Ovolo Woolloomooloo

Woolloomooloo is one of Sydney’s oldest docks, but the square-riggers of old have been replaced by glamourous motorboats. The historic wooden wharf has been converted into apartments, restaurants and cocktail bars.

It’s a pleasant waterside setting with an atmospheric buzz. On one side you have the defence base at Garden Island with its contingent of well-armed naval vessels and on the other The Domain, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the (lovely walk to the) Royal Botanic Garden.

While most of the nearby streets are residential, a number of the original Victorian-era pubs survive and are worth visiting. Another famous landmark is Harry’s Café de Wheels, a food van famous for its pies.

For more sophisticated cuisine walk up the hill to Potts Point – one of Sydney’s most popular foodie precincts, with a number of great restaurants and small, funky cafes.