Exploring your local neighbourhood, going to all your favourite beaches, sipping your favourite brews and enjoying lunch at your favourite spot is what life's all about. What could make it even better? Doing it all in a kit tailor-made for urban explorers.
The good news is National Geographic has launched a range of clothing that is ideal for exploring. To put the threads to the test, our Lifestyle Editor, Jessica Best, shares her favourite ways to explore her hometown of Sydney.
Bondi Beach
6am
In true Sydney fashion, my day starts at the crack of dawn and by the water. Say what you want about Bondi Beach but this famous stretch of sand is one of the most magical places to be when the sun rises. Slinging a few laps from the south to the north end is the usual go but pending weather and surf traffic, an easy stroll along the promenade is a kicker start to the day too.
Grumpy Baker
7:30am
Find me any morning, sitting on a milk crate, sipping a chai and reading the news right here. Located off Coogee’s main strip and on a quiet corner on Beach Street, Grumpy Baker is the kind of place locals congregate for a slice of morning solitude. Your staples are done well here (coffee, sourdough, pastries) from 7am to 5pm every day, but if you really want to treat yourself, the potato and sea salt boureka is a no-brainer.
Malabar
9am
A day on the coast means more dips than a mezze feast, so if your tote bag isn’t carrying half of Sydney’s sand, you’re doing it wrong. Malabar will spare you from the city’s crowds and I recommend hitting the southside boat ramp for some big ol’ Mediterranean vibes (it’s a stretch but embrace it). While not a bona fide surf beach, like the north’s Freshie, there’s a reef break here that goes pretty decent during the winter months.
Melonhead
12pm
If you’ve lived in Coogee long enough, you know that this is the joint to get your smoothie fix. On any given day you’ll spot wooden crates of fresh fruit and a steady line of people out the front. The Might Marty’s Muscle Shake is all time, as is the Blueberry Crunch.
Coogee Bay Road
1pm
With a smoothie in hand, it’s time to wander up the buzzing strip of Coogee Bay Road. For any last-minute gifts (the only kind, as far as I’m concerned), San Sebastian has you covered with a suite of awesome homewares. The Coogee Vinnies also goes off and is my go-to for themed parties.
Ross Jones Rockpool
2:30pm
Shock horror, it’s time for another ocean baptism, this time at Ross Jones Rockpool. Sydney packs well over 30 ocean pools and this one takes the cake for me. Hot tip: if you ever swing by in the morning, I highly recommend you drop by Barzura for a post-swim Bloody Mary. It’d be rude not to.
Out Of The Blue
4pm
Simply put, Out of the Blue is an Eastern Suburbs institution. I will go to my grave saying these guys whip up the best burgers in Sydney (and I’ve been a cult customer for over 20 years). Since lockdown, it’s been strictly takeaway only so your best bet is to order up the famed chicken schnitzel burger, a side of chips and head down to Clovelly Beach to watch the sun go down.
Clovelly Hotel
6pm
Most days are sealed with a schooner at ‘The Cloey’. Come footy season, the open beer garden is the place to set up but outside of this, the pub also throws down an intimate New York-style comedy Club every Tuesday.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with National Geographic Wear. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image source: Daniel Knott