June 4, 2005

Down Undah

DailyCandy Goes to Sydney

Exotic beaches and excellent shopping? First-rate dining and topless body surfing? Is Sydney cooler than Paris, New York, and London? Possibly. Especially if you consider that it’s modern and happening and attitude-free.

The Lay of the Land
It’s a sprawling city, but the main neighborhoods you’ll want to hit are Bondi (for beaches and cafes), Bronte (for swimming), Darlinghurst (for shopping), and Potts Point (for flirting). Unless you’re intent on buying overpriced real estate and settling down with the Australian WASP-atariat in North Shore, you can stay south of Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Nest
Old world meets new world downtown at Establishment Hotel (5 Bridge Lane, CBD; +61-02-9240-3100). The W (6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo; +61-02-9331-9000) is the W: all the fabulosity of NYC with all the serenity of Sydney Harbor. Gotta be on the beach? Opt for ocean luxe at Ravesi’s (118 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach; +61-02-9365-4422). If you’re dating, say, Steve Forbes and he wants to, oh, cut an album, the Moog Hotel (413 Bourke St, Surry Hills; +61-02-8353-8200) is your spot. The $1,000-per-night, one-room hotel comes equipped with a recording studio and Jacuzzi screening room.

Ingest
Russell, Naomi, and Nicole have scrambled eggs on toast at the Aqua Bar (266 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach; +61-02-9130-6070). Five-star Italian cuisine and the ethereal Pacific views have made Icebergs (1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach; +61-02-9365-9000) as big a tourist attraction as the Opera House. Tiny, jewel-like Fratelli Paradiso (12-16 Challis Avenue, Potts Point; +61-02-9357-1744) has a spare menu (try the seared barramundi) and Warhol-inspired wallpaper. Sean’s Panaroma (270 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach; +61-02-9365-4924) is sophisticated yet shack-like. You’ll be tempted to wear flip-flops. Don’t. Finally, once the sun has set, Lotus Bar (22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point; +61-02-9326-9000) is perfect for late-night pashing (see glossary, below).

Invest
It’s not news to say that Aussies are dominating the global fashion scene. So you’ll get extra points for shopping from the source. Westfield Shopping Center in Bondi Junction is a mall, but don’t hold that against it. You’ll find all the Aussie designers (Leona Edmiston, Bettina Liano, and Kookai) as well as Euro labels under one gigantic roof.

Three can’t-miss chains: Orson & Blake sells imports and exports — from housewares to underwear. Scanlan & Theodore has retro-chic clothes for office or play. (Think Katayone Adeli meets Mayle.) Get reasonably priced accessories that make a statement at Mimco. (Sequined-covered Chinese laundry bags are great souvenirs.)

If you’re the sort who happily spends $400 on ripped jeans, you’ll love Christensen Copenhagen (2 Guilfoyle Avenue, Double Bay; +61-02-9328-9755) for its selection of Paul & Joe, Christian Louboutin, and Flippa K. If you do mind spending $400 on ripped jeans, Tuchuzy (90 Gould Street, Bondi Beach; +61-02-9365-5371) stocks all the Sass & Bide a girl could hope for. Bonus: refreshingly honest sales assistants. (“Yep, those do make you look chunky. Try boot cut.”)

The Rest

A field guide to the essentials: beaches and lingo.

Beaches
- North Bondi: media snobs
- South Bondi: strictly tourists
- Far South Bondi: highest incident of toplessness
- Tamarama (a.k.a. “glamorama”): glistening gays and strong undertow
- Bronte: for those who pack sandwiches for the day

Lingo
- bathers: swimsuit
- dag: loser
- long white: cafe au lait
- pash: make out (as in kiss)
- spunk: hottie

And nary a “g’day, mate” in sight.