Drawing Sydney

Posted 09.12.2021

There are many great places to sketch in Sydney. It is hard to beat Sydney for looks; it’s blessed with great natural beauty in its setting on a magnificent harbour. One of the best views in Australia must be from Observatory Hill (above), just to the west of the city centre. It looks over Miller’s Point with panoramic views to the Harbour Bridge and North Sydney, with Luna Park and the North Sydney pool on the harbour edge. There is a rotunda close to the top of Observatory Hill with seats around its base. This was certainly the perfect place for me to draw a great view during a recent visit.

If you look to the left of my drawing below, there are large trees within Wendy’s Secret Garden, established by the artist Wendy Whiteley on disused railway land. I had never been to the Secret Garden, so I thought it was time. It is very beautiful and sits above Lavender Bay, with glimpsed views to the Harbour Bridge through some equally amazing Port Jackson Figs. From this vantage point next to Brett and Wendy Whiteley’s house, there is a wonderful view out to the Opera House.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge from Wendy’s Secret Garden

The view of the Opera House from the Beulah Street disused ferry stop must be one of the most surprising views in Australia. Called the Beulah Street Reserve, it serves as a wide walkway to the ferry stop, accessed by a big stone staircase from the street down to the park level. I sat in a garden bed rather uncomfortably to draw this, but what a view!

We stayed in an affordable hotel near Brookfield Place Sydney. Here, we enjoyed glimpses of the harbour. I like it when I can do a sketch before breakfast — the ideal way to start another day in Sydney.