Sneak some fitness into a Sydney sightseeing tour

If you’re looking to smash a personal record, this is a fun and scenic way to do it. The 10k course kicks off at 8.30am and is a one-lap loop through Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo and the Rocks.

whereas, the  5k course starts at 7.30am and takes runners from the Rocks to Hickson Road and back again, with views of the Opera House and the Bridge. The runs are an excellent warm-up opportunity ahead of City2Surf and Blackmores Running Festival later in the fun run season.

There’ll be a post-race recovery area at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, the finishing line for both races.

Get your skates on and glide into the Parramatta Winterlight festival.

Break out your warmest jackets and boots and head to Prince Alfred Square in Parramatta for Winterlight from July 5-21. The frosty 17-day festival offers all kinds of wintery fun, from glowing carnival rides to mulled wine, plus the all-important ice rink. 

The icy set-up is undoubtedly the star of the show. It’s a great spot to skate with the kids during the dedicated family sessions or go on an old fashioned date under the twinkly fairy lights in the evenings. 

This year, they’ve organised a few special themed nights at the rink. On Thursday, July 11, you and your boo will be zooming around the ice before you cuddle up for a free silent movie. The following week, the festival will be painted in neon colours for the evening of July 18, so wear your brightest whites and get your face painted to make the most of the shiny UV lights while you skate.

Beyond the ice, there’s a wonderland of activities to explore. Gaze out across the glowing festival as you ride the Ferris wheel, grab a toboggan and rocket down the 30-metre ice slide, race on the dodgems and merry-go-round, or learn fun new skills at the free festival workshops. Jokesters of all ages can learn circus tricks and creative kids can make luminous paper lanterns or perfect their shadow puppetry skills.

Each night at Winterlight will also feature the Bamboozled Cabaret Shows, which span circus, comedy, vaudeville and acrobatics. Feeling famished? Warm up those bellies with mountain feasts at the Alpine Food Village.

For the first time this year, Market Street will come alive with stalls offering
of artisan products from Parramatta and Greater Sydney. Marketgoers will be able to browse and purchase unique locally made products, including clothing, jewellery, candles, pottery and artwork. The Parramatta Night Markets at Winterlight are on July 8-11, 5-9pm.

If you want to make the most of your festival spending money, head to the square on Mondays for unlimited skating sessions and rides for just $35. The same deal is running on opening night – Friday, July 5 – and on Tuesdays, bring a buddy for the two-for-one skating and ride deals. You can buy tickets to all this chilly fun today.

This Parisian party by the harbour is back with more melting cheeses, fine wine and wintery entertainment.

Experience the best parts of France – food, wine, art and performance – without leaving the city at Sydney’s celebration of Bastille Day (Sun Jul 14). The festival will take over Circular Quay and the Rocks for four days with food villages, wine bars and beer gardens, movie screenings, free concerts and street performances.

They’re maintaining the format of previous years, with four main precincts offering themed French fun with more than 70 food stalls and seven dedicated wine bars popping up around the area. The Christmas village in the Rocks’ Argyle Street is always a winner, with the outdoor market of 22 French chalets dishing out hot mulled wine, Christmas pudding and raclette under a canopy of festooned lights.

Just around the corner at First Fleet Park they’re mixing it up with French fusion dishes. Try modern amalgamations like camembert arancini, mushroom gnocchi and French paella with a brew from the French craft beer bar. If you want to stick to traditions, head to the Customs House village for all your edible French favourites like crêpes, croque monsieur, saucisson (a very French cured sausage), and more raclette. You’ll also find a dedicated cider bar and Champagne bar here.

The eastern Circular Quay precinct is turning into a fancy produce market. Think the best in smelly cheeses, French truffles, winter preserves, macarons and other sweets you can eat on the spot or take home. You’ll also find homewares like French linen, candles, jewellery and other floaty accessories.

Once you’ve awoken from your cheese and wine coma, check out all the action on the festival mainstage or see street performers bring the pavement to life. There’s 12 free live concerts to groove to plus performances by European folk dancers and circus acts roaming around the precincts. You can also catch a film on the Tallawoladah Lawn– they’re screening French classics, family faves and some unusual flicks. 

This year the festival is also focusing keenly on the environmental impacts and sustainability of the celebration. They’ve got a plastic-free policy, will be using energy-saving lights and have an environmentally friendly waste disposal system. So BYO reusable drink bottle and tote bags for French market goodies.

You’re welcome to roll up to the market and begin feasting, but if you want a structured tasting experience there’s a wine and cheese pairing course that’s going for $89 a pop. And if you want to get value out of your glass and get fast-tracked through the lines, you can sign up to the self-led wine tasting tour. For $39 you score four pours plus your reusable tasting glass, or you can try eight different varieties for $59.

Dates: Thursday July 11 2019 – Sunday July 14 2019