The Lower North Shore
If you're after a truly breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour, cross the Harbour Bridge and spend some time on the lower north shore.
The lower north shore is renowned for its liveability. Treasured by locals, the area is surrounded by Sydney Harbour to the south and Middle Harbour to the east, filled with scenic, secluded parklands and dotted with some of the city’s best cafes and restaurants.
Lavender Bay, Milsons Point, Waverton and Mosman skirt the harbour with top swimming spots, running tracks (think palm trees and panoramic views) and lush parks that lead right into the water. Directly underneath the Harbour Bridge is the North Sydney Olympic Pool, just one of the area’s many visually stunning places to swim (see also: Maccallum Pool and basically every beach). The Kirribilli Market is one of Sydney’s oldest culture haunts — with designer products, fresh produce and fashion appearing every fortnight in picturesque parkland at the foot of the Harbour Bridge.
With easy transport links into the city (a short ferry jaunt, quick train ride or a hop on the bus), the area is populated by young professionals who are looking for that balance of space (suburbs) and culture (inner city). And in turn, over the past few years, there’s been an influx of hospitality to satiate their desires. It’s easy to see the appeal, so in partnership with luxury Australian property development company Aqualand and its new Blue at Lavender Bay project, we’ve come up with an extensive guide to the lower north shore. Everything worth eating, drinking, seeing and doing in the area, is right here at your fingertips.
Lavender Bay is a ten-minute drive from the CBD, but if you don’t own a car, public transport is more than adequate. North Sydney train station is a ten-minute walk, or a ferry from Circular Quay will drop you off at Milsons Point or McMahons Point.
Once you’re over the bridge it’s relatively easy to make your way around the north shore. North Sydney train station is on the north shore line, which takes you all the way from Sydney Harbour to Chatswood. A bus down Spit Road or Military Road will take you to Balmoral. If you have a car, curb-side parking is tough, but available.
The stunning harbourside parks and beach pools — our favourites are Maccallum Pool for a seawater swim, North Sydney Olympic Pool when you need to pump out a few laps and Blues Point Reserve for a scenic picnic or a morning run. Each of these locations are just as beautiful in winter as they are in the summer — if it’s too cold for a swim, just go for the scenery.
Fitness is a big deal. Jog on scenic running tracks that skirt the harbour, swim morning laps at Balmoral Beach or head to a specialty yoga studio. Once you’re done with your workout, grab a coffee and some breakfast from one of the many specialty cafes in the area.
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Annata -
Tonic Lane - CLOSED -
Afternoon Views from The Spit to Manly -
Kirribilli Art, Design and Fashion Market -
Obelisk Beach -
Wendy's Secret Garden -
North Sydney Olympic Pool -
Bradley Head to Chowder Bay Walk -
Traffic Jam Galleries -
Bistro Moncur Mosman -
Fratelli Fresh Crows Nest - CLOSED -
The Buena -
Royal Stacks - CLOSED -
Yakitori Yurippi -
La Cantina St Leonards - CLOSED -
Hunter Gatherer - CLOSED -
Italian Street Kitchen -
The Boathouse Balmoral -
SoCal -
Aqua Dining - CLOSED -
The Botanist
Surround yourself with everything the lower north shore has to offer at Aqualand‘s Blue at Lavender Bay project. The best restaurants, cafes, bars and activities are all on your doorstep.