Gay Sydney Sydney City Guide

Curation by Jamie McGhee, words by Ian Packham

As the largest, wildest, and most uncompromising of Australia’s cities, Sydney wears its heart on its sleeve. Stunning panoramas abound, unfurling behind the deep sapphire waters of its famed harbour. Yet even from the glittering towers and colonial gems of the Central Business District (CBD), you don’t have to stroll far to find yourself communing with nature, as the Blue Mountains, Royal National Park, and mighty Pacific Ocean beaches lie right on the city’s doorstep. Thanks to the warm climate, Sydneysiders can be found outside and socialising at all times of the year. Sydney has come a long way from the mass arrests at the first annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade a generation ago, which has since become a world-famous event attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. If you’re not in town for the big day itself, you can still jump into the thriving gay community, centred around the Darlinghurst neighbourhood and Oxford Street. For your definitive Sydney gay guide, you’ve come to the right place.

The best hotels in Sydney

Let’s start this gay Sydney travel guide with a roundup of the best places to stay in Sydney. Located right around the corner from the independent stores and cafes on Oxford Street, the centre of Sydney’s gay scene, the top-end Adge Apartment Hotel features crisply designed and eclectically furnished hotel apartments. Each open-plan two-bedroom and penthouse comes complete with a full kitchen, a personal grocery shopper, stunning works of graffiti by local artists, and an extraordinary skyline view.

The Darling, meanwhile, offers a haven for those looking to unwind in tranquillity. At Sydney’s only Forbes five-star rated boutique hotel, the watchword is bespoke, with everything from oak chairs to handmade drinking glasses carefully curated for each room. Although it’s located just ten minutes from the CBD, you don’t need to leave the hotel to enjoy comforts such as the Moroccan hammam, a steam room, or 11 other treatment rooms.

Classic kisses the contemporary at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, which features spacious modern lofts in a heritage-listed building. Its bohemian interiors boast loving attention to detail, demonstrated through thoughtful touches such as each room’s unique bedhead art, free barista-made coffee, and complimentary drinks each evening. The harbour views are particularly sublime from the split-level rock n’ roll themed suites, where a designated ‘play’ area and a personal cocktail bar promise the full rock star experience.

If you’d rather live more like a local than a celebrity, the four-star Veriu Broadway promises a taste of true Sydney life. At check-in, where you can pick up a bike free of charge, a dedicated Sydneysider host will introduce you to the city’s overlooked gems and show you what to do in Sydney to sample the best of local life. The hotel’s central location, a stone’s throw from the CBD, Chinatown, and Darling Square, puts the entire city at your fingertips.

For a taste of Sydney’s famous beach culture, there’s nowhere better than the timeless style of Hotel Bondi, overlooking Bondi Beach and the Pacific Ocean. A party-lover’s paradise, this boutique three-star hotel offers its own on-site bottle shop, access to lively bars and a beer garden, and regular live DJ sets.