Our New Years Eve spent out in Coogee came and went in a flash. Having only landed in Aus a few days prior we hadn’t planned anything specific, so I thought cocktails at Coogee Pavilion rooftop followed by a dance at the Coogee Bay Hotel was the perfect last minute solution. After watching the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks on a screen for the countdown at the Pavilion, we went over to the Bay Hotel to tear up the dance floor to some old-school tunes.
New Year’s Day we decided to catch the ferry over to Manly going via Circular Quay to show my friend Sydney Harbour for the first time. Sadly there was hazy smog sitting over the city given the fires still raging across New South Wales at the time. Nevertheless, seeing the magnificent Harbour Bridge and Opera House for the first time is always such a spectacle!
Being out on the peninsular across from the main city and with its beautiful white sand beaches, Manly provides an escape from the bustle of central Sydney. Known for its laid back surfer vibes and numerous hipster bars and cafes, it sure is one of the top places to visit over on the North shore.
Mooching around the back streets we stumbled across some really awesome graffiti and even a pink wall with cactuses, perfect for that cute insta pic – I was in my element.
With so many enticing cafes and restaurants to try, we opted for a cool and quirky rock ‘n’ roll style bar Daniel San for a late lunch. This neon-drenched Japanese cuisine restaurant certainly was a little different but had an energetic atmosphere and iconic view overlooking Manly beach. A little sore headed from the usual New Year’s Eve antics the night before, we couldn’t wait to tuck into a poke bowl.
After another browse around the shops it was time to ride the ferry back over to Rosebay where we were staying. It was a fun day exploring Manly given that it’s somewhere I didn’t visit as much when I lived in Sydney and another corner of the city to show my friend. The coastline and trendy vibe of Manly strongly reflects aspects of Byron Bay, so it’s no wonder many locals choose to live in this beachside haven just a short journey across the harbour to the CBD.
Dani Aneka 