Flo Dill’s Guide to Sydney

It was Londoner Flo Dill’s first time in Sydney, and she came with notes. “Like everyone, I ask friends who’ve been there before — but I try to get just two or three top things,” the NTS Breakfast Show host says. She’d come to romance Ace Sydney’s Lobby with her signature blend of leftfield pop and feather-light rock, and to try out a new way to travel. “I’m trying to free myself from the tyranny of Google Maps and just go where it feels good.” Her hot take: “Not every meal needs to be life changing.” 

Alongside friends, Flo also polled her devoted NTS listeners for their can’t-miss spots, which is how she discovered the gem that is Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden — right at home on her outdoorsy-leaning list. True to form for the Digging with Flo podcast host, she also spent time at the Royal Botanic Garden and came away a fan, especially of the bush tucker walk. “I love gardening and plants, but sometimes find botanic gardens leave me a little cold — this one was fantastic.” 

One final bit of Flo wisdom before we get into it: “For my fellow tourists who were told to avoid Bondi — don’t. I loved the Icebergs. But I’m kind of basic.”

Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

Sydney’s not-so-secret secret, artist Wendy Whiteley’s ever-changing garden is more painting than park — lush, tangled and defiantly personal, shaped by grief and love. Winding paths and wild corners are made up of native and exotic plantings, all tended by Wendy after the deaths of her husband, artist Brett Whiteley, and their daughter.

Out Of The Blue Clovelly

Legendary for fully stacked fish burgers and deep-fried Mars bars, Out Of The Blue is but steps from the beach, so take your dripping sando and head for the sand. Everything tastes better outdoors.

Nom Darlinghurst

An intimate izakaya serving home-style food like pan-fried gyoza, mentai potato salad and chicken karaage. The fish is fresh and flavorful, the beers are served ice-cold and the sake list is impressive.

Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club

Bowls, akin to Australian bocce, is a beloved barefoot pastime made better by beer and views. Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club has both, plus sweeping ocean vistas, an on-site bar and BYO BBQ setup.

Wattamolla Beach

Approximately an hour south of Sydney by car, Wattamolla Beach gets justifiably busy in the summer being both a picturesque waterfall-fed lagoon and a surf beach. Picnic, play or ponder life as you stroll the park’s half-day hikes.

Hermitage Foreshore Walk

The one’s got it all — show-stopping skyline sights, secluded beaches for swimming and pockets of native flora. This coastal walk is made for ambling along so take it all in at your own pace.

All photographs by Andrea Veltom.

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