*= Means I’ve been there and recommend!
SYDNEY
Food:
*About Life – a health foods store similar to Whole Foods in the U.S.
Acai Brothers (Bondi and Neutral Bay)
Anita Gelato
Armchair Collective
*Bare Naked Bowls (Manly Beach) – excellent bowls and tasty bliss balls at the counter
Bennett St Dairy – tiny, homey, earth-to-table with raw/vegan options
Billi Raw – matcha and outstanding salads
*Bills
*Bondi Whole Foods – grocery, takeaway and café
Bowery Lane
Brewtown Newtown
Cali Press – juices, smoothies and grab-and-go options
Celsius Cafe – take the ferry to get here
Chachas on Campbell Parade – vegan ice cream made with cashew milk and dates
Clean Treats Factory
COOH
Devon Cafe
Earth To Table Bondi – raw, vegan offerings
Farm Wholefoods
Fine Food Store (The Rocks)
*Fishbowl Poké – possibly the best poké I’ve had; fully customizable
Four Ate Five – breakfast all day, lunch and coffee
*Grill’d – grass-fed burgers with paleo buns, zucchini fries and the best sweet potato fries
Grounds of Alexandria
Gusto – coffee
Harry’s Cafe Bondi Beach – turmeric lattes, chia pudding and more
Icebergs – wine with a view
Jackie’s Paddington
Kepos and Co.
Kelly Press – smoothies
Little Jean
Lox Stock and Barrel
Matteo
Mrs. G’s
O Organic Produce – organic foods and café
Ora
Orchard St. – juices
Orchard’s Love – adaptogenic drinks and superb raw cakes
Porch and Parlour (North Bondi Junction)
*Preach Cafe (Bondi)
Pressed Juices
Raw Bar (Bondi) – sushi
Relish Food Co. – breakfast & sandwiches
Ruben Hills
Ruby’s Diner (Waverley)
Rustic Pearl
*Speedo’s Cafe – best Bondi view; try to get a window seat. Incredible breakfast and banana pancakes to die for
Sol Botanica (Bondi) – gluten-free options
Explore Surry Hills for a variety of food spots (about 10 minutes outside the city)
The Boathouse
The Butler – tapas-style dinner with amazing city views
The Fruitologist (Bondi Rd. or Rozelle) – acai
*The Nine – Mediterranean plates, sandwiches, eggs, toast and lattes
The Parterre
The Q on Harris
The Shop and Wine Bar
Three Blue Ducks (Bronte) – breakfast
Thrive – paleo toast, juices and all-day bowls
Whole Foods department options
Activities:
Blue Mountains – Janolan Caves (about a 3-hour drive through the mountains)
Bluey’s Point
Bondi Beach – full-day access for a small fee includes pool, sauna and gym
Bondi markets (Saturday for food, Sunday for clothes and jewelry)
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Carriageworks Farmers Markets
The Corso – a quaint downtown area with shops and cafes
Drive to see the 12 Apostles when exploring the coast
Featherdale Wildlife Park – pet and feed kangaroos and wallabies
Get an Opal card for public transportation
Harbour Bridge climb (cost applies)
Walk the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for an iconic view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Explore Newtown
Queens Beach – great views day or night
Shopping highlights: Tuchuzy, For Artists Only, David Jones (Westfield), Nimble Activewear, Bassike Store (Paddington)
Spit to Manly walk – quieter and very scenic
Ferry to Manly Beach from Circular Quay (affordable)
The Glenmore Hotel Roof Bar – rooftop views
The Rocks district – historic buildings with shops and restaurants
Walk the coastline to Bronte
Beaches:
Bondi Beach
Hyams Beach – famous for incredibly white sand along the coast
Manly Beach
Palm Beach
Gyms:
F45 Bondi Junction (affordable short-term passes)
Elixir Bondi Junction
CrossFit 224 – ask for coach Emily Smith or use the space as an open gym
Wineries:
Hunter Valley – roughly 45 minutes to 2 hours’ drive depending on your starting point
Wild kangaroos may appear around some vineyards
Grapemobile and Hunter Valley Cycling offer one-day bicycle rentals starting at reasonable rates
MELBOURNE
Food:
Abacus
Agathe – croissants
*Ben’s Supernatural
Bentwood Fitzroy
Chin Chin
Coco Mamas – acai bowls
Collective Espresso
Combi
Dundas and Faussett
Embla
Everyday Coffee
Fourth Chapter – smoothie bowls
Frank’s
*Gilson
*Grill’d – organic, grass-fed burgers and excellent sweet potato fries
Higher Ground – charming café
Hunter’s Harvest
Kitty Burns
Laneway Greens
League of Honest Coffee
*Legacy Camberwell – lovely atmosphere and great poké
Little Sugar Big Salt
Lune Croissanterie
Market Lane Coffee
*Matcha Mylkbar – an essential visit with vegan options and latte flights
Midtown (city coffee)
*MOM cafe
Mo Vida – Spanish tapas
Mr. Hendricks – notable crispy eggs
Naked in the Sky – rooftop bar (Fitzroy)
Napier Quarter
Patricia’s – classic coffee spot
Proud Mary
Rice Paper Scissors
*Serotonin Dealer – outstanding raw desserts and fun swings
Snorkeling at Gordon’s Bay
Short Stop Doughnuts
*Short Straw (Hawthorn) – excellent food and matcha
St. James Cafe
Supernormal
*Tall Timber – incredible breakfasts, Aussie scrambles and French toast
Tinker Northcote
The Kettle Black
Urban Projuice – smoothie bowls
Vegie Bar
Vince & Me
Activities:
- Take the SkyBus from the airport for an affordable direct option
- Get a myki card (available at many convenience stores) for trams and trains
Bike around Albert Park Lake for city skyline views
Chapel Street – shopping and many cafes
Drive the Great Ocean Road for dramatic coastal scenery
Explore Fitzroy for dining, bars and street art
Healesville Sanctuary – an hour from Melbourne to see kangaroos, wallabies and koalas
Discover laneways full of street art and coffee spots
Phillip Island penguin tour
Queen Victoria Market – don’t miss the Wednesday night market
Rent a bike to see the colorful Brighton Beach Boxes
Visit Sorrento and its rock pools on the Mornington Peninsula; stop at Hunter Cafe (vegan) in Rye on the way back
Rose Street Artists Market for unique crafts and jewelry
Walk Acland Street in St Kilda
Wineries:
Red Hill – Montalto and Foxeys Hangout
Yarra Valley – book tours for tastings
Stones of the Yarra Valley
Medhurst – known for a lovely rosé and boutique setting
Maletos – pizzas for lunch
Mornington Peninsula wineries include Point Leo Estate and Polperro, plus Green Olive
Beaches:
Half Moon Bay
Black Rock
St. Kilda Beach – near Matcha Mylkbar
ADELAIDE
Food:
*50sixONE – indulgent desserts plus healthier options for different tastes
Africola
Argos on the Parade
Bowlsome
Commissary
Electric House
Exchange – food & coffee
Golden Boy – Thai cuisine
*Goodies and Grains – health food shop and juice bar in the Central Market (try the nutty fudge bliss balls)
Karma and Crow
Long Lost Friend
Lost in a Forest
*Maggie Beer – upscale and excellent
Malobo at Henley
Mister Sunshine’s
*Nutrition Republic – multiple visits recommended for smoothies, lattes and healthy breakfasts
Orana
Peel St
Pizzateca – charming pizza spot in the hills
Sukah Eatery
*Whistle & Flute – solid breakfast spot
Activities:
Adelaide Central Market
Botanic Gardens
Gorge Wildlife Park
Hike from Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty lookout
Kangaroo Island – ferry access for wildlife and coastal scenery
NOLA Bar – whiskey-focused spot
Plant 4 Bowden markets (Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays)
Mount Gambier – visit the striking Blue Lake
Mulberry Gin is a local favorite
Explore Stirling and Hahndorf for picturesque towns
Waitpinga Farms – 4WD farm tours with nearby wildlife encounters
Beaches:
Aldinga
Henley Beach – lovely with brunch options
Glenelg
Port Willunga
Port Elliot (near Victor Harbor)
Maslin Beach
*Second Valley – about an hour from Adelaide; a quieter local spot with cliffs and jumping spots
Seacliff – paddleboard rentals available
Somerton – an uncrowded option close to the city
Wineries:
Alpha Box & Dice
Adelaide Hills – Bird in Hand
Barossa Valley (about 1.5 hours from the city) – exceptionally beautiful region
Jacobs Creek winery
Wolf Blass
Company Kitchen for lunch
Seppeltsfield
Chateau Tanunda
Turkey Flat Winery
d’Arenberg Winery – the modern cube building is striking
Goldings (Lobethal)
McLaren Vale – notable spots like Samuel’s Gorge
Pike & Joyce (Lenswood)
Transportation
Travel around Australia felt safe and straightforward. Locals are friendly and public transport is useful. We used Uber when convenient, walked a lot and took affordable airport buses. Learn local transit cards (Opal in Sydney, myki in Melbourne) and prioritize walking to save money and soak in more of each neighborhood.
Important tips to make note:
- Australians drive on the left—walking on the left helps you blend in.
- The food is exceptionally fresh and you’ll be spoiled for choice with healthy options.
- Ensure your accommodation has air conditioning during summer months.
- Many restaurants, cafés and shops close early or are shut on Mondays and Tuesdays—plan ahead and stock your fridge if needed.
- Tipping is not always expected; leave a gratuity for particularly good service.
- Bondi locals are stylish and fit—expect a lot of good looks.
- Bring an outlet converter for international plugs.
- Bliss balls are common and delicious; look for Keep It Cleaner balls in Coles’ refrigerated section.
- Pick up Loving Earth chocolate while you can—popular and tasty.
- Uber can be pricey in Melbourne—use public transport, walk and rent bikes when possible.
- Expedia and HotelsTonight can offer good last-minute deals.
- Customizing menu items isn’t always possible—be ready to order from the menu.
- Use high-SPF, Australian-formulated sunscreen for reliable sun protection.
- Fishbowl is a top pick for poké.
- Many hidden local gems are best discovered by chatting with locals or servers.
- Common Aussie terms to know:
- Breakkie: breakfast
- Take away: to-go
- Long black: black coffee
- Holiday: vacation
- Lollies: candy
- Swimmers: swimsuit
- Sunnies: sunglasses
- Chardy: chardonnay
- Chewies: gum
- Chuckin’ a sicky: taking a casual sick day
If you want to read more about my 10-day trip to Australia, see the trip recap on my blog.