Carol's Guidebook

Carol
Carol's Guidebook

Sightseeing

This is a classic harbour pool. With children look for low tides as there is a little beach.
50 locals recommend
Dawn Fraser Baths
Fitzroy Avenue
50 locals recommend
This is a classic harbour pool. With children look for low tides as there is a little beach.
Catch the ferry (select Circular Quay to Birchgrove for times) and a short walk later takes you to a lovely family friendly beach.
20 locals recommend
Greenwich Baths
Albert Street
20 locals recommend
Catch the ferry (select Circular Quay to Birchgrove for times) and a short walk later takes you to a lovely family friendly beach.
A chance to ride the ferry and have fish and chips on arrival. Or go to Manly.
332 locals recommend
Watsons Bay
332 locals recommend
A chance to ride the ferry and have fish and chips on arrival. Or go to Manly.
197 locals recommend
North Head
197 locals recommend

Neighbourhoods

Historic village in high street. Lots of places to eat and window shop. The direct neighbourhood around Birchgrove is beautiful for walks with parks and water.
66 locals recommend
Balmain
66 locals recommend
Historic village in high street. Lots of places to eat and window shop. The direct neighbourhood around Birchgrove is beautiful for walks with parks and water.

Traveler advice

Getting around

Download the Tripview app - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/tr

From the end of our park path you can catch the 441 bus to the city and get off at the Queen Victoria building. Stay on the bus and it goes straight through to the NSW Art Gallery. Other bus routes depart from Darling St so hop off the bus there and change. You can also catch a ferry to Circular Quay and on to other places such as Watson’s Bay for a great lunch or Manly. Going the other way you can go up to Parramatta. There are two ferry wharves at the moment. One is Birchgrove at the end of Louisa Rd and the other is Balmain at Mort Bay.
What to pack

Sydney in summer is humid so light clothing and sandals.

There are occasional downpours, known as Sydney storms where at the end of a hot day it pours with thunder and lightning. We have two umbrellas just inside the door if you need them. Autumn (March-May) is glorious. Sunny days and cool nights. Winter (June-August) can often be sunny during the day but cooler at night. Bring a light coat. Sometimes you need a scarf and gloves but rarely although trips to the Blue Mountains would definitely require these items. Spring (September-November) tends to be unsettled. It can be very warm to hot then cool, wet and cold.
Getting around

Purchase an Opal card

Makes travel easy and there are no coins on buses and ferries. Purchase at https://transportnsw.info/trip#/opal-retailers
Traveling with kids

Website advice

https://www.hellosydneykids.com.au/things-to-do-in-sydney-with-kids/ and https://www.timeout.com/sydney/kids
Don't miss

Local favourites

Walk to Ballast Point along Wharf Rd, Birchgrove. Visit the corner cafe through the park, eat Vietnamese at a low key authentic restaurant (New Star) or terrific Japanese (Sushiman). Best pizzas are at Marina Lunga.
Customs and culture

A little history of Balmain and Birchgrove

https://youtu.be/kwS-x6T0hYk