Feeling frisky for a spring fling with Sydney? Spring is absolutely the season for stepping out on a city or harbourside walk, staking out fresh perspectives on the Emerald City and discovering idyllic picnic settings.  If you haven’t done so before now, acquaint yourself with Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney’s exciting new foreshore park. After 200 years of maritime activity, and most recently a container wharf, this harbourside reserve is on the northwestern tip of the CBD.

Resplendent in mighty sandstone blocks, native trees and terraced gardens, irrigated by self-sufficient water collection tanks, Barangaroo has fast become the trending picnic spot, overlooking Balmain and Darling Harbour. Next to the reserve, you’ll see the clear-felled site, snapped up by James Packer for his multi-billion dollar hotel and casino development, which will transform the skyline in 2020.

Harbourside lunching doesn’t get any better than at pint-sized Watson’s Bay, home to the illustrious Doyles on the Beach restaurant, first established in 1885. A word of advice though, book as far in advance as possible, to secure a ringside seat, because this venue’s insatiable popularity doesn’t abate. Sticklers for tradition, Doyles still uses old fashioned methods in handling their catch; the fish is iced on the boat and most fish is caught by hand line.

The extensive lunch menu spans the ocean, from Jumbo Prawns and Tasmanian scallops to John Dory and Barramundi fillets. How about live lobsters from the tank? All meals are artistically presented, the service is impeccable and if you’re struggling to settle on a dish, plump for the Fisherman’s Platter for a splendid showcase of the Doyles experience. The beverage menu is equally dressed to impress – opt for a Doyles Mojito or Mango Fizz mocktail, to wash it all down. It’s a signature Sydney encounter. www.doyles.com.au

I made my way to Doyles courtesy of Captain Cook Cruises, and their fantastic harbour hop-on, hop-off service, lacing up a swag of harbour-hugging ports of call. With the one 24 hour pass, the rocket-fast ferries depart from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Manly, calling into Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Fort Denison, Shark Island plus Garden Island. Plus, you can enjoy hefty discounts on entry prices, if you’re taking in the likes of the zoo or Madame Tussauds. www.captaincook.com.au

Fancy a strip of sandy solitude? Make a date with Kutti Beach. Head to the end of Wharf Road in Vaucluse and totter down the narrow set of stairs to the golden beach. This quiet strip of 100 metres of sand, flanked by rustic boathouses and cooling palm trees is one of Sydney’s best little secrets. An uber-cool picnic spot awaits you in swanky Potts Point. Follow the pathway by Potts Point Bookshop which will lead you to a Gatsby-style garden, complete with ginormous koi pond, oriental bridge, lily garden and watery views. Officially known as the Arthur McElhone Reserve, it’s the kind of setting packing a picnic was made for. 

Cross the Harbour Bridge and dip into the leafy lanes of Kirribilli. Not only home to the Prime Minister’s Sydney perch, but the Governor General’s residence is right next door, built in 1842.Most visitors grab a peek of them, as part of a harbour cruise, but get up close with these palatial pads, as part of a village foreshore walk. Kirribilli (Aboriginal for good fishing spot) is one of Australia’s oldest and “effluent” suburbs, as Kath and Kim would say. Tailor-made for a leisurely walkabout, the village contains the second highest concentration of heritage-listed buildings in  Australia - second only to the Rocks.

The Kirribilli walkway incorporates a long expanse of terraced lawn, just above the shoreline. Mary Booth was a Sydney physician who led the fight to save this prime stretch of shoreline from being hoovered up by high rise developments. She won the war, the reserve is named in her honour, and it serves up the most brilliant green framed vistas of the city skyline and Circular Quay.   For an equally striking and distinctive vista of the Opera House sails peeping through between some art deco apartment buildings, head to the corner of Kirribilli Ave and Beulah Street.

Style-conscious Sydney prides itself on being ahead of the urban lifestyle curve, and local wisdom would have you believe that rooftop bars are soooo 2015, giving way to basement bars. Look beneath your feet for the trending drinking dens in town. A star specimen is Lobo Plantation at 209 Clarence St. The curved stairway leads you down into the shabby-chic decadence of latter-day Cuba.  The expansive cocktail menu showcases the bar’s collection of more than 250 Caribbean rums. Pair them with share plates of empanadas or meatballs and shake the night away.

Foodie and drink fads are a fickle business in Sydney. Last year, a craze that took cool burger joints and fad-conscious bars by storm was the alcoholic milkshake. It’s tipped to remain just as cool this summer. One of the first establishments to go big with the spiked milkshakes was Cheekyburger in Paddington, where one of the biggest sellers is the salted caramel shake with a shot of bourbon. At the Soda factory in 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.   

Three bold new productions have just premiered in Sydney, featuring home-grown talent from New Zealand. The Australian premiere of Disney’s blockbuster musical, Aladdin, has taken the stage at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, sweeping audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. Adapted from the Disney classic, the dramatic production features exhilarating choreography, show-stopping musical numbers and astounding visual effects, teamed with a premium cast including New Zealand’s own acting royalty, George Henare playing the Sultan.

Theatre audiences have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a world-first production of My Fair Lady, directed by stage and screen icon, Julie Andrews, and featuring another Kiwi, Katherine Wiles, who will play Mrs Boxington. The production is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the beloved musical. For full details, head to www.sydney.com/nz/events

Across the bridge, Kirribilli is a splendid base for a Sydney short-break. A great value option is Glenferrie Lodge. I booked my stay through Hotels.com, which was effortless, efficient and packed with great deals.  Hotels.com Rewards gives you one free night after 10 nights booked– which can be banked.  Rewards members and mobile app users also have exclusive access to Secret Prices. The Hotels.com mobile app is a fast and secure way to book your perfect hotel, on the go. www.hotels.com

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s Travel Correspondent on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame.