With two major public pools still closed for upgrades, north Sydneysiders must get creative and lateral about beating the heat. 

As a local going on a decade now, here are five top tips for embracing our uniquely hot summer on a shoestring budget.

Books by the beachside

Start in Crows Nest and browse air-conditioned independent bookshop Constant Reader, or the close by secondhand bookshop Half Back Book & Record Exchange (which is cash only, so come prepared). Grab a beach read and then catch the 114 directly to Balmoral Beach in the early afternoon. You can drive if you want to, but parking can be a nightmare.

Drink your way through St Leonards

Grab a house-made lemon iced tea to take away from Venn cafe on Miller Street before closing time and catch the afternoon sun and cooler temperature under the native pine, fig and gum trees in St. Leonard’s Park. To make a languorous evening of it, consider kicking on to The Greens adjoining the park to watch the city light up as the sun goes down. 

A picnic, treats, and a possible dip

Assemble a picnic from the aisles of air-conditioned Asian grocery GOG Supermarket on Willoughby Road, Crows Nest - its cornucopia of snacks and cold beverages are a wonder - and wander down tree-lined streets to St. Thomas Rest park for the afternoon breeze. 

You could also catch the 267 bus (across the road from the Crows Nest metro station) right to Greenwich baths.

Go on an op shop tour

Tour your local (usually air-conditioned) op shops either with an open mind or a mission - whether it’s a retro picnic blanket and esky for an impromptu picnic, unexpected summer wardrobe staples of interesting vintage or a book you’ve been looking for, I guarantee you’ll always find something! Favourites are the Vinnies in Crows Nest, the Salvos in Neutral Bay, and the Lifeline in Naremburn.

Catch a movie in art deco luxury and jump into a secret beach swim.

Take full advantage of Discount Tuesdays at the Hayden Orpheum when tickets are $15, then get the 225 down to Neutral Bay’s secret beach (i.e. Hayes Street Beach) for a swim.