A short drive from Sydney's CBD, the Inner West is an area bounded by the Parramatta River in the north and the Cooks River in the south, which includes suburbs such as Balmain, Glebe, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Newtown, Petersham and Dulwich Hill.
As the Sydney Swans prepare to play their next three home games at the Inner West’s Henson Park, we shine a spotlight on some of the things locals love about the area.
1. Food:
Whether it’s for a dinner with family or brunch with friends, the Inner West is home to some of Sydney’s best restaurants and cafes. Rather than name names (there are just too many!) we suggest you take a stroll along some of the dining strips to get a feel for what each area has to offer. There’s Norton Street in Leichhardt – often called Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’ – along with Darling Street in Balmain, Ramsay Street in Haberfield, and the LLLLONG stretch of King Street Newtown that extends all along Enmore Road.
2. Live shows:
Love a concert? Then you can’t go past the iconic Enmore Theatre. Built in 1908, this art deco building is Sydney’s oldest and longest running live theatre that has hosted acts from The Rolling Stones to The Wiggles. It’s also a great place to catch a comedy show, as is the nearby Factory Theatre in Marrickville which acts as a satellite venue for the annual Sydney Comedy Festival.
3. Street art:
Ever tried to negotiate the narrow streets of Newtown only to have additional obstacles in the form of Instagrammers posing with street art? Yep – it’s a thing. And for good reason. The Inner West, and in particular Newtown, is home to some of Sydney’s most impressive street art – so much so that you can do a street art walking tour through the suburb. Names like Fintan Magee, Scott Marsh, Sharon Billinge and Ox King adorn works across fences, businesses and the sides of houses through laneways and main streets.
4. Glebe Park Foreshore:
Water views? Check. Picnic areas? Check? Playground? Check. Glebe Park Foreshore has it all. Nestled beside Black Wattle Bay and a stone’s throw from the Sydney Fish Market (along with the new one under construction!) this is the place to come for a day out with the family. You can even catch some junior footy as Jubilee Park is home to the Glebe Greyhounds.
5. Ballast Point Park:
Want to take in harbour views without the hustle and bustle of the city? Then head to Ballast Point Park, an award-winning 2.6 ha recreational area in Birchgrove on the Balmain Peninsula. Once a thriving industrial site, the park now offers walking paths, access for cyclists and green picnic spots with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
6. The Bay Run:
Popular with runners, walkers and the Inner West’s four-legged friends, the Bay Run is a seven kilometres circuit around Iron Cove, taking in Callan Park, Leichhardt Park, Rodd Point and the Iron Cove Bridge. A family fun run around the circuit returns in August 2024 for the 20th year of the iconic local run.
7. Rodd Point:
If you’ve tackled the Bay Run then you would have passed Rodd Point. This scenic spot is surprisingly peaceful and a popular place for kayakers. Take your kayak over to the nearby Rodd Island for a picnic to take in some of the best views west of the bridge but beware a landing fee applies. Head to National Parks to find out more.
8. Footy at Henson Park:
Of course, what list would be complete without a mention of the BEST thing to do in the Inner West this long weekend – watching the Sydney Swans at Henson Park in our annual Pride Game! Our women’s team takes on Geelong on Sunday, October 6 at 3:05pm. Gates open 90 minutes before bounce and you will want to get there early to make the most of the food trucks, family activities and finding a spot on the hill to stretch out your picnic rug. Grab your tickets here and we’ll see you at the footy on Sunday.
