Written by Ben Hanson | Nov 24th, 2023
Originally greenlit back in 2017, construction on URBNSURF Sydney’s massive man-made surf park is currently underway, with the finished site set to arrive in autumn 2024. The $50-million development will hit a 3.2-hectare site in Sydney Olympic Park next year from the team behind Australia’s first surf park, featuring perfect waves year-round and a new outpost for one of the best restaurants on the North Shore, RAFI.
The 200-capacity RAFI 2.0 will arrive in Sydney Olympic Park next year with the same dedication to fresh, seasonal produce and quality wines as its OG counterpart.
Crowd favourites from the North Sydney menu will grace the RAFI URBNSURF menu, while a new cocktail menu is being rolled out especially for the Western Sydney opening.
Joining RAFI will be a surfside cafe and all-day diner called Sandy’s, facilitating more casual meals and takeaways. Sandy’s will be open 6.30am–8.30pm daily and will be serving up morning coffees, bacon and egg rolls, pancake stacks, fish tacos and beef barbacoa burritos. There will also be a summer-ready selection of booze, including beers, cocktails, to-go gin and tonics, and wine on tap.
Both venues come courtesy of Applejack, the hospitality group behind Forrester’s, The Butler and Bopp & Tone. And to round out the offering will be a private event space that can facilitate 120 guests, a cabana lawn that can host up to 800 people and an outdoor events space that will host live music and sporting events.
As for the actual surf, Sydneysiders can expect a diamond-shaped lagoon pumping out waves up to two metres in height. Thanks to LED lighting illuminating the man-made waves after dark, visitors will also have the option of an evening swim. The lagoon will be capable of churning out waves every eight seconds, with surfers set to catch about a dozen waves per hour.
URBNSURF Sydney will also feature a wellness studio, skate park, hot tubs and a surf academy for those looking to take their surfing to the next level.
URBNSURF Sydney is expected to open in Sydney Olympic Park in autumn 2024.
