While the main focus of our website is to advise people on some of the best spots to live in Sydney, there’s also a host of suburbs in our city that are great simply to visit as well.
Sure, some of these suburbs may not be places you’d want (or be able to) live – be they far too expensive, too far to commute, too noisy or any combination thereof – yet each of them provide a slice of of some of the best slices of Sydney.
If you’re visiting from overseas or elsewhere and only have time to drop by a handful of suburbs, here’s our list of here’s our picks for 10 of the best Sydney suburbs to visit, for sightseeing/day out purposes:
10. Balmain
Why visit?: great waterfront views, good mix of pubs and cafes, historic sandstone buildings
We’ll be honest – if it weren’t for the ridiculous prices and terrible traffic situation of Victoria Road, Balmain would probably be our favourite all-round suburb in the whole of Sydney.
While those are issues for those looking to live in Balmain, visitors can simply take advantage of a nice little trip over to this waterfront gem of inner Sydney and enjoy its many fruits without worry.
Sure, you can visit Balmain by bus or car, but the hectic nature of the drive there also removes the best part: is being able to hop on the ferry from Sydney city for an easy little ride without the traffic.
Balmain itself is gorgeous. While it’s a bit hilly for walking, it’s worth the effort as you disembark the ferry at Balmain East and immediately walk through picturesque little parkland and witness historic sandstone buildings and charming terraces firsthand.
Turn around, and you’ll have sweeping views out to Goat Island, Millers Point, and back to Darling Harbour and the city. Even its police station and banks are impressive, with their old-time facade.
Balmain’s also home to great local markets, multiple lovely flower-draped parks, historic pubs/hotels like the Balmain Hotel and East Village Hotel, and one of the densest quantity of cafes-per-square metre as well.
Add in the historic homes of past settlers and plenty of boutique stores and restaurants, and there’s more than enough to fill a day here. Just don’t drive to Balmain, if you can avoid it.
9. Chippendale
Why visit?: cool urban redevelopment, updated shopping, Asian dining
Formerly just a standard and pretty bland hub of inner city living, Chippendale is continually busy but has also received a hefty makeover in the past couple of years. In addition to its redefined streetscape, it’s also home to a couple of cool and unique cultural attractions in Sydney to help round things out, too.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Central Park Mall complex is one of the most unique modern areas in Sydney. Visible from plenty of other parts of the Sydney CBD, you’d be forgiven for thinking its trademark One Central Park building looks like something out of a future post-apocalyptic movie or SimCity video game.
A collision of architecture and botany, the greenery-draped highrise with its mirrored cantilever is a glimpse at what the future of urban planning could look like, and simply downright cool to both look at and take photographs of.
Chippendale is far from a one-building-wonder, however. In addition to the standard mix of modern dining and shopping that its Broadway complex brings, it’s home to three other major standouts as well – each for an entirely different reason.
For foodies, Spice Alley is an excellent little hub of mixed Asian street food that has a slight “Blade Runner” feel, with its hanging lanterns, buzzing night atmosphere and steam emanating from the various storefronts. Those who like their culture can drop by the White Rabbit Gallery which showcases a creative and eclectic mix of Chinese art and offers some tasty Chinese tea via its cafe to boot.
Nightlife-wise, Chippendale also delivers, with the Chippo Hotel not only a great place for a drink and bite to eat, but also one of the key central spots in Sydney that still supports good live music. Expansive Victoria Park on the suburb’s edge offers ample green space to recover or decompress, too.
Chippendale’s probably too hectic, encircled by roads and simply pricey as a place to live – but given it’s basically IN the Sydney CBD, there’s no reason not to pay the suburb a visit even if you think it might not be for you.
8. Parramatta
Why visit?: revitalised city hub with good public spaces, diverse dining options nearby, riverfront scenery
Speaking of facelifts… Parramatta has come such a long way from its past perception as an inferior alternative to Sydney city that it may be unrecognizable if you haven’t visited in a handful of years.
It’s always had elements of historic allure courtesy of its mix of charming period churches, schools, cottages and the like, yet now it can add to the mix and increasingly high-quality array of dining and sightseeing options as well.
Its flagship Parramatta Park is an excellent public space, with a waterfront aspect along the river and offering countless opportunities for kids to play in the playgrounds, cyclists to enjoy its cycling tracks, and walkers to have a gander across the water or at / in the colonial Government House.
“Parra” is easy to both get to and around, with express trains from the city taking just over 30 minutes and the scenic option to take the ferry and enjoy water views from Sydney the whole way instead. Add in good within-city transport options while there, and it’s far more accessible than you might realise.
Stick to Parramatta proper for a quality mix of dining – particularly Chinese – or duck down to Harris Park for some of the best Indian food you’ll taste in Sydney instead. It’s one of the most multicultural parts of Sydney as a whole, with flavours diverse as its population to sample.
So if that all sounds tantalising, why would you not want to live here? It’s become far busier than it once was, for starters, and is much more a full-blown city, so those looking for peace and quiet may be disappointed. Parts of Parramatta (including its major shopping centres) could still use a makeover, and there are some isolated parts that can be considered a little “dodgy”.
Still, for daytrippers it’s not a concern, and everyone visiting Sydney should head at least THIS far west at least once.
7. Katoomba
Why visit?: charming boutiques, historic homes, obvious natural highlights of the Blue Mountains
It might not be “true” Sydney, but the Blue Mountains region is highly accessible and provides a much-needed dose of fresh air and greenery for those looking to escape from the city for a while.
Katoomba is its flagship tourist destination, and while it’s become a little cliche as a place that merely ferries buses of international travellers for a single photo of the Three Sisters, the area has much more to offer than that.
Just under a 2 hour train ride from Central is all it takes to arrive at this cosy-feeling town that still feels historic despite its tourist popularity. Outside of the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains National Park and the countless bushwalks, hikes, wildlife and panoramic lookout points right on its doorstep, Katoomba is very well-equipped despite its sleepy nature.
It’s becoming semi-gentrified in recent years, with new hip little cafes opening up seemingly everywhere and an overall friendly atmosphere where most people will strike up a chat out of the blue. These exist alongside its traditionally bohemian mix of stores to make for a streetscape you won’t find outside of niche portions of Inner Sydney.
It’s home to multiple markets, bars with live music, a calendar dotted with a large number of festivals each year, and an array of decent options for tourists to get around by bus rather than having to make the drive.
Add in the attractions of Scenic World for the kids and sightseers alike, and Katoomba’s a place you’d truly need multiple days to properly experience. So why wouldn’t you live here?
Distance from the city is the obvious factor, as is the cold; while Katoomba doesn’t get as chilly in the winter months as the “true” mountains higher up, it’s still low enough temperatures than some may want to deal with.
6. Manly
Why visit?: excellent beaches, array of dining, some great walking opportunities, nightlife
Manly’s long been the biggest and brightest name of the Northern Beaches slice of Sydney’s suburbs, not only due to its accessibility but its range of lovely natural features as well.
Connected to Sydney city via “Fast Ferry” that runs much quicker than Sydney’s standard ferries (albeit at an increased cost), it only takes around 20 minutes from Circular Quay to reach Manly. And well worth the trip it is, as it boasts an entirely different feel than most of the land-locked suburbs of Sydney.
Overall, Manly feels like a little bit more of a cleaner, more upmarket and slightly older version of Bondi, despite both places boasting ridiculously expensive property prices.
While it’s usually busy, Manly is typically less-so than Bondi, and offers a higher-quality beach environment as well, with multiple different beaches to choose from depending on what you’re after – swimming, surfing, or something for the kids.
Its main arcade and esplanade area are eternally buzzing, with an array of dining options and places to drink and plenty of bars and hotels to choose from. It’s also excellent for walkers, from the leisurely stroll along Marine Parade around to Shelly Beach all the way up to the extended Spit Bridge Walk back towards the city.
Snorkelling and diving are highly popular here due to its aquatic reserves, and Manly has a culture around water activities in general. Stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, rowing… they’re all common sights in Manly.
With such an array of pretty natural scenery, it’s not hard to see why Manly would be a desirable place to live for some – but not for many. Traffic and parking here are always a chore, as is getting to the city at peak via any avenue not the ferry. The suburb also boasts eye-watering pricetags, not only for property but also of its many restaurants as well.
Bully to those who can afford its delights, as Manly is undeniably a beautiful part of Sydney, and a must-visit as any part of a trip to the city in its warmer months in particular.
5. Newtown
Why visit?: alternative culture, excellent dining options, nightlife, the arts & music
Sydney’s capital of everything alternative, Newtown is the “cool” side of Sydney that Melbourne residents often say doesn’t exist here. If the occasional smell of weed or wall draped in graffiti offends your senses, Newtown may not be for you – but then you risk missing some of the most interesting and innovative slices present-day Sydney has to offer.
For starters, this is one of the best-value spots in inner Sydney to grab a bite to eat, of multiple types, cuisines, and dietary requirements. Newtown’s incredibly cafe-heavy, and yes while some of it is Hipster-Level: Over 9000, it’s also home to some of the best coffee and vegetarian food in the city.
Italian, Turkish, Thai, Indian, Egyptian… you name it and there’s a quality restaurant to try in Newtown. Add in admirable initiatives such as Lentil As Anything with their generous pay-as-you-feel system, and it’s got all the elements you’d expect of a left-wing-leaning innovative dining scene for a global city.
Newtown’s not all simply about stuffing your face, either. Drinkers are drawn to the suburb for its mix of quality micro-breweries, its indie live music and performance scene (largely courtesy of the Enmore Theatre which has drawn some BIG names over the years) is the best in the city, there’s plenty of high-quality street art to admire, and it’s highly gay-friendly as well.
All this within an easy 10 minute train ride from the Sydney CBD makes Newtown the go-to for visitors who like their outings lively, diverse and slightly unpredictable.
So why would one not want to call “Sydney’s Brooklyn” home?
Conservative, straight-laced types would likely find it a turnoff, obviously. Traffic is almost always terrible; pretty much every Sydneysider has a horror story of trying to drive down King Street on a Saturday night. It’s noisy both on-street and in-air due to its proximity to the flight path, and prices here have skyrocketed with gentrification – a lot to pay considering it’s still a little dirty and rowdy.
But what’s life without a bit of grit now and then, anyway?
4. Watsons Bay
Why visit?: pretty ferry ride, scenic cliff views, waterfront drinks & fresh food
Standing proudly at the head of Sydney Harbour, Watsons Bay is an affluent eastern suburb that provides one of the best “looking back” views of Sydney as well as out to the open ocean beyond.
Watsons Bay marks the focal point of perhaps the most popular ferry trip in Sydney outside of Manly, taking just over 20 minutes from Circular Quay and providing some gorgeous views of Sydney’s flagship icons the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, as well as the various ritzy “Point” suburbs along the way. Those sticking to the road won’t find it hard to reach time-wise from the city, either.
Watsons Bay itself is not merely a destination. Highly historic, it’s a flagship suburb with well-maintained heritage houses dating back to the 1800s sitting alongside massive, modern builds with huge swimming pools and their own jetties. Walking a long many of its streets is a sightseeing exercise in itself; not merely because of the history, but also the sheer money on display.
View this post on Instagram
In addition to its duo of beaches, the steep, sweeping spectacle of The Gap cliffs are its major natural attraction that rank as perhaps Sydney’s most famous ocean viewing point. Walkers can follow its clifftop track and soak in panoramic views of the Tasman Sea from the fenced section of the lookout.
It’s also an incredibly popular spot for special occasions, with the Watsons Bay Hotel the site of many a high-end 21st birthday party or casual get together with its relaxed atmosphere and lovely beach/waterfront aspect. The historic Doyles restaurant has been standing since the late 19th century and to this day still serves high-quality seafood with a view, as well.
Of course those looking to call Watsons Bay home had better have some of the deepest pockets in society. You’ll need around $3 million as a starting price not to get laughed out the door for a freestanding house of any kind of modernity here, with the upper-end of the market scraping the (gulp) $30 million mark.
Yeah, probably just stick to visiting.
3. The Rocks
Why visit?: historic shipping district reinvigorated, great markets, rooftop bars
One of the oldest parts of Sydney, The Rocks retain an undeniable charm. Dotted with buildings crafted from large and heavy sandstone bricks that have been retrofitted into cavernous pubs or boutique designer stores, it’s one of the most unique parts of the city to stroll through.
The Rocks are nestled right alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and provide the associated impressive views, but it’s the history and the use of it that help sets the district apart. Walking along its various hidden back lanes really does feel akin to stepping back in time, yet most of it’s still in remarkably good condition – a testament to maintenance, yes, but also the solid building techniques of the past.
Other than simple sightseeing, The Rocks is pretty packed with potential things to do given it’s not a particularly large area. The Museum of Contemporary Art is a great mix of innovative modern art displays and activities to keep the kids busy, there’s a ton of top places to grab a bite both cheaper and upmarket (especially when the Rocks Market is on), and plenty of terraces converted into boutique arts and crafts stores to browse.
Perhaps the standout slice of enjoyment for The Rocks comes courtesy of its bars – both regular and rooftop varieties. There’s some something really freaking cool about having a drink in the cobblestone courtyard of an early-1800’s building like The Argyle; those from other countries might scoff, but that’s about as historic as it gets in a country as young as Australia.
Likewise, head higher up at spots like The Glenmore and enjoy a beer with glimpses of the Sydney Opera House and the harbour and you’ve got one of the most distinctive spots for a drop in Oz.
Locals might write off The Rocks as “touristy” – which it is – but for first-timers it’s an absolute must-visit given it’s right next to where you’ll likely be visiting in central Sydney anyway. It’s not really a place to live, for a range of reasons; its scarcity of actual homes, its executive-level prices, and its dire parking situation, among others, but it’s an essential item on any Sydney visitor itinerary.
2. Kirribilli
Why visit?: easy to access, Opera House & harbour views, Jacaranda season
There’s a reason why Australia’s heads of government originally chose this suburb as their preferred spot to live. With an aspect that faces almost directly across to the Sydney Opera House or otherwise sweeping views out to the rest of Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli is one of the jewels in the crown of Australia’s many “elite” suburbs.
As a visitor, the panorama from Milsons Point under the Harbour Bridge is probably the least-obscured spot you’ll get for a proper photograph without hundreds of other people all fighting for the same position. It’s just a short walk down from the Milsons Point train station as well, and thus doesn’t require any driving for visitors who may not have hired a car.
The suburb itself is as pretty and safe as one might expect given its premium location, with a number of nice little cafes and restaurants, and even a theatre at which to catch professionally-performed shows. Walking down its (fairly steep) streets also showcases some gorgeous terrace and mansion-style housing, much of it draped in pretty greenery and displaying mucho-dollarydoos.
Many of the trees here burst into colour in full during spring, as Kirribilli’s bright purple Jacaranda trees draw travellers from all over the globe to stuff their Instagram pages full of quality snaps. McDougall Street is the main focal point for this, but they can be found dotted intermittently throughout most of the suburb.
Impressive government buildings Admiralty House and Kirribilli House are full of history and interesting to look at, although to go on-grounds you’ll have to line up your visit with their Open Days which only take place once per year.
As with many of the other suburbs on this list, Kirribilli’s pricetag makes it generally prohibitive for the Average Joe, although there’s enough stock of apartments to occasionally be able to get a small rental for a reasonable price.
It’s not the most equipped suburb in terms of amenities or shopping, but there’s more than enough to get by and its train connectivity helps greatly. One can dream, hey?
1. Circular Quay
Why visit?: gateway to most touristy Sydney adventures, buzzing atmosphere, waterfront views, street entertainment
Well, duh. All adventures for visitors to Sydney have to start somewhere, and almost all of them will use Circular Quay as their springboard.
The main hub for water-based transportation in central Sydney, Circular Quay is a bustling foreshore of ferries, street performers, pricey waterfront restaurants and views to iconic landmarks.
It’s also got rail connectivity that provides easy access to/from both Town Hall and Central (Sydney’s main transit hub stations), along with ferry journeys that can lead from Watsons Bay to Parramatta – and anywhere in between.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been here in my life – probably hundreds, literally – and yet Circular Quay still retains a buzz and life to it that simply make you feel like you’re in the “heart” of civilised Australia. If Uluru is our country’s spiritual and natural heart, then Circular Quay is certainly the man-made equivalent.
For visitors, the ferry ride makes for a cheap version of a Sydney Harbour Cruise that can take you to countless highlights such as Taronga Zoo, Cremorne, Rose Bay, or the many pretty waterfront suburbs to the west which you can ride as long (or as little) as you like.
With the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, The Rocks, Pyrmont, the Museum of Sydney and much more all within a brisk walk, this will be the launch point for the rest of your visit. You can’t really “live” here other than in a handful of ultra-exclusive apartments, but visiting Circular Quay is a no-brainer and pretty much required.
