Nestled right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and just a stones throw from the action of The Rocks and Circular Quay, it is so hard to stop yourself from falling in love with Pier One…

________________________________________

Photos: Jarrad Seng

I have only ever been to Sydney three times in my life – at the age of 20 for a week of dance workshops at Brent Street, at the age of 24 for a series of blog related events, and this year for MBFWA. Each visit to Sydney only makes me fall more and more in love with the city, and the idea of relocating does float around in my head quite often. Who wouldn’t be in love with the idea of catching glimpses of the bridge every day, spending time wandering the cliffy coast, and watching unlimited sunsets on the harbour? Clearly, I most certainly am.

While my first visit to Sydney was memorable in it’s own way – we got to see a member of our senior troupe’s sister, Lucy Durack, onstage in Wicked and we spent a week dancing at the iconic studios of Brent Street – the last two trips are the ones that I remember most vividly.

 

In 2014, I stayed at Pier One Sydney Harbour for a week with my mum. It was our first mother-daughter holiday ever, and I don’t think we could have done it better! Post obligatory blogging duties, we spent our week strolling through The Rocks, eating dumplings at Lotus Dumpling Bar across the road, and watching the sun set out on the deck with a bottle of wine between us.

Then, earlier this year, Jenelle and I teamed up and tackled MBFWA together. In the 8.5 days we were in Sydney, we ended up at Pier One a grand total of 3 times. Once for sunset drinks, another for an event in their marquee area, and lastly, to assist Jarrad Seng on location with these photos. Jenelle and I enjoyed a cheeseboard while watching the most vivid sunset, had a massive realisation about our industry and our positions in it mid-event, and spent an afternoon ‘cheersing’, laughing and fan-girling (well, I was anyway) with some absolute legends… all at Pier One.

It is fair to say that the love I have for Pier One is not only for it’s incredible location under the harbour bridge, phenomenal views, or chic, beachy/nautical feel of the rooms (mum and I had a room with a view of the underside of the harbour bridge!), but it is also for the fond memories that I have from my experiences there. The hotel is the epitome of laid back, free-spirited luxury.

If you are planning a stay in Sydney, I would highly recommend a stay at Pier One… and possibly even creating your own fond memories with the below, just as I did.

Eat

• Enjoy a cheeseboard or wood fired pizza on the deck of Pier One at sunset
• Try all of the dumplings on the menu at Lotus Dumpling Bar across the road
• Get a fresh pretzel and stein at Munich Brauhaus (mum was so in love with the pretzels that we ended up here a few times!)
• Wander around to The Opera Bar for a glass of wine (mind the sea gulls!)
• Treat yourself to a fine dining experience (and an incredible view) at Aria Restaurant

Do

• Catch a ferry through to Watson’s Bay and have lunch at Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel
• Check to see if there are any shows you can buy tickets for at the Australian Ballet during your stay
• Catch a ferry across to Luna Park and the North Sydney Olympic Pool
• Wander around Circular Quay and through the botanic gardens (after stopping by the Opera House of Course!)
• Stroll through the night markets at The Rocks on Friday, Saturday or Sunday

See

• Feast your eyes on some colourful art at the Ken Done Gallery
• Get cultural with a visit to Spirit Gallery
• Feast your eyes on something a little different at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Pier One Sydney Harbour

11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
T: +61 2 8298 9999 F: +61 2 8298 9777