Guidebook for Newtown
Entertainment & Activities
Bronte sometimes flies under the radar thanks to Bondi, its famous neighbour, but it’s one of my favourite beaches. It’s not as busy as others in Sydney, and it has the excellent Bronte Baths rock pool at its southern end. For a great view, and great photos, walk along Calga Place, the street behind the baths, and scramble onto the rocks overlooking the beach.
I love going to Bronte on a balmy evening in summer. You’ll get the best light around sunset, and there will still be people in the ocean and on the sand. There’s also a nice atmosphere early in the morning, with of people swimming and running—great for action shots.
390 locals recommend
Bronte Baths
Bronte RoadBronte sometimes flies under the radar thanks to Bondi, its famous neighbour, but it’s one of my favourite beaches. It’s not as busy as others in Sydney, and it has the excellent Bronte Baths rock pool at its southern end. For a great view, and great photos, walk along Calga Place, the street behind the baths, and scramble onto the rocks overlooking the beach.
I love going to Bronte on a balmy evening in summer. You’ll get the best light around sunset, and there will still be people in the ocean and on the sand. There’s also a nice atmosphere early in the morning, with of people swimming and running—great for action shots.
At the top of the Barrenjoey Headland, about an hour’s drive north of the city centre, the lighthouse marks the most northern point in Sydney. Views are spectacular, with an unbroken outlook over Palm Beach, Pittwater, and even the Central Coast. If you’re visiting from May to November, bring a zoom lens as it’s prime time for spotting whales and dolphins.
The headland is a peaceful place to visit at night. You’ll not only have the area to yourself, but you’ll also be able to capture the incredible stars overhead in long-exposure photos of the night sky. Bring a torch as it’s a short, dark hike to the lighthouse from the car park.
231 locals recommend
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
1199D Barrenjoey RdAt the top of the Barrenjoey Headland, about an hour’s drive north of the city centre, the lighthouse marks the most northern point in Sydney. Views are spectacular, with an unbroken outlook over Palm Beach, Pittwater, and even the Central Coast. If you’re visiting from May to November, bring a zoom lens as it’s prime time for spotting whales and dolphins.
The headland is a peaceful place to visit at night. You’ll not only have the area to yourself, but you’ll also be able to capture the incredible stars overhead in long-exposure photos of the night sky. Bring a torch as it’s a short, dark hike to the lighthouse from the car park.
If you’re looking for a swim with a view, then this pool is for you. It’s just steps from Luna Park in Milsons Point, with incredible views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. For the ultimate photo of the harbour, climb to the top of the seated area framing the pool—you won’t be disappointed.
I like visiting after the heat of the day passes, at dusk, when the light is softer. You can get here via ferry from Circular Quay—it’s a quick, one-stop trip under the bridge to Luna Park—and the ride offers even more opportunities to capture Sydney’s most famed landmarks.
88 locals recommend
Olympic Pool North Sydney
4 Alfred St SIf you’re looking for a swim with a view, then this pool is for you. It’s just steps from Luna Park in Milsons Point, with incredible views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. For the ultimate photo of the harbour, climb to the top of the seated area framing the pool—you won’t be disappointed.
I like visiting after the heat of the day passes, at dusk, when the light is softer. You can get here via ferry from Circular Quay—it’s a quick, one-stop trip under the bridge to Luna Park—and the ride offers even more opportunities to capture Sydney’s most famed landmarks.
Parks & Nature
Less than an hour from the city, the Royal National Park’s native bushland, dramatic cliffs, and waterfalls make it a great spot for hiking and nature photography. There’s potential for action shots as well—Wattamolla Beach is popular for swimming and attracts adrenaline junkies who come for the cliff-jumping opportunities, straight into the water.
Make sure you bring food and plenty of drinking water, especially if you’re planning a longer hike. There’s parking at Wattamolla, making it a good place to begin a trek, but arrive early as there are a limited number of spaces and they fill up fast. Bring a trail map too—phone reception can be patchy.
46 locals recommend
Wattamolla Beach
Less than an hour from the city, the Royal National Park’s native bushland, dramatic cliffs, and waterfalls make it a great spot for hiking and nature photography. There’s potential for action shots as well—Wattamolla Beach is popular for swimming and attracts adrenaline junkies who come for the cliff-jumping opportunities, straight into the water.
Make sure you bring food and plenty of drinking water, especially if you’re planning a longer hike. There’s parking at Wattamolla, making it a good place to begin a trek, but arrive early as there are a limited number of spaces and they fill up fast. Bring a trail map too—phone reception can be patchy.
In the northern suburbs, Freshwater is one of the city’s most underrated beaches. That said, it will get busy here on a hot day. The water is crystal clear and the sand is always golden and warm. Tucked away at the northern end you’ll find a nice rock pool and a walkway that leads up a cliff face. From the top you can take photos of the whole beach.
I like to shoot here over the summer months (December through February), in particular at sunset when the descending sun casts a warm glow over the sand and water. Because of Daylight Savings, it’s not unusual to find people on the beach or swimming at 7 or 8 pm when it’s warm.
170 locals recommend
Freshwater Beach
In the northern suburbs, Freshwater is one of the city’s most underrated beaches. That said, it will get busy here on a hot day. The water is crystal clear and the sand is always golden and warm. Tucked away at the northern end you’ll find a nice rock pool and a walkway that leads up a cliff face. From the top you can take photos of the whole beach.
I like to shoot here over the summer months (December through February), in particular at sunset when the descending sun casts a warm glow over the sand and water. Because of Daylight Savings, it’s not unusual to find people on the beach or swimming at 7 or 8 pm when it’s warm.
One of the most popular spots to visit in The Royal National Park, about an hour drive south of Sydney. You need to hike to reach the pools, and at times it can be slippery and steep, but the effort is worth it. The natural rock formations, shaped like the number eight, are quite small in size, but collectively they make for an amazing photo.
When taking photos of the pools try to get down low to highlight the shape and size of the formations. I usually visit early on a weekday, not only to avoid the crowds but also because it can take awhile to reach the pools—it’s an hour drive followed by a hard hike that takes a couple of hours either way.
42 locals recommend
Figure 8 Pools
One of the most popular spots to visit in The Royal National Park, about an hour drive south of Sydney. You need to hike to reach the pools, and at times it can be slippery and steep, but the effort is worth it. The natural rock formations, shaped like the number eight, are quite small in size, but collectively they make for an amazing photo.
When taking photos of the pools try to get down low to highlight the shape and size of the formations. I usually visit early on a weekday, not only to avoid the crowds but also because it can take awhile to reach the pools—it’s an hour drive followed by a hard hike that takes a couple of hours either way.
Most people visit Bondi for the beach, but the strip’s northern coastal cliffs are equally alluring from a photographer’s perspective. You can access the wild and wonderful cliffs through the Bondi Golf and Diggers Club, or go to Sam Fiszman Park, where there’s a viewing platform looking over the dramatic rocks and expanse of ocean.
This spot is best visited at sunrise or sunset, especially when it comes to taking photos. The rocks change colour as the light shifts, casting a soft glow over the sand as well. There are plenty of bars and restaurants within easy reach once your photo shoot is complete.
33 locals recommend
North Bondi Rocks
111 Ramsgate Avenue EastMost people visit Bondi for the beach, but the strip’s northern coastal cliffs are equally alluring from a photographer’s perspective. You can access the wild and wonderful cliffs through the Bondi Golf and Diggers Club, or go to Sam Fiszman Park, where there’s a viewing platform looking over the dramatic rocks and expanse of ocean.
This spot is best visited at sunrise or sunset, especially when it comes to taking photos. The rocks change colour as the light shifts, casting a soft glow over the sand as well. There are plenty of bars and restaurants within easy reach once your photo shoot is complete.
Sightseeing
Located in the inner-city suburb of Eveleigh, these Heritage Listed rail yards have been transformed into a contemporary arts hub, with many of the buildings’ features kept in their original state. Whether you’re shooting outside, or indoors among the art and markets, it’s great for street and fashion photography with an urban/industrial edge.
Many of the buildings have incredible interiors, with soaring ceilings and exposed beams, but they’re also architecturally interesting outside: wander the lanes and you’ll find hidden locations like crumbling stairs, rustic doors with chipped paint, and atmospheric alleys.
276 locals recommend
Carriageworks
245 Wilson StLocated in the inner-city suburb of Eveleigh, these Heritage Listed rail yards have been transformed into a contemporary arts hub, with many of the buildings’ features kept in their original state. Whether you’re shooting outside, or indoors among the art and markets, it’s great for street and fashion photography with an urban/industrial edge.
Many of the buildings have incredible interiors, with soaring ceilings and exposed beams, but they’re also architecturally interesting outside: wander the lanes and you’ll find hidden locations like crumbling stairs, rustic doors with chipped paint, and atmospheric alleys.
If you’re into shooting urban scenes and cityscapes, you’ll want to take a trip up Sydney Tower Eye. At 309 meters, it’s Sydney’s tallest structure, and the observation deck offers incredible 360-degree views. High above the buildings, it’s a perfect perch for architectural photos. Use a long lens to eliminate any issues created by shooting through glass.
The main observation deck is inside, completely enclosed, but the Skydeck experience gives you a bird’s-eye view of the city from a platform hugging the outside of the tower. Unfortunately, cameras are not permitted outside, but your guide can take happy snaps of you with the city and harbour as backdrop.
339 locals recommend
Sydney Tower Eye
108 Market StIf you’re into shooting urban scenes and cityscapes, you’ll want to take a trip up Sydney Tower Eye. At 309 meters, it’s Sydney’s tallest structure, and the observation deck offers incredible 360-degree views. High above the buildings, it’s a perfect perch for architectural photos. Use a long lens to eliminate any issues created by shooting through glass.
The main observation deck is inside, completely enclosed, but the Skydeck experience gives you a bird’s-eye view of the city from a platform hugging the outside of the tower. Unfortunately, cameras are not permitted outside, but your guide can take happy snaps of you with the city and harbour as backdrop.
Arts & Culture
Magical view after magical view make Manly’s North Head Sanctuary a photographer’s dream. A short distance from Manly Wharf, it’s perfect for action shots of the city’s water traffic, from enormous cruise ships to ferries, mega-yachts, and kayaks. There’s no other outlook quite like it, and it’s the ideal place to take a panoramic photo or two.
It’s a popular stop on early morning walks, but I love North Head Sanctuary at dusk, when the city has an orange glow and the buildings begin to turn their lights on. You could spend hours shooting here in the evening, and no two photos will ever be the same—things change that fast.
41 locals recommend
North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre, Manly (Sydney Harbour Federation Trust)
North Head Scenic DriveMagical view after magical view make Manly’s North Head Sanctuary a photographer’s dream. A short distance from Manly Wharf, it’s perfect for action shots of the city’s water traffic, from enormous cruise ships to ferries, mega-yachts, and kayaks. There’s no other outlook quite like it, and it’s the ideal place to take a panoramic photo or two.
It’s a popular stop on early morning walks, but I love North Head Sanctuary at dusk, when the city has an orange glow and the buildings begin to turn their lights on. You could spend hours shooting here in the evening, and no two photos will ever be the same—things change that fast.