Reasons to love Sydney #1: The most naturally beautiful city in the world?

The view from my office. Not too bad even on a grey day.

As I prepare to leave Sydney I'm planning a short series of posts about some of my favourite things. Here's the first.

If there is a more beautiful city in the world let me know because I'd like to move there.

I'm lucky enough to have sweeping views of the harbour from my office and spend several minutes gazing out of the window every day.

Whether by luck or intention, building next to the waters edge has largely been sympathetic. Houses and small apartment blocks dominate, with large and unsightly buildings thankfully few and far between.

There is undoubtedly a lot of building close to the water. However, there are plenty of parks too. In lots of places a thin slither of land has been protected allowing you to get close to foreshore.

The landmark Opera House and Harbour Bridge help frame the harbour and enhance its beauty. The Blues Point Tower is the building which seems to incite most hatred, but if that is all you've got to worry about Sydney, you are a very lucky place.

A sculpture in Manly

The Harbour is the most obvious attraction. Some of my favourite spots are the view from my office, sitting on a ferry in the inner harbour or on the way to Manly. Have you seen the views from the zoo?

However, the harbour is just the start. Exploring the beaches north and south of the Sydney Heads are just as fun. The Bondi to Coogee walk rightly deserves it's reputation and is celebrated every year with Sculpture by the Sea.

I love the coastline north of Bondi to South Head which is regularly deserted. I don't go to Manly and the lower north shore enough.

I hope those of you that live in Sydney realise how lucky you are. 

What do you think? What are your favourite things about Sydney?