Rozelle and Balmain - Sydney’s posh seaside neighbourhoods

Urban walkabout walk through Rozelle and Balmain

I love the walks and (free) guides from UrbanWalkabout and ‘did’ several of them when I was in Sydney.

On a sunny, hot day, I decided to start by taking the bus to Glebe and walk around there (more about Glebe in a separate article).

From there I took a bus to Rozelle, to start my Rozelle/Balmain UrbanWalkabout walk. For info about how to get to Rozelle and Balmain, see the info in the right-lower corner of the map below.

What kind of neighborhoods are Rozelle and Balmain?

Rozelle and Balmain are located on a picturesque peninsula in Sydney’s inner west. You’ll find art galleries there, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and pubs. I did not have a chance to check out their flea markets.

You’ll come across 19th century sandstone buildings and colorful working-class heritage buildings.

Snail mail

In Rozelle I first stopped by Tilly’s, to stock on nice postcards to send to friends and family. I found some good ones, but man, what an expensive shop that is!

Across the street I had lunch while writing some snail mail. A group of ladies at the next table was impressed and asked me about my cards and letters.

Some of the cards were for a very sick friend and they were meant for moral support and for diverting him from his suffering at the time.
How disappointing it was to find out later, that he did not receive any of the cards I sent him from Australia nor from Singapore. Very weird! Could the mailman in his suburb be unreliable? Stealing mail that he or she thinks looks interesting? That same friend also did not receive mail-with-cash-money from someone else. Hm…I really suspect the mailman.

Just follow Darling Street

After my lunch I continued my walk along Darling Street, all the way to the end of the next suburb: Balmain.

I took my time, admiring the architecture and street art, peeking in small bars, coffeeshops and restaurants.

Here and there I went into a shop and looked around.

This long wall with street art was very special and moving. It was a hommage to a man, husband and young father who lost his life in a fire, set by a neighbor. Very tragic.

The sun was burning, but glorious, the light was harsh and Darling Street was long. Lots of green. I was enjoying myself.

Several shops and restaurants had a water bowl for dogs outside. Nice gesture, I find.

A 10-minute ferry ride from Balmain to Circular Quay

As usual the walk was up and down hill a lot, so I was tired by the time I reached Balmain East Wharf … only to find out that the ferry service was suspended since months. Bummer!

I had been looking forward to take the ferry to Circular Quay. Now I had no choice but to take the bus back into the city. Not as much fun, not as romantic and it took quite some time before I was back at the hotel.

I learned that the ferry is back on schedule now.

More artsy quirks please

All in all I had a great day. Even though Rozelle and Balmain are not my favorite neighborhoods in Sydney. They are a bit too ‘posh’ for my taste. I prefer my suburbs to be more quirky, artistic and alternative.

Still, it’s always fun to explore new neighborhoods and I look forward to my next visit to Sydney, so that I can explore some other hoods.