Fun in North Sydney, Australia

Residents of Sydney often do not think of ‘crossing the bridge’ from the city to North Sydney. The city’s northern side, or the North Shore, is viewed by pleasure-lovers in Sydney’s cosmopolitan suburbs around the city centre as being dull, snobbish and expensive.

Don't be put off. North Sydney is anything but boring. Take the train to Milsons Point (the station on the harbor on the city’s northern side) or the ferry to the stop of the same name to enter a world of fun, enjoyment and quirkiness.

Walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge

Part of the fun of North Sydney is getting there. You can walk across the bridge from The Rocks to Milsons Point, view watching and people watching at the same time. Apart from the steps at either end, the walk is level. It’s just over half a kilometre long and takes about 20 minutes, depending on how many times you stop to take photos. There are great views of the Opera House and Circular Quay.

At Milsons Point Station, once through the ticket barrier or over the bridge, you have two options.

The first is to turn right, go under the bridge to the road then turn left and walk down to the harbour.
The longer way is to turn left, then right and follow the walkway along the harbour.

There are stunning views of the Opera House and the yachts and ferries that traverse the waterway, and you may see fishers trying to get a catch.

Olympic pool
https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Recreation_Facilities/Pool_Lane_9_Gym/Olympic_Pool
Either way, your first stop is the Art Deco swimming pool which is a wonderful place for a swim. This Olympic size outdoor pool is roofed in winter (June to August) to protect swimmers from the weather. There are lanes for fast, medium and slow swimmers (remember this is Australia, home of champion swimmers, so if you go in the fast lane at home you may need to go into the medium or even slow lane to keep up). There are also areas where you can just splash about and have fun.

Alcoves and sun loungers around the pool are great places to relax.

The complex also has a gym and a childcare centre.

A restaurant attached to the pool called Ripples is a good spot for a glass of wine, cup of coffee or meal while gazing at the best views Sydney has to offer.

Luna Park
https://www.lunaparksydney.com
Next stop, Luna Park, a fantastic funfair that opened on 4 October 1935 and has been lovingly restored in Art Deco style with the most up-to-date rides to thrill young and old.

A huge face complete with long eyelashes, rosy cheeks and a crown greets you, and you enter the fairground beneath a row of gleaming white teeth.

While being entertained by showtunes from the 1930s and 1940s, stroll down the main street and soak in the festive atmosphere. Watch people:

ride the dodgems
plummet down the Hair Raiser
try their skill at the sideshows
fly down the giant slide in Coney Island
snack on traditional fare such as candyfloss.

A day pass to Luna Park is $55 Australian for adults (cheaper for kids depending on their height) and allows you to enjoy as many rides as you want the whole day long.

There are frequent online deals where the price of admission is cheaper.

The park is open from 10 am to 10 pm in summer and 10 am to 6 pm in winter so there’s lots of time to sample everything.

The Big Top hosts various shows, concerts and the Sydney Comedy Club. Visit http://www.bigtopsydney.com/events to see what’s on before you’re in Sydney, and if you fancy anything, buy tickets in advance as events book up fast.

The Deck
https://www.thedecksydney.com/
Fairgrounds not your thing? Visit The Deck bar or restaurant and enjoy a drink or a yummy seafood meal with fantastic views of the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Millers Point.

In summer, there are outdoor areas to relax in right by the harbour.

You can access The Deck outside the park as well as inside.

The restaurant is always offering themed evenings such as dinner on the ferris wheel, so it’s worth checking out the website if you want to do something different and fun.

Although the food may be outside your budget, a beer, glass of wine or soft drink in the bar is an affordable and enjoyable experience in a lively setting. The bar stays open late on Friday and Saturday evenings so you can sip your beverage and enjoy the night lights illuminating the harbour in rainbow hues.

Comic Walk
www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Business_Projects/Completed_Projects/North_Sydney_Public_Art_Trail
You can bypass Luna Park altogether and stroll on the boardwalk along the harbour by the fairground along the Comic Walk, which is part of the North Sydney Public Art Trail. There are little statues of classic characters from Australian literature and television such as Norman Lindsay’s Magic Pudding and James ‘Jimmy’ Bancks’ Ginger Meggs, one of Australia’s longest-running cartoon characters.

Some of the little statues attract offerings of flowers such as Reg Mombassa’s Ken Dugong.

Wendy’s Secret Garden
https://www.wendyssecretgarden.org.au/

Turn right and leave the harbour to ascend up the first culvert you come to. After a steep flight of steps you can turn right and visit Wendy’s Secret Garden. This beautiful spot is an interlacing of ferns, fig trees and flowering plants and invites guests to stroll and enjoy.

There are plenty of chairs and tables tucked among the vegetation where you can read a book or picnic with friends, and whimsical statues to entertain and delight. Despite the garden being popular with wedding parties and other groups, it’s never overcrowded as there are so many nooks and crannies. There’s also a resident brush turkey weaving their way among the flowers, song birds and lizards.

Wendy Whiteley, wife of artist Brett Whiteley, set up the garden for Sydneysiders and tourists to enjoy, and she is supported by North Sydney council and the NSW Government.

Either go back the way you came or climb to the top of the stairs and follow signs to North Sydney station. And don’t let anyone tell you North Sydney is boring again.

Why go?

There's a massive variety of things to do a short distance away from one another.
The views of Sydney Harbour are unsurpassed.
Enjoy all the fun of a traditional fairground and enjoy a drink at the bar with fantastic views.
While an afternoon away in beautiful Wendy's Secret Garden
Giggle at the characters on the comic walk.