When summertime hits, the Harbour City truly sparkles. Between its blue skies and even bluer water, Sydney is perfectly positioned to offer endless warm weather activities, from outdoor adventures to delicious dining with incredible views.

1. Refresh yourself in an ocean pool
Long days by the pool with a good book are the medicine to our modern lives. Add in a backdrop of nature, crystal-clear ocean water and the cool sea breeze, and you've entered pure relaxation mode. Protected by reefs and rocks, and often hewn into coastal cliffs, Sydney's iconic ocean pools are a unique part of the city's swim culture, from Cronulla in the south to Palm Beach in the north. Enjoy calmer ocean water at North Curl Curl Rockpool,  Wylies Baths in Coogee or Mahon Pool in Maroubra; or swim a few laps at Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, Bondi Icebergs or Maccallum Pool in Cremorne Point.

2. Book in a long lunch
'Tis the season for long and indulgent lunches, so head to Sydney's best restaurants by the water or on city rooftops as they serve up summer on a plate. Catalina serves incredible seafood right on the harbour at Rose Bay, try St George Sailing Club down south in San Souci, and you can't go past Icebergs Dining Room and Bar for iconic views of Bondi Beach. For sky-high views, head to Aster Bar on the top of the Intercontinental, Old Mate's Place for a cosy CBD rooftop spot or Theo's Rooftop in Penrith for incredible views of Western Sydney and out to the Blue Mountains (plus, there's a pool!).

3. Watch the sunrise
Energetic Sydneysiders always rise and shine. Let the dawn colours wash over you from the Hornby Lighthouse, or meander through Dawes Point Park or Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden to see sunrise over the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. More of a morning mover? Salute the new day with a sunrise paddle in Rushcutters Bay or join a female-only group in Manly with She SUPs. An early-morning walk from Bondi to Coogee, Bundeena to Otford or Manly to North Head makes the perfect wake-up call.

4. Make the ocean your playground
It's easy to dive into fun new experiences in Sydney – and there's a wet-and-wild adventure for everyone. Learn to surf with the family in one of the many surf schools in Bondi, Freshwater, Maroubra, Cronulla and more. Refresh yourself in underwater worlds with a scuba diving lesson with Dive Centre Manly; learn to spearfish with Dive, Spear and Sport Northern Beaches; or add a twist of adrenaline with an Underwater Scooter Tour of Gordons Bay.

5. Turn up the heat
With gorgeous views, intimate eateries and plush rooms, Sydney is the place for romance. Take your love sky high and enjoy a sunset helicopter tour or seaplane adventure together before cosying up for a harbourside dinner at Sails on Lavender Bay or Bennelong. Step into someone else's story at a musical at the Capitol Theatre or a play at Sydney Theatre Company. After your romantic adventure, unwind together in a luxurious suite at The Ovolo Woolloomoolloo, W Sydney or Crown Towers, the city's magnetism will leave you feeling exhilarated and closer than ever.

6. Cool down in cool places
Step into Sydney's most refreshing spaces and feel revitalised, inside and out. Recharge with a pampering treatment at Sydney's luxurious day spas like SpaQ or Chi Spa in the CBD, or go extra fancy at Venustus in Paddington or Gillian Adams in Turramurra. Find inspiration in powerful artworks as the Sydney International Art Series brings Louise Bourgeois and Kandinsky to the Art Gallery of NSW and Tacita Dean comes to the Museum of Contemporary Art. For a cool place to take the family, head underwater at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or explore old submarines and navy ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

7. Enter your cruise era
Set sail for a summer adventure you'll never forget. Learn the ropes with Sydney By Sail, join the twilight regatta action with the Pacific Sailing School, or enjoy the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on land as a spectator from Watsons Bay. Immerse yourself in Sydney Harbour's living Aboriginal culture on a cruise with Tribal Warrior, dance the tide away on a party cruise with Vagabond Cruises, or explore the waterways aboard a classic Sydney Tallship.

8. Feast on fish and chips
A summer's day by the sea isn't complete without a paper-wrapped bundle of this classic combo. Discover some of the city's best at Out of the Blue in Clovelly, Doyle's on the Beach in Watsons Bay, Fat Fish in Annandale or a choose-your-own seafood feast from the Sydney Fish Market. Fancy a more formal spread? There's a tasty selection in every direction around the harbour, with Kirribilli Seafoods, Charcoal Fish and Walsh Bay Crabhouse, to name a few. Or head out on the water to land your own catch-of-the-day on board a fishing charter with Sydney Premium Charters.

9. Disconnect from everything
Summer's all about rejuvenating outdoors – and Sydney's nature havens let you escape from the everyday in pristine surrounds. Spend a day hiking in lush bushland in Lane Cove National Park, chase waterfalls in Heathcote National Park, and explore 45 hectares of Georges River bushland in Campbelltown. Feel your stress slip away as you paddle a rowboat on Lake Parramatta, spotting kookaburras, king parrots and falcons along the way. Or cycle through the wild rainforests within the Royal National Park.

10. Camp, glamp and have suite dreams...
Sydney has spectacular campsites, including The Basin in the north or Bonnie Vale in the south, but you can also extend your favourite family adventure with a memorable night beside the harbour. Glamp in the historic, steampunk surrounds of Cocktatoo Island, or sleep among the wild things at Taronga Zoo's Roar and Snore. Up for a night of pure luxury instead? Book a night at the Park Hyatt, The Langham, or Crown Towers, or check out Sydney's newest luxe hotels: W Sydney, Capella Sydney or Pullman Penrith.

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