Ninety9 and 1990s Walking Tour of Newtown

Overview

Before soaking up some rays, sifting through Greenpeace bumper stickers and grooving to some alternative-rock at Newtown Festival, muse over the sights and smells of this iconic inner-west suburb at the turn of the millennium. A '90s themed Newtown walking tour will take place on Saturday, October 19, supported by the City of Sydney and hosted by writer Vanessa Berry.

Newtown has a long-held reputation as being the heart of counter-culture. However, with the onset of boho chic and skyrocketing real estate prices, whether it has retained its gritty edge is debatable. The pre-yuppie utopia saw the burgeoning of grassroots political activism, the boom of pub rock heralded by the late Sando and the colourful main drag of King Street with its multicultural cuisine and cheap student eats. There was also the former glory of the Newtown Hotel as the keystone of gay and lesbian pride, and the Goth-den that was Camperdown Park.

Departing from the Newtown Library, the tour will stop at various sites of cultural and historical interest. Allow yourself to be transported back to a period of anarchist fervour and avant-garde excitement, retracing the steps of queens, punks, Goths and rockers. This unique opportunity is perfect for both locals and tourists.

Image Credit: Reclaim the Streets Rally, courtesy of Vanessa Berry.