Sydney Reveillon: A 3-Day Outdoor Creative Retreat for Artists
A bold, outdoorsy New Year's (Reveillon) itinerary for practicing artists: plein air sessions on dramatic headlands, visits to authentic artist-run spaces and markets, hands-on workshops and material hunting, and a creative NYE setup at Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the fireworks. Summer timing (December) makes early mornings and late evenings ideal for painting and light studies.
Highlights
- Plein air painting at Bondi headlands and Cockatoo Island's industrial textures
- Artist-focused gallery visit to White Rabbit (contemporary Chinese artists) and studio-feel exploration at Carriageworks
- Hands-on print/screen session and material-hunt at Eckersley’s
- NYE plein air and midnight fireworks from Mrs Macquarie's Chair with sketch-to-canvas session
Itinerary
Day 1
Settle into Sydney's creative inner-city neighborhoods: architectural textures for quick studies, a focused contemporary gallery visit, and a Surry Hills street-art stroll to collect sketch references.
Check in — The Old Clare Hotel (Chippendale)
Boutique base in the creative hub between Surry Hills and Chippendale; drop gear, flatten canvases and get directions to nearby studios.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask reception for a quiet corner room with natural light to dry wet canvases overnight.
- Request a luggage hold or early check-in so you can start plein air without hauling wet work.
- Check if they store small tubes/solvents temporarily — great if you buy materials later.
Morning sketch session at Paddington Reservoir Gardens
Historic reservoir reimagined as a sunken garden — strong architectural lines, reflected light and shady niches perfect for quick ink and wash studies.
Tips from local experts:
- Set up on the raised stone benches for uninterrupted sightlines and shelter from stiff summer breezes.
- Bring a shallow water-tray and a cloth — there's limited public water taps nearby but none inside the reservoir structure.
- Use the sharp shadow edges from the masonry to practice bold tonal shapes for plein-air thumbnails.
Brunch and informal crit at Bills (Surry Hills)
Relaxed brunch where artists gather — good coffee, room for sketchbooks and a buzzy creative crowd to exchange quick feedback.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a table near the window to spread out a sketchbook for quick peer feedback.
- Order a light dish so you can get back into painting before the hottest part of the day.
- Ask staff about quieter back tables — great if you want to photograph works without glare.
Transfer: walk to White Rabbit Gallery (Chippendale)
Short walk through laneways to Chippendale; soak in murals and shopfronts en route.
Tips from local experts:
- Take Abercrombie Street to catch alleyway murals and a few independent print studios along the way.
- Keep a small sketchbook in your pocket for quick alleyway compositions.
- If hot, stop at a convenience store on Abercrombie for bottled water before entering gallery spaces that limit large bags.
Visit White Rabbit Gallery — contemporary Chinese art
A compact, focused private-collection gallery showcasing contemporary Chinese artists — excellent for material and mark-making inspiration away from tourist circuit galleries.
Tips from local experts:
- Check the gallery's small-program talks or curator notes on arrival — great leads to local contemporary artists.
- Bring a folded sketchbook and pencil (no flash photography inside) to capture compositional ideas for later studio development.
- Observe textures and brushwork up close and jot down colour mixes in a notebook — perfect reference for studio sessions.
Surry Hills street-art walk — local murals & small galleries
Self-guided neighborhood stroll to pick up visual motifs, shopfront typography and spray-can textures; Surry Hills is full of tucked-away artist-run micro-galleries.
Tips from local experts:
- Photograph small details like peeling posters and fence textures — perfect for collage and mixed-media pieces.
- Talk to baristas and shop owners; many will point you to local studios and occasional open-studio windows.
- If you spot an artist painting a mural, politely ask about their process — many are happy to chat briefly and recommend suppliers.
Break — coffee & quick edits at Bourke Street Bakery (Surry Hills)
Short restorative break to scan sketches, photograph studies and plan afternoon materials runs.
Tips from local experts:
- Use the bakery's tables to lay out a few thumbnails and photograph in natural window light.
- Keep a portable humidifier pack or sealed bag for any charcoal sketches that need protection from the humidity.
- Ask staff where other artist supplies are nearby; local bakers are often art-friendly and will point you to stores.
Dinner at Firedoor — wood-fired conversation and local produce
Seasonal, wood-fire-focused restaurant: great for relaxed group dinners with other artists, good light for late-night sketching and notes.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a corner table or the chef’s counter if you want to sketch the kitchen flames and textures.
- Order share plates to keep the conversation flowing and time to flip through sketches after dinner.
- Ask permission to use low-light table-side photography for tonal references; staff often accommodate visiting creatives.
Day 2
Deep-dive day: artist markets and a hands-on workshop, followed by an atmospheric industrial-heritage plein air session on Cockatoo Island at sunset.
Morning at Carriageworks — creative precinct & markets
Multi-arts precinct with artist-run events, occasional makers' markets and a raw industrial backdrop for studies.
Tips from local experts:
- Head straight for the morning market stalls (if present) to speak with makers and source unique material scraps.
- Use the high ceiling interiors to study diffuse daylight on large-scale works — great for value studies.
- Ask programmers for any small studio tours or artist-demo times; Carriageworks often hosts hands-on pop-ups.
Print/screen workshop (booked session at Carriageworks or onsite studio)
Hands-on session focused on print or screen techniques — translate plein-air sketches into repeat textures and monoprints (pre-book recommended).
Tips from local experts:
- Bring small sketch studies and colour notes to experiment with translating them into simple print plates.
- Wear old clothes — workshops use inks and solvents, and many instructors welcome experimentation from visiting painters.
- Ask the tutor about local printmakers and where they source paper offcuts for collage work.
Lunch at The Grounds of Alexandria — for artist meetups and planting-inspired textures
A creative food garden destination with varied light and abundant plant textures — good for still-life and colour-note photographs.
Tips from local experts:
- Use the garden beds and potting areas for quick plant studies or to gather leaf shapes for collage references.
- Sit near the greenhouse for consistent light if you want to sketch while you eat.
- Check noticeboards for local art events; many small exhibitions and workshops are promoted here.
Art materials run — Eckersley's Art & Craft (Alexandria)
Stock up on paints, papers, specialty brushes and canvas supports at a large local art-supply store.
Tips from local experts:
- Look for offcut or discounted stretcher bars and paper sheets often stacked at the back — perfect for quick experiments.
- Ask staff about heavy pigments and solvent options suitable for plein-air work in summer temperatures.
- Buy a few portable panels or gatorboard panels — sturdy for ferry and headland painting sessions.
Transfer: ferry to Cockatoo Island (arrange ferry from Barangaroo/Circular Quay)
Scenic water transfer — use the harbour commute to sketch the skyline and plan compositional studies for the island session.
Tips from local experts:
- Sit on the outer deck for unobstructed harbour vistas to sketch quick thumbnails before landing.
- Prepare a small, flat zip-up case for wet sketches and tins to avoid spills on the ferry.
- Check ferry times and buy a round-trip to avoid long queues returning after sunset sessions.
Plein-air sunset session on Cockatoo Island
Industrial slipways, cranes and rusted textures make stellar dramatic compositions as the setting sun hits the harbour — ideal for large-format studies.
Tips from local experts:
- Use the island's concrete plinths as portable easel stands — bring clips to anchor paper against harbour breezes.
- Scout the north-west slipway for reflected light on metal; it holds warm highlights well into sunset.
- Pack insect repellent and a headlamp for the ferry return — workshops here can run late; try to dry any wet pieces before boarding.
Evening rooftop drinks at The Glenmore Hotel (The Rocks) — skyline sketches by night
Local rooftop pub with harbour views — unwind, swap scans of the day's work and make plans for NYE equipment.
Tips from local experts:
- Grab a corner on the rooftop to sketch bridge silhouettes and plan compositional staging for NYE.
- Confirm storage options at the hotel for canvases destined for Mrs Macquarie's Chair (many central hotels will hold rolled canvases).
- Use this time to tune palettes: warm up pigments for night fireworks studies and note which colours read well at low light.
Day 3
Coastal morning studies at Bondi, material hunting and markets, then an artist-focused NYE setup at Mrs Macquarie's Chair with early arrival, sketch-to-canvas practice and fireworks at midnight.
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk — morning plein air
Iconic clifftop walk with a sequence of coves and rocky outcrops ideal for sequential sketching and quick colour studies in cool morning light.
Tips from local experts:
- Start early to capture the soft morning light on the eastern cliffs and avoid the midday crowds.
- Use a limited palette for fast studies (three colours + white) to capture light changes along the walk.
- Stow wet pieces in a breathable portfolio bag and keep them flat under your back-pack to avoid scuffing.
Brunch & sketch editing at Speedos Cafe (Bondi Beach)
Beachside café with terrace seating — perfect to photograph sketches in natural light and discuss compositional edits.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a sun-shaded table for consistent daylight photos of watercolour swatches.
- Use the break to quickly photocopy or photograph small studies to reference later during the evening session.
- Ask local diners about less-known headlands for alternative waterfront viewpoints.
Visit Bondi Pavilion Art Studios — community artist spaces and pop-ups
Community-run studios and rotating exhibitions inside the Pavilion — meet local artists, pick up zines and smaller experimental works.
Tips from local experts:
- Introduce yourself to studio artists — Bondi has a tight-knit scene and many are happy to recommend lesser-known suppliers.
- Look for small-format works and prints to study framing and presentation for later gallery pitches.
- Grab flyers and note upcoming local beachside events that might inspire ephemeral projects.
Transfer to Glebe for markets and material-hunting
Move toward inner-west markets to scout unique papers, fabrics and reclaimed objects used by local artists.
Tips from local experts:
- Use public transport or rideshare to avoid parking delays in inner Sydney on summer weekends.
- Keep a small toolkit (scissors, tape, notes) in your daypack to test materials on the spot.
- Ask stallholders for leftover paper offcuts or fabric samples — great for collage trials.
Glebe Markets — vintage fabrics, prints and artist stalls
Eclectic market with stalls for vintage textiles, small artworks, and material find bargains to inspire collage and mixed media.
Tips from local experts:
- Haggle politely for small offcuts and ask vendors for remnants that don’t make it to the stall.
- Bring small resealable bags to keep pigments and samples separate and protected in the market heat.
- Use market light to photograph pattern repeats and textures for future studio collage palettes.
Early evening — collect picnic supplies and final NYE kit check in Glebe
Assemble a lightweight, no-fuss NYE picnic; prepare paints, small canvases, stands and waste bags for Mrs Macquarie's Chair session.
Tips from local experts:
- Buy absorbent paper towels and sealed containers for solvents — essential for outdoor cleanup on grassed heritage sites.
- Pick up portable clamps or small spring clips to keep paper anchored against harbour breezes.
- Pack a thin tarp or drop-cloth to protect ground/grass if you intend to use fluid media near crowds.
Move to Mrs Macquarie's Chair — early arrival and site setup for NYE
Secure a creative vantage on the lawn or the sandstone bench: sketch-to-canvas activities under twilight, then family fireworks at 21:00 (if scheduled) and main midnight display.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive very early (20:00) with a compact, pre-approved setup: low folding easels, tarps and sealed containers — large tripods/structures are restricted.
- Use the sandstone edge itself for compositional reference and to anchor quick contour studies for the fireworks.
- Bring ear protection for sensitive media like gesso sprays and small clamps for windy bursts; consider a lightweight tarp to shield canvases from dew after midnight.
Post-fireworks transfer back to hotel or organised pick-up
Calm walk back through The Domain or pre-arranged rideshare to avoid crowds; safely store wet works and assess quick stabilising coats if needed.
Tips from local experts:
- Carry a lightweight drying rack sheet or a roll of clean butcher paper to slide between wet canvases for the trip back.
- Split larger works into multiple trips with a friend to avoid bumping and scuffing in crowded exits.
- Check local transport night schedules and pre-book a rideshare to a nearby drop-off if staying central — ferries stop late on NYE.
