Surry Hills
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In the early 19th century Surry Hills was on the outskirts of the city and the ideal place to build a mansion, but the area later sank into decline, becoming an overcrowded slum, with brothels and notorious gangs – as described by Ruth Park in her 1940s novels, Poor Man’s Orange and The Harp in the South.
Today’s Surry Hills, and neighbouring Strawberry Hills, is a very different place – a colourful and diverse inner-city suburb that is well known for its art galleries, antique dealers, cafes and pubs, and fashion and rag trade outlets.
Leisure
Parks & Open Spaces
To book a City park or open space:
Tel: 02 9265 9550 / 9265 9946 / 9246 7805
Email: openspacebookings@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Harmony Park
Opened in November 2006 an located between Goulburn, Brisbane and Hunt Streets, this is the first new inner city park for decades.
Frog Hollow Reserve
New trees, lighting and landscaping feature ar thei infamous reserve on the corner of Albion and Riley Streets.
Prince Alfred Park
Located just south of Central Station, Prince Alfred Park is best known for its 1950s-style outdoor swimming pool. Spanning more than 7.5 hectares, this vital community park also features large grassed areas, a playground and tennis courts.
Shannon Reserve
This park at the corner of Crown and Collins streets is the location of the Surry Hills Market – held on the first Saturday of every month, subject to weather.
Other parks
Moore Park
Be part of the excitement of big-time sport and entertainment at Moore Park, which includes the Sydney Cricket Ground and Aussie Stadium, featuring Australian Rules Football, cricket, Rugby League, Rugby Union, soccer, concerts and interactive venue tours.
Swimming Pools
Prince Alfred Park Pool, Surry Hills
Chalmers Street, Corner of Cleveland Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Prince Alfred Park Pool has closed for the approved redevelopment of the park and facilities.
More Info >>
Tennis
Prince Alfred Park Tennis Courts, Surry Hills
Jensen’s Tennis Centre
Tel: 02 9698 9451
Chalmers Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
More Info>>
Moore Park Tennis & Golf Club
Cnr Cleveland St & Anzac Pde,
Moore Park NSW 2021
Tel: 02 9663 1064
Library
Surry Hills Library Link
Tel: 02 8374 6250
Email: library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 02 8374 6255
Northcott Centre Belvoir Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 4:15pm
Note: Closed for lunch 12pm to 12:45pm
Saturday and
Sunday: Closed
Public Holidays: Closed
More Info >>
Entertainment
Museums, Galleries & Attractions
Movies
Theatres & Performance Venues
Shopping
The focus of Surry Hills shopping, busy Crown Street is popular for its off beat clothing homewares and collectables, bookshops and food stores.
On the first Saturday of every month, the Surry Hills Market is held at Shannon Reserve, and this is a great place to find clothing gifts, creative crafts and bric-a-brac.
Also in the area is the excellent Sydney Antique Centre on South Dowling Street, and Cleveland Street’s Surry Hills Shopping Village, ideal for food and every day shopping.
Dining
Once again Crown Street is the place to go, particularly when it crosses Oxford, Fitzroy, Devonshire and Cleveland Streets.
There is an extraordinary range of eateries here – from tiny Lebanese and Turkish takeaways to upmarket Modern Australian restaurants and some excellent pub dining rooms, such as the Dolphin, Clock and Hopetoun, offering meals at very reasonable prices. Oxford, Riley, Albion and Bourke Streets also feature many places to eat, including some good Asian and Italian establishments.
Did You Know?
Hills Reserve at the corner of Albion and Riley Streets was once a gully known as ‘Frog Hollow’. Filled to the brim with narrow terraces that were overcrowded and had poor light and ventilation, it was a notorious ‘no-go area’ frequented by some of the area’s worst criminals in the 1920s. The City is currently redeveloping the site for more extensive use.
Foveaux Street was named after Captain Joseph Foveaux, NSW Corps paymaster, who received a land grant of 100 acres in the Surry Hills area in 1792.
Last Updated: Tuesday 26 February, 2008
