The Complete Guide to Sydney’s Suburbs

You may have heard of Sydney as a major Australian city. You may even be one of those people who think it to be Australia’s capital. But do you know anything about the Sydney suburbs? Do you know your Newtown to your Manly? Do you know where you should head for late night dining or relaxing on the beach? So you know where you are and what to expect, here’s the lowdown to Sydney’s most popular suburbs.

Sydney’s Suburbs

Sydney’s suburbs offer diverse living experiences and unique charm. Bondi is famous for its stunning beach, surfing culture, and vibrant nightlife. Surry Hills boasts a trendy arts scene, eclectic dining options, and historic terraces. Manly, accessible by ferry, combines beachside living with a relaxed atmosphere and outdoor activities. Balmain features charming heritage architecture, boutique shops, and waterside parks. Parramatta is a bustling suburb with cultural attractions, diverse eateries, and significant historical sites. Newtown is known for its alternative vibe, live music venues, and LGBTQ+ friendly community.

Bondi Beach – Eastern Suburbs

• Bondi Beach has so much to offer and even more to experience, so don’t be put off by the huge amount of hipsters drinking out of coconuts–there are normal people here too you know.
• Being the closest beach suburb to Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) (a 45-minute commute), Bondi is extremely popular as a residential suburb with tourists and residents alike.
• Its great cafe culture, fantastic restaurants, outdoor sea view fitness stations, swimming pools, and, of course, the most famous beach in the world on your doorstep all assist Bondi in being one of the most liveable places in the world.
• Though heaps of tourists flock to Bondi (40,000 visitors on a sunny summer day!), life here is still surprisingly relaxed.
• The best thing is that you’re only a short coastal stroll away from some of Sydney’s ‘other’ best beaches including Tamarama, Bronte, and Coogee.

Manly – Northern Beaches

The best thing about Manly is that even the trip there will blow your mind. A fifteen-minute ferry ride north from Circular Quay will take you across to Sydney Harbour, making the suburb a great place to commute into the city from. Manly is shrouded in natural beauty and the fabulous beach will make you feel a million miles away from the city. With a bustling town centre, you’ll also find great boutique shops, bars and restaurants in Manly – making it one of the most liveable suburbs around Sydney. If you’re into your water sports then you can take advantage of the tons of opportunities along Manly Beach; from surfing to snorkelling or a dip in the Oceanside public pool.

Balmain – Inner West

Balmain is situated in the heart of Sydney’s inner-west, overlooking the estuary. Once a working-class area, Balmain is now a thriving hub of creativity. Some of Australia’s best-known authors, artists, actors, film directors, and musicians live in Balmain, and as soon as you get there, you’ll understand why. Balmain is very cosmopolitan but also relaxed. The nightlife does attract a lot of people in the evenings, but with lots of parks and reserves close by, it’s a great place to settle down and enjoy Sydney life. You’ll be entertained in Balmain; from perusing the local markets to hanging out at the cafes, you’ll feel immersed in culture and trendiness!

Glebe – Inner West

Glebe is an Inner Western suburb located just 3 km south-west of the Sydney CBD. Just a 10-minute walk from Central Station, Glebe has excellent transport links and is packed to the brim with really cool pubs, and restaurants. It is home to a micro small bar scene that offers quality entertainment, food, and drinks seven nights a week. Glebe also has one of Sydney’s best markets and accommodation can be slightly cheaper compared to the Eastern Suburbs. It is the perfect place for young professionals to find their feet, and not have to do a mammoth commute to get to the office.

Darlinghurst attractions 

Darlinghurst is rich in culture and bursting with art studios, boutique shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. One of the best things about Darlinghurst or “Darlo”, as the locals call it is that you can spend ages just walking around all the pretty terraced houses in the winding leafy streets and lose yourself in their charm. As well as being the preferred habitat for Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs media types, it’s also famous for its nightlife, with many cocktail bars and clubs providing late entertainment. Darlinghurst is the heart of the gay scene in Australia, holding the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras every March.

The location

The location of Darlo in Sydney couldn’t be better as it neighbours suburbs such as Surry Hills, Paddington, and the popular harbour beaches around Double Bay. Not to mention you’re just a 15-minute walk to Sydney Town Hall Station or a 10-15-minute walk to Kings Cross.

Surry Hills – Eastern Suburbs

The perfect place for art lovers, inner-city Surry Hills is one of Sydney’s most vibrant areas and the home to the famous coffee culture. You’ll find a mixture of business properties and residential homes in this area because of its proximity to the city. Surry Hills is a melting pot of cultures and is also a stone’s throw from China Town and Centennial Park. Being so close to the city, it’s perfect for young professionals as everything is right on your doorstep–along with great transport links.

Paddington – Eastern Suburbs

Paddington is a super suburb on Sydney’s east side and Australia’s equivalent to London’s Chelsea. There isn’t much that Paddington doesn’t have to offer. Full of restaurants, bars, and pubs, next to Centennial Park, 20 minutes walk to the harbour beaches, 20 minutes drive or bus ride to Bondi or Bronte Beach, it’s the perfect place to settle down, and you can easily walk to the city or catch a bus if you’re commuting into Sydney. It’s not the cheapest place to live because of its fantastic location, so rental properties may take a large wedge of your salary. However, it is bursting with heritage and a great vibe. The hustle and bustle is so nearby, but you won’t notice it in Paddington.

Coogee & Randwick – Eastern Suburbs

Coogee and Randwick are two of the most popular Sydney suburbs for expats and working holidaymakers to settle down as they’ve got slightly larger properties, great schools, and beach life. Further, it is an easy commute by bus to the city. With access to fantastic coastal walks, free public outdoor fitness areas, and an ocean pool, even the laziest couch potato will be encouraged to get involved. Coogee is packed with a wide range of quality restaurants, cafes, and bars. Because of this reason, you may forget to see the rest of Australia.

Newtown – Inner West

Newtown is saturated in culture and is home to many artists, musicians, writers, and students. It’s difficult to find any sort of hint of pretentiousness. The suburb has a great music scene, with many folk, punk, and funk artists visiting local venues. Flat shares and apartments are very affordable in Newtown making it popular with a wide demographic. Being a popular suburb with artists and musicians, Newtown has some of Sydney’s best cheap restaurants and live entertainment which also makes it popular with working holiday makers and young professionals. And it’s a 20-minute direct train ride into Sydney CBD.