Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Palm Beach - Situated at the most northern point of Palm Beach, the location of iconic Aussie series Home and Away, Barrenjoey Lighthouse offers stunning views. There are two paths, one 400m and the other 800m, and both are quite steep. I went on the walk after staying in lockdown with no activity for 2 months so I was out of breath sooner than I expected. But the view at the top is worth it! I suggest taking the longer Access Trail up to get the wide sweeping views on the hike up and then the shorter and harder Smuggler Track on the way down as not only will you be descending the steep stairs, it'll also offer the view of palm beach hidden amidst the trees all the way while going down. While the wide sweeping view from the top was picturesque, something about the narrow stairs lined with trees almost hiding the view down Smugglers track felt magical to me! After the walk down, cool down with a dip at the beach or explore the cafes and shops at the strip by the beach! 

Mount Wilson -  While many of the spots I have mentioned here are all about the ocean, that is certainly not all there is to Sydney. Growing up in Western Sydney, I've been privy to the beauty of the Blue Mountains for years including the iconic Three Sisters and quaint villages like Bilpin and Leura. And if you're a lover of Autumn colours, its time to add Mount Wilson to the Sydney bucket list. This historical village is home to a number of estates that open their gates to visitors for a few weeks in Autumn and Spring and allow you to roam around their lavish lawns and gardens. Seeing the mountain donned in vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow was completely magical and I even went twice in one season. On the way there, I recommend taking the Bilpin route and stopping at Pie In The Sky for their famous apple pie and on the way back you can stop at Maggie Lou's Bite and I highly (HIGHLY) recommend grabbing their potato spuds and some local Bilpin cider.

Waverton to McMahon Point walk - Waverton in Sydney's exclusive lower north shore actually has an almost village like charm that you may not expect. With multiple shops surrounding the train station, I recommend parking your car nearby and starting the walk to McMahon Point or Milsons point if you want to go further. This walk isn't so much as pretty as it is interesting with plenty of historical tidbits. A coal loader, old BP oil refinery, HMAS Waterhen Naval Base, Sawmiller's Reserve (site of a former sawmill) are all key pit stops along the way. There's also this wooden structure at Sawmiller's Reserve where I clicked a photo as memorabilia of this walk. For something a little different and urban, this walk is a great option.

Succulent Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens - I have a confession: for a long long time, I  have underestimated the Royal Botanic Gardens. Being in city central and so easily accessible, I've always chalked it down to being just another garden. But Covid has forced me to run out of things to do, cafes to eat at and galleries to visit, and so, exploring local parks became a lot more appealing. And that appeal led me to find out all the treasures in Royal Botanic Gardens. One thing that really took me by surprise was this small Succulent Garden. I love lush greenery but I also love succulents - they offer a landscape that is quite unique. It's a funny feeling stepping from the lush landscape to this garden and for a second it feels like you're not in Sydney. The collection is great and it'll definitely keep you interested for a little while. Combine it with a walk around rest of the garden and you'll easily walk away 1-2 hours soaking in the colours and smell of it all.