Urgent advice needed on what to do in Sydney on Xmas Day

[SydneyVisitor]

Hello MNetters - please help. Am visiting family in Sydney over the festive season. Dd (21) and her boyfriend are with me. I had assumed we'd all be invited to family over Christmas Day. We're not! I'm a bit disappointed but okay - the family have been very hospitable on other days and in other ways.

But where in earth can I take DD and boyfriend on Xmas day? We're vegetarian so the hotel/restaurant lunches I've seen advertised would be an awful waste - they seem focused on seafood and meat. Any nice restaurants that might be open ? Any suggestions for an activity or excursion (we'll have the use of a car).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Don't have any real suggestions but it seems really mean to invite family over from another Christmas and not actually host them for Christmas day!!

Some attractions are still open like toronga zoo - and normally quieter on Christmas so if something like, or head to the beach and just have a chill day?

Wow. Your family invited you for Christmas but not Christmas Day? I’m speechless.

Thanks @sickleave - it's not great, I agree. But I'm determined be the bigger person here and not let this mar the holiday. And they have been hospitable on other ways.

Taronga Zoo is a good idea, I'll check it out. Thank you !

I know it’s unlikely but I hope the person you’re visiting is my friend who has recently moved to Sydney in the last few months. She spends her whole life hosting everyone (even if other people’s homes) as many of her family members take the piss. Doubt it is her but if she’s a cousin, niece or in-law of yours I applaud her!

@NerrSnerrnice response🙄

I would put a packed lunch together and do a long scenic walk, like the Split to Manly Walk, finishing on the beach. I would imagine trying to get into a restaurant at this point is going to be challenging.

Thanks for these suggestions. I don't know that Split to Manley walk - sounds enticing!

Will some Asian(thai/chinese)restaurants be open? There's an absolute banger in Westfield tower, but Chinatown might be a good bet.

That's weird!! Flying to the other side of the world to visit them at Christmas and no invite?
Are you staying with them at their home?

The beach is brilliant on christmas day - really buzzing. Take a fancy picnic lunch. Bondi is usually amazing on christmas day but obviously will feel different there this year. You could consider Bronte, Cooge or Manly instead.

The Coogee to Bondi walk is amazing as well - one of my favourite walks in the world.

Take a picnic to the beach at Manly or Balgowlah. We spent one very happy Christmas there. Lots of friendly people around but not crazy busy. Sorry they've no thought of you for the main day!

That’s quite rude … what do they expect you to do?! and can’t they suggest somewhere.
I spent the day on the beach where I went and had a bbq … lot of people there and we were invited to join another group.

Sydneysider here, well that is a bit tricky! But honestly Sydney at Christmas is gorgeous, it all slows down and everyone's super chilled. It is supposed to be a few light showers tomorrow but still warm. If it were me I'd take a picnic lunch to the Botanic Gardens and then maybe ferry out to Watsons Bay for a swim and walk round South Head. There will still be some cafes etc open if you do a search and most transport services still operate, just to a reduced timetable. We don't always have family here at Christmas as they live elsewhere and depending on leave availability we can't always go to them. I've never had a bad Christmas here yet. Hope you have a lovely day 🎄

Get your Santa hats and go to the beach to have a picnic! Bondi and Coogee will be very very busy so I would avoid. Maybe try Balmoral (more family vibes) or Manly! I think in Manly beach very early in the morning, there will be surfers dressed up etc. Generally people are more relaxed about Christmas than in Europe. We moved recently over here from the UK and hosting friends from Europe and we ll take them to the beach for a swim and then home for bbq. It s so hot that you don’t want a big warm meal!

I did the Coogee to Bondi and split to Manly walks when we were in Sydney. If I had to pick one I preferred the one to Manly and then we got the ferry back to the city. We took a bus to the Split.

Brit living in Sydney - there are lots of walks that you can do (other PP have mentioned).

Certain beaches - depending if you fancy a lazy dip (Balmoral) or waves (Dee Why) will give you options. Take a picnic, make use of no lines for the public BBQs and have Christmas Lunch on the beach. Grab a red swimming costume and beers and celebrate.

I hope you have a lovely time.

Agree with others - take a lovely picnic to the beach! Don't worry about a restaurant. Spending Christmas day at the beach in Aus is one of my best Xmas memories, and you and your DS/her BF will get a real experience.
Sorry about your weird family!

OP, post in the Sydney Vegans Facebook page. They’ll know what’s open on Christmas Day.

Is this close family or just distant relatives? How many relatives are we talking about? I can’t imagine not even a whiff of an invite. Are they all maybe assuming someone else in the family is bound to have invited you over and it’s all a big mix up that nobody actually has?

The weather's not great tomorrow - 23 and a shower or two.

I am back in uk now but did Bondi to Coogee walk three weeks ago . Absolutely spectacular . Burnt my shoulders though 🤦‍♀️Took about 2,30 hrs and then had lunch at congee. It looked like a place I would imagine will be open Christmas Day.
Think it’s poor form that your relatives haven’t invited you for lunch !

Great ideas above. Thai restaurants are good for veggies and not typically run by people who celebrate Christmas so if you are in the city and wanted a restaurant meal I would look at restaurants around “Thaitown” (near Chinatown). They won’t be doing the expensive set menus. Google for options and remember that everywhere will add a public holiday surcharge to your bill but a lot of places are byo so you can save on the booze if you drink.

Have you told all your family that you literally have nowhere to be on Christmas Day? Was there no discussion when you booked the flights a few months ago about where you would spend Christmas Day?

And you’re turning up in a foreign city without any sort of restaurant booking on Christmas Day?

I’ll never complain about my other half being disorganised ever again……