CBrondum

Park Street, Mona Vale is a pretty convenient street. It runs off Pittwater Rd, through to Parkland Road. The street itself is fairly attractive, with plenty of trees – and whilst it doesn’t get a lot of through traffic – the northern end can get a bit congested – as people use for parking for local shops etc.

Houses at the southern end range from small weatherboard cottages – to big brick more newly built homes, and everything in between. The front the yards are mostly neat and well maintained.

The northern end of the road has seen a fair bit of development in the last few years – and there are low set apartment blocks, duplexes and town houses. There is also a medical centre here. This part is right opposite the very large Woolworths and adjacent Dan Murphy’s huge liquor supermarket. There is also a church here, and at the end of Keenan Street – a short stroll past Woollies, sits Mona Vale Public Primary. There are numerous childcare facilities in the area.

Mona Vale Village is a very brief walk away – and there are many cafes, restaurants, boutiques and all variety of shops. Mona Vale also has a great library and next to this is and Early Childhood Centre. Barrenjoey Rd buses are somewhat further.

Salisbury Road, Rose Bay, opposite Sydney Harbour, is a very pretty street leading from New South Head Rd and joining into equally pretty Beresford Rd – a few blocks South.

The street is tree lined, the gardens are leafy and green and it is a reasonably quiet location, and attractive suburb in general. The blocks are mostly a decent size, and there is a variety of building types here.
The majority are older cottages that have been extended and/or renovated – but there are larger Georgian houses, and some modern homes also. I believe there are a few Californian Bungalows thrown into the mix.

There are plenty of local buses – especially on New South Head Rd, and Rose Bay Marina and the Pier restaurant are both a short stroll.
Also close by is the charming small shopping village on Plumer Road (corner of O’Sullivan). The buildings here beautifully maintained art deco, and the shops include a chicken shop, cafes, a grocery store and a bottle shop.

Woollahra Golf Course, and Cranbrook Preparatory School for boys are a short distance east – as is beautiful harbour front park – Lyne Park – which has the Rose Bay Ferry Wharf and other facilities.

This is a beautiful area, suitable especially for families.

Lang Road, Centennial Park is a lengthy road running from Oxford Street, all the way down one side of Centennial Park, to Anzac Parade and Cleveland Street.

Despite the fact that road is a fairly busy through route, it has its attractions. The blocks here are a substantial size – and most of the houses are also. Some are small mansions and others are just plain big. Many of the properties have some historical significance. Most are beautifully renovated. There is, despite the traffic, some degree of privacy here – as the housed side of the street is very verdant and some houses have high front walls and hedges.

Being opposite wonderful Centennial Park is of course a huge bonus. With huge open spaces, cycle paths, horse-riding, a café, duck ponds playgrounds and more, you could easily spend a whole day in this wonderful, and huge, Sydney park. There are horse stables right on Lang Rd.

Situated at the eastern end – in the Moore Park precinct – is the ‘Entertainment Quarter’. This consists of the Fox Studios, iconic Sydney rock venue – The Hordern Pavillion, a large Hoyts complex, and various other entertainment facilities. Depending on what’s on traffic congestion at this end of the street can be bad.

Oxford Street at the other end has all kinds of shopping facilities, and city buses.

Ormond Street, Paddington is a fairly non-descript street with typical houses to this area. It runs from busy Oxford to Glenmore Rd. There one side of the street has parallel parking the entire length, and the road is one way – from the direction of Glenmore.

The houses are all two and three storey Victorian terraces. Some of them are beautifully renovated, some are in average condition, and there are a few that are sorely neglected and in dire need of repair and renovations. The street is lightly treed, and not unattractive but not especially pretty either.

On the Oxford Street corner stands Juniper Hall, one of the local magnificent and historical properties, which is listed on the National Trust. The mansion house is Colonial Georgian and is a beautiful building with a remarkable history, including having been an orphanage – and not so long ago a toy museum. Currently it is leased to an antiques business.

Nearby on Oxford Street there are numerous shops, cafes, pubs, boutiques, a Post Office and the Paddington Town Hall (another historic building).

A short stroll away on Glenmore Street there are more shops and restaurants – this part of the area is more village like than the constant bustle of Oxford Street.

Buses are plentiful here.

Bowral Street, Kensington is a short street that manages to fit rather a lot into it. This includes its housing styles. There are apartments, Victorian terrace houses – both attached and unattached – and workers cottages – likewise. Some are really beautifully renovated – especially the workers cottages with the iron lace-work on the verandas.

Also on the street is a large church– I believe it may be Greek Orthodox, but I may be wrong – and Kensington Public Primary School.

Randwick Racecourse is just a brief distance away, and Bowral Street runs on to Anzac Parade. At this point there are numerous eateries – several Asian restaurants, a pizzeria, and some curry houses. Famous kitchen, dining and homewares store – Peter’s of Kensington is just up the road.

Bus transport is fantastic and frequent here – and UNSW and NIDA are a hop, skip and a jump away – easy to walk to for energetic teenagers. Buses also run to the eastern beaches – and the city – so it’s the best of all worlds.

Grocery shopping though, in the immediate vicinity is somewhat lacking, so a driving trip would be needed for that (though I recommend internet grocery shopping). Royal Hospital for Women is close by in Randwick – as is the specialist medical centre.

Lawson Street is a relatively attractive street situated in the Waverley area – behind Bondi Junction. It is quite a wide road and has a bit of an incline (or decline, depending which way you are going).

The housing styles are eclectic – ranging from apartments, to terraced Victorian houses, freestanding and attached cottages, and more modern houses. Many of the older properties have been beautifully renovated – and just the minority are in need of updating.

This is a great location. At then end of the street, on the opposite side of Ebley Street is Waverly Library. Also on Waverly Street is the lovely Clemenston Park. It is a lovely leafy green park with a playground. The Waverley Child Care Centre is also situated here.

Further afield is Bondi Junction proper – which offers numerous shopping facilities, restaurants and cinemas. There is a Westfield centre and a train station. Buses are also good.

There is great through routes from here to the eastern suburb beaches, in particular Bondi, Bronte and Clovelly. Nearby are also Centennial Park and Queens Park – offering great days out.

It’s a pretty convenient location – without being right in the heart of things. Great for young families and professional couples.

This review only covers the Bellevue Hill end of Francis Street – which for all intent purposes is a separate street. The full length of Francis Street runs from Old South Head Rd to Campbell Parade. The section I am talking about is a cul-de-sac running to Old South Head Road – and does not directly continue on from the ‘rest’ of Francis Street.

Francis Street (west) is a gorgeous cul-de-sac with many trees and a pretty children’s playground in Thomas Hogan Reserve.

The properties on the street are made up of several of the red brick, art deco apartment buildings, some new apartments, and older houses – with some newly renovated. The blocks are generally small as is usual for this area.

One of the best things is that the end of the cul-de-sac offers direct foot access to Old South Head Road where buses can be easily caught. That being said this part of Old South Head Road is often congested. This end

Walking into Bondi would be a very long walk indeed, but doable if you love walking and don’t have small children. Bondi of course offers numerous facilities – a multitude of shops, cafes and restaurants. Bondi Junction is a short drive or bus trip away.

Rosyln Gardens is a street that dips and rises again. It stretches from Rosyln Street to Elizabeth Bay Road. The housing here is a mish-mash of styles – large old apartment blocks, typical deco and large modern apartments. There are also the old terrace houses of the area – with lovely iron lace-work.

I don’t know if this is still the case – but many of the apartments here used to be owned through ‘company title’ rather than torrens, freehold or strata. They are mostly beautifull maintained and some have nice water views.

Rushcutters Bay Park isn’t far away and aside from being a beautiful waterfront park – there is a good pre-school here, and tennis courts, also toilets, a children’s playground and a kiosk and café. It’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon.

There are a few shops at the Elizabeth Bay Road end of Rosyln Gardens and there is a wonderful casual eatery here called Lizzie Bay Gourmet – which offers both eat in, and take home meals. The Darlinghurst Theatre Company is also not far away.

Walking around here can be pretty steep, and public transport – unless you can walk to the buses – is not so great. So I would suggest this wouldn’t be such a great spot for the infirm – or those who have to manoeuvre newborn triplets. J

Hughes Street, Potts Point is a very narrow street and as such is one way. But there are trees and it’s not unattractive.

This are was once, years ago, considered dangerous – but now is a thriving inner city area close to King’s Cross. Obviously there are still crimes occurring and one should be careful when walking at night, but it is a lot safer than it used to be. Also, it’s more attractive as the locale has been beautified by the investors.

Properties here consist of older deco apartment buildings (a common feature of the area), but Hughes Street also has some modern apartments and old terrace houses. Parking is pretty bad and I suspect a lot of people who live here may not even own a car.

There are many backpackers in the streets near by – and there used to be one on Hughes Street itself – although I don’t know if that’s still the case.

Macleay Street (from which Hughes Street leads) has numerous cafes and restaurants, delis and specialty shops. Buses are good and King’s Cross trains are not too far away.
There are also a few parks and gardens dotted around – and many of the properties nearby (not Hughes Street) have wonderful harbour views.

Nicholson Street in Woolloomooloo is a street fairly typical of this area. It is attractive with historic (or made to appear so) buildings, and is quite leafy and green for an inner city area. This is something Sydney always has to offer – it, for the most part, is leafy and green – even when the housing is tightly packed, as in these older areas.

Most of the houses are old two story terraces, but there are some newer, quaint looking townhouses built in a corresponding (colonial) style – which I’m guessing was part of the council’s DA conditions.

The famous Tilbury Hotel (pub) is situated on the street. It’s very stylish and serves bar snacks and has a great restaurant and beer garden. There’s an open courtyard out the front and some green space on the other side of Nicholson Street – and these offer walking access to the other nearby streets and also to the harbour.

Taking advantage of this – the harbour is a short stroll and you emerge at Woolloomooloo Wharf where there is a hotel and upmarket restaurants (and some very, very expensive waterfront apartments – one of which is or was, owned by Russell Crowe). Wonderful Sydney institution – Harry’s Café De Wheels is close by here too. It has a great history – having started as a caravan serving pies in the 1930’s (which it still was when I regularly visited in the late 80’s and early 90’s).

Bus transport is good – but if you wanted to you could walk into the eastern part of the city at least. Just up from the wharf – with stairs, and now with a pedestrian bridge also – is The Domain and the Botanic Gardens.

Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, is a fairly lengthy street as far as Darlinghurst goes. It runs from Bourke Street, crosses the cross-city tunnel – and ends at Best Street Woolloomooloo. It’s not an unattractive street, with many trees and fairly nice older houses.

Most of the properties here are two story terraces and they are very close to the road. Many of them have the balconies with the ornate balconies of this period, but there are also a lot of the blank-faced terrace houses – and their doors open straight onto the street. There are a couple of apartment buildings.

It’s an historic area and the local population is an eclectic mix. While there are many owner residents – there are probably more renters – being so close to the city and convenient in many ways, so it’s not a bad location for investors.

The street is home to Sceggs Darlinghurst – a prestigious girl’s school – and the middle (towards St Peter’s Lane) is often clogged with pick-up/drop off traffic.

Nearby Bourke Street offers some great cafes and restaurants and there is some nightlife. The Woolloomooloo end offers some shops and a police station. It’s a bit of a walk to the harbour foreshore – but easy for those who like to walk. Public transport is pretty good.

Cross Street begins where Bellevue Rd leaves off, and runs to Ocean Avenue. The first part of Cross Street is a main area of Double Bay Village. It’s very attractive and is overhung with trees – creating a green tunnel.

There many boutique stores here – and the place exudes wealth. There are a lot of bars, delis, cafes and designer clothing stores. Cross Street is home to Pink Salt – a venue that came to be during the television series ‘My Restaurant Rules’ (the moved from Manly location). It’s a very stylish restaurant and bar where all the groovy people meet.

There is some shop top housing in this end of the street – a few small older apartments above the shops – and some very big modern ones.

Beyond the Bay Street intersection the houses are predominantly two storey Victorian terraces, mostly beautifully renovated. Double Bay Public School is situated at the end of the street. There are some accommodation hotels here – including the Medina Executive on Ocean Avenue

The harbour front is a short stroll and there are parks close by. Bus transport is pretty good. The area does get fairly congested and parking can be difficult. It’s a prestigious (somewhat snobbish) locale – and not for those on a budget.

Victoria Street is one of the premier streets in the area, and probably even in all of the Eastern Suburbs. This is because the northern side houses front directly onto Camp Cove harbour beach – which is a magical place. It has a wide sweep of golden stand and usually very calm crystal clear water. It’s a terrific place for children. There’s a great cliff top walk around Lady Bay (nude beach), and up to Hornby Lighthouse.

The houses on the ocean side of Victoria are mostly enormous mansion types. Some of them are very modern (which doesn’t suit this stately area) others are beautifully restored and gracious building. The tiny cottages typical of this area occupy the other side of the street. Most are also beautifully renovated, and many are terraced. The area has a lot of interesting historical significance

Victoria Street is very narrow as are most of the streets here (many are one way, including Victoria) – and there is little parking –so congestion is a regular occurrence.

There are great facilities nearby including parks, The Gap, cliff-top walks, the infamous Watsons Bay Hotel, Doyles on the Wharf restaurant, other restaurants and shops.

There are city buses and ferries, though I believe the ferries are a limited service.

Lucas Road in Seven Hills could not be called an attractive street. It’s a pretty busy through route, the properties are close to the road, and they are not very private.

The houses are a mix of old fibro cottages, seventies brick, with some modern newly built homes thrown in for good measure. There are a few trees, but it’s not especially green, and a lot of the yards are unkempt and run-down.

Still, this is an area of Sydney where you can buy houses very cheaply indeed in comparison to so many of the other suburbs. That’s one good point.

There are two schools on Lucas Rd – Seven Hills Public West, and Seven Hills Public. Both are at the Prospect Highway end – as is a childcare centre a block away.

Prospect Highway is extremely busy and there are many shops and businesses located here. The train station is some distance away, but there are buses.
Lucas Road would not be my pick of this area to live in (but nor would the area itself if I had a choice), there are far nicer streets in the locale.

But for those starting out, I guess it could offer good value for money.

Bogan Avenue (yes really) is an attractive street in Baulkham Hills. It’s very leafy and quiet and runs between Roxborough Park Road and Rutland Ave. Most of the houses are brick and tile 1970s-1980s, and a few modern additions or renovations. The houses are a decent size.

This is a great family area and there are some terrific facilities nearby. Roxborough Park Rd runs the length of AH Whaling reserve – a large reserve that is used for sporting activities – there are cricket pitches and a huge oval, a playground and picnic benches.

Roxborough Park Rose Garden is also situated here. It’s huge, and breathtakingly beautiful with dozens of different rose varieties. There’s a pretty rotunda here also.

You can walk through the reserve to Waves Fitness and Aquatic Centre. This great swim centre has a 50metre pool, learn to swim pool, and toddler’s pool. There’s a crèche, and grassy areas and a café. Waves also has a well-equipped gym.

The Hill’s Private Hospital is fairly close by on Windsor Rd. There are city express buses, shops and schools in the area as well.

Bogan Avenue is not just for bogans (I couldn’t resist), but a great family street – with reasonable property prices.

Richmond Road, Rose Bay is a short little street, offering much charm and extreme convenience. It’s very pretty indeed with large overhanging trees.

The biggest plusses about this quiet street are its location to public transport and accessibility to wide open spaces – whilst being in easy distance of public transport and great out door spaces.

The properties on Richmond Rd consist of some large red brick deco apartment builds – that seem to be very well kept, and a few low set bungalow houses that are also beautifully renovated. There is a striking apartment building that seems to be in some kind of Victorian style (I’m not an expert), and is very pretty.

Park life abounds here and public transport is excellent. The Rose Bay Ferry Wharf is nearby in Lyne Park, and there are numerous buses. There are restaurants close by
And the Rose Bay RSL and Cranbrook Prep School, and a golf club and several sailing marinas. There’s nothing here that money can’t buy and there are a large amount of facilities to be had for a buck. Not to forget your boat. The waiting list for a berth at the marina might, of course, be quite long however.

New South Head Road Vaucluse is a busy road and through-route but it is not without its charm. Many of the houses here offer fantastic Sydney Harbour views and are a great place to watch the fireworks – this goes for east or west side of the street.

Many of the houses are sumptuous and extravagant - this goes moreso for the lower western side properties, some of which are on large blocks. There are still some older style hones – that have not been overly upgraded – but on the eastern, higher, side, they are not as private and receive more traffic noise.

Bus transport is good – but one needs to go further afield for decent grocery shopping.

Not far away is the private school Kincoppal-Rose Bay – which offers co-ed up until high school when it becomes girls only. It’s an extremely gracious, historic building worth a look. There is also historic Vaucluse House close by, and the wonderful facilities of Neilson Park on the harbour foreshore, a minute’s drive or so. There is a tree filled park – wonderful child friendly beach with shark net, kiosk and restaurant, amenities and children’s playground.

New South Head Road in Vaucluse offers a lot for the families – though – unless situated especially close to facilities – regular car trips will be necessary.

Victoria Road is actually a fairly busy thoroughfare and yet many well to do people (ie celebrities) choose to live here.

The road starts at New South Head Road, Double Bay, and traverses up the ‘hill’ with many twists and turns, where it finally joins to Old South Head Rd offering further access north. It’s actually a very beautiful street, great tree boughs hanging over offering shade n summer.

There are many huge blocks here. Especially huge for living this close to the city – some are around an acre. The houses, therefore, are also huge – and often gated. They are very private. Some are older that have been renovated and expanded on, but others are more or less rebuilds. There are tennis courts and swimming pools – there is money here.

Scots College is on Victoria Road – offering excellent private education for boys.
There are cycle paths along the street and I believe a bus route is along here.

There are parks and shops nearby – and of course the exclusive Double Bay area – if you after designer gear. Within easy driving distance are two golf courses and Bondi Junction shopping centre – offering a Westfields, Myers, cinema and numerous other shops and restaurants.

Billyard Ave is a beautiful cul-de-sac offering prime Sydney Harbour living. It is a very leafy, green narrow one-way street, starting from Ithaca Rd. There are quite a few tall deco red brick apartment buildings here. Despite the (sad) lack of balconies on these old blocks – many of them would have superb views. There are some large Victorian apartment buildings (that may have been single homes originally) – beautifully renovated. And amongst this lot – seeming a monstrosity – some very modern apartments. They are an eye sore here, in this pretty street.

Most of the houses are on the waterside of the street (and apartments on higher western side). They are large, and very private, and very nondescript from the street. There is at least one or two massive blocks here – one of which looks like a hacienda. Obviously all of these would have spectacular views.

Weirdly a local bus goes down this narrow street – and there are stops – but I’m afraid I can’t expand on that.

Very nearby is the terrific waterfront park –Beare Park. There is some waterfront parkland and a decent children’s playground. I know there was some contention between locals and the council a year or so back regarding upgrades the council did and child safety (to do with the waterfront) – and I don’t know if that’s been addressed.

This is a magical place – good for everyone. J

Edgecliff Rd is a lengthy rd beginning at Ocean Street, Edgecliff, running through Woollahra, behind Bondi Junction, and ending at Old South Head Road near Bellevue Hill.

Opposite the Edgecliff end is the train station and a shopping centre including a Coles.
This end of the road is beautifully and heavily treed – and the street has some grace and charm to it. There are several beautifully kept large deco apartment blocks, and many large renovated houses – the majority of which are hidden behind walls – both for privacy and perhaps as an attempt to shut out street noise as this is a pretty busy road.

Further north, the trees thin and the road opens out, and the area at the back of Bondi Junction has many terrace houses and smaller cottages. This is a convenient area – Bondi Junction is a huge shopping locale with a Westfield, major department stores and a cinema. There is also a train station here.

This part of Edgecliff Rd has a lot of small specialty shops and there is a veterinary hospital, and medical centres.

Edgecliff Rd itself has a fair bit of through traffic – so properties here will have some street noise. There is also a bust route on the street.