10 Cool Places Within 10,000 steps Of Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Jayne Gorman
The best way to see a city as pretty as Sydney is by foot, especially if you’re in the midst of a Fitbit challenge and want a fun way to clock up 10,000 steps! Luckily for guests at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, our hotel is located within walking distance of some of the best sites (and pies!) in Sydney. So strap on your Fitbit, lace up your walking shoes and prepare to discover 10 cool places near Ovolo Woolloomooloo whilst nailing your #FitbitGoals.
1:Woolloomooloo Wharf (100 steps)
Okay, you’re probably not gonna kick any fitness goals whilst walking to the Wharf but you will be able to fill up on good food to prepare for the long day of walking you have ahead of you. Head to Criniti’s on the waterfront for a brekkie burger or double stacked pancakes washed down with a smoothie. Or for something a little lighter wander into Bakers Gonna Bake at the Ovolo Woolloomooloo Lo Lounge for a quick coffee and cupcake.
Psst: Come back to the Lo Lounge at 5.30pm for an hour of free-flow wine, beers and canapés!
Ovolo Woolloomooloo Lo Lounge
2:Art Gallery Of NSW (700 steps)
From Woolloomooloo Wharf there are a couple of easy ways to walk straight into The Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens. Turn right out of the hotel, take the flight of stairs nearest to Cowper Wharf Roadway and you pop out directly behind the Art Gallery Of NSW, which sits within The Domain. Founded in 1871, The Art Gallery Of New South Wales showcases contemporary, modern & indigenous art inside its temple-like building. Entry to the museum, and many of the special exhibits and events it hosts, is completely free of charge. Find out what’s on via their website.
3:Royal Botanic Gardens (700 steps)
If you follow the water’s edge from Woolloomooloo Wharf you’ll find a second staircase hidden in the bushes that will take you directly into The Royal Botanic Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens are this year celebrating their 200th birthday, making them the oldest botanic garden and scientific institution in Australia. Wander at your own pace to discover the native plants set to a backdrop of Sydney’s alluring harbour and city skyline. Alternatively you can join a free guided walk (10.30am everyday) to explore the gardens with a local expert.
Top Tip: If you’re looking for a unique angle from which to photograph the harbour, head to the Rose Garden and capture Sydney’s iconic harbour within a floral frame.
4:ABC Pool (1000 steps)
A great place to cool down during the summer months is at the Andrew Boy Charlton (ABC) Pool. An easy 1000 steps along the waterfront from Ovolo Woolloomooloo, the pool is a great place to swim, soak up the sunshine, grab a bite to eat at The Poolside Cafe or even join a yoga class. Entry to the pool costs just $6 for adults so it’s a pretty inexpensive way to while away a warm day in Sydney.
5:Mrs Macquaries Chair (1800 steps)
One of the best seats on Sydney Harbour has to be Mrs Macquaries Chair. The historic chair was carved out of a rock ledge for Governor Macquarie’s wife as she was known to sit in this area enjoying the panoramic views of the harbour. From The ABC Pool there’s a bushland walk that will bring you along the water’s edge to this incredible vantage point. Take an opportunity to rest your legs (and get a selfie!) on the grasslands in front of the chair, whilst taking in incredible views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
6:Sydney Opera House (4000 steps)
An incredibly scenic walk along the harbour from Mrs Macquaries Chair will bring you to Sydney’s iconic Opera House. If you don’t have time for a show consider taking a backstage tour that will show you inside this incredible structure built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon. (It looks a lot different inside than you might guess from the exterior.) If you’re feeling peckish by now then drop into the Opera Bar for drinks and snacks with one of the best views in Sydney. This is also a good time to pop to the bathroom before continuing with your walking!
7:The Rocks (7000 steps)
You’ll be close to reaching your Fitbit goals if you walk to Sydney’s historic Rocks district, the place of first European settlement in Australia. History buffs will enjoy learning about how early settlers lived here at the Susannah Place Museum and the award-winning Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre. Meanwhile, shopaholics can enjoy wandering the boutiques and weekend markets. Friday is a great day for foodies as the market is filled with international cuisine and sweet treats. The Rocks also hosts a series of year round events, like the Aroma Coffee Festival coming up later this month and the Smooth Festival Of Chocolate in September, so time your visit well and you could be in for a delicious treat. (After 7000 steps you’ll have earned it!)
Photo courtesy of therocks.com
8:Australian Museum (1500 steps)
Taking a different route from the hotel (turn left at The Domain and make your way out past the Art Gallery of NSW towards Hyde Park) will bring you to the Australian Museum. This is a great place to bring the kids (because what kid wouldn’t love dinosaur fossils, a Mummy exhibit and, currently, David Attenborough’s Virtual Reality Experiences?). Things can get a little hectic here during school holidays so maybe save this experience for the low-season.
9:Queen Victoria Building (4000 steps)
A pleasant stroll through Hyde Park (and not so pleasant stroll down Park Street!) will bring you to the beautifully ornate Queen Victoria Building. (Known locally as the QVB – because we Aussies do like to shorten everything!) Built in 1898, the QVB features grand domes, stained glass windows, elaborate clocks and random portraits of royalty. Here you can shop at the high-end boutiques then enjoy High Tea at The Tea Rooms. The QVB is particularly magical to visit at Christmas when a giant Christmas tree extends through several floors of the central atrium.
10:Harry’s Café de Wheels (100 steps)
And finally, within mere metres of the hotel is a Sydney institution, Harry’s Café de Wheels. Harry’s have been serving their famous hot pies topped with mash and mushy pies at their Woolloomooloo caravan for over 70 years. With walls plastered with pictures of its famous patrons – the likes of Colonel Sanders, Elton John, Richard Branson and Pamela Anderson have all dined here – Harry’s Café de Wheels is in fact such an institution it has been classified by the National Trust of Australia as a “quintessential Sydney icon”. The best thing is that it’s open until 4am on the weekend so if you’ve had a big night or wake up with the midnight munchies you can grab yourself a pie within 100 steps from your hotel room!
Jayne Gorman is a freelance travel writer and award-winning travel blogger who blogged her way around 40 countries before her 30th birthday. Now Sydney-based you’ll often find her sniffing out the latest street art and sweet treats around the city.