The Best Spots – That You’ve Never Heard Of on the Aussie Coast by Hayden James
Take a listen to his tracks while you read about his home country!
Favorite Eateries
Boathouse at Shelly Beach
- This has got to be one of my favourite places during summer. Located at the sands edge to Shelly Beach, it’s got the best vibe for a morning coffee or a lazy long lunch. In summer, me and some mates will order a couple buckets of prawns, fish and chips and some wine after a swim and just drip dry in the open air cafe. You can walk here from Manly Beach along the water. Put it on your list!
Malibu Sandwiches
- If you’re after a sandwich bigger than your head… this is the place. The little shop front is hidden in the back streets of Surrey Hills with zero charm, but it’s not about that.. it’s all about the sandwiches. Kind of reminds me of the ‘soup nazi’ from Seinfeld. The sandwiches themselves are very, very simple and taste so bloody good! My favourite is the chicken salad.
Favorite Club
Oxford Arts Factory
- Before this place was a music venue, it was a record shop – one that I used to visit every weekend when I was in high school. I would spend all my pocket money on vinyl! It’s now a great space to watch up and coming bands / DJs / electronic artists with the main room holding around 500 people. I played two shows here on my first solo headline tour in Australia a couple years back. Fond memories. The last band I saw play at OAF was ‘Parcels’… great vibe.
Intimate Spot to Get Away From Everything
North Head
- This spot is right near where I live and the best place to come clear my head. I drive all the way up to North Head and park the car looking out at an incredible view – Sydney heads that are the gateway to the Harbour from the Pacific, all the way through to the city and Harbour Bridge. It’s a really special spot.
Favorite Unknown Beaches
Shelly beach
- This is my local beach. It’s tucked away about a ten-minute walk from the very popular Manly Beach and doesn’t get as busy. The beach backs onto what almost looks like dense forest, making it feel so tropical with so much greenery right next to the ocean. It’s a good place to surf (off the point) or just spend the day in the water. Hands down my favourite beach in Australia!
Bilgola Beach
- I used to go to this beach a lot when I was a kid. It’s up on the Northern Beaches closer to Palm Beach, which is a nice drive from the city. Huge rock cliffs border each side of this beach making it feel enclosed in a way. It’s very peaceful up here.
