney’s recent Small Bar Bill resulting in intimate and discreet bars being a permanent fixture in the Surry Hills drinking scene. The Surry Hills crowd and patchwork streetscape is perfect for cosy imbibing. For the best small bar drinking experience head to the Burton Street triangle where a trio of small bars provides a sophisticated drinking community. Enjoy the funky vibe of Pocket Bar, the warm fire and homely couches of The Commons or a game of ping-pong at Dr. Pong.
• Pubs. There are a number of fun, lively pubs in Surry Hills that are popular with locals and visitors alike. The Dolphin is great for watching sport and grabbing a weekend meal, while the Beresford beer garden is full most nights of the week – especially on Mondays when free movies are screened in the courtyard. The beer garden at The Cricketers Arms is coveted territory, so make sure you head there early to get a table, while the Clock is both a Surry Hills icon and a popular after work and weekend drinking destination.
• Wine bars. Wine lovers won’t be disappointed with the selection of specialised wine bars in Surry Hills. Mille Vini pairs excellent wines (available by the glass) with salamis, olives and other tasty appetisers, while The Falconer’s eclectic decor makes it a fun and quirky place to enjoy a laid back drop. The recent addition to the wine scene – The Winery – isn’t completely true to its name (serving beers, cocktails, etc), but is definitely worth a visit for a sommelier recommended vino in a comfy leather lounge.

Surry Hills is one of Sydney’s best inner city drinking destinations, and with a number of bars and pubs to choose from, it’s easy to roam from one to the other as the mood takes you! For those visiting Sydney, accommodation in and close to Surry Hills is easy to come by.

If you’re staying with us at the Cambridge Hotel Surry Hills, you can even grab a drink at the hotel bar before you head out, and you’ll be close enough to walk home from whatever drinking destination you choose.

What’s your favourite watering hole in Surry Hills?

Sydney is blessed with one of the most spectacular natural harbours in the world. A short opening between the North and South Heads gives way to waterways, secluded bays and beautiful harbour foreshore areas. Today Sydney Harbour is alive with yachts, boats and other marine activities, but the natural splendour remains, with protected areas and parklands – such as the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Sydney Harbour National Park – preserving the quintessential rocky sandstone and gumtree greenery of Australian waterways.

So get out of your Sydney accommodation, get your walking shoes on and explore the hidden treasures of the Harbour. Here are a few of the best walks on offer.

• Spit Bridge to Manly along Middle Harbour. This 9.5 kilometre track from the Spit Bridge in Sydney’s Middle Harbour to Manly beach offers walkers a backstage and varied look at Sydney Harbour’s northern foreshore. The walk weaves through some of Sydney’s best harbourside real estate, past gun emplacements, hidden beaches, subtropical rainforest, Aboriginal middens and tracts of wild coastal heath. Pack your swimming costume and have a dip in one of the many bays and beaches, and enjoy a meal or a drink in Manly after the walk. Ferries and buses are available in Manly to take walkers back to the city or the Spit Bridge.
• Federation Walk. Federation Walk follows the dramatic sandstone cliffs between Dover Heights and Vaucluse that form the Southern headland of Sydney Harbour. The walk begins with the dramatic scenery of the cliff edge that scales off into the vast Pacific Ocean. Further on, walkers can enjoy unsurpassed vistas of the Harbour, particularly Watsons Bay where the walk ends and ferries and buses can be taken to various Sydney destinations. This is a great walk to blow away the cobwebs!
• Glebe Foreshore Walk. If you’re looking for a Sydney Harbour walk that caters to pedestrians, cyclists and dogs then the Glebe Foreshore Walk from Bicentennial Park to the Sydney Fish Markets at Pyrmont is for you. The path links over 27 hectares of open space and walkers can enjoy unimpeded access to Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay. The off-leash area for dogs – from Pope Paul Reserve to Ferry Road – makes it a walk that is popular with those looking for a relaxing stroll as well.

Whether you’re a veteran Sydneysider or a visitor, the splendour of Sydney Harbour never fails to amaze.

Where’s your favourite Sydney harbour walk?

Embark on the climb of your life!

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney’s iconic landmarks and one of the most recognisable symbols in Australia. Nicknamed the ‘Coat Hanger’ by locals, it towers over Sydney’s sparkling harbour. Since 1998, with the opening of the Bridgeclimb, visitors and residents can now climb this world famous attraction for the ‘Climb of Your Life’. Decked out in special gear, climbers are given access to the ladders and catwalks of the Harbour Bridge, and at the peak can enjoy 360 degree views of Sydney. For visitors to Sydney, the Bridgeclimb is a must-do activity and an unforgettable holiday experience. The Lonely Planet has even rated it as one of the top ten experiences in the world! The Bridgeclimb is equally as popular with Australians, who are taking advantage of the opportunity to take in their beautiful city.

Since it opened, over 2 million locals and visitors have scaled the Harbour Bridge, which sits 134 metres above the beautiful Harbour and connects the Sydney CBD with the North Shore. But the Sydney Harbour Bridge is more than just a bridge. Stories and an enthralling history shroud the landmark, and the Bridgeclimb is a great way to get all the facts and juicy tidbits on the walkways and catwalks where it all happened.

Interesting facts of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

• Construction of the bridge began in July 1923 and took 8 years to complete. Over 1,500 workers were employed each year throughout the construction period including engineers, surveyors and architects, blacksmiths, boilermakers, carpenters and concreters, stonemasons and painters. Of those workers, 16 lost their lives – a surprisingly low number considering that safety measures and precautions were virtually non-existant. With no harnesses, handrails or scaffolding workers were subject to extremely dangerous conditions.

• The bridge cost over £10 million to build – double the original quote!

• The bridge’s height of 134m is not fixed – the top of the arch rises and falls about 180 mm due to changes in temperature.

• A militant monarchist, Captain Francis De Groot, hijacked the opening of the Bridge when he interrupted the ceremony on horseback and slashed the ribbon with his sword. The NSW Premier Jack Lang was supposed to have had the honour of declaring the bridge open for use.
• The top of the Bridge has been the setting for over 2,500 marriage proposals since the Bridgeclimb began in 1998.

Did you know? Film star and comedian Paul Hogan, known as ‘Crocodile Dundee’ to most, was once employed as a painter on the bridge.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an unforgettable, adrenaline pumping experience, whether you choose to enjoy the views at dawn, during the day, twilight or at night. Join the list of celebrities such as Will Ferrell and Matt Damon who have undertaken the climb. But don’t have a big night out before you go… climbers are breath-tested and must have a blood alcohol reading of under 0.05%.\

Enjoy your stay in Sydney – book yourself some great Sydney accommodation at the Cambridge Hotel and  embark on the climb of your life.