Surry Hills is an inner-city suburb and one of Sydney’s most recognised fashion hubs, home to an array of boutique stores and designer outlets. Heritage buildings populate the area, housing British-style pubs, while chocolatiers and wine bars sit alongside tattoo parlours and cabaret palaces.
Things to do in Surry Hills
If you’re interested in Australia’s heritage, stroll through Surry Hills to discover its wealth of buildings listed on the Register of National Estate. These include a former police station on Bourke Street and the Children’s Court on Albion Street. Prince Alfred Park is another prominent landmark and features tennis courts, an outdoor pool and shady picnic spots.
Looking for unique items? Venture down Surry Hills’ side streets to find hidden retail gems, such as quirky costumes at Snog the Frog and Parisian-style clothing at A.P.C Sydney. Avid cyclists can find appropriate active wear at Rapha Cycle Club, while fashionable blokes can try on vintage-inspired outfits at Blue Works.
All that shopping will make you thirsty, so wander down Crown Street and take your pick of Victorian-style and Art Deco pubs, from Crown Hotel and White Horse Hotel to The Clock Hotel and Dolphin Hotel. If you prefer wine, treat yourself to Italian wines at 121 BC. When hunger strikes, grab gourmet steak at Porteno, open-flame seafood at Firedoor or Dhaka-inspired treats at Bang.
Culture abounds in Surry Hills, from the artist-run TAP Gallery to cabaret shows at Slide. Catch a stage production at Belvoir Street Theatre or get your giggle on at The Comedy Lounge, where the comedians are as good as the pizza.
Getting around Surry Hills
Surry Hills’ western edge is where you’ll find Sydney’s Central railway station with routes that can connect you to other parts of the city. State Transit Authority buses also run throughout the suburb, which also features a range of cycling lanes. You can also walk around Surry Hills or into the Sydney CBD.