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Human settlement in New South Wales, Australia
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Immediately to the east of the City Centre and also adjacent to City South is an area of laneways, nightlife, cafes, pubs, bars and entertainment and sometimes referred to as the "Inner East". it is an area where many choose to stay, and many more visit. From the tiny wine and tapas bars to the "Klondike-like saloons", the City East is one of Sydney's favourite areas to visit for a night out. The district has some of the most densely populated and lively postcodes in Australia.
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ACP established in 1973. The ACP initiated the first major retrospectives of work by photographers such as Max Dupain, Olive Cotton and Merv Bishop, and organised the early public displays of photographs by Bill Henson, Tracey Moffatt, William Yang and Trent Parke and has presented works by international photo-artists such as Bernd & Hilla Becher, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Larry Clark, Joan Fontcuberta, Nan Goldin, Roni Horn, George Platt Lynes, Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Duane Michals, Pierre Molinier, Erwin Olaf, Martin Parr, Man Ray, Cindy Sherman, Wolfgang Tillmans and William Wegman.
With an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous studies research, community programs and exhibitions, the Australian Museum was established as Australia's first museum in 1827 with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artifacts. The skeleton room, displaying hundreds of animal skeletons, including a blue whale hanging from the roof, is an attraction in itself.
The museum also has an exhibit on early man, including species like Homo heidelbergensis that did not reach Australia.
There is a cafe next to the entrance that can be accessed without requiring payment for admission to the main exhibition area.
Old Darlinghurst Gaol
The National Art School is housed in a beautiful sandstone prison precinct built in the 1840s.
The museum documents the Holocaust and explores the history of the Jewish people worldwide and also in Australia.
Contemporary Australian art
King Street Gallery on William represents a range of Australian artists, and features changing exhibitions throughout the year.
off Hampden Street
The gallery represents over 30 artists, who have had significant shows and whose works are held in major collections nationally and internationally. This gallery has supported work that is challenging and at the forefront of contemporary art practice.
also incorporates The Just Shoot Lomography Shop
Exhibition space over several levels in a typical Paddington terrace. Blender is an outlet for Australian and international photographers, collectors and enthusiasts.
Look for the big burnt match
Studio of the late Brett Whiteley is now an art museum that is managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The museum is a tribute to the life of Brett Whiteley, considered by many to be one of Australia's most gifted, best known and controversial artists.
Designed by Robert Woodward and erected in 1961 as a memorial to the Ninth Division during World War II. The fountain has a "dandelion head" sphere of mist at the top of a tall stem and has been imitated globally on many occasions. A favourite meeting place for many travellers and locals.
Interestingly designed gardens built in the old reservoir.
Historic Houses Trust
Built between 1835-1839 and once "the finest house in the colony", this colonial mansion preserves the lifestyle of some of Sydney's wealthiest early settlers, Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay and his family. Designed by the most fashionable and accomplished architect of the day, John Verge, Elizabeth Bay House is a superb example of colonial architecture and is elegantly and authentically furnished in the style of 1839–1845. Guided tours are available on request.
City east precinct
To the south east corner of this part of Sydney, this 115-hectare open park area has sport fields used by local the local community, bike and walking tracks run through the park area and Kippax Lake, a small lake near the sports stadiums is a pleasant area for picnicking or relaxing on days without major functions in the adjoining facilities. There is one gas-operated barbecue on the western side of Moore Park near South Dowling Street. This park is part of a green zone connecting thru to the Centennial Park a little further to the east and the greater Moore Park area to the South east. Moore park adjoins the Sydney Football Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Fox Studios entertainment quarter. This section of the greater Moore Park area often hosts large performance events such as concerts, exhibitions and Big Tent Circus events.
Busy on weekends with walkers, people exercising their dogs, picnickers and local people playing informal ball games. The park has a cafe located toward the centre near the water that serves light meals, drinks and other refreshments.
A small pleasant area just opposite St Vincents hospital.
A picturesque spot right on the Harbour on Elizabeth Bay, this is a popular place for picnics and a bit of inner-city sunbathing.
Primarily used for cricket (turf pitch), Trumper Park is also a good quiet spot to relax or get some sun. Between Edgecliff railway station and Trumper Park there is a bushy sloping area where it is possible to camp discreetly away from any public gaze. The toilets in Trumper Park are opened at 5AM. The shops around Edgecliff Railway station have a great range of good value high quality groceries.
Great views of the CBD skyline and parts of the harbour. This is one of the most popular places in the Inner East to watch the New Years Eve fireworks shows. The park may be locked at night.
Australia's biggest celebration of gay and lesbian culture, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras comprises a two-week festival including a fair, exhibitions, fundraising events and parties. The first Mardi Gras was held in 1978, more as a political demonstration. However over the years following it has developed into a large scale cultural festival. The Mardi Gras season culminates in a colourful night-time street parade which winds its way up Oxford St to Taylor Square before turning down Flinders St, and ending up at the Showgrounds. The all-night party that follows the parade is a Sydney institution.
Download the podcast from the City of Sydney website and do a walking tour of past and present landmarks from the Sydney rock'n'roll scene.
Fox Studios Australia
Contains an open air shopping strip, bars and cafes, weekend markets, cinemas, and a number of live television events. It is next to Fox Studios, which is an active film studio and not open to the public. However the nearby entertainment facilities include cinemas, restaurants, bars and promenade areas that are open to the public. There is no entrance charge to access the entertainment quarter. Ample parking in multi-storey carpark.
Darlinghurst Gaol was founded in 1822, and is a complex of sandstone penal buildings which now house the National Art School. The complex features several early 19th century sandstone buildings, including a central circular watchtower. There is no signage but the complex is free and open to visitors during business hours. If the large gate on Forbes St is closed, try the gate on Liverpool St. Captain Moonlight, a bushranger, was the last man to be hanged in NSW, outside Darlinghurst Gaol on Forbes St.
Cinema experiences and films range from international to local film festivals. Includes IMAX 3D Hollywood blockbusters and documentaries. Facilities for wheelchair-users and hearing-impaired.
Classical and contemporary stageplays.
New Australian stageplays.
With a capacity of up towards 10,000, the Hordern is a common choice for touring bands. It has played host to the likes of Sigur Ros, Interpol and many others. See website for upcoming shows.
Indie and underground venue, capacity 500-600.
opposite the north eastern corner of Hyde Park near St Mary’s Cathedral
Centre provides world-class swimming, fitness, sporting and recreational facilities including a gym. Sited within a picturesque parkland setting. Swimming facilities include an eight-lane 50-m heated indoor pool and a wave machine.
A famous yet paradoxically little known location overlooking Wooloomoloo bay and near to the Botanic gardens. It was a popular swimming location with Indigenous Aboriginals before the arrival of Europeans in Australia. The pool was also the venue for the sporting triumphs of Australian swimming legend Andrew Boy Charlton in the 1920s and is believed to be the birthplace of the Australian Crawl or freestyle swimming stroke.
formerly Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club
Play in the National Rugby League. Games from March to September, with possible "finals series" (local term for playoff) matches extending as late as October.
Play in the Super Rugby competition in rugby union. Games from February to July, with possible finals series matches extending as late as August.
Play in the Australian Football League. Games from March to September.
Popular East Sydney pizza and pasta restaurant from early evening until late at night. Can be very noisy, but lots of fun for larger groups.
One of the original restaurants of Little Italy on Stanley St. Pastas, but the schnitzel with cheese is a highlight. Have your post-prandial coffee and gelato or cake in the San Siro coffee lounge downstairs.
A Sydney institution, with Ferrari-driving Eastern suburbs socialites rubbing shoulders with taxi drivers. Breakfasts, foccacias, salads, pastas, main dishes, cakes and coffee. The Tropfest short film festival started in this cafe in 1993. Decide what you want from the menu board first, spot a free table and tell the cashier your table number when you order and pay.
Asian/Chinese cuisine.
A piece of Sydney history, right on the water at Woolloomooloo. Stand up against the van, and grab a pie, peas and mash. There are another couple of franchises open now, in Capitol Square and at the airport. Ignore them, this is the original, and it isn't about the pies. Open early, and late.
Surf'n'turf. Don't forget your expense card.
Cafe renowned for its scrambled eggs, sweet corn fritters and ricotta hotcakes. A Sydney favourite when it comes to brunches.
Japanese and European food. There's an open air bar up from the restaurant section with nice seating although a limited selection.
Vegan restaurant.
Sydney's oldest jazz cellar once played host to the likes of Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra. Now it has a small friendly bar upstairs and a downstairs room with regular performances of music, cabaret and comedy. Get some pizza from Bash, the Syrian guy next door.
They call themselves the last "Country Pub" in Sydney and are proud to have no poker machines in the building. Nothing fancy here, but the place is relaxed and down-to-earth. Good drinking.
A popular spot with the CBD after-work crowd during the week, while on weekends the upstairs balcony is a good place to enjoy some quiet(ish) drinks and music. Food is served in the contemporary style, Italian restaurant downstairs or eat at the bar from the cafe menu.
Drag shows, dancing and cocktails. Spread across 3 floors. The bottom floor tends to play the camp 1980s/90s hits and hosts the drag shows, whereas the top two floors play dancier music.
One of the most popular gay bars in the area, especially with straight people. The beautiful people sit at the open table facing the street to be seen.
Gay bar/dancing area underground. Music is anywhere between the 1970s and today. Attracts a mixed, generally friendly and unpretentious crowd. Very small, so expect long queues on Saturdays.
Darlo Bar
Trendy retro-styled pub with a couple of bars and a bottle shop. A good place for a quiet drink or to get a big night started. There is an outdoor area with a bar on the first floor.
Cosy local favourite tucked away in amongst the terrace houses of Paddington.
Located in a prime position at the Paddo Fiveways, the Royal is a good spot for a drink before having a meal at one of the surrounding restaurants, or at the hotel.
Backpackers Sydney Hostels
Safe and clean accommodation with free breakfast, pick up, 24-hr internet access. Friendly staff, but fussy - no refunds or transfers, threaten to throw out your possessions if not left on the bed. Will arrange Sydney day tours and travel including bus passes and east coast packages.
Every Saturday 10AM-5PM. Held in the grounds of Paddington Uniting Church, just off Oxford St. Paddington Markets has been in operation since 1973 and is a stylish stall venue for designers, jewellers and craftsmen. Not many true bargains to be had, but perfect for unusual gifts and clothing, as well as some mainstream items. Fantastic for people-watching.
Trains and a maze of bus routes run through the area. From the city, it's often possible to walk to where you want to be.
Read in the guideTo get around the area, most locals walk, though this part of the CBD is much less pedestrian-friendly than the rest of the CBD.
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Articles and travel topics about City East and Australia.
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