Sydney, Australia

Sydney is a huge but incredibly green city – it’s full of parks and wildlife reserves, and one of my favourite things is how many animals there are! It’s definitely the city for anyone who loves the wild outdoors. I take so much inspiration from the natural world and it’s so exciting to step outside everyday and see cockatoos, possums and fruit bats playing in your back yard. The waterways are protected too which means you can find seahorses, rays, humpback whales and turtles without even leaving the city! The reserves are wonderful for taking a walk, run or swim and helping you keep fit.

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Shop

My absolute favourite shop is Riot art and craft supplies. There’s one in my local Westfield and I adore going in there and getting inspired about my next project. The staff are always friendly and most are artists or crafters themselves, so can offer an informed opinion if you need some advice.

The Rocks Markets sits right in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge in the oldest part of the city, and there are so many stalls selling cool arts and crafts. It’s there Saturday and Sunday every week, look out for the man with the spray-paint creating amazing works of art right in front of you!

Be Inspired

I love the outdoors and my favourite spot is our local park and nature reserve in Cammeray. There’s a creek where you can spot Eastern Water Dragons and the forest is full of tropical birds. Sitting down there surrounded by the sounds of the Australian forest is not just good for the soul, but some of my best arty ideas have come to me as I’ve wandered around in the trees.

I definitely recommend doing the Bridge Climb. You get to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, enough said! You can choose whether to climb during the day, at sunset or at night and the views are spectacular. What an experience! Another big favourite of mine is Walkabout Wildlife Park, it’s just outside Sydney and you can pat a kangaroo, hug a dingo and play with the emus!

The big one to take a photo of is of course the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, you couldn’t possibly visit and not leave with a photo of that iconic scene!

Eat & Drink

Sydney has some of the best food of any city in the world. I’m a massive cheese lover, and the delightful Formaggi Ocello in Surrey Hills is one of my absolute favourite places to eat. I really recommend their cheese and wine tasting evenings, informative AND delicious!

For anyone who likes pizza (who doesn’t??), Via Napoli in Lane Cove was recently voted the best pizza in Sydney and for good reason. It’s a mad, wonderful experience sitting in the bustling restaurant while the waiters chatter away in Italian, and everything about the pizza is ming-blowingly good – the dough, the toppings, and the fact that you can get a pizza that is a metre long!

Craft

There are so many great spots to sit and craft! Since the weather is warm most of the year, finding somewhere to sit outside and craft is easy. One amazing spot is Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, in the Sydney Botanical Gardens right in the middle of the city. Take a picnic blanket and your latest craft project and soak up the sunshine with a gorgeous view!

See Something Special

The front gates of Luna Park provide an interesting photo opportunity – the massive grinning face is creepy to say the least! It makes for an atmospheric photograph at night.