Single O in Surry Hills is a coffee shop that has been serving single-origin coffee (hence the name) since 2003 with a mission to waste less. The company partners with Table to Earth, a composting start-up, to turn coffee-roasting waste into soil and uses compostable takeaway cups. They offset their carbon through a partnership with Greenfleet Australia, which plants native, biodiverse forests.
All over the city, restaurants including the upscale Nomad in Surry Hills and Sean’s in Bondi Beach are serving up local fare determined by the seasons; the menu at Sean’s sometimes changes daily based on what is available from Chef Sean Moran’s Blue Mountains farm. Among its many sustainability initiatives, Nomad has drafted a web of suppliers and contractors, like Appellation Oysters’ native rock oysters, to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint and gives preference to wine growers who utilize organic farming practices, including Australian-made Pooley and Castagna wines. In Bondi there at least a dozen cafes offering mug libraries (where you borrow a mug and bring it back later, instead of getting a disposable takeaway cup) and reusable takeaway containers.
Full-immersion in nature and culture
As anyone who’s visited Sydney’s sun-kissed beaches can confirm, the city is a delightful place to be outdoors. There are miles of urban treks, ranging from multi-day hiking trails like the 62-mile Great Coastal Walk that links the city’s southern and northern edges, to informal neighborhood rambles. Whatever you choose, getting outside is the best way to experience nature, culture, and history. The City of Sydney even offers an app for guided walking tours within the business district.
Venture out on the famous Coogee to Bondi walk, a roughly four-mile trek that winds past coastal cliffs and five beaches (including the two in the name). In Bondi, visitors can also learn about history and culture on an Aboriginal Walking Tour, which visits Aboriginal Rock Carvings and highlights bush medicines and foods.
