"This vowelsome mouthful from Hong Kong-based hotelier Ovolo took up residence in the stately Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf in 2015. The bright and busy hotel is surrounded by moored boats and has views towards the city’s skyscrapers. Inside there’s a high-ceilinged central atrium lined with windows and skirted by walkways that lead to the hotel’s 100 rooms, including two suites called INXS and AC/DC thanks to the owner’s penchant for Aussie rock’n’roll. It’s all brought to life with primary colours and soft finishes by architecture practice Hassell."

"Chef Jonathan Barthelmess and restaurant impresario Sam Christie opened this 90-cover Greek joint on Macleay Street in Potts Point in 2012. The homely George Livissianis-designed space is decked out with curvy Thonet chairs and sculptural Artemide wall lights. There’s also an intimate chef’s table, beloved by the city’s more discreet diners."

"Husband-and-wife team Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky launched Koskela to meet a gap in the market for affordable furniture made in Australia. Their high-quality pieces are crafted in collaboration with domestic manufacturers and Aboriginal artists."

"The aim of Australia’s first public museum, when it was green-lit in 1827, was to gather rare specimens of natural history and miscellaneous curiosities. Today its collection boasts more than 18 million cultural and scientific exhibits, showcases Australian history – including Aboriginal archaeology and artefacts from its greatest explorers – and has a world-leading research programme."

"If you are meeting someone in town, the steps of the Sydney Town Hall are a good place to rendezvous. Inspired by the baroque revival-style Hôtel de Ville in Paris, Sydney’s Town Hall was started by Tasmanian architect JH Willson in 1868 and constructed over a 21-year period from sandstone quarried in nearby Pyrmont. The building still houses the city council. In recent years the basement spaces have been transformed into pop-up bars and rooms to serve various Sydney festivals."

"Set between the northern tower of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the toothy entrance to the 1930s-built Luna Park funfair, this pool boasts panoptic views across the glittering harbour towards the Sydney Opera House, CBD and Millers Point. The 50-metre, nine-lane pool is an architectural jaw-dropper. The art deco gem opened in 1936, while a heated 25-metre pool was added by architecture firm Hassell in 2001. The sauna, gym, spa, crèche and café are modern but the building’s charm lies in its older details: colourful shells and marine-themed masonry compete with the invigorating harbour view for swimmers’ attention."