Restrictions have loosened and life is regaining a sense of normality but international travel is still not on the cards. Good thing we live in a place that tens of thousands of people travel to every year! Here's how you can experience Randwick City like a tourist.

Friday night

It’s Friday night and the feeling’s alright. Randwick’s bustling dining and entertainment hub, The Spot, is a great place to drink some socially distanced cocktails, indulge in people watching and enjoy a meal. The heritage conservation area has a mix of eating establishments – Spanish tapas, French crepes, vegan burgers, pizza, patisseries and great pub grub. No matter the type of evening you’re looking for, The Spot will provide the atmosphere. If you can, catch a movie at the heritage listed Ritz Cinema, it’s one of only two Art Deco cinemas left in Sydney.

Saturday morning

Who needs a trip to the Great Barrier Reef when you’ve got Gordon’s Bay and Clovelly’s gentle protected beach to explore? If this is your first time donning a mask, snorkel and fins, Clovelly is your best bet as the concrete platform provides easy access to the water. Bluey the groper is a famous resident, so keep an eye out for him. Just around the corner, heading south, is Gordon’s Bay, which features an underwater nature trail. Enter the water by the rocks close to Victory Street and look for concrete-filled drums linked by a chain with information about local marine life.

Saturday afternoon

A morning of snorkelling will work up an appetite, so grab some lunch on Clovelly Road before heading off on your next adventure. For this you’ll need a bike, helmet and energy to burn. If you’ve got kids with you, the Heffron Pedal Park in Maroubra is a fun, miniature road network for kids to ride bicycles and scooters, and helps them develop road safety skills. More experienced cyclists should head to Centennial Park to ride the one-way loop that stretches for 3.7km. Head to the corner of Clovelly Road and Earl Street to enjoy an afternoon coffee and cake. You’ve earned it!

Saturday night

About an hour before the sun sets, pull into the car park at Kooringai Ave and take a walk through the Guriwal Bush Tucker Trail. La Perouse is rich in Aboriginal history and this trail, with its abundant access to seafood and bush tucker, was a traditional camping area for Indigenous families. The trail will take you to Yarra Point then on to Frenchman’s Beach.  Head to Endeavour Ave and Anzac Parade to grab some fish and chips or takeaway food and watch the sun set over the water from the grassy knoll near the La Perouse Museum.

Sunday morning

It’s time to take it easy like Sunday morning. Start your day with a gentle stroll through the Fred Hollows Reserve. You can access the boardwalk via Alison Road near Glen Ave or Bligh Place. Whichever entry point you choose, you’ll be immediately immersed in greenery and trees that muffle the sound of the city. For a magic 20 to 30 minutes, you’ll enjoy the rainforest sounds of frogs, birds and the breeze in the tree canopy. There are plenty of benches along the boardwalk to sit and immerse yourself in the experience. Afterwards, head further up Alison Road towards Avoca St for brunch and a coffee. The Royal Randwick Shopping Centre is close by and there a plenty of lifestyle shops along Avoca Street for a spot of shopping.

Sunday noon

A long lazy lunch is the hallmark of a Sunday afternoon well spent. This is particularly the case if authentic Asian cuisine is your thing. The Kingsford Light Rail stop will drop you right in the heart of our very own Asian food lover’s paradise. Along Anzac Pde you’ll find Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Korean, Malaysian and Japanese restaurants lining both sides of the road. A quick Google search will uncover endless top 5 and top 10 lists, noting people’s favourite restaurants but every list is different, which means you can’t go wrong. Pick one restaurant and explore their menu or pick five and have a progressive lunch. Once you’ve finished, head towards Gardeners Road and take in the Charles Kingsford Smith art alley, commemorating the famous aviator.

Sunday afternoon

Now it’s time to head to the coast to walk the Western Walking Track in the Malabar Headland National Park. This 1.15km walkway connects Pioneers Park in Malabar, with Arthur Byrne Reserve in South Maroubra. It offers stunning views across the beach, the headland and Botany Bay and because it runs behind the rifle range it is open seven days a week. If the rifle range is closed the 3km long Boora Point Walking Track will also be open, creating a 4km round trip which allows you to circumnavigate Malabar Headland. Whale watching season in Sydney runs from June to November, and there is no better place to keep an eye out for the gentle giants than the Malabar Headland.