Things to do in Double Bay, Sydney – Australia

Double Bay in Eastern Sydney Australia is a very relaxed place to live. It is 4-5 km from the city centre and is between Sydney Harbour and Bondi.

One of the great things about living here is that you can walk almost everywhere, and for those who can’t walk there are great train bus and ferry services. The shops are plentiful and fairly unique and if you require a large shopping centre Westfield Bondi Junction is only 2 k away.

It is quite an expensive suburb to live in, and most people live in apartments and townhouses. It has a good choice of local schools both State and Private with people of all nationalities living in the area. The suburb is leafy and green all the year around and if you visit come in November when the Jacaranda trees are flowering lending a lovely purple haze through the green. Having said that, it is lovely all the year around with very little cold weather, just a few weeks in July and August which we call winter.

Must Do

Catch the ferry to Circular Quay and visit the world famous Sydney Opera House. While in the city walk around to the Rocks and visit the Hero of Waterloo one of the oldest hotels in Australia. It has a trapdoor down to the cellar which was once used to throw kidnapped boys from the street into the basement and sell them to the Ships Captains as crew.  If you feel energetic book a Bridge Climb, this can be reached from the Rocks. Then walk back through the lovely Botanical Gardens which span the foreshore and have some lunch in a cafe overlooking the Harbour.

What do you like best about this city?

I love being on the Harbour. Take a ferry to Watson’s Bay and have fish and chips in the Beer Garden. Just near here is a well known tourist destination

‘The Gap’ very high cliffs and a very long cliff walk right around the Southern Point and past the South Head light and Light Keepers cottages where you can see the entrance to Sydney Harbour and stop of for a swim at Lady Bay Beach described in the travel journals as a ‘great little nude beach’.

You can then go back to the Watson’s Bay ferry and on the way have dinner at the famous Doyle’s restaurant.

Best Walk in Double Bay

Hermitage reserve Nielsen Park. Start the walk in Rose Bay near the old Flying Boat Base. This can be reached by bus from the city or Double Bay.

Simply follow the pathway around the foreshore to Nielsen Park, about 5 k, on the way you will see great views of the harbour the city and North Shore beaches. When you get there , you will find a safe little netted beach no big waves, very safe for parents and children this beach requires swimwear. Stop and have lunch at the Nielsen Park Kiosk which is an old style beach Pavilion which has views of the water from every window. Then walk back up a bush track and absorb the historical buildings and scenery.

Best Restaurants in Double Bay

Eastern Sydney is full of great places to eat. A lot of the best food is in pubs. When in Double Bay try the Golden Sheaf Hotel, very good pub food and a choice of several areas to eat in including the Beer Garden. Menu offers a wide choice and reasonable prices. Some parts of the hotel have live entertainment. Another restaurant in Double Bay that has stood the test of time is called 21 Hungarian at 21 Knox St.  Terrific shnitzels and other Hungarian foods including cucumber salad and the strudels which have stood the test of time.

Best Music/ Festival in Double Bay

Return to Rio at nearby Wisemans Ferry, marks the end of Summer. Live music festival near Sydney, goes for three days.

One day festival Victoria Park Camperdown Sydney ‘ Days like this festival’ March 2020

Best Nightlife in Double Bay

Bedouin Nightclub, is Middle Eastern inspired, with cocktails and Lebanese food and music. Based in Cross St. Double Bay.

Flamingo Lounge in nearby Potts Point, opens late, party venue, great music.

Matteo Double Bay, very casual open late. Good Italian food and a bar, inspired by coastal Italy.

Best Day Trip out of City

Once again a ferry trip this time to Manly which is 5 km from Circular Quay on a Ferry or Hydrofoil. The Hydrofoil is very quick take about 10 minutes. The ferry is more scenic and cheaper.  Manly used to be a fishing village and was once a holiday destination for Sydney people in the days before cars. When you get there visit the aquarium. Then walk around to Q Station (1.1 k), the old Quarantine Station, now a restaurant and accommodation for lunch. It is on the North Side of the Harbour and is surrounded by National Park. There is also parking if you choose to drive. Prices for rooms starts at $80-100 per night if you decide to stay. When you return to Manly visit the world famous surfing beach, and if you are a surfer hire a board and try the surf. A nice walk from Manly is Shelly Beach about 3 k from Manly. A great place for snorkelling and seeing the underwater marine life. There is also a kiosk open every day.

When you return to the city on a night ferry you will see all the lights.

Something that not many travellers would know about

Sydney has a very large Chinese population which started with the arrival of the first fleet in 1888. We have our own version of Chinatown which extends from the Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour into the Western part of the City. It contains many restaurants with the best food outside China and lots of activities. The Chinese Night Markets is a multicultural market with many food stalls, this takes place every Friday night and attracts a lot of people from all over the city. Chinese New year is also celebrated with a big street parade of floats and lots of colour and food.

Chinatown can be reached by a train or bus to Central Station. On Broadway which is opposite the station there is also a very cheap youth hostel with single rooms where many young tourists choose to stay because of its Central location.