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SYDNEY: Everyone knows about Sydney’s big guns: the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the museums, the galleries. But look deeper and you’ll find plenty of quirks and eccentricities befitting a city so diverse and rich in both nature and culture. Here are some of the less celebrated but still enchanting things to do in Sydney.  

Lunch with the ibis 

An almost daily ritual for many Sydneysiders is to enjoy lunch outdoors in one of the city’s green spaces. In Sydney, you will inevitably be joined by a group of hungry and hardly shy Australian white ibis, a wading bird common in urban areas. To see these harmless birds in action, head to wide expanses like Centennial Park, Sydney Park (St Peters) and the Royal Botanic Gardens, or smaller parks such as Bronte Park or Federal Park in Glebe. 

Meat pie at the beach 

Just as quintessentially Sydney is the experience of enjoying a pie or sausage roll at the beach. Grab a Rockin’ Roll or No Wurry Curry at Funky Pies, an all-vegan pie café at Bondi, and head to the beach for a chilled-out lunch like the locals do. Alternatively, head back to your digs just around the corner, at the Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach Sydney. All the studios and apartments have balconies that are perfect for people watching while you are scoffing. 

Caught in a storm 

There is nothing quite like being caught in one of Sydney’s heavy downpours during a storm. Sure, it’s no fun to get drenched, but one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in Sydney is to reach a high vantage point and witness the spectacular sight of a storm approaching. Such spots include Sydney Tower, the Harbour Bridge, and the MCA Café. Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall and Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour are a hop, step and jump from some of these prime viewing spots. 

Whale watching  

From around May to October, nearly 16,000 whales migrate along the east coast of Australia, giving Sydney a splendid show. You can, of course, take a whale-watching cruise, but there are also many locations along Sydney’s cliff tops that offer breathtaking views of the whales. These include Bundeena in the Royal National Park, The Gap at South Head, Watson’s Bay, the Fairfax Lookout in Manly, and -- most accessible -- good old Bondi Beach.  

Gelato melting in the sun  

Deciding what to do in Sydney on a hot day is governed by the need to keep cool. Naturally, you might head to a gelateria. In the Sydney sun, ice cream melts in minutes, so it’s a good idea to be quick with your treat or consume it in a shaded or air-conditioned spot. The Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Surry Hills is a two-minute walk from the original Gelato Messina store in Crown Street. 

Insider Tip: Enjoy another essential Sydney experience by heading to Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club, perched on a cliff top, and participating in a sport that has a special place in the heart of many Australians: lawn bowls. 

Stay

In various locations throughout Sydney, Adina Apartment Hotels offer a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, perfect for an extended break so that you can get the quintessential Sydney exprience.