Sunday, 7 February 2016

Valentine's Day in Sydney? Romance for visitors


Sydney is awash with Valentine's Day restaurant dinners, but if you're visiting with the kids, you may need to bring them with you, and throw in some spectacular scenery to boot. Here are a few ideas to make a very memorable celebration, that even the kids will love.


You will need to hire a car. These drives will take you through some spectacular National Parks.













1. Pack a picnic and head to West Head beach. Park at West Head near the lookout, and take the 15 minute walk through pretty bushland to the stunning and rarely crowded beach. You need to bring water (and go to the toilet before hand) as there are no facilities on the beach.






2. Hire a boat from Cottage Point Kiosk. Pack a picnic or eat at the Kiosk before heading out, then spend the afternoon on a small beach or motor the waterways.


3. Head out of town on the Grand Pacific Drive, and stop for a picnic lunch on the beach at Stanwell Park, or grab a pub lunch at the cliff top Scarborough Hotel, a hotel built in 1886, with a beer garden with views over the ocean.


  4. Grab a ferry up to Ettalong (you will need to drive to Palm Beach first) but you will need to book a table at one of the restaurants beach side, as they'll be popular this Sunday, or pack a picnic to share on the waterfront park lands.

#RubyTuesdayToo




Just a few ideas to spend a stunning day exploring this beautiful city, and throw in a sprinkle of romance, all kid friendly.

If romance isn't your thing, there's always the Lunar New Year to celebrate!




 Further reading:
Daytrip to Ettalong
Grand Pacific Drive
West Head
Monkey Madness (Lunar Markets)
Cottage Point Kiosk Boat Hire

Celebrate Valentine's Day with the whole family



Linking up this post with lessor known Sydney spots #TravelTuesday and #WaterThursday

41 comments:

  1. We loved our time in Sydney - we got to spend time there when we were staying down in Wollongong :)
    Hubby took us to Centrepoint Tower for our wedding anniversary two years ago, it was the best night ever. There is so much to see and do - walking, exploring, and entertainment galore. The markets at The Rocks are so cool. Valentines day in Sydney would be very romantic.

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    1. The Rocks Market would be a nice way to spend the day - I wonder if it's on this Valentine's Day? Will investigate...

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  2. Sydney was great, but we didn't go to any of those places, just stayed in the central city. The Rocks Market was very nice, and we enjoyed walking through Hyde Park and looking at the fountain as well.

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  3. The lunar markets look fun, anything that involves food is alright by me. Pilu at Akuna Bay looks so dreamy, my husband's a big fan of Ku-ring-gai park so he'd be extremely happy with that choice. Great list!

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  4. When you said Valentin's Day in Sydney, I was expecting some swanky candlelit restaurant at the Rocks. Renting a car and going for a drive is definitely more my cup of tea though. #TravelTuesday

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  5. I do miss Sydney. We had a lot of great adventures when we lived there. Wishing we could do a sneaky trip back and just spend a few days being tourists without having to catch up with all the relatives. With so many relatives it doesn't leave much time for free time.

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  6. That looks a fab way to spend the day #mondayescapes

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  7. never been to Australia but I would love to go someday. Looks like a beautiful, interesting place

    Mollyxxx

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  8. Wonderful ideas. You have a beautiful country.

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    1. We do. I often say to my partner how lucky we are living in this city....

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  9. One day perhaps I will have the pleasure of experiencing it in person.

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  10. Someday I will see the beauty of Sydney, crossing my fingers.

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  11. All of your ideas sound incredible. I only had the chance to see the city sights during my brief stop in Sydney but I would love to return and visit Pyramont and Ettalong:) #CityTripping

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  12. You have just reminded me why I love Sydney so much! It is so beautiful! Great ideas and the colour of the sea is just gorgeous! Thank you for linking to #citytripping

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  13. Lovely ideas - we came close to living in Sydney for six months (sadly it fell through) so it's somewhere that's still on my list. Thanks for linking to #citytripping

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  14. all those places are nice and just appropriate

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  15. These are all great ideas! Fun to see another city in the romantic spirit of the holiday! Thanks for linking up with #TravelTuesday and #citytripping!

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  16. I didn't realize they celebrate Valentine's Day in Australia too. Sidney looks like a great place to do it. I'd love to be there at that time of year. Thanks for joining #TheWeeklyPostcard, Lydia.

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  17. Such great recommendations! Beaches are always romantic.
    I would love to visit Sydney someday :D

    Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes

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  18. Such a nice idea this thematic city post! Who doesn't love some great romantic spots in a foreign city? Thanks for guiding us! Visiting from #TravelTuesday.

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  19. those all sound like fun ideas! I would love to rent a boat for a day, it'd be such a dream! (p.s. since this is a post about tips, consider adding one pinnable image to it for some extra traffic)

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    1. I know, I know...I'm not even on pinterest yet. I just got on Instagram....Hopeless, I know...

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    2. other people (like me) can help get your posts on there! ;) try using canva.com and just add words to a specific pinterest-sized image!

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  20. Beautiful pictures! Would love to see your posts in the Practical Mondays Link Up:)

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  21. Wonderful suggestions for outings around Sydney Lydia. I love the Cottage Point area - such a beautiful part of the world! :-)

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  22. I'd much rather to go a place like the ones suggested instead of a stuffy restaurant! Good idea!

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  23. I would love to get back to Sydney with a loved one and enjoy the romance the area has to offer! Great Post!

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  24. Lunar Markets sounds like my kind of place!

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  25. I think romantic is whatever you like doing together -- it doesn't have to involved candles and frilly food at all. great list!

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  26. Very interesting post and great photos!

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  27. nice photos! #MondayEscapes

    Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/

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  28. Ah I remember going to Cottage Point Kiosk. You'd think that having lived in Sydney I would have gone to more of your suggestions! Shame on me. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes

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  29. We visited Sydney earlier this year and I tried to think of the Markets - Pyrmont - now I remember - thanks for the blog !!

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  30. It looks like fun to me!! Great post.

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  31. I especially love the idea of having a picnic on the beach.

    Happy Wednesday!

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  32. I would love to have gone to China to celebrate the Lunar New Year with my family. Alas, it just isn't safe to travel there yet because of the pandemic.

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  33. We are hoping to get over that way sometime. Your photos are awesome and thanks for all the info, too.

    I'm so glad to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

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  34. My Mother loved it when she went with a friend...someday I say....

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    1. It's all very 'someday' at the moment, for everywhere in the whole world!!

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