Overcast Waters in Clovelly, Sydney, Australia
Each summer, thousands of Sydney-siders retreat to the ocean to play, surf, swim or do some form of water sport. Of course, the die-hards will brave the cold currents through the winter, as there is usually better surf to be had. From the heart of Sydney, you can reach a variety of beaches in a 20-minute car ride. How could one not resist this luxury?
Australians have long shared a love for the ocean. She can be calm and blue one day or dark and stormy the next but no matter the form, it’s a love affair that will never end.
On this particular day, it was overcast and not your typical postcard day. Once you were swimming in the water, the colors were a beautiful mix dark green and blue. As soon as you would dive your head under the surface, suddenly you would forget the bad weather overhead and feel the calmness of the ocean. Almost like an escape.
Place your photo was taken: Only a 10-minute drive away from home, this was shot off the coast of Clovelly. (5 minutes south of the famous Bondi Beach)
Place you live: Sydney, Australia
Place your photo was taken: Near Sydney
Occupation: Adventure Sports Photographer
A perfect day in Sydney? With an early start, it feels great to go for a body surf at the beach before heading to 2026 Cafe on Bondi Beach where they serve the best BLEAT’s (Bacon, Lettuce, Egg, Avocado, Tomato on Toasted Turkish bread). Plus there’s a Boost Juice around the corner making it a the perfect combination for breakfast.
A short drive away there is St Peters Rock Climbing Gym which is a great quick fix if you don’t have enough time to get out to the Blue Mountains (2 hours away). I absolutely love checking out photo exhibitions around the famed Oxford Street. New exhibitions are happening all the time in a variety of small niche galleries.
A late afternoon wouldn’t be perfect without a good beer and the Bavarian Beer Cafe on York street is perfect for satisfying the quench. Then head down the road 10 minutes to The Rocks and fill the belly with top quality pizza at The Australian. Its a hard choice between the crocodile topping or the pesto chicken but at least you know you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Two doors down the road is another pub offering a roof top bar that allows you to see Sydney’s iconic views and not a bad way to top the night off.
If someone was visiting what must they do? The Sydney Bridge Climb is a great and unique way to see the city. If the budget didn’t allow for it, you can easily have yourself entertained all day hanging at Bondi Beach. I never see the point in trying to cram in too much otherwise you don’t actually see anything. Instead choose one thing or area and hang out there all day so you can relax and truly enjoy one aspect the city has to offer. Spending a day at the beach is not a bad way to do it.
A perfect meal in Sydney? Yum cha (dim sum) in Chinatown. For those of you who don’t know what yum cha is, its a Chinese lunch where you sit at a table and waiters constantly push carts around full of a variety of Chinese dishes. It is extremely fresh food and almost like your sitting in a walking kitchen. I guarantee you won’t leave hungry.
A little known fact? Australians do not drink Fosters. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen it for sale in Australia. We have better taste than that!