NORTH SHORE
Sydney’s North Shore is split into Upper North Shore and Lower North Shore, or Northern Suburbs, which encapsulates the areas from the Northern end of the Harbour Bridge to Mooney (but not as west as Hornsby).
The Lower North Shore area generally refers to those along the waterfront, including Kiribilli, North Sydney, McMahons Point, Neutral Bay, Mosman, and Cremone to name a few. North Sydney has recently become an alternative working hub from the CBD, accessible via the iconic train ride over the harbour bridge from the city. Don’t let the towering skyscrapers housing top financial branches scare you, North Sydney has various parks and outlets to the harbour that will bring you right back into nature. A notable walk not too far from the city centre would be a stroll through Balls Head Reserve. Located in the neighbouring suburb of Waverton, walking through the reserve will reward you with picturesque vistas of the harbour with a backdrop of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and CBD Skyline. If you’re looking to go mansion shopping or stroll through one of Sydney’s most chic suburbs, be sure to take a trip to Kirribilli as well. As Kirribilli is home to the Prime Minister of Australia (residing in Kirribilli House), you can be assured that a stroll through this neighbourhood will be pleasant and filled with even more harbour views.
DISCOVER
A trip north of the bridge is also incomplete without a trip to the historic Luna Park. Whilst most of Australia’s notable theme parks are located on the Gold Coast, Sydney’s Luna Park is a smaller theme park filled with attractions dating back to the 1930s (don’t worry, the rides have been serviced since then). Thus, the heritage-listed rides and games paired with a scenic view of the water are what make a trip to Luna Park a notable experience. If theme parks aren’t really you’re style in terms of action-packed experiences, you may find that a trip to Taronga Zoo would suit you better. Nestled in the suburb of Mosman, you will find one of Australia’s largest zoos which houses around 350 species of animals. Taronga is also committed to the conservation of local and exotic species, with various programs and funds committed to studying and saving endangered species as well as raising awareness with visitors on their mission.
Within Mosman, you will also stumble across a scattering of beaches including Balmoral and Chowder Bay. A short hike connects the two beaches allowing you to tackle two beaches and a hike in one sunny day (link to hike post)! You can then graze on a late lunch at one of the many local eateries such as The Boathouse right on the water’s edge.
The ‘Upper North Shore’ alternatively extends further north and encapsulates the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a diverse 4,977-hectare National Park teaming with beauty and destination hiking spots. Whilst the northern suburbs including Pymble, St Ives and Hornsby are known for being quieter and more suburban than those closer to the city, there is much to be found in the leafy expanse of the Upper North Shore. Whilst exploring the Chase, you can embark on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk which will take you past ancient rock art depicting the rich history of Australia which goes way beyond it’s colonial past.
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Take a picnic and discover Wendy Whitley’s Secret Garden (see photos above)
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Dust off your hiking boots and head out to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
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Hop on some rides at Lunar Park right on the harbour-front
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Kick-back at Balmoral Beach
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Hike the Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay walk
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Checkout some of Northern Sydney's many great pubs for a cold one after work
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Join the commuters crossing the Harbour Bridge on foot and see the city from a whole new perspective
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Enjoy dinner and drinks under the enchanting tree at the Oak Hotel (Neutral Bay)
OUR HIGHLIGHTS
Generally speaking due to its proximity to the CBD, the transport links in the North Shore are fairly strong and reliable. Like most regions in Sydney, the North Shore is well connected via rail. The Ferry is also an option when getting to select coastal suburbs. Besides this, buses run regularly across the North Shore.
Train:
There are two main train lines that run through the North Shore. The T1 towards North Shore will take you through North Sydney all the way to Berowra through Gordon. If you are looking to go more north-west, the T9 traverses through the direction of Rhodes all the way up to Normanhurst. This line can also be rode through the city to get to Gordon from the northwest.
Bus: To get to more secluded suburbs such as Mosman, the bus is an alternative for those who may not be able to drive. The Line 100 bus can take you all the way from Wynyard to Taronga Zoo, passing through Mosman in case you wanted to step off to go to the beach. The 202 bus is another route that can take you from Bridge Street to North Bridge via North Sydney. These are just two of the many bus routes found throughout the area.
Ferry:
The coastal suburbs of the North Shore are well connected to the ferry network. If you’re heading to Luna Park, be sure to take the ferry from Pyrmont or Circular Quay to Milson’s Point for front-door access to the park. Stops at North Sydney, Kirribilli and Neutral Bay can also be navigated. Continuing on north, you can take another ferry from Circular Quay all the way to Cremorne, Mosman Bay and even to the base of Taronga Zoo, ensuring that you always arrive to your destination in style.
Car:
The roads north of the city are new, spacious and plentiful. It comes in handy to have a car in this area due to the sheer size and distance between suburbs. Especially in the most northern parts of the North Shore around Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, having a car will come in handy when trying to reach those secluded hiking spots.