Floating saunas and hidden beaches: 15 Sydney secrets to find this summer

Here's your insider's guide to Sydney's most surprising summer escapes - all within an hour of the CBD.

Forget grunge and cheap eats - Newtown has become a fine-dining playground. Mister Grotto glows in deep-blue tones with shipwreck charm and seafood worth a pilgrimage. Next door, Continental Deli keeps things cheeky with tinned cocktails and charcuterie done right.

Slip down Bridge Lane in the CBD and look for nothing - that's the point. Behind an unmarked door lies The Press, an opulent late-night bar serving perfect martinis to a jazz soundtrack. Dress up, lean in.

Catch the ferry to Felons Brewing Co at Manly and claim a table right on the water for craft beer, pizza, and sea breeze in equal measure.

Bert's Bar and Brasserie at Newport delivers Champagne, seafood towers, and Riviera-level relaxation - without needing a passport.

Hay Street Market at Paddy's tempts you with quick bites that guarantee you'll come back for more. Hay Street Market showcases more than 48 traders, offering a vibrant, round-the-world culinary experience, from banh mi to handmade pasta. As a fully licensed market, you can easily add a wine, beer, or cocktail to your meal. Only a four-minute walk from the Capital Theatre, Hay Street Market offers the perfect quick bite before your show begins.

The Inner West Distillery Trail explores Sydney's vibrant craft spirits scene. The trail showcases Marrickville's Ester Spirits, where husband and wife team, Corinna and Felix, curate a unique blend of craft distilling and have clinched world recognition for its Navy Strength Gin. Step inside the artist's studio-inspired venue, where you can watch the spirits being distilled and sample them in the tasting room.

The newly re-launched Pier Bar is an iconic harbourside destination for waterfront drinks and indulgent coastal bites such as a bay bug Big Mac slider and tiger prawns.

Skip the main beach for Shelly Beach and Store Beach, a pair of tranquil coves where the crowds vanish. Shelly Beach is a picturesque, sheltered cove in Manly that is considered one of Sydney's top spots for snorkelling and scuba diving. A guided tour with EcoTreasures immerses you in diverse marine life, where you may spot the iconic Eastern Blue Groper, Giant Cuttlefish, and turtles. Store Beach offers a tranquil escape at North Head, Manly; this secluded gem requires you to arrive by kayak, paddleboard, or private boat. The 200-meter beach is tucked within dense bushland, offering pristine, calm waters perfect for swimming.

Dive into history at Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain: from the pool deck, swimmers take in picturesque views of the harbour, including Cockatoo Island and the city skyline.

The beloved South Curl Curl Rock Pool accommodates every swimmer, from serious lappers to splashing children. A scenic boardwalk links the pool directly to Freshwater Beach and its own rock pool, perfect for a stop on your coastal walk.

Start your day with a coffee in one hand and a paddle in the other as you watch the sun rise over Sydney Harbour. Catch the sun paint the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House as the sky shifts from darkness to fiery orange. The award-winning sunrise kayak and coffee tour immerses paddlers in a memorable, picturesque Sydney by Kayak experience.

Soaring above the Northern Beaches and the city skyline, Sydney Seaplanes steals your breath with its stunning views. Departing Rose Bay, the flight uncovers a unique bird's-eye view of Sydney, revealing the city and coastline from above.

Aboard Ark, Wellness Afloat anchors a new era of Sydney Harbour wellness, offering a luxury floating sauna and cold plunge experience. Plunge into the harbour and retreat to the sauna, all while absorbing Sydney's immense natural beauty.

Manly demands a spot on your staycation itinerary this summer. Delivering the best of both worlds, Manly fuses a relaxed, sun-drenched resort vibe with major Sydney accessibility. Elevate your coastal escape by booking a stay at the recently revamped Manly Pacific Hotel Sydney. The resort fantasy comes alive with spacious rooms, waterfront views, and a tempting rooftop pool.

Pier One boasts what is arguably the best Harbour Bridge view, securing its spot as a top hotel choice. The hotel rooms successfully fuse maritime heritage and contemporary luxury into a chic design, leveraging the building's history as a 1912 cargo wharf. Before exploring Sydney, indulge in the hotel's buffet breakfast and coffee offerings.