North Sydney, Sydney Region — New South Wales

North Sydney is a suburb located in the North Shore area of New South Wales. It is under the local government area of the North Sydney Council.

This suburb is known for its numerous office buildings with only a limited number of retail establishments. Only two large shopping center call North Sydney home, the Greenwood Plaza along Miller Street and the Berry Square on Berry Street. The former is housed in a historic structure that used to be a public school in the late 19th century.

Because of the numerous business establishments in the area, supporting amenities such as bars and restaurants are also abundant.

One interesting destination in the area is the Mary MacKillop Place Museum on Mount Street. As the name suggests, much of the museum is dedicated to this much venerated nun who is expected to become Australia’s first saint.

On Napier Street is the Don Bank Cottage, considered the oldest timber slab house in North Sydney. Built in 1853, the structure was converted into a museum focusing on the area’s social history.

Another well known landmark is the North Sydney Oval along Miller Street. Though this facility is principally utilized for rugby, it is also a venue for several sporting events, such as cricket and football. Another totally unrelated event is done in the oval during January and February—nighttime outdoor cinema viewing.

The oval is part of the Saint Leonards Park, where locals and visitors can use for outdoor recreation such as hiking and jogging, as well as picnics. Nearby is a World War I German Field Gun, well worth visiting by any history buff.

One good way to explore the suburb and the surrounding areas is to take part of the Post Office to Waverton Heritage Walk. The walk leads participants to several historic structures and homes within the area. And there are certainly a lot to see, with numerous structures in North Sydney listed on the Register of the National Estate. Examples of which are the Saint Thomas's Church of England on the corner of West and Church Streets, the North Sydney Post Office on the corner of Pacific Highway and Mount Street, and the Church of England Rectory on Lavendar Street.

A prominent historic establishment in North Sydney is the Sydney Church of England Grammar School. The school started its operation in 1889 and is an independent learning institution.

North Sydney is minutes away from Lavender Bay, where a lot of sailing vessels are anchored. The bay is also an ideal venue for several water sports.

A nearby leisure destination is the Cammeray Golf Course, a nine-hole facility open to the general public wishing to indulge in this particular activity in an urban setting.

The nearest natural reserve to North Sydney is the Badangi Bushland Reserve along Tryon Avenue. This forested area is ideal for bushwalking and bird watching.

Nearby is the Berry Island Reserve where several attractions related to the Aboriginal people are located. Examples of which are several shell middens and engravings found all over the reserve. Accessed at the end of Shirley Road, this forested area is excellent for bushwalking.