Paddington

Lifestyle

It’s all happening in the hip inner city suburb of Paddington. Just 3 kms east of Sydney this cosmopolitan suburb affectionately known as “Paddo” has everything for to offer cool inner city lovers.

Once a rough working class suburb, Paddington has transformed into a vibrant inner city hot spot for hipsters and professionals. Visitors flock to it’s main thoroughfare Oxford Street day and night, for the sensational shopping and entertainment on offer. This iconic artery is also the venue for the annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, a colourful and eccentric festival celebrating gay pride and attracting visitors all corners of the globe.

Never boring, Paddington offers an eclectic shopping experience that promises variety and unique finds. Here you can dine on a gourmet meal, stock up on organic produce, or find a vintage collectible, all within the same block.

A must visit, is the famous Paddington Markets - a pop up shopping centre every Saturday at the Uniting Church on Oxford Street. Operating since 1973, they display the best of Paddington’s bohemian flavour, creativity and quirky characters.

Adding to it’s enticing appeal is Paddington’s quaint architecture. Narrow leafy streets are lined with Victorian Terraces, clusters of charming stores and cafés decorate street corners, and a number of historic pubs stand proud in the quiet back streets.

 

Evidence of Paddington’s humble beginning are best represented in Gipps and Shadforth streets. Here you will find the workers' cottages of those who helped built Victoria Barracks, a main Australian Army base, built in 1848, and still home to the Headquarters of Forces Command today.

The Five Ways, a unique and quaint village within the heart of Paddington is also a historical treasure, with it’s boutique shops and art galleries, old fashioned service and wonderful atmosphere.

At the highest point of Oxford Street, stands the grand Paddington Town Hall. Built in the late 1800s, this impressive building has a 32m high clock tower, to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII, and dominates the Paddington skyline.

If you crave the cafe lifestyle, fabulous shopping and a ton of urban atmosphere, then provocative Paddington is just for you.

People

It is rare to find big families in this popular inner city hub. Professional couples, creative types and upbeat hipsters however, feed on Paddington’s vibrant energy, and of course love it’s ideal proximity to the city.

Homes

Rows of fabulous Victorian terrace houses with beautifully ornate wrought iron details and sweet little cottages, line Paddington’s leafy narrow streets.

Venture inside these graceful abodes and you’ll find many transformed into sleek contemporary pads offering every modern convenience. You may even stumble across a stately 1820s mansion, a rare but exquisite offering for the privileged few.

You won’t find your typical family-size backyard in Paddington, but what you will find is seamless indoor/outdoor living and tranquil courtyard spaces providing a private sanctuary from the inner city vibe.

Transport

Forget about transport - you can easily walk into the city from Paddington if you want to! But, if you want to take it easier, there’s a great network of buses from Paddington that travel to the city, nearby beaches and beyond.

Schools

Finding a good school is super easy in these parts.

You have Glenmore Road Public, Paddington Public School and Sydney Grammar Junior School all right in Paddington. Venture 10 minutes further and Sydney Girls & Boys High, Ascham, Kambala, The Convent, St Vincent's, S.C.E.G.S, Cranbrook, Scots College, Waverley College, Sydney Grammar are all an excellent option.

Shopping/Restaurants

Brimming with a melting pot of everything, shopping in Paddington makes you feel like a kid in a candy store.

Oxford street
Running from Darlinghurst to Paddington, Oxford Street is an endless row of shops, boutiques, cafes and pubs. High street chains mingle with Australian designer flagship stores and a diverse mix of boutiques. Head down side streets including Glenmore Road, William and Elizabeth to find quirky one-off boutiques and stylish designerware.


The Intersection
The Intersections is a strip of handpicked edgy boutiques and upcoming Australian designers on the corner of Oxford St and Glenmore Rd. It ’s where the charm of a Parisian laneway, blends with edgy New York Fashion week style and the great energy of Sydney. This uber fashion pit stop is home to designers such as Ksubi, Ellery, Sass and Bide and Josh Goot who have put Australia on the Global map of Fashion.

Paddington Markets
Every Saturday at10am since 1974, the Paddington Markets has opened for the crowds! Initially a market to encourage local fashion designers, craftspeople, jewellery makers and artists, the market now has over 150 unique stalls filled with creative fashion and accessories, fragrant soaps and candles and inspiring artwork.

Bondi Junction
Just 10 minutes drive away is the the fast-paced interchange of Bondi Junction. With a multi-storey shopping complex, ocean of delicious multi-cultural restaurants and internationally recognised beach 5 minutes away, this trendy suburb fits a whole lot of action into one tight space.

Stand Out Pubs & Restaurants

Four in Hand
This traditional old pub in the back streets of Paddington is best known for the phenomenal restaurant of the same name with Colin Fassnidge at its helm. Fassnidge in turn is best known for his skill with beasts of land and sea, and his colourful language. The adjoining pub is a beautifully classic room of black-and-white tiles, sturdy wooden bench seating and bentwood bar stools that you’ll want to perch on all night long.

The Print Room
The oldest pub in Paddington, The Print Room has been transformed into an elegant wine and cocktail lounge. Take the stairs and enter a room filled with old-world charm and glamour: ornate chandeliers, vintage mirrors and large leather chesterfield lounges. The soft lighting reveals a beautiful custom-built bar and quirky accessories including an old typewriter, antique soda syphons and historic quotes hand-written on the walls.

Buon Ricordo
For the past 21 years, Buon Ricordo – one of Sydney’s most established restaurants – has served up it’s fare to some of Sydney’s biggest headliners. Everyone from Cate Blanchett to Packer family captain John Alexander has been spotted here. The best way to enjoy yourself here is to let the waiters guide you to create your own heavenly degustation . Although it may be on the pricey side, your tastebuds will be spoilt tremendously.

Tiger Mottle
A more recent addition to Paddington’s dining darlings, this little café in the charming Five Ways has gained quite a following. A restored terrace, the café is all sleek white interiors while the front wall is decorated with a row of retro vinyl covers over a smart coffee bar. Coffee lovers travel from surrounding suburbs to savour their fine brew and with a beautiful room that feels more restaurant than café, it's easy to understand why.

Recreational Facilities

Centennial Park
The ideal place to get active, just 20 minutes walk from Oxford Street. You can easily lose days in this sprawling public park, where you can hire a bike, enjoy a round of golf, or have a go at horse riding. Alternatively, you can slow down the pace and have a picnic with friends or to read a book under one of the 15,000 trees. Beautifully maintained lawns, ponds, flower beds and statues, as well as a great cafe, provide a stunning backdrop for a lazy day or an action-packed get-together.

Bondi Beach
One of Australia's most famous and busiest beaches, Bondi Beach is the sun-loving meeting place of tens of thousands of people, from backpackers to billionaires. Here you can, walk, jog, or just soak up the sun on the 1km of golden sands. There's a host of events held here all year round from community art shows to city to surf running marathons.

Trumper Park Oval
Located at the corner of Glenmore Road & Hampden Street, this esteemed oval is named in honour of Victor Trumper, a famous Australian test cricketer. The oval has a long history with the Australian Football East Sydney club, as well as with cricket and local athletics. A series of walking trails through a dense bushland gully connect to surrounding streets and lead to the Paddington Bowling Club and The Palms Tennis Centre.

Sydney Cricket Ground & Allianz Stadium
The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Allianz Stadium are two of Australia's premier sporting and entertainment venues. They are located at Moore Park, two kilometres from the central business district and adjacent to popular bars, restaurants, cinemas and shops of Sydney's Entertainment Quarter and Oxford Street. The historic SCG celebrated 100 years of hosting rugby league games in 2011 and hosted its 100th cricket Test in 2012. It also boasts an impressive sporting history, encompassing other sports including, Australian Rules football, rugby union, soccer, baseball and cycling, as well as being a major concert venue.


White City Tennis Centre
The White City Tennis Centre has been a big part of Australian Tennis since its opening in 1922. The venue has played host to many events including the New South Wales Open, the Australian Open and the Davis Cup. The Centre Court Area is one of the few remaining natural grass courts in Australia that has the capacity to host major competitions.