Things to do in Woolloomooloo

Ride & Dine Experience

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Whale Watching on vessel ORCA – Circular Quay Departure

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Private Tour – Nature, Culture and History, Immersion in North Head with gourmet picnic

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Sydney Full Day Private Tour

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Wine & Canapes Evening Cruise

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2.5 Hour Jet Ski Safari

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Woolloomooloo, Sydney is a short walk east from Sydney’s CBD, a former docklands area full of waterside restaurants and cafes. Known only to the locals as Woolly, it is safely nestled in between The Domain, Kings Cross and Potts Point. Not only excessive with its use of the letter ‘O’, Woolloomooloo is also excessively filled with some of Sydney’s best restaurants and some of Sydney’s best bars.

I know what you’re all thinking “Woolloomooloo?” Well it’s most definitely one of the more peculiar sounding Aboriginal place names. But who are we to judge, an Aussie visiting the UK would take just as much humour in visiting Blubberhouses, Shitlington Crogs or Booby Dingle.

In the heart of Woolloomooloo is the Finger Wharf where you can take a stroll on the boardwalk and if boat spotting is your thing, then ahoy there me hearties, you are certainly in the right place. The Finger Wharf was newly renovated in the mid-1990s and it now hosts private residential apartments for the likes of Russell Crowe, a boutique hotel and a handful of restaurants and bars. Being on the edge of the Sydney CBD, you are in walking distance of anything you need, clubs, pubs, salons, shops, galleries, café’s and more.

Drinking In Woolloomooloo

Along the Finger Wharf is the world famous Water Bar with an ego as big as its string of recommendations, being named “Bar of the Year” by Sydney Morning Herald, “Best Bar” by the Sydney Good Food Guide and “One of the Top 10 Bars in the World” by Condé Nast Traveller. This historical building holds true to its roots with original architectural wharf fittings placed against modern splashes of decor, most notably the Swarovski crystal curtains. It has a sophisticated ambience that suits best to sipping freshly made cocktails while enjoying the class and comfort of the luxurious surroundings.

Situated on Bourke Street is the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel which boasts a decadent and spacious waterfront bar. Here you will be spoilt for choice in where to sit with views of the Finger Wharf, the Botanical Gardens and Sydney Harbour. The Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel is one of Sydney’s best bars that attracts a cosmopolitan crowd of tourists and residents when they up the tempo in the evening with their resident DJs. With a variety of bars and seating covering two floors, it’s the perfect place to cater for the more sociable Sydney-siders out there.

Opposite the Finger Wharf, on Nicholson Street is The Tilbury which is yet another great bar in Sydney that is worth taking a look at. With sumptuous dark leather furniture and wooden floors it is the perfect place to lounge about on a sunny afternoon. Head up to the first floor for their vast decked courtyard which come night time is transformed into a hustling and bustling hangout. They cater for weekend music nights, ladies happy hours, cocktail offers and to top it all off have a much respected restaurant on the ground floor. Check out some other great nightclubs in Sydney.

Restaurants and Cafes in Woolloomooloo

If you’re interested in great dining spots in Woolloomooloo then check out Harry’s Café de Wheels for some of his legendary hot pies and peas. It was originally opened by Harry Edwards in 1938 and it quickly became an iconic Sydney eatery, keenly sought after by sailors, soldiers and cabbies alike. It’s not your standard fast food van, with photos on display showing their walk down memory lane with visits from Frank Sinatra, Pamela Anderson and even Elton John holding a press conference from inside it in the 1970s. In 2004, Harry’s was classified by the National Trust of Australia and is now included on its register. You will find Harry’s open day and night on the Cowper Wharf Roadway.

If you’d rather sit down after your day exploring then head to Manta. Manta is a gourmet restaurant specialising in the freshest locally caught seafood and Australian steak. You can eat both inside and out whilst getting views over Woolloomooloo Wharf with the lights of the city skyline in the background. It’s the perfect location for romantic private dining or celebrations with friends as it has a comprehensive lunch and dinner menu. Due to its popularity and reputation for good service, booking ahead is essential.

Accommodation in Woolloomooloo

There is a range of accommodation in Woolloomooloo, Sydney available, here are some of the best accommodation available in Woolloomooloo.

They aren’t short of luxurious hotels in Woolloomooloo so if you want to push the boat out and experience some of the best of what they have to offer then head to BLUE Sydney. BLUE Sydney is a five star boutique hotel on the Finger Wharf interconnected with the above mentioned Water Bar. This colossal building has beautiful sea-blue panelling and with the array of speed boats lined up outside it oozes opulence. With a restaurant, spa and contemporary loft suites, this hotel really is a playground for the rich and famous.

Back down in reality with a budget more suited to you and I, Woolloomooloo also has a variety of backpacker hostels offering budget accommodation too.

The City Resort Hostel in Palmer Street is a laid back hostel with single rooms, double rooms, twin rooms and dormitories and all a price that won’t break the bank. Offering more than the usual hostel, City Resort offers day tours and packaged tours around the city and beyond. With the benefit of free bread, coffee and tea all day and a roof terrace to enjoy it on, you can’t go wrong with the City Resort.

An alternative hostel is the Elephant Backpacker on Sir John Young Crescent. This friendly hostel has all you need under its roof with internet services, lockers, laundry facilities and spacious rooms. The crème de la crème is their newly built Café/Bar where you can eat a meal or relax with a beer after a long day adventuring.

By Sarah Wilk

Travel to Western Australia