I've called Sydney home for 10 years, and there's something about waking up to harbour views, walking past jacaranda trees in bloom, and grabbing coffee with genuinely excited locals that gets under your skin in the best way. But let's be honest—Sydney isn't quite the safe haven many travel guides claim. As someone who's navigated this city as a local woman for a decade, I'm giving you the real story: the magic AND the practical wisdom you need for a confident, beautiful solo trip to this stunning harbor city.

I turned 50 during Covid and couldn’t face the idea of a party. My travel business was in freefall, and I was exhausted. So I did something different — I went to a health retreat for a month. Here’s what I experienced.