Late summer happenings in Neutral Bay and surroundings

The warmer months are drawing to a close, and it’s a beautiful time of year in Neutral Bay.

Here is our list of ‘last days of summer’ activities for 2023:

Food and drink

Gunners Barracks: Just up the road from Neutral bay is the historic Gunners Barracks. What better way to make use of the historic building and Sydney Harbour views than to enjoy high tea on the deck? Gunners Barracks is one of Sydney’s go-to locations for quality high tea and a must-visit spot on a pleasant autumn weekend.

The Oaks: The Oaks Hotel is a Neutral Bay institution, and there is always something fun going on there. Try the Tuesday night trivia night, check out an acoustic session on Fridays and Saturdays, or enjoy Thursday night beer tasting. Make sure to check out the website to see what’s going on that will suit you.

SoCal: Enjoy a slice of California right in the centre of Neutral Bay. After Hamish Watts and Ben Carroll visited the US for a surf trip, they fell in love with everything California. They decided to bring the food, drinks and ambience back home to Sydney by opening SoCal in Neutral Bay. Along with modern Southern Californian food and endless summer vibes, you can enjoy cocktails aplenty, plus live music that gives the place that extra special feel.

Jugemu and Shimbashi: At Jugemu and Shimbashi, you can enjoy a unique dining experience. In keeping with the Japanese tradition of one restaurants specialising in one dish, Jugemu and Shimbashi is two restaurants in one, with Jugemu specialising in teppanyaki and Shimbashi in hand-made soba. There are even two entrances and different furnishings on each side of the restaurant. Whichever entrance you chose, you can enjoy food from each menu, so why not enjoy some authentic Japanese food in Neutral Bay this autumn?

Get outside

Ferry around: Sydney’s ferries are a unique way to island hop around Sydney Harbour. Make the most of the autumn weather by spending the day travelling back and forth across stunning Sydney harbour and visiting its many islands. Not only is this a unique experience, but because the ferries are public transport, it is also a very affordable one.

Get out and walk: Neutral Bay has some amazing walking trails past some of the most picturesque Sydney real estate, and the autumn months, when it is cooling down but not yet cold, are the perfect time to make the most of them. Make sure to check out our past post about the best walks in and around Neutral Bay.

Taronga Zoo: There’s never a bad time to visit Taronga Zoo, but autumn may be one of the best. The milder weather makes it more likely that the animals will be out and about, as well as making your own day more tolerable. Get in soon, and you can still get tickets to the last few performers of Twilight at Taronga 2023.

Activities

The Orpheum: There’s always something fun happening at the Hayden Orpheum. Whether it’s a sing-a-long to Encanto, the Rocky Horror Picture Show hosted by drag icon Minnie Cooper, the Ocean Film Festival world tour, any one of many other events, or just checking out the latest release movies, the Orpheum is always a winner.

Sydney Cooking School: Why not get ready to host some amazing winter dinner parties by taking some lessons at the Sydney Cooking School in Neutral Bay? From beginners to experienced cooks, pastries to international cuisines, there will be a course to suit any aspiring chef.

Crockd Studios: “Get out of your head and into your hands” is the slogan at Crockd Studio, where you can learn the ancient art of clay work and pottery in a lively and fun environment. Crockd isn’t about creating perfection; it is focused on losing yourself in the flow of creation. A visit to the studio is an amazing experience for young and old, so if you like the idea of doing something creative and different, check them out today.

Did we miss any of your favourite autumn spots or activities in Neutral Bay? Make sure to let us know.