I never seem to write about adventures I have in Sydney. I guess a part of me feels that unless I’ve had the chance to wind the car window down and let the wind flick through my hair as we speed off down the highway, it’s not really an adventure. Or at least one people would really want to read about.
But these days making it down the road to the supermarket is an adventure. So here are two small trips I had earlier in the year (while we weren’t locked up), that are less than an hour from my home.
Staying at The Steyne Hotel, Manly //
If you grew up in the North of Sydney, chances are you’ve got stories about going to The Steyne. And chances are they aren’t the sort of stories you’d really want to write home about. I’ll be the first to say it, when I was first presented with the opportunity to write a story for Broadsheet about the recent renovations to The Steyne, I hesitated.
Then I read about the Miami-inspired makeover by the same interior designer behind Ovolo Hotels, a new hidden whiskey bar, and hand-stretched pizzas. Okay, I thought. And then I read that the old accommodation (that I never knew existed) had be refurbished into five star suites, and that I was invited to stay in the deluxe beachfront ocean view suite, complete with a free-standing bath, and, basically I was already in the car and on my way by that point.
Now there is nothing more me and him than us grabbing a drink at the bar, leaving by 9pm to walk upstairs and jump in bed wearing luxurious robes. It was even better as we could hear the throngs of youths lining up outside, right below our window, preparing for what sounded like, to us, an absolutely exhausting night ahead. It was perfect.
Here’s the full story from my stay: https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/travel/article/miami-inspired-makeover-manly-hotel-steyne-accommodation-with-views
Heritage House on Cockatoo Island //
Sitting in the middle of our superb harbour, a mere six minute ferry ride from my closest stop, sits Cockatoo Island. Now, chances are you’ve been there before on a school excursion, ghost tour, or maybe even as part of the
Biennale of Sydney. But chances are probably just as high you’ve never been there before at all. But you should. And you should stay the night.
Lucky enough to have been invited by his family, we spent two nights in one of the Heritage Houses up on the hill. Formerly the home of either the medical officer or engineering manager way back when, it was huge and lovingly restored (and thanks to the sweltering heat that weekend, a much better option than the glamping option on the foreshore down below).
With plenty to explore, we wandered through the assortment of heritage buildings (one of which was used as a set for Wolverine), and enjoyed the panoramic views across to the city.
A significant site for the Eora People prior to colonisation, I learnt that the island is known in Dharug language as Wareamah, meaning ‘women’s land’. Becoming a penal establishment in 1839, the island went on to become an industrial school and reformatory for girls in 1871. Right.
As for now, simply being able to visit a friend’s place would be quite the adventure. Here’s hoping this lockdown is lifted sometime soon.
Where in the World 