Sizing up a spring or early summer fling with Sydney? Seize the moment, particularly when the daily mercury is so agreeable to outdoorsy urban adventure. No matter how often I visit the Emerald City, there’s always seems to be hip and happening enticements to discover. A case in point is Barangaroo Point , Sydney’s exciting new foreshore park.

After 200 years of maritime activity, this harbourside reserve, resplendent in mighty sandstone blocks, native trees and terraced gardens has fast become an uber-trendy picnic spot. I got my fill of Barangaroo’s back story on-board the fabulous Harbour Story cruise, a stirringly fresh innovation from Captain Cook Cruises, who revel in sharing Sydney Harbour’s sparkling splendour. Upgrade to premium status and enjoy bubbles and canapes, tootling around the harbour soaking up the live narrated commentary, power-packed with local anecdotes and fascinating historical nuggets. 

You’ll see the house James Packer recently sold for AU$70 million – an Aussie record, along with the new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball’s swanky four-storey harbourfront pad in Point Piper. I learnt about Shell Cove and how convict women were dispatched here to crush shells to make the lime mortar for the Rocks’ sandstone buildings.

Rushcutters Bay takes its name from the rushes that grew here to thatch early settler houses. It was also where Aborigines speared the first convicts, after they tried to pinch their canoes. Beautiful Balmain takes its name from Dr. Balmain who removed a spearhead from Captain Philip’s shoulder, after he too was speared.  You’ll also learn about Blue’s Point, just by Lavender Bay, where Billy Blue operated the first ferry service across the harbour. Being a convict, he didn’t suffer fools lightly, so those who tried to avoid paying were unceremoniously thrown overboard.  The Harbour Story cruise delivers fresh city insights and is a must-do.

Captain Cook Cruises is now also operating a fantastic harbour hop-on, hop-off service, threading together a slew of enticing ports of call. With the one 24 hour pass, the harbour is your highway. The rocket ferries depart from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Manly, calling into Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Fort Denison, Shark Island plus Garden Island. After enjoying some of Sydney’s finest seafood under the striped umbrellas of the Beach Club, I rocketed off to Manly for an invigorating spring dip, and stroll down the golden beach. Plus, you can save up to 70% on entry prices, if you’re taking in the likes of the zoo or Madame Tussauds. Now into its fifth decade, award-winning Captain Cook Cruises knows Sydney Harbour inside out. Their latest cruise, Harbour Story, and their hassle-free Hop On Hop Off Ferry Service are wonderful ways to explore Sydney. www.captaincook.com.au  

If you’re heading to Sydney before Christmas, make a date with Matilda the Musical. Based on the whimsical Road Dahl story and artfully staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this uplifting musical is winning the hearts and minds of all who see it. The production ingeniously blends old school naughtiness and impish irreverence with sparkling wit, heart-melting moments and a quirky, catchy score. It’s a celebration of books, combating bullies, the power of words and a child’s imagination. A stand-out for me is the emotionally charged song, “When I Grow”, when the kids fly out over the audience on swings. For full details on the magical musical that has set Sydney aglow, snap up tickets on the official website. au.matildathemusical.com

Also big on the calendar, is the Sydney International Art Series, which launches next week, running right across the summer at the New South Wales Art Gallery. It features a tremendous volume of works from all of the West’s greats including Botticelli, Leonardo, Rachael, Titian, Rubens, Velázquez, Poussin, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Monet, Degas, Gauguin, and Cézanne.

Guaranteed to be a blockbuster attraction is The Art of the Brick: DC Comics. Opening in November and running for six months, the world premiere of renowned New York LEGO brick artist, Nathan Sawaya’s latest exhibition, will be staged at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. The Art of the Brick is the most successful LEGO brick exhibition series of all time, and in Sydney, the heroes and villains of DC Comics’ including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Joker will be re-created.

Sydney’s line up of headline events and exhibitions will cover all family bases. Art of the Brick will be great for the whole family, especially the boys, while the girls will love Collette Dinnigan: Unlaced to see the gorgeous frocks designed by Collette over the past 25 years. Also staged at the Powerhouse, this exhibition of Australia’s internationally acclaimed fashion designer presents Dinnigan’s signature lace and feminine designs, and showcases how her creativity has captivated international style icons like Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Opening late next month at the Australian Museum, is an epic exhibition that will appeal to your inner-adventurer. Trailblazers: Australia’s 50 Greatest Explorers showcases the nation’s  50 most intrepid adventurers, whose bravery, curiosity and determination will inspire you. Featuring over 360 objects, this exhibition brings some of Australia’s most incredible journeys to life, and puts you right in the centre of the action. From James Cook to Douglas Mawson to Jesse Martin, Trailblazers will have you tripping through time and across the planet. Opening November 28, for further details head to http://australianmuseum.net.au

I’m always intrigued to stake out what foodie or drink fads have become all the rage in uber-trendy Sydney. The latest craze that is taking cool burger joints and fad-conscious bars by storm is the alcoholic milkshake. Take a good old-fashioned milkshake and spike it with a shot or two of your chosen spirit or liqueur.

One of the first establishments to make a splash with this drink is Cheekyburger in Paddington, where one of the biggest sellers is the salted caramel shake with a shot of bourbon. At the Soda factory in lovely Surry Hills, try a raspberry float, which is your classic raspberry ice cream soda spiked with top-shelf vodka.  Another great mix is the peanut butter, jelly and rum concoction.   

Sometimes you stumble across a hotel that exudes a certain je ne se qua, a distinctive spunk and spirt. Vibe Hotel Sydney is such a specimen, a refreshingly chic alternative to your bog-standard city hotel. Brilliantly positioned on Goulburn Street, just a couple of blocks from the Central and Museum stations, at the southern edge of Hyde Park, you’ve got a slew of some of Sydney’s most celebrated experiences in very close proximity to the hotel. The flamboyance of Oxford Street, the Botanical Gardens, Paddy’s Market, IMAX Theatre, Darling Harbour and  Chinatown are all in easy reach.

Offering 191 rooms, the hotel takes a modern brightly coloured twist on the traditional hotel. Vibe Hotel has a fantastic ground-floor café, Curve, while Fino Par is a zesty Spanish tapas eatery and bar, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The hotel also features a restorative rooftop pool, gym, sauna and onsite restaurant. Bonus points for the exceptionally friendly, personable and in-the-know staff who will be only too happy to ensure you get the most out of your holiday fling with Sydney. Bag the best available rate at www.tfehotels.com

Top Tip? As much as I love strolling about Sydney’s city centre, if your legs are tiring from all that pavement pounding, be sure to take advantage of the complimentary CBD Shuttle Bus, Route 555, which runs between Circular Quay and Central Station via George Street every 10 minutes between 9am and 3.30pm on weekdays, and through till 9pm on Thursdays, to cater for the late-night shoppers.

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s Travel Correspondent on Jack Tame Saturdays. 11.20am